Beers and breweries in Chicago

Goose Island has become more "mainstream" now, but heading to their brewpub might be worth a stop.

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Closer to downtown lakefront or riverwalk area the better

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For the most part, you'll need to venture into Chicago neighborhoods to get good beer. Not much near downtown, though Franklin Tap and Lloyd's (Loop), typically, have Hop Butcher on Friday after Thursday releases and Centennial (River North) has a solid list.

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Partial to NEIPAs but like all styles

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Corridor, Maplewood, MoRE (Villa Park), and Riverlands (St. Charles).

Hop Butcher, Phase Three and Saint Errant distribute across Chicagoland, but do not have taprooms. However, these are some of the most-sought after beers in Chicago right now. Saint Errant will be easier to find on shelves, but Hop Butcher and Phase Three sell-out within hour(s) of drops. HB is, typically, on Thursday and Phase Three on Friday.

Like MoRE and Riverlands, Noon Whistle is in the suburbs, but very hit-or-miss. If you make the drive, go to MoRE or Riverlands first and foremost. Mikerphone has been another that's hit-or-miss with it's hazy IPAs, but they've done well on their stouts.

MoRE recently hired Corridor's head brewer after MoRE's guy left to start Phase Three. Corridor promoted from within, which is good. Grabbed their guy from DryHop, which is the sister brewpub of Corridor. DryHop does hazy IPAs, too. Think Corridor makes better beer and DryHop has better food.

Marz is another brewery that does hazies and they have a taproom in Bridgeport. Pretty easy to get to. They're going to open another taproom in Logan Square.

Pipeworks does not have a taproom, but you can find their beer at almost every liquor store. The largest selection will be at their "bottle shop" (just a few coolers) in their brewery.

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Closer to downtown lakefront or riverwalk area the better, but will hop on the subway to travel to a can't miss place.

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Chicago is very easy to navigate, whether it be by train or Lyft/Uber.

Other options: Goose Island (Fulton Market - great on-site list of their cellars), Half Acre (Balmoral is the newer location, but Lincoln is their original taproom), Spiteful, Revolution (brewpub in Logan Square and brewery in Avondale), Begyle, Dovetail, Hopewell, On Tour, and Off Color.

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Goose Island has become more "mainstream" now, but heading to their brewpub might be worth a stop.

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Depending what he's looking for at GI, I'd recommend their Fulton Market brewery over the brewpub on Clybourn.

Revolution brewery had a nice restaurant/taproom.

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Thanks to all. Even if I do not make it out of the downtown area to hit some of these breweries, I now have an excellent list of beers to look out for.

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I fully-anticipate that you won't make it to the suburbs, so I'd hit Corridor and Maplewood + be on the lookout for can distribution from Hop Butcher, Phase Three and Saint Errant.

Corridor will be easiest to get to. You can pop on a Brown Line and it's right near the Southport stop. Maplewood has been shooting up in popularity over the last eight months. Easiest to get there via Lyft/Uber, otherwise you can take the Blue Line to Logan Square and walk or take a quick Uber (five minutes).

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Revolution brewery had a nice restaurant/taproom.

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Take the Blue Line to the California stop. Half a block. Easy from downtown and worth the visit.