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    Illuminated Brew Works

    4.5 (27 reviews)
    ModerateBrewpubs
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

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    Fruit Creep
    Steve A.

    Brewery in an odd location. Illuminated is a fairly new and small one in Norwood Park. Located in a very small plaza next to a car wash. Hard to notice unless you're actually looking for it, and it's still hard. This still took us a few times going by before finding it. After looking up local breweries, I was interested in making my way here. It's a fairly new brewery with a lot of sour beers, good stuff. There's a pretty nice variety. Has some to go cans. They also fill up growlers. Came with the girl to have a pint or a few. Turned out to be a few, too good for only one though. It's about $7 a pint. That limited us because I definitely would have had more of this. I had the Fruit Creep. This is a double IPA. It's not too hoppy. This was tamed a bit by the fruity notes. Also good is the Wiccan Chicken. This has more than just a cool name. Also there's slushies if you want something frozen. These are made with a sour beer, cool literally. Has a very interesting location and very interesting beers. It's close to the Metra station a few blocks from here. This makes it convenient to get to by public transportation.

    Bar area
    Karen S.

    I love Illuminated. Their beer and the service I've received there are part of the reason I became a beerstagrammer (@allthebeer_morebeer). How does one describe the ambiance at Illuminated? Well, at first I would have described it as metal and possibly borderline scary, but now it just feels like my favorite neighborhood brewery a la Cheers. It's a really inclusive place, and the beer is great. I guess that's all that really matters.

    The sign above denotes the small brewery in parking lot
    Meg R.

    While a strange and curious location tucked between a hand car wash and a wine place, Illuminated is nice enough to offer masks and buttons upon entering. Notice the brewery floor in front of you right when you walk in and the free masks and buttons as well. You'll see ALL the beer options in cans on the left. Once you make your way toward the large square bar, you will see lots of seating options for groups of people. What was the most surprising is I notice a good balance of women and men here. A nice surprise. Find a seat at the bar and the female bartender will direct you to the sign above for beer options. Don't forget you can get the canned options too! Maybe split it amongst the people around you if you're up for trying it out. I did this with the Wiccan Chicken. The bartender poured some in glasses for 4 of us and we all got to try something that, honestly, was underwhelming. Strange enough the male behind the counter did not have any words to describe this beer we were drinking. And neither did the bartender. So bust out the Untapped in this place to get a description of what you see on on tap or in the cans. What did taste great was the Outer Space. There was an offer to have a side by side pour with the Inner Space for $9, but I wasn't feeling having more than one when I first sat down. I posted a picture of what the difference is between these 2. Really glad I stopped in for a beer! And will be back as I tried another brew on tap that was a Slushy Thing, a fruited sour. Not comparable to the Fruit Creep I had back in Oct. 2020 which I found was both dank and delicious. And I really need to get my brain around their assortment of varieties. But hey, new brewery in my hood, I'm sure I'll figure it out. Last thing: I Wish they had an option to get an assortment of canned brews.

    a man walking past a mural
    Audra M.

    IBW is near our friends' homes, so, along with them, we have become huge fans of the place. We love the beers, and service is always exemplary even when a lone bartender becomes a bit busy. We have attended a trivia night, which is a great time. I love the interior and the labels all over the bathroom walls. The whole vibe is chill and the patrons are all pretty cool from what I've seen.

    The very enjoyable Astronaut Eye Scream!
    Alden C.

    Always like my beer experiences in the Chicago area as the breweries from past outings and tastings have proved to be enjoyable and memorable. Illuminated Beer Works is no exception in the slightest. Steve and I enjoyed two different beers from this brewery and we enjoyed both of them considerably. Our first one was the Fruit Creep. It's a take on the zebra striped gum so many people got nostalgic for( and eventually got distributed and produced again if I'm not mistaken). This is a very fruity beer but one I liked pretty well. Some fruited beers don't sit with me very well as they feel heavy afterwards and are just too sweet but this one was definitely one of the better ones. The other beer was the Astronaut Eye Scream. A New England IPA which was pretty good. It had good hoppy, citrusy and creamy aspects to the flavor profile. Perhaps not the best New England IPA I've ever had but a nice solid one that is considerably better than many others. Good beer experience all the way around with this brewery!

    Shop
    Oliver D.

    Great selection of beers on tab. I suggest the sampler to try a few before committing to a glass. During happy hour a sampler flight of 4 beers is just 11 dollar. The atmosphere is chill and the staff is great.

    Typical offering in front of the secret pledge

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    4 months ago

    Interesting decor. Friendly, knowledgeable staff. Unique, innovative and tasty brew selection. Well worth a visit.

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    4 years ago

    This is a cool brewery, the kind that's for adults, not little kids. Nice sis e, great warehouse. More Brony please.

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    Ask the Community - Illuminated Brew Works

    Review Highlights - Illuminated Brew Works

    Not comparable to the Fruit Creep I had back in Oct.

    Mentioned in 3 reviews

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    Industry Ales Brewpub - Cocktails and beer flights

    Industry Ales Brewpub

    4.3(90 reviews)
    12.1 miThe Loop
    $$

    My husband and I came with our daughter here and we were blown away. The atmosphere is really cool…read more We really loved the vibes and the decor. We both got flight flights and then I had a avocado Caesar salad salad with chicken and my husband had a Smashburger. We ordered my daughter chicken burgers and fries of course lol. Everything was delicious and we would 100% go back.

    Came here as it was in walking distance after a nearby wine tasting. What can I say...some weeks…read morecall for an extra libation. I had been wanting to try Industry Ales when it opened and was glad to have had the opportunity to finally check it out! I was slightly thrown off, as the dining tables are at the front of this space, and the bar is all the way at the back. In fact, my friend at first glance thought it was a sit-down dining establishment sans bar seating. We found our way to the bar and posted up at two seats. We were offered menus right away and found the bartender extremely knowledgeable. This was super helpful when facing down an encyclopedia of ales. He offered samples when we explained what we were looking for. That is service above and beyond, especially on a bustling Friday early evening. The brews were tasty, but I couldn't really discern what I was drinking apart to say it was a lighter Belgian Ale. Wine is more in my wheelhouse, but always good to change things up, especially when a person has the opportunity to be guided by an expert. The people seated nearby had ordered the tuna tartare which looked delicious. In fact, all of the menu is globally influenced (think: pizza samosas, pierogis, Korean BBQ) in addition to the classic brewpub favorites. In addition to the Brewpub, this location features the Millroom, a speakeasy-style lounge. I did not have a chance to check that out on this visit. Definitely a cut above the usual sports bar and a place to expand one's knowledge of brews.

    Photos
    Industry Ales Brewpub - Bar area

    Bar area

    Industry Ales Brewpub - Flight

    Flight

    Industry Ales Brewpub - The Burger

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    The Burger

    Marz Community Brewing - OKC Smash. Art.

    Marz Community Brewing

    4.4(230 reviews)
    13.6 miMcKinley Park
    $$

    My friends and I came to Mars for a book club meeting and wow, it was such a vibe. I did not expect…read moreto like it this much. The area initially threw me off a bit. It is surrounded by factories and buildings that look a little abandoned, so it feels a little sketchy pulling up. But once you walk inside, it is a completely different experience. The space is beautiful, with a great layout, a central bar, and plenty of seating. It is mostly seat yourself, and you order drinks at the bar, but they do bring food out to you and clear your table. The staff was friendly and took the time to explain how everything works, which I appreciated. Now the food. So good. I have had a favorite taco spot for the past few months, but this place honestly raised the bar. They are known for their fried cheese tacos and they absolutely live up to the hype. The shrimp was delicious and the sauce reminded me of a seafood boil, rich and flavorful. The salsa verde was also great. I also had the fries topped with fried cheese, cilantro, and onions, and they were just as good. Everything smelled amazing and everyone at the table loved their food. One thing I really loved is their drink options. They have great cocktails, but also offer well crafted mocktails that feel just as intentional. On top of that, they have THC and CBD drinks, which really adds to the relaxed, laid back vibe. Overall, it is a great place to sit, hang out, and enjoy good food and drinks for as long as you want. I will definitely be back.

    Marz has a wide range of offerings, from beers and cocktails to sodas and NA options. Their food is…read morealways good. The OKC smash burger with grilled onions is standout. It's thoughtfully assembled and packed with flavor in every bite. The fries could be more interesting, but that's a minor nitpick. The steak tacos are well-seasoned, and the house-made salsas complement them perfectly. Free parking, retro arcade games, and events almost every night, like trivia, music bingo, and even Sunday yoga, make this awesome spot.

    Photos
    Marz Community Brewing - Bar area

    Bar area

    Marz Community Brewing - Smash burger

    Smash burger

    Marz Community Brewing - Very interesting!!

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    Very interesting!!

    Forbidden Root - Sorbet

    Forbidden Root

    4.3(649 reviews)
    9.5 miUkrainian Village, West Town
    $$

    If you like beer, you should be able to find one you like here. There are plenty to choose from…read moreand the descriptions are accurate. My beverage/beer order was the Night Moth Oak-Conditioned Hazy IPA | 7.2% | 12oz/8 - 5oz/4. I recommend this if you are a fan of Hazy IPA's. My food order was the Beer braised, short rib with roasted root vegetables, polenta, swiss chard, and sweety drops. Tender and tasty short ribs. I will be craving the sweety drops for sure. Bar seating, regular tables and high top tables available here.

    Wish I could give a 3.5 stars. I applaud the true creativity. But every order was a mixed bag…read more Fried chicken sandwich - 3.5/5. Pickles are the star. Cut through heaviness. Magical first few bites. But chicken gets boring. Crispy Brussels sprouts - 3.5/5. Solid fry level. Cheesy bites are delicious. But quickly bland. Raisins is an unexpected addition but unsuccessful in my view. Kids grilled cheese - 4/5. Tasty and simple, though my kid wasn't willing to try. Duck and dumpling - 3.5/5. I can see how this is someone's favorite dish. Lovely rich broth. Crispy skin. But there was a heaviness that didn't totally work for me, especially with the bigger duck chunks. Definitely better fresh than leftover. Chocolate beer cake - 3.5/5. Slightly dense cake. Nice frosting. Beer aroma and flavor definitely comes through. Hazelnuts a nice crunch. Fun and glad to have tried, but not reaching for the next bite.

    Photos
    Forbidden Root - Back of the restaurant

    Back of the restaurant

    Forbidden Root - Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.

    Oatmeal Pie is literally hard baked oatmeal in a pie crust with Marlot meringue.

    Forbidden Root - Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

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    Grapefruit Sorbet, Malort Meringue, Mint Syrup

    Moody Tongue Brewing - April 2025

    Moody Tongue Brewing

    4.4(403 reviews)
    13.6 miNear Southside
    $$$

    The lamb earned 5 stars. That was the star of the show. It is a must-order dish. The salad was also…read moreunique, interesting, and tasty, though the other appetizers other patrons ordered looked similarly good. The vibes are immaculate. They have managed to offer excellent service without making the place feel stuffy or full of itself. It is the perfect spot for a special date night or a celebration with friends.

    Dining Room Review! I recently visited Moody Tongue to…read morecelebrate an anniversary. This spot is half a bar/restaurant with an a la carte food menu, housemade beer, and full service bar. On the other side, is a 1 Michelin Star dining experience. Moody Tongue is the first Michelin ranked brewery and even offers a beer pairing with their prefixed menu. The inside is moody with dark wood finishes, black accents, and elegant artwork & feature lighting. Upon entering, one checks in at the first floor host stand. A server brings you upstairs to the dining area. There is a mixture of two and four tops in the space and our table had a handwritten note congratulating us on our anniversary. Our seat allowed both of us to have a view of the kitchen window to watch the chefs prep courses. There were 3-4 servers that serviced the entire dining room and rotated in presenting dishes. They started with warm towelettes to wash your hands which was a nice touch. Service level throughout was impeccable with water refills, explaining the menu, delightful demeanor, fresh silverware per course, and wiping the table clean from anything that dropped. This was certainly one of the best hospitality levels at a one star I've experienced. Dinner was 12 courses including the amuse-bouche and final treats. There was not one course that didn't offer bright, fresh flavors. The presentation of plates were beautiful from every angle. It's hard to pick any top dish as everything was unique and special in their own way; but I am still thinking about the Crab Bite, Sablefish, and Pasta Course. After dinner, each guest got a complimentary bag full of goodies to enjoy at home. What a beautiful final touch! Moody Tongue as a whole far exceeded my expectations. Each dish offered something familiar in a new way that left me speechless. I highly recommend coming to fully experiencing everything they have to offer as you will not be disappointed! Thank you again so much to their team for making our special night unforgettable. Tip: There is free parking on Wabash & 25th but also meter parking on 26th.

    Photos
    Moody Tongue Brewing - Inside Bar

    Inside Bar

    Moody Tongue Brewing - Mushrooms

    Mushrooms

    Moody Tongue Brewing - Black Truffle Pilsner

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    Black Truffle Pilsner

    Au Cheval

    Au Cheval

    4.4(9.5k reviews)
    11.0 miWest Loop, Near West Side
    $$

    so glad we tried this place! we actually only waited about 15 mins to get seated at the bar on a…read morewednesday night around 7pm. we came here for my boyfriends birthday and we were so happy we chose to celebrate here. the two people that helped us was antonio and issa and they made the experience 10x better. they were very attentive and friendly and just easy to talk to. gave us good recommendations and good vibes. we both really liked our drinks and were happy with the spread the food came out. we got to eat the bone marrow first which also came with this really good sauce it was almost like a meat jam but was so good on the bread and then put some of the bone marrow on for the perfect bite. now the burger, you just have to try it because it really is that good. the sauce in it was so good and it just had a really good flavor. it was just an elevated burger. we got fries as well and we shared the burger so it we were really full after. the server brought out ice cream with a candle and some sort of chocolate sauce too which just made the overall experience. we were really happy with the service and food and it just made my bfs bday that much more special and memorable.

    Despite all the hype, it's really an average smash burger. This is a place that has capitalized on…read moresocial media hype and people wanting to say they've been here and thus are cool and trendy. But it is seriously just a greasy smash burger. Their fries are good, and actually stand out more than the burger. Everything is overpriced. I don't know why people complain about the wait; do some research like a responsible adult. I never just walk into a place and expect to be immediately seated, I call first - like anyone who has some sense. If they tell you the wait is 2 hours and you have 2 hours to kill, there are a bunch of bars in the area where you can have some drinks and an appetizer (and not feel like you're stiffing Au Cheval; they're the ones with the 2 hour wait, what do they expect people to do?) Not much to say about the decor or ambience; it's a typically loud West Loop bar with mostly 20 - 30 somethings all trying to one-up each other with their trendiness that instead makes them all basically clones of each other. It is crowded, and you're a moron if you think any place like this is suitable for your 5 year old. That's not the restaurant's fault - it's not Chuck E Cheese. Often I wish Yelp offered a 1/2 star option, because there are places that are a 4.5 or a 3.5. Not in this case. 3 stars is spot-on.

    Photos
    Au Cheval - The cooks were very attentive!

    The cooks were very attentive!

    Au Cheval - Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Crispy Fries & Potato Hash

    Au Cheval - Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

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    Wings (very sticky so they come with hot towels)

    Great Central Brewing Company

    Great Central Brewing Company

    4.4(68 reviews)
    10.0 miNear West Side
    $$

    Checked out this local brewery. Great Central is one of a few around here. It has a pretty good…read morevariety. For certain it's not the most extensive but there's some interesting things to choose from. This is also a great place for gatherings and parties. Beers are the main thing of course. It's basically the only thing to be honest. There's not even any TVs for watching games or whatever. Focus more on the beers. It's about $7 a pint. Best we had of these was the Hefeweizen. This is a pretty standard German one. Also they make cans of sparkling water for those not wanting alcohol. The taproom is pretty big with long tables. Has no TVs meaning there's no big crowds for games. This is great for those not watching any types of sports. Find a few great beers here. It's located close to the Ashland Green Line station. They're closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

    We went to Goose Island and it was so crowded we left and found this place right around the corner…read moreand so glad we did! Such a great spot with big tables, high ceilings and lots of games! We found a place at the bar and were greeted right away! She explained what they brew etc and we were able to easily chat with the bartenders. They were attentive and friendly. The place is loud, but we would definitely recommend and would come back (in from out of town). Beers were delicious!

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    Great Central Brewing Company - House hefe & some of the offered games

    House hefe & some of the offered games

    Great Central Brewing Company - Stairwell to the washrooms

    Stairwell to the washrooms

    Great Central Brewing Company - Elevator to washrooms

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    Elevator to washrooms

    Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery - BRATWURST  beer-braised, veal + pork bratwurst, bacon sauerkraut, bavarian mustard, on a pretzel roll |

    Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery

    4.5(356 reviews)
    11.1 miRiver North, Near North Side
    $$

    My friend (shoutout to Hunter) has been grilling me to check this place out, and now I totally get…read morethe hype. The service was genuinely friendly, and the ambiance gives off such a welcoming, cozy vibe. There's even a fireplace you can sit by during cold Chicago winters, which is a really nice touch. I sat at the bar, and the bartenders -- honestly, the entire staff -- were super personable. You can crack jokes and they'll play right along with you, which makes the whole experience feel relaxed and fun. I ordered the pulled pork skillet and it did not miss. They make your eggs however you want (within reason), and everything came out perfectly. While not the cheapest in town, the value is absolutely there given the quality of the beers and food -- prices feel totally reasonable for River North. Shoutout to Tessa, Tony, and the whole crew -- they really make you feel like a regular. As Tessa would say: Go Birds!

    Bavarian Pretzel was incredible. Happy Hour beers are a bit of a sham. They have $6 pints, but out…read moreof the ~50 beers on the menu, only 3 of them are pints.... the rest are odd sizes that you'd need to pay full price for. Great ambience for some bar food and an evening of trying unique beers. They have a great hosting space upstairs too for grad parties, work events, etc. Main reason for my lower rating was our waitress was insanely slow for a light Thursday crowd. Waited 20 minutes before seeing anyone after being sat, waited 30 minutes for the check, waited another 20 minutes for her to run the check so we could leave. I've never experience service quite that bad... would recommend sitting at the bar if you have a small party.

    Photos
    Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery - Bar shot

    Bar shot

    Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery - Bombest fries

    Bombest fries

    Centennial Crafted Beer & Eatery - Westmalle Trappist Dubbel (Brouwerij Westmalle) - Belgian

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    Westmalle Trappist Dubbel (Brouwerij Westmalle) - Belgian

    Illuminated Brew Works - brewpubs - Updated May 2026

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