Just in case you weren’t aware, May 10-16th is American Craft Beer Week. That’s great if you reside in or around Oak Park, since there are four world-class brewers to let you sample what’s on tap.
The new Oak Oak Park Craft Beer Trail from Visit Oak Park is ready to help you celebrate even more.
Each of Oak Park’s breweries is distinctive in its own way. They’re likely to play a role in a wonderful day out in Oak Park, whether you pack them all into a day or visit them at a more leisurely pace. So put on your sneakers and hit the the Oak Park Craft Beer Trail.
One Lake Brewing
One Lake Brewing, located on the intersection of Austin and Lake Street in a restored bank, has established a reputation for its delicious brews and great cuisine. But it’s their expansive rooftop terrace that draws people in. Great meals and beverages are available here. Their beer selection has incredible flavors such as the OLB Lager Beer, their take on the basic everyday American backyard lager. Or try the Lando IPA, among many more intriguing options. Hop corn is popcorn combined with amarillo hops, coriander, and orange and one of the most exciting foods on their menu.
Their mac and cheese with rotini, mornay sauce, and herbed panko crust is sure to bring a smile to your face. This summer, you can also enjoy the Brews n’ Bahhs event. This is co-hosted by GlennArt Farm and includes an hour of interacting with their playful goats. Finish up by unwinding with a flight of craft beers on the rooftop. Not a bad way to spend time!
Oak Park Brewing Company
The Oak Park Brewing Company is up next. There’s a nice beer pub with board games and a library full of books by famous authors here. These unique bar decorations, however, should not be the only reason to drop by. Oak Park Brewing Company offers an impressive selection of craft beers on tap. Crowd pleasers include their Helles Lager Saison, Rye IPA, Sour Brown Ale, English-style Porter, Mibock Witbier, and a crisp Kolsch. And what works better with beer than bar food, which the Oak Park Brewing Company offers in abundance? Deep-dish pizzas, burgers, wraps, and other hearty appetizers are available.
The Wild Onion Tied House
This one-hundred-year-old establishment used to be a theater, but now it entertains visitors with what’s on the menu rather than the silver screen. Seasonal beers are available on a rotating basis. Currently on tap are a BA Salted Caramel Porter and Peanut Butter Porter, which are as great as they sound. For those seeking something lighter, there’s a Beggars Brown Brown Ale and a Back Pocket DJ Cream Ale. The Wild Onion Tied House knows a thing or two about beer. From Milk Stouts to Ciders, Hefe-Weizens, and even Hard Seltzers you can’t go wrong with whatever you end up choosing. Their seasonal cuisine menu is as vibrant as their beer selection. Enjoy a fried chicken and waffles, cheesesteak sandwich with beer cheese sauce, pastrami bites, and cinnamon sugar sweet potato fries. You may well feel overwhelmed ordering since there is so much food and beer to choose from.
Kinslahger Brewing Company
Finally, a craft beer trail would be incomplete without Kinslahger Brewing Company. Even though the taproom is closed at present, you may still buy their delicious ales online. Purchase a couple cans of their celebrated Prohibition Pilsner or Dunkel lager. If you prefer a stronger German beer, the Mediator Dopplebock is a must-try. Enjoy a Chicago Common, which has a rich chestnut red color and a creamy body taste, or a Baltic Porter, which has an opaque brown hue with a creamy body. While you wait for the tap room to return, you can also enjoy Kinslahger’s latest brew innovation at the new Babygold Barbecue on Roosevelt Road, which is located inside the renowned FitzGerald’s. Their new Babygold Coldbeer, named after the owner’s first kid, goes great with all of their smoked meats for some great erwyn-style” BBQ.
The good times at Oak Park’s craft brewers don’t have to stop after American Craft Beer Week is finished. Later this month, you’ll be able to obtain a new digital pass for the Oak Park Craft Beer Trail on Visit Oak Park’s website, allowing you to take advantage of fantastic deals and discounts all year. In the meanwhile, we’ll see you on the Oak Park Craft Beer Trail shortly.