Craft beer in Chicago
The imperial stout capital
Chicago hosts one of the densest urban craft beer scenes in America. The city's relationship with imperial stouts — particularly Goose Island's Bourbon County Brand Stout, which kicked off the modern barrel-aged stout movement when it was first released in 1992 — has shaped the national conversation around aged beers. Modern Chicago craft brewing covers everything from rotating IPAs (Pipeworks, Half Acre) to traditional German lagers (Off Color) to barrel programs that rival anywhere in the country.
Breweries Tracked
5
Specialty
Imperial stouts and barrel-aged
Hub Neighborhood
Logan Square / Avondale
How Chicago shaped American craft beer
Goose Island's 1995 launch of Bourbon County Brand Stout created the entire bourbon-barrel-aged imperial stout category. The 2011 acquisition by AB-InBev was a watershed moment in craft beer M&A — it fundamentally changed how breweries thought about exit strategies. Three Floyds (just over the border in Indiana but culturally Chicago) launched Dark Lord Day, the first major beer release pilgrimage event. Chicago craft beer culture emphasizes bold flavors, big stouts, and a slightly outsider attitude.
Where to visit in Chicago
Tasting Room HighlightsHalf Acre's tasting room in North Center, Revolution Brewing's brewpub in Logan Square, and the Goose Island Fulton Street Brewery for tours. Off Color's Mousetrap on the Northwest Side is a quirky favorite for traditional styles.
Common date code formats from Chicago breweries
MM/DD/YY
5 breweries