American Craft Beer The Best Craft Beer, Breweries, Bars, Brewpubs, Beer Stores, And Restaurants Serving Serious Beer.
I know what you’re probably saying…Plainfield? What the hell is Plainfield? While it’s the oldest community in its county and home to the very first ice cream sundae, this southwest suburb of Chicago has been relatively under the radar for decades, until recently. A surge of housing and retail developments has made this community one of the fastest-growing areas of Chicagoland.
While you probably won’t be making Plainfield your next summer vacation destination, a handful of unique businesses make it a worthwhile detour the next time you’re in the ‘burbs.
Only a couple of years after opening its doors, Chicago Brew Werks has already established itself as one of the premiere homebrew shops in the country. Featuring the best selection of hops and malts in the Midwest, including Hop Head Farms varieties and German experimental hops, the store caters to both local and national homebrewers through its online shop. CBW Owner Brandon Wright went a step further with his passion this summer, launching Werk Force Brewing, which pours a handful of his creative brews right there in the shop.
Right next door, you’ll find Tailwinds Distilling, where a bounty of rums are fermented, distilled, aged, blended, bottled, labeled, and packaged on-site. The 5,000-square-foot facility houses a tasting room and storefront shop, and tours can be reserved on Saturdays.
A few miles north up Route 59 you’ll come across Nevin’s Brewing, an immense, two-story brewpub that pleases palates with both its beers and a wide variety of food menu items.
Brewmaster Marc Wilson manages a large, diverse, and rotating tap list, and truly shines with his specialty beers. These include a Russian Imperial Stout infused with Oreos called “Cookie Monster,” a toasted coconut and chocolate stout, and a red lager with chili mulato and local maple syrup. Go on a Friday or Saturday night for live music.
If you somehow manage to leave Nevin’s without ordering food, fear not. Two doors down is Frank’s Night Out, a hot dog joint that will become your next obsession just from looking at the menu board.
Choose from around 25 different hot dogs, including “The Notorious P.I.G.,” a bacon-wrapped dog covered in BBQ pork, mac-n-cheese, and jalapenos. It doesn’t stop there. Burgers, gyros, Italian beef and sausage, hand-cut fries served 11 different ways, milkshakes that you’ll somehow find a way to make room for, and a host of other decadent treats round out the menu.
Did I mention they serve a burger between two Krisy Kreme donuts and deep-fried candy bars, Oreos, and cookie dough? Enjoy…Plainfield’s awesome!
