Three new breweries
Doubleheart Brewing Best known for its ales, the “almost nano brewery” aims to open a Roscoe Village facility in late 2011. 3018 N. Oakley, 312-259-3270, doubleheartbrewing.com
Finch’s Beer Company Plans for a tasting room are under way, but you can taste on the tours (the next is Sat 7/23, at 3 PM; $10). Be on the lookout for Golden Wing Blonde Ale and Cutthroat Pale Ale at Acre, Bangers & Lace, the Bad Apple, the Paramount Room, Quenchers, and Sheffield’s. 4565 N. Elston, 773-283-4839, finchbeer.com
5 Rabbit Cerveceria Founded in 2010, 5 Rabbit went into full gear a month ago, releasing 5 Rabbit golden ale and 5 Lizard Latin-style witbier; 5 Vulture, a Oaxacan-style dark ale made with raw sugar and ancho chile, will be out this fall. Find them at the Map Room, Hopleaf, the Local Option, Xoco, Delilah’s, and Simone’s. 3304 N. Knox, 312-895-9591, 5rabbitbrewery.com
How about three brewery tours?
Three brewery tours
Half Acre Beer Company The North Center brewery is known for its Daisy Cutter Pale Ale and small-batch collaborations like Captain Fantasy, a saison made with Sorachi Ace hops and pears that’s due out this Friday. Tours, every Saturday at 1 PM, are $10 (which includes a pint glass and samples). 4527 N. Lincoln, 773-248-4038, halfacrebeer.com
Two Brothers Brewing Co. In operation since 1997, Two Brothers is expanding. It continues to offer free tours on the weekends at 1 and 2:30 PM Saturdays, 1 PM Sundays, but given the construction, call to confirm. 30w315 Calumet, Warrenville, 630-393-2337, twobrosbrew.com
Three Floyds Brewing Famed for its annual Dark Lord Day and deep roster of over-the-top brews, Three Floyds offers free tours on Saturdays at 1, 2:30, and 4 PM. Reservations recommended. 9750 Indiana Pky., Munster, IN, 219-922-4425
How about three weird beers?
Three weird beers
Lambrucha Chicagoans Don Feinberg and Wendy Littlefield took the gold in the category of experimental beers at the U.S. Open of Beers earlier this month, winning with Lambrucha, their lemony, low-alcohol combination of lambic with fermented kombucha tea. It’s available at the Publican, Hopleaf, and the Bad Apple and retails at Perman Wines and select Binny’s.
Sahti A “primitive” beer first brewed in the 1500s, this tart Finnish farmhouse ale isn’t traditionally hopped but gets its balance (as well as a resiny flavor) from juniper twigs. Dogfish Head, New Belgium, and Nøgne Ø have bottled versions of sahti available locally.
BrewDog Tokio Available at West Lakeview Liquors, this 18.2 percent alcohol stout is brewed with champagne yeast, jasmine, and cranberries and aged on French oak.
Where to find these and other weird beers . . .
Three places to buy rare beers
West Lakeview Liquors Among other rarities, this shop carries Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch Weasel, an imperial oatmeal stout brewed with kopi luwak, made with coffee beans harvested from the dung of the Asian palm civet. 2156 W. Addison, 773-525-1916, wlvliquors.com
Maria’s Packaged Goods & Community Bar In addition to 18 beers on tap, this longtime slashie carries more than 425 beers, including lines from Emelisse, Hitachino, and Utah-based Uinta, plus a good selection of sours and wild beers. 960 W. 31st, 773-890-0588, communitybar.com
Armanetti Beverage Mart Armanetti’s carries more than 800 beers. They’ve got the whole line of Boulevard Brewing, including its Smokestack Series, and the much-sought-after Russian imperial stout Firestone Walker Parabola, due out this week. 3530 N. Lincoln, 773-529-0288