Nothing says summer like going out with a few buddies and knocking back a few cold ones. But, what about man’s best friend? Does drinking beer mean leaving the pooch behind? Absolutely not! Chicago has numerous dog-friendly places, and some even have water and treats ready to keep your puppy happy. Here are a few good ones that are easy to find...and good for improving your ManScore!

Hopewell Brewing, Logan Square
Hopewell bartenders are equipped to provide you beer and your dog treats and water. The patio area is perfect for pups, but he or she can wander inside, too. Logan Square’s increasingly popular Hopewell Brewing just celebrated it’s one year anniversary. The menu involves an eclectic mix of beers including traditional, malty lagers—golden and dark, a variety of farm-fresh saisons, hoppy ales, big Belgian Quads, and barleywines.  And, for those times when your dog is okay hanging at home, Hopewell hosts occasional “Monday Night Dinners,” which involve chef-forward meals that pair well with Hopewell beer.

Begyle Brewing, Ravenswood
Surely a Community Supported Brewery (CSB) would consider dogs to be part of that community, right? Okay, pups may not pay for memberships, but nothing beats good old fashioned loyalty. All are welcome to enjoy Begyle beer, but as a CSB brewery, memberships help pay the bills. Sign up and enjoy either one or two 64 oz. growlers, or one sixtel of beer each month, as well as merchandise and additional beer discounts. And the dog gets water and treats while there, too—no membership required.

Empirical Brewery, Ravenswood
The science-minded brewery has an affinity for cats, but dogs are just as loved.  Feel free to bring your furriest family member to Empirical and enjoy one of its many unique ales. Empirical treats brewing like a science experiment, and that’s why it is so good. Through trial and error, test after test, the final product is juuuust right...and delicious!

Vice District Brewing, South Loop
Not only is Vice dog-friendly, but the brewery is only about two blocks north of the Fred Anderson dog park. So, your dog can join you while you do your thing, and then you can keep your dog company while he or she has fun. Win-win! Located in the increasingly hip South Loop neighborhood, and as part of a blossoming Southside brewing scene, Vice offers a stellar variety of beer, including many sessionable brews (low alcohol). Vice District is your friend’s porch, your buddy's basement, or your uncle’s garage—an awesome place to chill, drink beer, and bring the dog.

Dovetail Brewing, North Center
Located close to the Brown Line stop at Irving Park, Dovetail takes dog-friendliness seriously. Dogs can enter the taproom and enjoy some water and homemade natural treats. The brilliant Dovetail brewing duo hail from Chicago, but they met in Munich at the Doemens Institute. As such, the team adheres to traditional, continental-European brewing methods.  As they proclaim, “We brew like monks (minus the vows) and believe that brewing is a fine balance of art and science, hard work, and fun.” Fun, indeed!

Tighthead Brewing, Mundelein
A Rugby player turned brewery owner, Mundelein Brewery’s Bruce Dir has to like dogs, right? At Tighthead, feel free to bring your four-legged hound inside. The brewery's proximity to the train inspired its Tighthead Boxcar Porter, which is emblematic of the brewery’s deft skill in producing classic beers that also demonstrate the beauty of modern-day craft ingenuity.  And the bottle artwork found on Tighthead beers is some of the best around, although I’m sure your dog would prefer pictures of dogs playing poker.