Originally posted by: Platypus
Sweet, what are some good places up on the NW side to get good beer?
We should just say f' it and get a group to go to the hop leaf
Well, to be honest, I am one of those people who can't stand congested urban areas so I try to avoid the city, I stick to the suburbs where parking is free and there are big parking lots. I hate street parking and I hate paying to park. (But I can deal with it every now and again)
The Yardhouse in Glenview has a HUGE selection of draft beers (as in, biggest selection in all of Illinois), and I hear the food is good too.
http://www.yardhouse.com/
That being said ...
Within the city limits, one of these days I'd love to check out Goose Island's Wrigleyville or Clybourn Brewpub. I haven't been there yet even though I LOVE their beer.
http://www.gooseisland.com/pubs/pubs.asp
(Though I am liable to complain about parking...)
Otherwise, a bit farther West there are two brewpubs in Schaumburg, (Prarie Rock, and The Ram (if it still Exists, The Ram is also in Wheeling & Rosemont or at least it was at one point in time, I am not sure if they are still in business though) and a brewpub in West Dundee (though that may be a bit too much driving as it's out past Elgin)
South Barrington has a couple of brewpubs, Palatine has a brewpub
There are a lot of brewpubs in Illinois, and you're pretty much 100% guaranteed to get good beer at any of them.
http://www.beer100.com/brewpubs_a_to_k/illinois.htm