Background
Begyle Brewing Company was founded in 2011 by Kevin Cary, Matt Ritchey and Brendan Blume. In 2014 Begyle opened a 600-square-foot store and tasting room inside its nearly 4,000-square-foot brewery. Up to that point Begyle beer was distributed to bars and restaurants.
Experience
Begyle Brewing Company was definitely one of my favorite stops in Chicago. It is a small and cozy venue, with a distinct warehouse vibe that fosters true beer lovers. You will see many locals come and go throughout your stay, filling their Begyle growlers, as it seems one of the favorite beer stops for those in the neighborhood. This venue lacks a mainstream, hurried, or corporate vibe that is common in many other breweries; instead hosting the feel of a true neighborhood brewery.
As with many Chicago breweries, Begyle also seems to favor light beers; Saisons and farmhouse ales are dominant here. I found all are wonderfully done and boast hefty aromas and satisfying flavors hard to find elsewhere. Plenty of board games are provided to patrons, and it seems like a popular hangout spot with locals for an easy going night after work. My favorite beer was their Goodbye Ruby Tuesday, a Saison that is sweet and fruity on the tongue.
Begyle does not have in house food, but you are guaranteed to find food trucks outside. There are plenty of other restaurants in the area as well. I would highly recommend this as a stop in Chicago; it is in a great neighborhood with 2 other breweries within a 5 minute walk. Dovetail Brewing is one block away, and Half Acre brewing is about 3 blocks away. This brewery is easily accessible from the brown line Irving Park stop.
When in Chicago check out Lagunitas Brewing and Revolution Brewing.
No nearby lodging noted.
