Midwest Coast Brewing in Chicago

Rachel Morrison
BeerAdjacent.com
@beeradjacent

Favorite breweries: This question feels illegal, but I’ll share my current stomping grounds since inquiring minds want to know! A newer favorite is Suncatcher Brewing for their patio, pale ale selection and cozy taproom. Maplewood Brewery & Distillery is a regular spot for their newly launched (and incredible) food menu. I cannot stop talking about the deviled eggs. If you don’t think deviled eggs pair well with beer, then you’re wrong.

Midwest Coast Brewing for the rooftop, one of my favorite lagers (Golden Foil) and the people. Off Color Brewing for the coziness, some of my favorite beer artwork and two patios (not everyone knows about the riverside patio in back). Burning Bush Brewery for the patio, many regular dogs, Da Pope ale and the team. Solemn Oath Brewery for their Lü kolsch, the Vibes Beer Project, programming and the homies. So many more to name, but these are a few current favorites.

Drinking tendencies: I’m on a seemingly never-ending pale ale kick. I’m hoping for 2026 to be the year of the collab for Beer Adjacent, and I plan to kick off with a collab pale ale, so for that reason, and because it’s my favorite style, I’m mostly sipping on pale ales lately. I also always gravitate towards lagers. I especially love a good kölsch. Mostly, I think I am making up for far too many years of exclusively drinking IPAs, which I hardly do anymore.

Recent beers that have caught your eye: Did I mention I’m on a pale ale kick? Comet Chameleon by Midwest Coast, Beer for Lounging by Off Color, Union Bier by Mangata Beer Co. and Harvest Moon NZ by Suncatcher are a few recently that have really blown me away.

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery is a regular spot of mine for their newly launched (and incredible) food menu. I cannot stop talking about the deviled eggs.

What you are looking forward to enjoying on draft this winter: While some people like to switch to heavier, bolder beers in the winter, I still tend to keep it light. The atmosphere changes a bit, fewer patios (bummer), more cozy taprooms and bars, bonus points for a fireplace. That said, I always appreciate a seasonal style, and I tend to switch from light to dark lagers in the winter. Wild, I know.

The Beer Temple in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood

Favorite beer bar: I’ll give you three in Chicago. Village Tap in Roscoe Village for their beer list and breakfast burritos (served all day). The Beer Temple in Avondale for their beer list, to-go beer selection and Detroit-style pizza by Middle Brow. Finally, Hopleaf in Andersonville for its beer selection and mussels and frites.

Secret beer spot: This feels like the perfect spot to plug Rachel’s Grill (what I refer to my own apartment as). I’m biased, but my beer selection never disappoints. Places open to the general public include Chicago favorites like Friends of Friends (not a secret, but a newer bar with amazing cocktails and a solid draft list). Union in Logan Square for their fried olives, smash burger on Tuesdays and consistently good beer list. If I’m not buying beer directly from a taproom, Beermiscuous is my go-to, as I appreciate the ability to purchase single cans and build my own mixed six-pack.

I like Union in Chicago’s Logan Square for their fried olives, smash burger on Tuesdays and consistently good beer list. And if I’m not buying beer directly from a taproom, Beermiscuous is my go-to, as I appreciate the ability to purchase single cans and build my own mixed six-pack.

Best brewery you’ve hit on vacation: The best brewery I’ve ever hit on vacation was Cerveja Dos Diabos in Porto, Portugal. Since first visiting, they’ve closed their previous taproom location and opened a new one with even more room for activities. Porto is a relatively newer craft beer city, so many spots focus primarily on IPAs. Cerveja Dos Diabos blew me away with their innovation, unique theme and thoughtful artwork. I had the opportunity to sit down and interview their brewer, Ricardo, who previously worked as a graphic designer, something he still dabbles in as he creates beer labels for the brewery.

If you’re looking for a recommendation closer to home, Mangata Beer Co. recently opened in Union Pier, Michigan. I had a chance to visit for the brewery’s soft opening, and I cannot recommend it enough. The taproom is bright and welcoming, filled with natural light and custom wood fixtures. The beers blew me away. It’s near Seedz Brewery, so it makes for a great beer trip close to Chicago.

Mangata Beer Co. in Union Pier, Michigan