Beer and Trains

Roll and rumble down the tracks, past the traffic, to your destination and back with nary a care. In Chicago, pair beer with trains and make a day of it.

First we'll assume you're starting from downtown ChiTown. Metra's South Electric Line will take you (literally) to Flossmoor Station, a brewery built right into the Flossmoor train station. While you're there, try a Pullman Brown Ale, Zephyr Golden Ale, or Panama Limited Red.

The BNSF line will take you all the way out to Aurora at the end of the line. There lives America's Brewing Company (Walter Payton's Roundhouse), a rambling complex that includes restaurant, comedy club, music hall and wedding/celebration facilities. Try the Walter Payton Pilsner, Amber Ale, or Honey Wheat. Just blocks off the same line, south of the Downers Grove Main Street station, is Emmett's Ale House. I've enjoyed many classic bitter beer styles there.

Take the Union Pacific West Line to Villa Park, walking four blocks south to the Lunar Brewing Company. A Total Eclipse Stout, Perseus' Pale Ale, or Raspberry Cream Ale might whet your whistle.

A couple of blocks east of the CTA's Blue Line is Piece Pizzeria and Brewery (1927 E. North Ave.) where one can find Golden Arm (a German-style Kolsch), Top Heavy (a south-German hefeweizen), and Worryin' Ale (a rye beer).

The CTA's Brown Line will bring you near Goose Island Brewery's Clybourn location, a little jaunt through the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The Red Line runs near their Wrigleyville digs off the Addison stop. Maybe Matilda (a Belgian-style pale ale), Nut Brown Ale, or 312 Urban Wheat meets your fancy.

Take a train and treat your taste buds to top local Chicago beer flavors.