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Best Spring Beers In Chicago

Chicago has some of the best craft beers in the country, period. Highlighted are the best five spring craft beers. It is extremely difficult to select only five. There is no right or wrong… drink what is enjoyed most. The goal is simply to introduce beer drinkers to new options if they are not already familiar with these. The highlighted beers are fairly well known and can be purchased at the corresponding microbrewery in Chicago. The microbreweries offer tours, an excellent way to learn about beer and gain an understanding as to how it is made.

There are also great sites that do a fantastic job of reviewing craft beers, Beer Advocate and Rate Beers just to name a couple. It is important to try different beers for yourself. The reality is that everyone has a different palate. The texture, flavor and ABV make these craft beers excellent to enjoy after the Spring Equinox (first day of Spring) on March 20, 2016.

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John Wyzkiewicz monitors equipment at the Goose Island Brewery. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Goose Island Halia Farmhouse Pale Ale
Goose Island Beer Co.

1800 W. Fulton St.
Chicago, IL 60612
(800) 466-7363
www.gooseisland.com

This craft beer will be available in April and May only, so it is truly only a spring beer. Beer Advocate rated this beer 92 out of 100 points. The inspiration behind this beer combines the spirit of a Belgium beer with a sour peach pale ale aged in white wine barrels with an ABV of 7.5 percent.

Revolution Brewing Galaxy Hero IPA
Revolution Beer
2323 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago, IL 60647
(773) 227-2739
www.revbrew.com

This craft beer will be available in March and April, so head over to Revolution Beer early. Beer Advocate also rated this beer 92 out of 100 points. This beer was originally brewed for the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo and has an ABV of 6.6 percent and has been described as having nice citrus hops that sit right in the middle of Pale Ale and IPA.

Half Acre
(Photo Credit: halfacrebeer.com)

Half Acre Beer Vallejo IPA
Half Acre Beer Co.
4257 N. Lincoln Ave.
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 248-4038
www.halfacrebeer.com

This craft beer will be available between April and August and received 90 out of 100 points on Beer Advocate. This aroma of this beer is somewhat tropical with hints of citrus and pineapple. This is a very good IPA with an ABV of 6.7 percent that is easy to drink.

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Lagunitas Equinox American Pale Ale 
Lagunitas Brewing Company

2607 W. 17th St.
Chicago, IL 60608
(773) 5220-2097
www.lagunitas.com

This craft beer will be available March through June and also received a 90 out of 100 rating on Beer Advocate. Fans of this beer have described it as enjoyable, creamy, hoppy and complex with an ABV of 8 percent.

Metropolitan Brewing Iron Works Altbier
Metropolitan Brewing

5121 N. Ravenswood Ave.
Chicago, IL 60640
www.metrobrewing.com

This craft beer is a compelling American Altbier brewed in the manner and style similar to the brewing methods of Düsseldorf Germany.  This beer will be available March through May. Beer Advocate rated this beer 85 out of 100 points. First-time tasters will notice a hop profile with a strong copper color in their first sips. The Metropolitan Altbier has an ABV of 5.8 percent.

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Michelle Guilbeau is a writer, reviewer, teacher and business owner. She is also proud founder of CraftKitsForKids.com, MichelleGuilbeau.com and bestchicago.blogspot.com Michelle enjoys sharing her knowledge of cities, food, travel, education and parenting issues with her readers. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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