For years, wine lovers have enjoyed access to exclusive bottle shops, but today’s craft-beer friendly world has allowed beer drinkers to share in that fun. Beer bottle shops are growing more popular, sometimes serving as social hotspots. While there, beer fans can drink, attend events, learn about beer, buy swag, meet brewers and of course purchase beer.

The Beer Cellar
The Western Suburbs boast of many award-winning breweries, but until November of 2016, no beer shop existed; the Beer Cellar solved that problem. Located in Glen Ellyn, patrons can drink beer from eight rotating taps as well as shop for local, national and international craft beer. Brewing events and release parties are a regular occurrence at the Beer Cellar, but even on a “regular” day the staff’s enthusiasm for beer is palpable—even the newest of craft-beer rookies will find this place friendly and welcoming.

Beermiscuous
The recent release of the Beermiscuous Field Guide is Chicago’s first comprehensive guide to the city’s taproom and pub scene. That type of dedication to the Chicago beer scene speaks volumes about its store, which offers guests 350 beers from which to choose. The Beermiscuous environment is akin to a cozy coffee-shop or bookstore, fireplace and all. Beermiscuous sells 4 oz. pours that make it easy to create a personal beer flight. Kids and dogs are welcome, too!

The Beer Temple
Arguably Chicago's most respected craft-beer business, owned by Chris and Margaret Quinn. Chris is a Siebel Institute Master of Beer Styles and Evaluation and Certified Cicerone while Margaret, a Certified Beer Server, also has a few hours of Siebel education under her belt. The crew broadcasts exceptionally enlightening podcasts and writes educational pieces on its website. And, a few weeks ago, The Beer Temple opened a new tavern to supplement the bottle shop. In short, the Beer Temple serves as a bastion of beer connoisseurship—all while remaining friendly and casual.

Bitter Pops
The cool, hip Bitter Pops bottleshop includes a 900-square-foot, 40-seat tasting room. With eight taps and numerous, rotating bottle selections, it’s as much as a bar as it is a shop. But, a shop it is—selling a slew of international and American beer. Bitter Pops routinely hosts breweries (and local distillers) for special tastings and “tap-takeovers.”

Bottles & Cans
Genuine imbibe nirvana exists at Bottles & Cans with its 250 wine choices, 150 spirit selections, and—most importantly to beer fans—800 beers. You can stop by and create a mix & match six pack of just about any type of beer, and there are plenty of tasting events one can attend. The only issue at Bottles and Cans involves self-discipline. With beers from all over the world and an enormous selection of highly sought-after beers, how does one walk out with just a few bottles? Good luck to you.

The Craft Beer Store Libertyville
In addition to a few spirits and wine, the Libertyville store offers beer geeks an impressively diverse collection of beer, including many of the brilliant northern-suburban breweries that are oft-forgotten by the rest of the Chicago beer community. Besides buying beer to take home, one can buy beer from the cooler and drink it while in the store (up to two pints). Mix & match, create-your-own six packs are an option here too.

Iron & Glass
Not far from Nevin’s, Werk Force, and Metal Monkey breweries, the Plainfield-Romeoville area also has a dedicated bottle shop. Plenty of breweries from all over the metro area arrive for events hosted by Iron & Glass. Guests can select from a dozen rotating taps and peruse the shelves that contain more than 200 bottles of craft beer, cider, wine, mead and non-alcoholic beverages. You can drink from the selected bottles on premise or take them home.

Fun fact: Iron & Glass entertains beer fans with bottle share nights on the last Wednesday of each month! Check its social media pages for details and then join the party.

The Open Bottle
Beer aficionados can come into the store and select anything from the shelves and drink it immediately; a rapid cooler turns even warm beer into perfectly chilled and drinkable! But, there’s also fridges and beers on tap serving local, national, and international beer. The Open Bottle often hosts breweries (including several new-release and launch events), has collaborated with Hailstorm brewery, and provides a home to local, beer-loving runners.