The Most Popular Beer in Chicago, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the beer you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 27, 2024 06:30
In a bustling city like Chicago, where the streets buzz with an eclectic mix of cultures and tastes, it becomes a challenge to pinpoint which beer stands out in the crowd. The preferences for this staple beverage vary as widely as the city's iconic architecture, making it intriguing to track which brews capture the hearts of locals and visitors alike. By casting votes for their preferred beers, users contribute to a dynamic snapshot of what's topping the charts in the city's vibrant beer scene.
This ongoing voting process not only keeps the ranking fresh and relevant but also gives beer enthusiasts a voice in shaping a collective, city-wide favorite list. It encourages local breweries to innovate and cater to the evolving tastes of their community, fostering a competitive yet collaborative environment. As more people participate, the accuracy of the ranking improves, offering newcomers and longtime residents alike valuable insights into the top beers to savor in Chicago.
What Is the Most Popular Beer in Chicago?
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157votes
Goose Island IPA
Goose Island Beer Co.This Chicago-based brewery's flagship beer is a hoppy IPA with a crisp finish. It's available at many bars and restaurants throughout the city.Goose Island IPA is a highly popular craft beer with a distinct hoppy flavor profile and a strong presence of citrus and floral notes. It is considered a classic representation of the American India Pale Ale style. The beer has a balanced malt backbone that provides a slight caramel sweetness to complement the bold hop bitterness.- ABV (Alcohol by Volume): 5.9%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 55
- Color: Amber
- Hops: Cascade, Amarillo, Centennial, and Simcoe
- Malts: Pale, Caramel
Goose Island IPA in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
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244votes
Revolution Anti-Hero IPA
Revolution BrewingAnother local favorite, this beer has a strong hop profile and a citrusy aroma. Many Chicagoans love to sip on a pint of Anti-Hero at the brewery's taproom in Logan Square.Revolution Anti-Hero IPA is a popular craft beer in Chicago known for its bold and hop-forward flavor profile. It is an India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer that showcases a strong hop bitterness balanced with a slightly sweet malt backbone. The beer pours a golden amber color with a creamy white head and offers aromas of citrus, pine, and floral notes. The taste is characterized by intense hop flavors, including grapefruit, pine resin, and tropical fruits, followed by a dry and bitter finish. Anti-Hero IPA has a medium body and moderate carbonation, making it refreshing and easy to drink. It has an ABV (Alcohol By Volume) of 6.7% and an IBU (International Bitterness Units) of 70.- Style: India Pale Ale (IPA)
- Color: Golden amber
- Head: Creamy white
- Aromas: Citrus, pine, floral
- Flavors: Grapefruit, pine resin, tropical fruits
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319votes
Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas Brewing CompanyWhile not a Chicago-based brewery, Lagunitas has a strong presence in the city and its IPA is a crowd-pleaser. The beer has a balanced hop flavor and a smooth finish.Lagunitas IPA is a popular beer in Chicago known for its hoppy and flavorful characteristics. It is an American India Pale Ale (IPA) style beer that is brewed with a combination of selected malted barley and hops, giving it a distinct taste and aroma. Lagunitas IPA is a medium-bodied beer with a balanced yet noticeable bitterness, making it a go-to choice for hop lovers. It pours a clear amber color with a frothy white head. The creator of Lagunitas IPA is Lagunitas Brewing Company, an American craft brewery located in Petaluma, California. The brewery was founded in 1993 by Tony Magee. Here are ten important specifications of Lagunitas IPA:- Style: American India Pale Ale (IPA)
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 6.2%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 45
- Color: Amber
- Body: Medium
Lagunitas IPA in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
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414votes
Half Acre Daisy Cutter Pale Ale
Half Acre Beer CompanyThis beer has a loyal following in Chicago thanks to its bright, floral hops and refreshing taste. It's a great choice for a hot summer day.Half Acre Daisy Cutter Pale Ale is a popular beer in Chicago known for its hop-forward profile and refreshing bitterness. It is an American Pale Ale that captures the essence of a hoppy IPA while maintaining a lighter body and drinkability. The beer is named after the explosive machinery that was used to build the city's tunnels and bridges. Daisy Cutter Pale Ale delivers a balance of citrusy and piney hop flavors with a caramel malt backbone, resulting in a vibrant and flavorful drinking experience.- Style: American Pale Ale
- ABV: 5.2%
- IBU: 60
- Color: Pale Amber
- Hops: Cascade, Centennial, Columbus
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518votes
312 Urban Wheat Ale
Goose Island Beer Co.This beer from Goose Island is a lighter option that's perfect for those who prefer a less hoppy beer. It has a crisp, citrusy flavor and is often served with a slice of orange.312 Urban Wheat Ale is a refreshing American wheat ale that is highly popular in Chicago. It is known for its smooth and balanced flavor profile, making it a favorite choice among beer enthusiasts. The beer is brewed with a combination of malted wheat and barley, giving it a light and slightly hazy appearance. It has a subtle sweetness with notes of citrus and a hint of spicy hops, providing a refreshing and crisp taste. The 312 Urban Wheat Ale has a moderate alcohol content, making it suitable for easy drinking and enjoying in various occasions.- Beer Style: American Wheat Ale
- ABV (Alcohol By Volume): 4.2%
- IBU (International Bitterness Units): 18
- Color: Straw to golden yellow
- Clarity: Slightly hazy
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69votes
Three Floyds Zombie Dust
Three Floyds Brewing Co.While not as widely available as some other beers on this list, Zombie Dust has a cult following among beer enthusiasts in Chicago. Its intense hop profile and fruity aroma make it a standout brew.Three Floyds Zombie Dust is a highly sought-after American Pale Ale (APA) that has gained a cult following in Chicago and beyond. It is known for its intense hop flavor and striking citrus aromas.- Beer Style: American Pale Ale (APA)
- Alcohol by Volume (ABV): 6.2%
- International Bitterness Units (IBU): 60
- Hops: Citra, Amarillo, Simcoe
- Malts: American Two-Row, Munich, CaraPils
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710votes
Bell's Two Hearted Ale
Bell's BreweryThis Michigan-based brewery's flagship beer is a popular choice in Chicago thanks to its balanced hop flavor and smooth finish. It's a great option for those who want a classic IPA.Bell's Two Hearted Ale is a highly acclaimed American-style India Pale Ale (IPA) originated in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It is known for its intense hop aromas and well-balanced flavor profile, making it a favorite among beer enthusiasts.- Style: American-style India Pale Ale (IPA)
- ABV: 7%
- IBU: 55
- Color: Copper
- Hops: Centennial hop variety
Bell's Two Hearted Ale in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular beer in Michigan
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular craft beer in America
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88votes
Hopewell Brewing Co. First Lager
Hopewell Brewing Co.This Chicago-based brewery's flagship beer is a crisp, refreshing lager that's perfect for those who want a lighter option. It has a slight bitterness that makes it stand out from other lagers.The Hopewell Brewing Co. First Lager is a refreshing and crisp beer that embodies the spirit of the Chicago craft beer scene. It is a classic American lager with a modern twist, carefully crafted to provide a flavorful and sessionable drinking experience.- ABV: 5.0%
- IBU: 25
- Style: American Lager
- Color: Pale straw
- Malts: Pilsner, Vienna, Munich
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94votes
Metropolitan Krankshaft Kolsch
Metropolitan BrewingThis Chicago-based brewery's kolsch is a light, easy-drinking beer with a slightly sweet flavor. It's a great option for those who want a beer that's not too heavy.Metropolitan Krankshaft Kolsch is a popular beer crafted in Chicago. It is a traditional German-style Kolsch beer known for its refreshing and crisp taste. With a golden straw color, it has a moderate level of hop bitterness balanced by a delicate malt sweetness.- Type: Kolsch
- Style: German
- Color: Golden straw
- Taste: Refreshing and crisp
- Hop Bitterness: Moderate
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108votes
Off Color Apex Predator Saison
Off Color BrewingThis Chicago-based brewery's saison has a unique flavor profile that's a bit spicy and a bit funky. It's a great option for those who want to try something different.Off Color Apex Predator Saison is a Belgian-style farmhouse ale that showcases a harmonious balance of fruity, spicy, and earthy flavors. It is known for its pale golden color, medium body, and effervescent carbonation. The beer exudes aromas of citrus, floral hops, and a touch of clove. This Saison offers a complex taste profile with notes of ripe apricot, zesty orange peel, peppery spice, and a subtle malt sweetness. It finishes dry and crisp, leaving a lingering refreshing bitterness.- Style: Belgian-style farmhouse ale
- Color: Pale golden
- Body: Medium
- Carbonation: Effervescent
- Aromas: Citrus, floral hops, clove
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Ranking factors for popular beer
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Sales and consumption dataAnalyzing the sales and consumption data of different beers in Chicago can help determine their popularity. This might include data from retailers, bars, restaurants, and distributors, as well as any available information on overall beer consumption in the city.
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Brand visibility and recognitionThe popularity of a beer in Chicago can also be determined by how recognizable and visible its brand is. This can be measured by looking at marketing efforts, sponsorships, merchandising, and social media presence.
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Local breweries and craft beer sceneLocal breweries and craft beer establishments often feature beers that may not have as much national distribution but have a strong following in the city. Look at the success and reputation of local breweries, as well as beer menus in popular bars and restaurants.
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Beer awards and recognitionsBeers that have won awards and recognitions, either locally or nationally, usually indicate a level of quality that may contribute to their popularity in Chicago.
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Online reviews and ratingsWebsites such as Untappd, Beer Advocate, and RateBeer are great resources for gauging the popularity of different beers. These sites aggregate user ratings and reviews, providing insight into which beers are well-liked by beer enthusiasts in the area.
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Price and availabilityThe popularity of a beer in Chicago can also be influenced by its price and availability. More affordable and accessible beers may enjoy wider popularity, whereas specialty or limited-edition beers might have a smaller but devoted following.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular beer in Chicago. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or beer is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1717 views
- 192 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each beer once every 24 hours. The rank of each beer is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular beer in chicago
Chicago is known for its rich heritage of brewing and beer culture. The city has a long-standing history of producing some of the tastiest brews in the United States. With over 200 breweries and dozens of bars and pubs, it's no wonder that beer lovers flock to Chicago to sample the local beer scene. But what is the most popular beer in the Windy City? That's what we're here to find out. Whether it's a classic lager, a hoppy IPA, or a refreshing pilsner, we'll be exploring the top contenders for the title of "Chicago's most popular beer". So sit back, grab a cold one, and let's dive into the world of Chicago beer.
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