Chicago Brewing Company’s two-decade-old flagship location at Village Square recently underwent a refresh, including the conversion of its main dining room into a nonsmoking taproom and the expansion of the upstairs miniature cigar lounge into a full-on hangout area. The change is welcome, with the property’s feel shifting from restaurant to true brewery.
As part of the remodel, draught lines were expanded from nine to an even dozen, allowing CBC head brewer Erik Nielsen an opportunity to showcase an additional beer of his own, alongside a pair of guest handles like Firestone Walker’s Cocoa Merlin. Don’t overlook the alcohol-forward Quad Damn It!, his 11.6% ABV Belgian-style quadrupel, which was recently awarded a gold medal at the 2019 Great American Beer Festival. Equally appealing is the milder Wild West Tripel, weighing in at 9.7% and sure to be a future medal winner.
Chicago Brewing Company is also the only place where you’ll find King of Engelland, a 6% ABV easy-drinking New England-style hazy IPA created in partnership with Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Deryk Engelland. Not only is the fruity brew approachable—lacking the hoppiness typical of West Coast IPAs—half the proceeds from each pint benefit his Vegas Born Heroes Foundation. Consider it drinking for a cause!
CHICAGO BREWING COMPANY 2201 S. Fort Apache Road, 702-254-3333. 24/7.
