Have you put together your Illinois summer bucket list yet? Well, we have a possible addition for you! There is one beer garden in Illinois that is definitely worthy of your bucket list. At Riggs Beer Company, you can enjoy a refreshing craft brew and the warmth and sunshine out in the German-style beer garden.
Riggs Beer Company is a family-owned brewery, taproom, and beer garden located in Urbana. It produces a variety of both American and German-style beers onsite.
The taproom, which seats up to 95 guests, is always an excellent part of the brewery to hang out. And it's where you can watch the production process. Here you will also find a self-service bar with beer.
The outdoor German-style beer garden is an alternative to sitting indoors in the taproom. It can accommodate over 200 guests who can enjoy the warmth and sunshine outside.
The beer garden is also quite family-friendly, so go ahead and bring the kids! There's a playground out there as well as lawn games to enjoy. And if you have a well-behaved dog, go ahead and bring him along, too.
If you get hungry, the brewery works with several local food trucks. You can either bring your own food or purchase food from a food truck parked outside the building.
Sip on a Hefeweizen, American Lager, Red Lager, IPL, or a seasonal brew while enjoying the great outdoors at Riggs Beer Company. It's worthy of a spot on your summertime bucket list!
Have you had brews at this beer garden in Illinois? Do you have another favorite beer garden you would like to share with us and your fellow readers? If so, please do so in the comments. To learn more, visit the Riggs Beer Company website and Facebook page.
Do you enjoy German-style beer? If you said yes, make your way to Stubborn German Brewing Company located in Waterloo, Illinois.
Breweries come in all shapes and sizes, but how often do you get to sip a beer under a grain silo gazebo? Or hold a locally-brewed craft beer in one hand while scoring a personal best pinball score? In a Chicago suburb there is a brewery where you can do all of this and more. Obscurity Brewing in downtown in Elburn is a kaleidoscope of colors, drinks and experiences that will make for a memorable afternoon or evening visit. With an ever-changing menu of brewed beers and ciders on tap, there is an endless list of food and drink combos I'd like to try here.
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Obscurity Brewing is a one-stop shop for beer enthusiasts.
Chicago artist Caesar Perez collaborated with Obscurity Brewing to create these incredible murals wrapping around the space. He also contributed several designs for Obscurity's cans too. The motif of bees and honeycombs pops up all over Obscurity Brewing.
As a brewery, draft beer is Obscurity's bread and butter.
Just across the street from Obscurity Brewery, you can find Obscurity's Mead Hall & Cidery. They recently unveiled a new line of sweet-flavored hard ciders that have been a big hit among locals.
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If you go to Obscurity Brewery, you have to try their locally crafted beers.
If you are as intrigued by the brewing process by I am, be sure to come to Obscurity Brewing early in the day, around lunch. At that time, you might be able to hear grain being transferred from the silo over the roof of the dining area to the production area. What a one-of-a-kind experience getting to hear the next's day brew getting underway!
The team at Obscurity Brewing is constantly innovating with new ideas like soda pop-flavored beer.
Their brisket and ribs are smoked over a wood-burning smoker. Whether you are opting for straight barbecue or prefer it in a sandwich, the smoky flavors will prevail. All of the barbecue dishes go along nicely with one of Obscurity's house brews.
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The inside of Obscurity Brewing would be enough to entrance me, but the outdoor beer garden is where the community really comes to life.
Whether supporting performances of local musicians or organizing a St. Patrick's Day celebration, Obscurity Brewery is always creating reasons for people to get together.
Inside and out, there are lots of different seating styles to accommodate couples, solo diners, families and parties.
I recommend timing your visit with one of the beer garden performance to get a sense of what Obscurity Brewing is all about.
It's hard work to brew beer, cider or mead, but Obscurity Brewing has it down to a science. With so many unique brews to try, I plan to make a few visits to the brewery so I can enjoy the beer garden when it's warm out and the vibrant interiors when the temperatures are a little cooler. Be sure to check out Obscurity Mead Hall and Cidery as well when you visit.
Illinois is full of not only amazing food, but some of the best bars and breweries in the Midwest. Particularly when I lived on the Far North Side of Chicago, I was surrounded by an abundance of diverse restaurants and nightlife offerings. The Andersonville neighborhood is known for its Swedish ancestry and its small, locally-owned shops on Clark Street — but it's also known for being a dense residential area filled with young families. The stroller traffic, combined with vehicle and foot traffic, is enough to drive anyone nuts, but the charming area is worth it. But if you find yourself yearning for an adults-only restaurant in Andersonville, Chicago, look no further than Hopleaf — a beloved local haunt that offers the perfect 21 and over escape.
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Hopleaf, located at 5148 N. Clark St., is a bar and restaurant on the Far North Side of Chicago in the trendy, quirky Andersonville neighborhood. Since first opening in 1992, the neighborhood tavern has been an adults-only establishment, with patrons having to show ID right at the front door.
When I lived in the area, this was a go-to for dates, friend gatherings, and work get-togethers. With a German beer garden theme, exposed brick, dark woods, and vintage decor, Hopleaf is a haven for beer lovers who love variety and a place for uninterrupted adult conversation.
The bar specializes in craft beers with rotating options for local, regional, national, and international brews. There is truly something for everyone here (including wine!).
I would be remiss if I didn't also mention the exceptional food, which includes Bavarian staples like pork schnitzel and potato salad, as well as favorites like the CB & J — a cashew butter and fig jam sandwich with raclette cheese pan-fried on sourdough bread.
While Hopleaf is often buzzing, it still offers a type of solitude that parents rarely get. There are no iPads, no diaper changing, no nap-time cries, and no little ones to pull your attention in a thousand directions. At Hopleaf, you can just enjoy an elevated meal with a crisp beer surrounded by other adults.
One thing that I personally enjoy about this place is the amount of details and personal touches that draw the eye, like these beer-themed stained-glass windows.
And in the summer, its secret patio is open — hidden from the busy street and surrounded by trees and neighboring businesses. It's a dream escape from the hustle and bustle of life that transports you to a real German biergarten. Prost!
Ready to enjoy this adults-only restaurant in Andersonville, Chicago? Start planning your visit by checking out the Hopleaf website and Facebook page. And while you're there, why not make a weekend getaway out of it? Andersonville is an exciting, eccentric neighborhood that's completely walkable with great shopping. It's also just a short walk to the Edgewater neighborhood, Lake Michigan, busses and the "L" train, and grocery stores. Having lived there, I can't recommend visiting this area enough! This top-rated rental condo is a plant-lover's Parisain-themed paradise that's a perfect home base for all your adventures.
