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Chicago's South Side and suburbs have great beer.
Chicago's South Side and suburbs have great beer.
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A South Side Chicago Guide To Outstanding Breweries With Taprooms

Fresh beer on the South Side

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Chicago's South Side and suburbs have great beer.
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Chicago's South Siders have watched craft breweries and brewpubs saturate the North Side, leaving them wondering when they'd receive some love. Now that's changing as many brewers and restaurateurs have taken notice of the void.

"There's the same level of interest between the North Side and South Side when it comes to craft beer," said Mad Mouse Brewery's head brewer, Phil Zelewsky.

There's certainly room for development in many South Side neighborhoods, including the South Loop, where Vice District Brewing calls home. Co-owner Quintin Cole feels those neighborhoods are underrepresented: "Not only did we want to give the South Side a brewery, but we wanted to give people from the north a reason to come south."

Whether you're into IPAs, stouts, lagers, or porters, there's pours for everyone at these South Side breweries. They're listed in alphabetical order. Moody Tongue's taproom isn't quite yet open, which is why they're not on the list.

—Jaison Chahwala

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Baderbrau

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From the ashes, Baderbrau rose—like the legendary Phoenix on that serves as the brewery's logo. Sox fans can stop by after games that end before 10 p.m. inside this converted warehouse. Enjoy their Chicago Pilsner.

Blue Island Brewing Co.

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Venture to the suburbs, along historic Olde Western Avenue, Blue Island Beer Co. features barleywine and barrel-aged ales on tap. Enjoy live music and open mic nights with beers you do not see often on tap. They have a BYOF policy which allows you to grab food from one of the many local places to enjoy with their great selection of craft brews.

Blue Nose Brewery

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A very simple, low-key brewery located in suburban Hodgkins, Blue Nose Brewery serves up a very complex variety of craft beers worth venturing Southwest. Unlike most brewery taprooms, Blue Nose Brewery’s taproom has an array of bar games and activities to keep you and your friends busy in between pints. Whether its darts, foosball or pool, Blue Nose is a great place for an off-the-grid hang out for even most seasoned craft beer drinker.

BuckleDown Brewing

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Emphasizing on small-batch craft brewing, BuckleDown Brewing’s large selection of house and featured beers on tap provide the taste of hard labor and pride that would please anyone between connoisseur and social drinker. Their taproom suburban Lyons hosts live music nearly every weekend and has a BYOF policy that allows you bring or order food to the taproom. You can also catch various food trucks on some weekends.

5 Rabbit Brewery

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The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S. is located in Southwest Suburban Bedford Park. Five Rabbit Cerveceria is a brewery that integrates Latin culture and cuisine into the development of their craft beers. The Rabbit Hole Taproom has a wide variety of beers on tap, beers to go, and tacos on Thursdays. They often have food trucks and have a BYOF policy. Oh, and they made headlines for rebelling against Donald Trump.

Horse Thief Hollow

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One hundred fifty years ago, stolen horses were routinely delivered to the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side for sale. Fast forward to 2013, a brewpub opens in Beverly that bears the name of the trade. Horse Thief Hollow’s menu provides a southern flare and promises that everything on the menu is made from scratch from local farms. Their beers on tap include mainstays and seasonals and the leftover grain is used to make their popular malty soft pretzels.

Lagunitas Brewing Company

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When it comes to South Side breweries, Lagunitas, a California import that's made Chicago its second home, stands as one of the most recognizable and accessible craft beers on the market. Located where Pilsen meets Little Village, the taproom provides tastings, a full food menu and live music. Lagunitas’ kitchen takes pride in their ability to provide fresh organic food to pair with your beer without the use of microwaves or fryers.

Marc Much

Motor Row Brewing

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Staying true to the culture and grit of the neighborhood, Motor Row Brewing pays tribute to the Motor Row vicinity that was once home to likes of Al Capone, Marshall Field, the motor industry and the Chicago Blues scene of the 1950s and 60s. Motor Row Brewing sits in a landmark building and serves up some of the most interesting lagers and IPAs to satisfy your bitter cravings. Their taproom features live blues ensembles few nights a week. Taproom currently serves beer only.

Moxee American Kitchen/Mad Mouse Brewery

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This restaurant/brewery has become a staple of University Village and a favorite amongst the students of UIC. Walking distance from many dorms, Mad Mouse Brewery boasts about a dozen of their own beers on tap, as well as some their craft favorites from around the world. A full barbecue menu is available at the attached Moxee Barbecue Cajun restaurant.

Vice District Brewing

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The name pays homage to the neighborhood, which was formerly adulterated before development created the South Loop. Vice District Brewing is the spurious child of two South Side friends who loved brewing craft beer. Located in what used to a Buick showroom, it features a large taproom with a BYOF policy that encourages delivery.

Baderbrau

From the ashes, Baderbrau rose—like the legendary Phoenix on that serves as the brewery's logo. Sox fans can stop by after games that end before 10 p.m. inside this converted warehouse. Enjoy their Chicago Pilsner.

Blue Island Brewing Co.

Venture to the suburbs, along historic Olde Western Avenue, Blue Island Beer Co. features barleywine and barrel-aged ales on tap. Enjoy live music and open mic nights with beers you do not see often on tap. They have a BYOF policy which allows you to grab food from one of the many local places to enjoy with their great selection of craft brews.

Blue Nose Brewery

A very simple, low-key brewery located in suburban Hodgkins, Blue Nose Brewery serves up a very complex variety of craft beers worth venturing Southwest. Unlike most brewery taprooms, Blue Nose Brewery’s taproom has an array of bar games and activities to keep you and your friends busy in between pints. Whether its darts, foosball or pool, Blue Nose is a great place for an off-the-grid hang out for even most seasoned craft beer drinker.

BuckleDown Brewing

Emphasizing on small-batch craft brewing, BuckleDown Brewing’s large selection of house and featured beers on tap provide the taste of hard labor and pride that would please anyone between connoisseur and social drinker. Their taproom suburban Lyons hosts live music nearly every weekend and has a BYOF policy that allows you bring or order food to the taproom. You can also catch various food trucks on some weekends.

5 Rabbit Brewery

The first Latin American-inspired brewery in the U.S. is located in Southwest Suburban Bedford Park. Five Rabbit Cerveceria is a brewery that integrates Latin culture and cuisine into the development of their craft beers. The Rabbit Hole Taproom has a wide variety of beers on tap, beers to go, and tacos on Thursdays. They often have food trucks and have a BYOF policy. Oh, and they made headlines for rebelling against Donald Trump.

Horse Thief Hollow

One hundred fifty years ago, stolen horses were routinely delivered to the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side for sale. Fast forward to 2013, a brewpub opens in Beverly that bears the name of the trade. Horse Thief Hollow’s menu provides a southern flare and promises that everything on the menu is made from scratch from local farms. Their beers on tap include mainstays and seasonals and the leftover grain is used to make their popular malty soft pretzels.

Lagunitas Brewing Company

When it comes to South Side breweries, Lagunitas, a California import that's made Chicago its second home, stands as one of the most recognizable and accessible craft beers on the market. Located where Pilsen meets Little Village, the taproom provides tastings, a full food menu and live music. Lagunitas’ kitchen takes pride in their ability to provide fresh organic food to pair with your beer without the use of microwaves or fryers.

Marc Much

Motor Row Brewing

Staying true to the culture and grit of the neighborhood, Motor Row Brewing pays tribute to the Motor Row vicinity that was once home to likes of Al Capone, Marshall Field, the motor industry and the Chicago Blues scene of the 1950s and 60s. Motor Row Brewing sits in a landmark building and serves up some of the most interesting lagers and IPAs to satisfy your bitter cravings. Their taproom features live blues ensembles few nights a week. Taproom currently serves beer only.

Moxee American Kitchen/Mad Mouse Brewery

This restaurant/brewery has become a staple of University Village and a favorite amongst the students of UIC. Walking distance from many dorms, Mad Mouse Brewery boasts about a dozen of their own beers on tap, as well as some their craft favorites from around the world. A full barbecue menu is available at the attached Moxee Barbecue Cajun restaurant.

Vice District Brewing

The name pays homage to the neighborhood, which was formerly adulterated before development created the South Loop. Vice District Brewing is the spurious child of two South Side friends who loved brewing craft beer. Located in what used to a Buick showroom, it features a large taproom with a BYOF policy that encourages delivery.

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