Dovetail Brewery’s barrel loft

Dave Zalatoris
Host of the Beer in Front podcast

Favorite breweries: How many pages do I have for this answer? I would include Dovetail Brewery in any list of recommended breweries, even if I did not live nearby. When I send beer mail to friends across the country, Dovetail’s offerings are always in the package, as their beer consistently meets my expectations and is often stocked in my fridge.

I would also include Old Irving Brewing on this list, as their range of styles from Beezer (hazy IPA) to Della (kolsch) to Krampus (barrel-aged stout) and more demonstrates their brewing expertise. For non-alcoholic options, Go Brewing in Naperville produces excellent choices that satisfy when I opt not to drink.

Drinking tendencies: When visiting a taproom, I typically choose a Vienna lager if it’s available. If a brewery can craft a Vienna lager well, I am confident in the quality of their other offerings. If it’s more of an IPA type of brewery, a pale or West Coast IPA would be my go-to. I want to see what the brewer can do with those styles where you can’t hide anything behind a wall of hops.

Recent beers that caught my eye: Since it is winter, holiday beers are appearing everywhere. I just wish they wouldn’t start showing up before Halloween! Although I enjoy beer from Illinois, Sierra Nevada’s Celebration Ale is hard to resist. In my opinion, it is the perfect beer.

What you’re looking forward to on draft this winter: It’s barrel-aged season, and I’m looking forward to trying as many varieties as I can. Illinois is the barrel-aged capital of the world, with many breweries here producing world-class offerings. My Uber budget tends to increase during this time of year! Some of the barrel-aged ones I’m looking forward to this winter are the Krampus series from Old Irving Brewing. They always seem to knock it out of the park.

I had a fruit beer called Ruby from Alter Brewing at FoBAB that was just fantastic. I’m looking forward to trying more of their beers as well. That’s what I love about FoBAB — everyone gravitates toward the breweries that have a lot of word of mouth, but you can find some hidden gems with no waiting at all.

Illinois is the barrel-aged capital of the world. … I’m looking forward to the Krampus series from Old Irving Brewing this winter. They always seem to knock it out of the park. I also had a fruit beer called Ruby from Alter Brewing at FoBAB that was just fantastic.

Favorite beer bar: The Bad Apple, located at Lincoln and Cullom in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, is my favorite spot, hands down. Although I have nothing against other places, I met my wife there on a blind date from a dating site, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. I initially thought she wasn’t interested and might sneak out through the side door when she went to the restroom, but she returned, and here we are! The Bad Apple typically has an excellent selection of local beers on tap, and their burgers are consistently good.

Societe Brewing

Best brewery you’ve hit on vacation: Any place that serves fish tacos in San Diego is a win. North Park Beer Co. is known for its exceptional fish tacos and spectacular beer. Before the buyouts, Ballast Point also offered some fantastic tacos. If you’re not hungry, Societe Brewing Company has an outstanding beer selection. Truly, you can’t go wrong with any spot in San Diego.

Bottles & Cans in Chicago has an excellent selection of local beers, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and I appreciate that you can purchase single beers for a mixed pack.

Secret beer spot: I’m usually at Bottles & Cans on Lincoln Avenue in Chicago’s North Center neighborhood at least once a week to pick something up for the podcast. (Mom, if you’re reading this, I was misquoted!) They have an excellent selection of local beers, the staff is extremely knowledgeable and I appreciate that they allow customers to purchase single beers for a mixed pack.