The Buzz on Local Brews

1035 Sterling Ave, Flossmoor, IL 60422 (map)

The restaurant and brewery--one of the country's foremost small brewpubs--is located in a historic train station. Flossmoor is especially known for its robust, molasses-y Pullman Nut Brown Ale, a blend of seven kinds of malt and three types of hops--a beer that tastes as good as it smells.

5200 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515 (map)

Silver medal-winning Victory Pale Ale is a hops-heavy concoction that's both bitter and noticeably malty, making it a popular companion for the pub's beer and apricot-glazed, slow-roasted pork loin sandwich. Just take note that this place intentionally avoids serving beer ice-cold and delivers 16-ouncers in 20-ounce glasses so there's room for a head.

1 W Grand Street, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

Aficionados know to sign up for this chain's mug club, filling their special steins with Brown Bear Brown, a roasty, chocolate-tinged treat with Chinook and Willamette hops that's surprisingly drinkable given its heft.

412 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048 (map)

It's always St. Patrick's Day at this North Shore institution where boldly flavored Finn's Amber Ale--a dark-colored, American-style ale bursting with hints of caramel--gets props. It was created in honor of the Abana family, who bottled water in the county at the turn of last century.