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Lots of places these days have great beer and cocktail lists, but these are the places where you can see the stuff actually being made. As a bonus, they serve unique products you can't get anywhere else - and usually, the prices are particularly good. Drink locally!
The best place for constantly changing, spectacular Belgian style beer. Beers are brewed on site, and some of them never make it into a bottle. Look for the chef collaboration beers!
North Shore Distillery makes award-winning gins, vodka, absinthe, aquavit and many other great products. Their tasting room is open to the public, and you can buy cocktails and tour the facility. Say hi to Ethyl, their beautiful copper still from Germany.
Koval Distillery was Chicago's first craft distillery since prohibition. They make a variety of whiskeys and ryes, and turn out an insane number of interesting liquors with herbal, fruit and vegetal flavors. Their Ravenswood distillery is open for tours and tastings.
FEW Spirits is Evanston's only distillery. They make gin, bourbon and rye - and their overproof gin is to die for. They also sell used barrels, and the distillery is open for tours on the weekends. A great gift idea for the bourbon lover in your life, or a great unique date!
The only place to get local mead in Chicago. Mead is honey wine, a traditional product that has fallen somewhat out of favor - it can be hard to find. But it's wonderfully refreshing and balanced.
Lincoln Square's local brewer. At their store, get growlers full of their famous Daisy Cutter Ale. Their tap room, opening soon, will serve tons of new brews specially made for the bar.
At this Logan Square brewpub, the beers are made on site. There's a ton to choose from, though don't be disappointed if they are out of your favorite. If you can't find one of their beers to whet your whistle, they also have a full bar.
A great place to get interesting home-brews in the West Loop. If you're looking for a place to meet friends or grab a quick, relatively inexpensive bite, this is a good choice.
The only place in Chicago where the wine is made on-site. Or, to be clear, it's being made right now - by next year, there will be locally made wines on the menu.