Dovetail Brewery - Chicago, Illinois

Lani H.

Walking in, the people are very friendly. It seems like everyone knows someone at the bar, so that was comforting to see. The staff seemed to be more about business. Place your order, is it ok, if something is wrong, they're going to try to get to the nitty-gritty of what the problem with the beer is. It's not that they're unfriendly, but you can tell that the staff cares a lot about their business.

I ordered the Porter and Framboise. The Porter wasn't super heavy or too bold on flavor. The Framboise is tart, sour, almost kabocha tangy, but that's what made it addicting.

I ordered the homemade chips with onion dip. 10/10 I knew I would be craving it when I left. It's really fresh and light, but with a lot of flavor!

The interior is really warm and pleasant. It's feels inviting and like you should stay and relax a while.

Yao Y. X.

Dovetail doesn't do taster flights, so the styles of beer that I could try were limited. The Rauchbier is a must-try, with an rich smoky flavour reminiscent of whiskey. I also tried the Kriek (a cherry beer), which wasn't to my liking, but was interesting nonetheless.

Mark W.

I came for the Rauchbier following a rec from a local colleague. Perfect smoky beer also tried a smoked Helles, both excellent. The space is approachable and friendly, best brewery I explored in my Chicago visit, so I will do my best to stop by again when next in the area.

Benjamin S.

Wonderful brewery, delicious continental styles, as good as anything I've had in Europe. Also beer to go! My favorite brewery, don't miss their events like Oktoberfest, Mayfest, and Kolsch Night! The service traditions and education pair really well with the excellent beer.

2024 update: I also booked a tour as part of a work event and everything was absolutely amazing. Rachel was super helpful in planning our event, Toby did an awesome job leading a private educational tasting tour, and the rest of the team helped take great care of us. Can't recommend it enough!!

Melanie R.

Visited this brewery Sunday night, as my adult son was in from out of town and wanted to try this place. He and my husband enjoyed the beers they tried. I told the bartender I didn't like beer and he asked me if I ever tried a sour beer. I told him no, and he explained this particular beer (Framboise) to me. I told him I'd try it and he gave me a sample. I actually liked it - sour indeed, with a hint of raspberry. So ordered a 4 oz. We didn't catch this bartenders name but he was friendly and professional, and answered all our questions.

Randy S.

Spot on, fantastic German, Czech, and Belgian style biers! Great Great wild fermented biers also. SO MANY you can't try them all in one visit. Super convenient location to the Brown Line. Awasome patio out front I'd love to come back and visit in the warmer weather.
The ONLY reason i didn't give them 5 stars is the SUPER UNCOMFORTABLE furniture in the place! Really terrible. Your 2 choices are very small (8 in diameter?) flat disc wood stools with a tiny, super low back that does nothing OR hard flat bottom and flat back wooden bench seats. SO terrible. Totally would have stayed longer but too painful. How do they think anyone would stay for more than a couple beers Please get new stools (and try them out yourself first!), or cusions or SOMETHING!!
GREAT GREAT bier, horrible on comfort.

Jeremy Y.

Dovetail was an awesome brewery during our Chicago trip. The interior was super airy and inviting, with people milling around making great conversation. The beer varieties were impressive, with combinations I rarely see elsewhere. I also had the best beer of the trip at Dovetail (the tequila finished option I believe), which was a true standout. I highly recommend visiting Dovetail.

Matthew G.

Exceptional beers in a cozy, slightly industrial space. A bit out of the way but worth the trek on the brown line. Crowd on a Friday was steady although it was raining, skewing older folks who seem to appreciate good lager. So many styles to choose from and some great to-go options in cans and bottles in the coolers up front. Didn’t know they brewed wild/sour beers. Had pours of all of their smoke beers, including my first ever Grodziskie. Saved their core beers for cans to-go. Also enjoyed their seasonal offerings, all stellar. I don’t think this brewery can make a bad beer. Some great swag and friendly staff working the bar who seem to know a lot about lager.

The only downside is the prices. Although I’m willing to pay the premium as are many others and I understand lager takes more time and the ingredients are also more labor intensive in order to make authentic styles, it’s tough to see all of their beers at $9 for half liter pours or $10 for seasonal specialties…at the source nonetheless! I figured only double milkshake hemp cryo IPAs were $10/pint (or half liter). Also odd that a mixed four pack of Pilsner and Czech Dark Lager is $16 when a four pack of either is $15. Was there labor involved in mixing the packs of cans? Again, I understand there’s a price to pay for good lager, but it’s tough to spread the love of lager when it’s priced so highly. We’re approaching Switzerland price levels in craft beer. Anyway, this could be the best lager brewery in the country, and with Goldfinger not far away, Chicago really could be the lager capital of the US. Really wished I lived local to here. Bravo, Dovetail!