Experience
We all know Lagunitas Brewing Company; they are widespread throughout the United States, leading many to believe that visiting their taproom in Chicago would probably not be worth the effort. For me, Lagunitas was far and away my favorite stop in the city. Exiting the pink line will find you in a somewhat swanky area, with a short but somewhat nerve-wracking walk bringing you to a massive warehouse plastered with the Lagunitas name. You can smell the barley flowing from the massive steam vents in the side of the warehouse as you approach the facility, enticing you forward.
Upon entering the sole small set of doors on the side of this massive facility, you find yourself in a true beer heaven. The doors open up into a dimly lit, quarter mile long hallway, illumited by soft blue light and dancing green stars. The walls are painted with images of cosmos. Throughout the walk, the Willy Wonka theme song plays in the background. Truly, it is an entrance befit of a beer wonderland.
After the mesmerizing walk and a short flight of stairs, you will find yourself in the taproom. It is situated in the midst of the brewery itself. The inside of the taproom feels like any old bar, but walking out to the surrounding balconies you will find yourself above the massive production facility that is Lagunitas Chicago. You can drink your Lagunitas beer straight from the fermenter while standing above and spectating the place where it was made.
Tours
I would highly suggest the tour as well. It is free for any who wish to go. The tours are in the afternoon, and the tasting tours, offered during the weekdays, is a must. The tap room offers pours in plastic cups that you can bring on the tour.
Tasting tours begin with the tasting; unlike most tours which offers tasting at the end. The tour group is led into what the guide described as an adult daycare. Here, there are arcade games, board games, couches, tables, and of course a bar with a endless tap of straight-from-the-brewery Lagunitas beer. The decoration is mesmerizing, following the theme of Willy Wonka and the Beer Factory. You will spend the first 45 minutes here, meeting fellow tour goers and drinking your fill of beer, with the guide giving a talk about the current pour every 15 minutes or so. In this room we were served Lagunitas IPA, Maximus, Aunt Sally, and Little Sumpin.
The tour of the brewery itself is very impressive. You will see a layout that is capable of producing hundreds of millions of bottles of beer per year. A hundred massive multi story fermenters, bottle and can lines moving and filling almost too quickly to see. The tour guides are all also very laid back and humorous, guaranteed to provide a great time during the tour.
All in all, I would say that Lagunitas Brewing Company is a must see in Chicago. Its rare to be up close and personal with such a massive brewery. The beer provided seems to taste better than anything you can get from the store. This is a guaranteed great time.
When in Chicago check out Revolution Brewing and Begyle Brewing Company.
https://lagunitas.com/taprooms/chicago
