thrillist

When you need something it's best to go straight to the source, after all, how else could you verify that this dude your friend knows totally woke up in an ice-filled tub missing a kidney? Going straight to beer's source, Half Acre.

Having carved out a solid reputation for sudsitory excellence during the past couple of years, HA's branching into the wild frontier of retail with their very own on-site storefront at their North Center brewery; a bright, wood-furnished space sporting brews as far as the eye can see, like a fraternity house, if those beers were empty and disappearing into a thriving carpet of mold. Naturally they're making all of their wares -- rich amber Half Acre Lager, Baume, a chocolate rye stout, and west coast-style pale ale Daisy Cutter -- available in units ranging from 12 and 22 oz bottles, kegs, growlers, and eventually even cans, because it's extremely painful to crush a growler against your forehead. Not wanting to hog all of the attention they'll also be offering favorites from other local suspects (Metropolitan, Two Brothers, Flossmoor Station), noted microbrewers from as far away as Colorado and the West Coast, and spirits from boutique distilleries like Koval and North Shore, that latter of which can't quite let go of its New Trier hockey glory days, but, honestly, could you??

Stay tuned for frequent in-store tasting events and limited releases of beers you can't find anywhere else, much like that kidney guy, although seriously, your friend TOTALLY talked to him in this Wicker Park bar, and he had a bandage over his back and everything. Swear!

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Get the scoop on their brews at HalfAcreBeer.com