Someone with more brewery knowledge, please keep me honest: this is a microbrewery, right? I'm going to operate on the assumption that it is. With that, my experience at Lake Effect Brewing Co. was fantastic. Though their beer menu isn't terrifically vast, they have a solid selection, with some options being delightfully creative! After trying a sample, I ordered a 5oz pour of a watermelon something (forgive me, I don't remember the exact name), a lovely brew that I greatly enjoyed sipping on their patio. Speaking of which, the patio is a surprisingly large and comfortable space. It's perfect for enjoying a cold one, especially when the weather is nice. Whether you're there on your own, with friends, or making brand new ones, the area is ideal! The only thing I'll mention is this: you know how, in a Chicago alley, you're never really alone thanks to the presence of certain 1-lb creatures. Because the patio borders an alleyway, you can't avoid seeing a couple of these guys running along the sides. As for the service, I really appreciated how friendly and welcoming the owner and his colleague were. There was also no problem trying a sample, which may be common in such places, but was nonetheless appreciated. Finally, in a world where everything costs an arm and a leg, I appreciate that their prices are reasonable. One of the things I love about local breweries is that there is always something new to try. With this, plus the friendly, comfy, and low-key vibe, I will absolutely be adding Lake Effect to the rotation of places where I am a regular. read more

Lake Effect Brewing Company - Breweries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Lake Effect Brewing lives! After a few years of drinking their fine beers from its old location (including a collab with the venerable Superdawg), we finally visited the relatively new establishment on Milwaukee a few blocks south of Belmont. It's been a boiling hot summer in Chicago this year, but somehow the four of us lucked into a mild August evening to drink beer in its outdoor patio. This time I enjoyed drinking Midnight in London, an amber ale with a spot of Earl Grey tea. Lake Effect has a hookup with Chicago Pickle across the street, so sure enough we enjoyed sandwiches along with the beer. The place is dog-friendly and friendly period - please give Lake Effect a try at the new location! read more

I'd had Lake Effect beers for a while now, so it was nice to see them finally open up a taproom in the city not too long ago. It's in Avondale, just south of Belmont and Milwaukee. It's a small indoor space, but in the summer when it's nice they can open up the back patio which has a lot more seating. When I went, I got the six fathoms and the grapefruit IPA, both good, as their beers always are. Bartenders all seemed cool. While the space itself isn't anything crazy, I'm still glad they have a taproom now, and I'll definitely be going back to check it out whenever they have some new beers on tap. read more

We had such a good time here. First of all there was a Pierogi Papi pop-up, which is always a good time, but they also have a huge gorgeous outdoor patio where you can bring your kid or dog and they had giant jenga and bags and other games to keep everyone entertained and it just seems like the perfect fall spot. read more

For those who care more about the beer than the atmosphere, this is your brewery. It actually has no taproom to speak of, just a place to get a few cans and go. Lake Effect is located off of Montrose close to the Irving Park Metra station. Has few people coming in because unless you knew it was here you would have no idea. The prices are very reasonable to get a pack. A place like this is virtually unknown amongst most lovers of craft beer. It sells a few cans in stores but otherwise this is one of the hardest beers to find around here. This operates out of a warehouse in Old Irving Park. It happens to be a few blocks from the brewery of that same name. That one has a taproom. Here it doesn't. Just has a door to enter and you can get a few cans from a cooler, so it's kind of like grabbing some from a garage refrigerator. It's $2.50 a can. That's cheaper than many stores sell Bud Light. I got the Caddy Pale Ale. The weather was hot so I finished it before making it to the other brewery up the street a ways from here. Brewery is a really small one but they did offer tours for anyone, though not sure if they still offer these anymore. It has very good prices on cans, better than even basic swill you can get in most stores. There's no taproom but you can drink some in the alley or whatever. read more

Lake Effect Brewing Company - Beers - Breweries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Finally made it over to this neighborhood brewery, which has a very very small retail store. "Botanic Overload" is one of the best alcoholic drinks I've ever had. It's like Champagne, but 1,000 times better. It's $13 per bottle, it's probably about 22 oz. The retail shop closes at 5pm on many days & closed on Sunday. Get after it! read more

Lake Effect Brewing Company - Botanic overload. Aged in gin barrels for 2 years. $13.00 for the big bottle which appears to be about 22 oz. - Breweries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

I really like Lake Effect beer but some of the reviews made this place seem like somewhere you go to taste and try beer. My wife and I went on a date and walked through an alley with smelly dumpsters to a small side entrance. It looks like a storage room/janitor closet. There was a fridge with beer to go. This is a place you might grab some beer on your way home from work and drink it at home. Do not bring a date here. read more

Before I went on the Lake Effect Brewing Company's tour, I knew very little about them. I had only tried their Snow beer before and in my head I always confuse them with a Milwaukee brewery with a similar name. After visiting them, I am head over heels in love with their beers, the guys who run Lake Effect are awesome and the way they run their biz is pretty cool, too! Lake Effect does their brewery tours on the weekend - usually in the afternoon. We did ours a couple weeks ago on a Saturday at 230pm. You can find out when the next tour is on their website. You also book & pay the $10 for the tour online. The tour includes samples...and the sampling amount is abundant of whatever they currently have. When you arrive, you may be confused about where to go...because we sure were. They are in 4727 Montrose but you can't see their door from the street. If you see the costume shop, you know you've hit the right building. Walk down the alley on the side of the building and you'll find the door for Lake Effect. Walk right in and soon your fun will begin! The fellas who started Lake Effect - Clint & Lynn - are both there for your tour to tell you all about the stories behind the brews and give you the brewmaster tour of things. Both guys are super nice & really knowledgeable about their craft. They walked us around the space, explaining things as we went. It was pretty cool because they were actually brewing while we were there. We sampled many of their beers and I found a bunch I really liked including Bitchin' Blonde which really should be my signature drink. ;) We also got to see artwork for their new labels of the Falcon Dive IPA which look are so adorable and funny. Half of the battle of a good craft brew is an awesome label, right? (I'm half kidding). We got to see them loading tons and tons of coffee until one brew and taste it when it wasn't even finished without carbonization. (Sidenoted Pro-Tip: If they let you try a non-carbonized beer and you then go on Untappd rating it unfairly because it had no carbonization, you're an idiot). I can't say I've ever done that before so it was a cool experience. I think the Espresso Gone Stout we tried was just released to the market! The Lake Effect Brewing Company's tour was one of my favorite yet. I enjoyed it greatly because I really found one of my new favorite breweries. I love the fruity notes in their witbier Snow, Session Brett Ale (surprise it's a pale session ale!) and the Bitchin' Blonde (a belgian blonde), all of which will be going into my regular rotation. Lynn & Clint said they have plans to expand and add a tap room....which means danger for me since I'll be spending all my money there! Danger for them because they'll have to see my face every weekend! read more

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What a nifty little brewery! I would love to see Lake Effect hit the big time. The beers we tried were all good especially the Belgian Blonde and Session Brett. One thing they shared on the tour, which I found incredibly neato, is that Omega Yeast is next door and by a happy coincidence, they happened to end up next to each other! The yeast scientists provide Lake Effect some unique yeasts that they happily try out. All their ingredients, they try to get as local as they can and much of their hops come from Wisconsin. The brewer also told us that each year they have a 'bring your backyard grown hops' thing and they toss what they get from various donors into a batch of beer. KInd of like the Stone Soup book... Look for them at Binnys! read more

Great little spot that packs a big punch! This brewery is part of The Barrel Run tour. The beer is aged in barrels and I really liked the flavors that I got to sample. If you're in Chicago, check this place out! The owner is very personable and knowledgeable and it's clear he is passionate about his work! read more

Laker Effect is one of the best new breweries in Chicago. Located in Jeff Park in the NW side, it's become a little brewery with a big following. Starting with their staple Bitch'n Blonde Belgium style ale that you can find in most place. Then their Snow Wit beer (white wheat ale) is one if my favorites. Add in seasonal beer like the Watermelon saison which just won best beer at the inaugural Old Irving Park Beer & BBQ Challenge, and the "Blood in the Water" (brewed for Shark Week) pink grapefruit saison, and the Super Bier done in collaboration with Superdawg...all are winners. You can find at least some of the beers at your local liquor store, bar on tap, or sign up for a tour on a nice Saturday. Haven't had a brew I didn't like. Once u try then you'll know what I mean. read more

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We have fallen in love with this place and it is our local brewery a mile from the house! How convenient, huh? Clint, the owner is a master in his craft. Always experimenting and coming up with delicious imaginative brews. My faves are his sours. But his beers done in whiskey barrels are amazing as well. Since discovering this place, we have joined two of his beer subscriptions. In one we get a reduced price on growlers and the other is a Covid doorstep beer delivery! Can't complain about that! Love love love our local brewery! read more

Lake Effect is one of the best secrets in the Chicago craft beer scene. They've of course got a great selection of perennials that'll appeal to any beer drinker: Pale Ales, IPAs, Porters, Belgiums... but they really excel at their barrel aged beers- and they're not afraid to get weird with it. For example, last month I picked up a gose that was aged in a Malort barrel that was absolutely delicious! My favorite time of the year is when Lake Effect starts releasing their barrel aged stouts... those things are dangerous... smooth and sweet yet 15%. Beer snobs should check them out, but go knowing that they don't have a taproom (yet). read more

Earlier in the week during my travels, I had a chance to visit Portage Park's Master Brewer, Clint Bautz at Lake Effect Brewing Company LLC. I hadn't been there for awhile and thought I'd see what was new! What was new was his Super Bier. In fact today...this particular batch was born anew so I got some of the freshest brew ever!! Clint and his team make awesome, almost magical, things to drink. I like many of their craft beers including Hops 45 (pale ale) made especially for the 45th Ward, Arbor Oak, Falcon Dive IPA and many others. Go to Lake Effect Brewing. Sample his latest creations. Buy his latest creations and ENJOY! Clint is an incredible resource to our community and he supports our neighborhood in so many ways. Thanks Clint for your brewing talents and your many contributions!! Tell 'em Dominick sent ya! read more

The guys over at Lake Effect are doing great things! So far, the beers they have been putting out have been spectacular. One of my first beers I tried from them was the Lake Effect Snow. A deliciously light and crisp wit beer. My all-time favorite was their collaboration beer with Dry Hop Brewers, their Belgo-IPA, I Shot A Man in Simcoe. So good! If you had a chance to try it, you're lucky. On top of making great beer, Clint and Lynn are two great guys. Always very friendly, and willing to strike up conversation at any time! Check out their Saturday tours! See where the magic happens! read more

I admit it, I'd never heard of Lake Effect prior to my boyfriend wanting to go on the tour/tasting for his birthday. We had a small group (6) for our tour/tasting & it was great. Clint was super friendly & knowledgeable... I liked this "tour" more than any other I've been on at bigger breweries. The location is a little tricky, but if you follow everyone's directions on Yelp it's a snap. Easy free parking on neighborhood streets, and they are right off the highway & Cicero, so it's relatively simple to get to as well. You might even be able to park down the alley back by the chicken coop if there are spots! We really enjoyed the entire experience... check it out if you're interested in local brewing & delicious beers! read more

I planned a beer tour of various breweries around the area some time back, we almost left Lake Effect because it seems so sketchy when we got out of the cab. I am SO glad we didn't leave, this place is the type of tour that makes it fun. Not the huge tours where you see shiny huge equipment and the breweries awards, this was the real deal. And the beer was great too! read more

Very laid back and different kind of tour. Do not expect this is the same as a Revolution or Lagunitas tour. It's a small brewery and the tour is more about brewing beer than looking at giant machines. I learned a ton! You should get a free sample in the brewery and then you go to a nearby bar to do a flight of beers guided by your host. Highly recommended for something different. Parking is down the ally by the brewery in the back. read more

I came here over the weekend with my husband, sis-in-law, and bro-in-law, and we had a great time. First things first, this place is difficult to find. Google maps put it between Cicero and 90 on Montrose, but be warned that the front of the place is not directly on Montrose. You have to walk down an alley, past a yeast lab, past a costume shop, and eventually you will see the brewery's door at the end of the row, on the right hand side. Luckily, we ran into Clint while walking down Montrose and he showed us the way. I guess that most of the staff was out the day of our tour, doing tastings around the city. It was just the 4 of us, another couple on the tour, Clint, and another staff member applying beer bottle labels by hand. Yes, by hand. You can tell from the first minute you meet Clint that he loves what he does. This tour won't go into the "how you make beer" generic speech you get from most brewers. Instead, Clint showed us around and talked about his specific beers, the blends he makes, and his personal stories of beer-making, like when he slept in the brewery overnight, waking up every 2 hours, to check on the beer temp. That's dedication. The brewery itself is small, much smaller than I expected. All the stills are in one small-ish room, where Clint's office is in a back corner, surrounded by wine and whiskey barrels where he's aging his beer. We were taken into a connected room, which will soon house their tasting room. Our tour didn't have sampling flights (we went to Phoenix bar), because they didn't have the proper licensing. I do hope they get their tasting room up and running soon - I'd love to visit. The tour itself is free (which seems to have changed from in the past, based on other reviews), and I guarantee you'll get so much more out of it than other tours. You're basically signing on to an hour plus of having a craft beer discussion, the tour conversation going in whatever way the attendee questions take it. I enjoyed this tour way more than most other tours I've been on due to the tour's less rigid structure. That seemed to be a common sentiment, as my bro-in-law is a pretty serious home brewer, and he loved the tour as much as I, a beer novice, did. We did taste 3 beers at Phoenix, and my hands down favorite was the Mini Imperial Stout. Smooth, rich, chocolate-y and coffee-y, it was an instant hit with our group. They distribute in the city and some suburbs (Naperville and Arlington Heights were specifically mentioned), so definitely seek their beer out. I highly recommend both the tour and the beer. This brewery is a great addition to the NW side. read more

Great beers! Brewery tours on Saturdays. They do growler fills and they sell some of their bottles and cans at the brewery. Sometimes they have special, small batch beers available for purchase. Bottle shop & brewery only. Lake Effect also offers a Growler club, I believe for $130, 12 growler fills and a T-shirt. read more

Small brewery located in the back of a semi-industrial looking building that houses a gigantic costume company, Lake Effect was a definite surprise - we were stopping in for a quick tour and to talk yeast with Omega Yeast Labs located in the same building. Lake Effect gave us a quick tour and some samples and I ended up buying many bottles to bring home. Flanders Red Apple .. Cherry sour, Blueberry Berliner .. all delicious. Super friendly guys, great little setup, if you are into quality brews this is worth checking out! read more

I've been here a few times, because these guys are so welcoming to the neighborhood crowd. You can just stop by and see what they're up too. They also do awesome tours every Saturday for $5! Clint, Lynn and Emil and totally cool, and have just the most unbelievable passion for the beer. They grow hops and have freaking chickens they give all the leftover grain to! If you cant make the tour, try and find their beer somewhere around town. You won't be disappointed. read more

Great selections and Good people. Always coming up with new creations and you can often taste before you buy. Lots of really good sour beers. read more

The guys at Lake Effect Brewing are true Chicagoans. They are nice, down-to-Earth guys that make some great tasting beers.

The brick is original. As well as the wood beams and floors. Everything else is new and swanky. Greeted like I was her best friend as I walked in, the bartender was fantastic. We tried many of the regular taps as well as all the seasonals. Of course I enjoyed the Judgemental Dick DIPA. 8% and bites your ass! Since this was the first stop on the tour please feed me! The Thai nachos sounded more amazing than they were. I'd still say order them just on unique factor. The whole place was lovely, interesting, spacious, and the beer? Delicious! Because, come on, that's why we are here. It's all about the beer folks! read more

Man, I almost want to write a one-star or no review so that nobody catches on to these guys, but that's not fair, is it? We've had their beer at local places (Fischmans A+, Garage A+, etc.), but that's just not fair to them. Clint and Lynn not only give one hell of a tour, but they're also just down to earth guys running a solid local business that anyone with half a brain cell should support. We can't wait to spread the word about what a great business these guys do and what a local gem this is. read more