Best retail beer selection in Chicagoland?

September 11, 2008 12:02 PM

Where can I find the best retail beer selection in the Chicagoland area? I'm particularly interested in beer from my favorite brewery, Dogfish Head (the more varieties, the better).

Before moving to Chicago this past December, I spent 1.5 years in Lawrence, Kansas; there was a great local microbrewery there (Free State), but nothing in the way of the fantastic retail selection I was used to coming from New York state. In particular, there was no Dogfish Head to be found.

I'd like to pick up a few bottles of Dogfish Head soon (especially the World Wide Stout when the next batch is out); I'd also like to branch out into other brands with a similar yum-factor. Any tips? (A previous question suggests Sam's Wines and Spirits.) I live in Oak Park, so bonus points for anything near there.

posted by korpios to food & drink (13 comments total)

Your nearest Binny's ought to be of great assistance in this matter.
posted by SpiffyRob at 12:08 PM on September 11, 2008

Dogfish Head has a map of distrubutors
posted by dolface at 12:10 PM on September 11, 2008

I'm not too familiar with Chicago, but this search tool pointed me to this chain which seems to have Dogfish Head on the shelves. (YMMV with the beerfly search.)
posted by grateful at 12:15 PM on September 11, 2008

i regularly find i am jealous of my friends who live in chicago because they are able to mail order beer. if you have a hard time finding the exact brew you are looking for it is likely you can order it from liquid solutions.
posted by phil at 12:16 PM on September 11, 2008

Binny's is good. Foremost Liquors at California and Milwaukee has the best selection of beers that I found in a neighborhood liquor store, and seem to remember seeing the Dogfish. But I haven't been there in months...
posted by hwyengr at 12:16 PM on September 11, 2008 [1 favorite]

Dogfish Head is wonderful stuff. You might try your local Whole Foods. My local one has a huge display of Dogfish Head Punkin Ale right now.
posted by Otis at 12:17 PM on September 11, 2008

Sam's Liquors near North and Halsted has an incredible selection of everything.
posted by Ponderance at 12:21 PM on September 11, 2008

Ah sorry, a fellow Oak Parker!

THere is a Binnys on North just west of Oak Park Ave. Also the Whole foods at Lake and Harlem has a decent beer selection!
posted by Ponderance at 12:22 PM on September 11, 2008

Yes, that Foremost Liquors has a ridiculous selection for a corner store like that.
posted by ninjew at 12:24 PM on September 11, 2008

Seconding Sam's Wines & Spirits. My graduate division had a beer-and-pizza social event every Friday afternoon, and for a couple of years I was in charge of buying the interesting and delicious microbrews. Sam's was a bit of a haul from Hyde Park, but it was so, so worth it. The location I went to (and the one Ponderance is referring to) is their main store at 1720 N. Marcey, about two or three blocks away from the North/Halsted/Clybourn triangle.
posted by Johnny Assay at 12:36 PM on September 11, 2008

West Lakeview Liquors at Addison and Leavitt has, hands down, one of the best beer selections in the city. Not only will you find Dogfish Head there, but the staff will be able to recommend what else you'd dig.
posted by pfafflin at 12:45 PM on September 11, 2008

Oh, and just for the heck of it, here's the Dogfish Head that WLV has in stock:
Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
Dogfish Head Black & Blue
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
Dogfish Head Fort
Dogfish Head Golden Shower Imperial Pilsner
Dogfish Head Immort Ale
Dogfish Head Jiahu
Dogfish Head Midas Touch Golden Elixir
Dogfish Head Olde School Barley Wine
Dogfish Head Pangea
Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre
Dogfish Head Raison d'Extra
Dogfish Head Red & White
Dogfish Head World Wide Stout

posted by pfafflin at 12:48 PM on September 11, 2008

Binny's and Sam's are the de feacto booze stores in the city with multiple locations. The Sam's in Lincoln Park is truly impressive.

I've also been impressed with the selection at Whole Foods. Generally the city is full of impressive little beer-wine-liquor stores, so you really just have to look around.

I see you're in Oak Park - just ask around. Your local bartender should know.
posted by wfrgms at 12:21 PM on September 13, 2008