Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove

Summer issue question: What’s the best spot to drink beer outdoors when the weather is perfect? 

Buffalo Creek Brewing in Long Grove has one of the best outdoor spaces that they utilize greatly with hosting food trucks, bonfires, yard games and live music. Gives me a camping-in-Colorado feel. The Independence Grove beer garden in Libertyville is another favorite for the views and because they have such great tap list curated with local brews.

— Nader Kardoush, owner of the Beer Bazaar 

Sheffield’s Beer Garden and Corridor Brewing in Chicago would be my favorites in the summer. Sheffield’s is so unassuming and hidden away with great picnic tables and everyone is respectful. They had craft beer before it was a thing. Corridor Brewing has the best beer in Wrigleyville. Great food and a lively atmosphere away from the craziness of inner Wrigley. Such a nice sidewalk patio with the windows open too.

— Adam McCarty

Kenny’s Irish Pub in Countryside. Big, awesome, family run and operated bar and restaurant with a huge outdoor space. The pizza is good there, and no matter where you’re sitting on the patio you can see multiple TVs. Great for watching any sports. That’s where I hang my hat.

— Pat Carrabine

Kishwaukee Brewing Company in Woodstock

The patio at Kishwaukee Brewing in Woodstock is so peaceful. Order up a Sandhill lager, then kick back and watch the sunset or a storm come in.

— Bill Wright

I always look forward to the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison every August — not only for being selected as a participating brewery, but to get a chance to taste my way through some of the best breweries and beers around. The scenery is outstanding, and the layout is always fun. Special tappings are worth the chase, and seeing old friends is always a plus.

— Jimmy Geallis, GM of MobCraft Beer in Woodstock

Besides our brewery’s beer garden in Skokie, I would say Alarmist Brewing’s backyard patio that makes it feel like you’re in a fun courtyard in the city. A few of their Crispy Boy pilsners taste even better back there. 

— Cesar Marron, co-founder of Sketchbook Brewing

Prairie Street Brewing in Rockford is outstanding. It’s a huge, multi-purpose venue that has a great outdoor space on the Rock River that’s perfect for events, just lounging, live music and boats. The building itself is fantastic too. It’s like an amusement park for adults.

— Steve Nadle

Urban Chestnut Brewing in St. Louis

I have two young kids, so I don’t get out to as many drinking establishments as I would like these days, so besides my neighbor’s pool, we love going to watch St. Louis City (MLS soccer) play and having a few beers at CityPark. Urban Chestnut Brewing Company has a pretty nice beer garden space in their original St. Louis location as well. 

— Bryan Schubert, owner of Millpond Brewing

Hands down, my favorite place to drink outdoors that isn’t a brewery is Hawthorne’s Backyard in West Chicago. They have a huge patio, as well as an entire yard full of outdoor games like giant beer pong, multiple cornhole sets, volleyball and pickleball courts, a wiffle ball field, and a playground for kids. It’s an amazing space to spend a few hours sipping local craft beers like Noon Whistle, Penrose Brewing, Revolution, etc., and if you have kids, they can be entertained as well. For breweries, you can’t go wrong with Wolfden Brewing in Bloomingdale. Their fenced-in large backyard area is an amazing space to enjoy beers. They also have live music during the summer some nights, which is awesome as well.

— Aaron Keefner

The back patio at Mak’s House in La Grange is this hidden-away gem, but it reminds me of a city bar. 

— Jim Koblish, owner of Hop District Brewing

Destihl Brewery in Normal

My husband and I have enjoyed drinking outside at Destihl Brewery in Normal. They have chairs and fire pits along with a pond for bird watching. Last time we were there, three families of ducks took their ducklings for an evening swim. It was vert pleasant, and despite having a fairly large group of families, you could still relax. We recently visited Industry Brewing in Peoria as well, and their beer garden was very active. They had activities like bags, axe throwing, a waterfall using taps, and a bar for easy refills. They also had a deck overlooking the beer garden.

— Liz Shepherd

The Independence Grove beer garden in Libertyville. Beautiful park and beautiful views.

— Alice Wenzel

Wolfden Brewing in Bloomingdale

My favorite is Wolfden Brewing in Bloomingdale. Fantastic beer garden, dog friendly, good food and good beers. And the people there are nice and friendly too.

— Dave Strutzel

Hop District in La Grange Park has a fenced patio with a fun mural. Kids are welcome, there are games to play, the staff is extra friendly and the beer is always great!

— Jeff K.

Emancipation Brewing Company in Fairbury (near Bloomington) has a great outdoor area facing west with beautiful sunsets. I love sitting out there and enjoying a beer or two.

— Ben Schuler

Sketchbook Brewing’s Skokie beer garden

Sketchbook Brewing’s taproom in Skokie has a big, beautiful beer garden out front that is ideal for spending a warm summer evening or weekend afternoon playing board games or bags with the kids, listening to live music of just soaking up some rays with a good beer. 

— Debbie Podmore

For me it’s at the local street festivals. The ability to get a good beer and walk on the streets without having to worry about anything is incredible. It’s something that we should make possible year round.

— Adam Drakulic

Harbor Brewing’s beer garden on Lake Michigan has plenty of seating inside and outside, great food trucks and music almost every weekend. Black Lung Brewing’s new spot on Fox Lake has the million-dollar view plus live music and a full kitchen. You can’t go wrong with either one.

— Chuck Ershbock

Harbor Brewing in Winthrop Harbor