Uné Année Brewery in Niles

The question: Where are you most looking forward to having a beer outside this summer?

Uné Année Brewery in Niles. The patio is covered, there’s a stage to see great bands play, plenty of games and bubbles for the kids, etc. It is a very secluded area off the road, too, so there is no traffic noise. They have a great beer selection of IPAs, sours and stouts. The best part is the smell of that sweet, delicious barbecue wafting through the air. Their beer is great, but their barbecue is to die for!

— Stan Hansen

You definitely want to go watch the sunset at Emancipation Brewing in Fairbury (near Bloomington). Sitting on the patio on adirondack chairs looking over hop vines is amazing.

— Bill Wnenk

“I would say a concert at Ravinia… looking forward to the Billy Idol concert later this summer.

I’m always at Uné Année in Niles because it’s so close to my house. I can ride my bike there. It’s so easy and fun and friendly.

And Off Color Brewing’s front patio, but especially the hidden one in the back where they have herbs growing around the patio and it overlooks the Chicago River and all the little floating islands.

— Jim Riggs, Adams Street Brewery

Plank Road Taproom in Elgin

I’m biased to a cold beer in the driveway right outside of our Huntley space after a long shift, but other than that, the Plank Road Tap Room in Elgin has an amazing outdoor space.

— David Ziebell, More Brewing Company

The Park Ridge Market After Dark is a must — “Christmas in July” is happening on July 25 and “Summer Nights” on August 22. Both should both be fantastic, especially after the amazing turnout and energy at the May 30 event. So many great local breweries serving samples, live music, food trucks and more.

— Steve Judge

Off Color Brewing’s front patio, but especially the hidden one in the back where they have herbs growing around the patio and it overlooks the Chicago River.

I’m eagerly anticipating the opening of Sturdy Shelter Brewing’s outside deck along the Fox River in Batavia. Will be a great summer afternoon plan!

— Karen Stroz

Prairie Street Brewing in Rockford

In Rockford, the Prairie Street Brewing dock on the Rock River is amazing in the summer. You honestly can never go go wrong there. What they’ve done with that building is phenomenal. They’ve put a lot of money and a lot of work into that venue, and it really shows.

— Chris Langguth, Pig Minds Brewing

I love biking around Chicago, and a great stopping point is Suncatcher Brewing‘s patio in Humboldt Park. A fresh pale ale quenches that biker thirst quite well, either in the middle of or at the end of a ride. I also love Spiteful Brewing‘s patio if I am biking up on the north side of the city.

— Chris Schroeder, Burning Bush Brewery

Hailstorm Brewing in Tinley Park

Hailstorm Brewing Co. in Tinley Park. Firepit crackling under the moon on a chilly summer night, and a delicious Chili Haze IPA in my hand.

And Lucky Dorr in Wrigleyville with a Cubs game roaring 20 feet away, firemen tossing footballs to each other in t-shirts and shorts, dog by my side, and locally brewed beers — some made specifically for Lucky Dorr — in my hand to drink.

— Kara Severson

Scratch Brewing downstate near the Shawnee National Forest was built for outdoor enjoyment. It’s a beautiful, scenic outdoor space in a woodsy area. Great, unique beer too.

Scratch Brewing Company downstate near the Shawnee National Forest — the place is built for outdoor enjoyment. It’s a beautiful, scenic outdoor space in a woodsy area. You can either soak up the sun during the day or enjoy a fire at night. They also have great, unique beer to go with delicious, unique pizza.

— Dave Mis

The Concert in the Park events in Millennium Park are always fun in downtown Chicago, especially sitting there with a little cheese plate and beers. My wife and I typically make a day of it.

— Mark Duchow, Adams Street Brewery

Destihl Brewery in Normal

I am selfishly looking forward to hanging out on our own patio at Keg Grove Brewing here in Bloomington this summer, spending time with friends and regulars. I’m also excited to spend some time on Destihl Brewery‘s patio here in town. It is a beautiful setting, and they feature a lot of live music.

— Jeff Mroz, Keg Grove Brewing in Bloomington

I’m looking forward to going back to the Shawnee Hills in southern Illinois and spending some time with my two best friends. I plan to stop by Scratch Brewing in Ava and Storm Brewing in Flora. And I will make a stop or two along the wine trail as well. I’m equal opportunity.

— Joann Liu

Lucky Dorr in Wrigleyville with a Cubs game roaring 20 feet away, firemen tossing footballs to each other in t-shirts and shorts, dog by my side, and locally brewed beers in my hand.

As any brewery owner knows, it’s hard to get out of your own building, and I do love having a pint outside on all three Alter Brewing patios. But when I just want to escape, I walk across the river in St. Charles and have a Lexical Gap IPA on Pollyanna Brewing & Distilling’s patio. They just re-did their patio, so I’m excited to check out the improvements.

— Ken Henricks, Alter Brewing Company

The Perch Kitchen & Tap in Chicago

Printer’s Row Brewing block parties on Chicago’s far NW side. The street shuts down, they have food trucks, and my kid hangs out in a tree and eats chips with her friends while my wife and I have beers with neighbors. They have one per month over the summer.

Lavergne’s Tavern in Berwyn. They have an excellent seasonal food menu along with a lot of year-round staples. Great tap list too, and a perfect patio. Great spot for train watching.

The Montrose Saloon on Chicago’s north side. Great patio and beer list, plus great live music.

The Perch Kitchen & Tap in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. Awesome outdoor beer garden, awesome food and several beers on tap brewed in collaboration with or inspired by CHAOS Brew Club members.

— CHAOS Brew Club members

I’m looking forward to spending as much time as possible on patios this summer. Harp & Fiddle in Park Ridge is always a favorite, and with the revamped front patio and beer garden out back, it feels like the perfect spot for a summer night out with friends, live music and a cold craft beer.

— Fred Sanchez

Harp & Fiddle in Park Ridge