Cheers to These Chicago Breweries.

Once April hit, I was in spring mode, but of course Chicago weather thought otherwise. So on a pretty chilly Saturday afternoon, Domenic and I headed down to Pilsen for lunch, and to check out Knee Deep Vintage. (We walked by this after dinner one night and I swore I'd make it back. It's a great thrift spot!)

Walking a little further south on Halsted, we came to a nondescript, abandoned-looking building with tiny white letters on the door that said "Moody Tongue". I felt like I was Alice, and I came across a hidden door.

When we walked into the dark hallway, the main room opened up to a bright space with high ceilings, and original, industrial-looking windows. There's a few seat around the perimeter of the space, with a U-shaped bar and black hightop chairs.

We cozied up in a corner booth in the back of the room and took a look at the menu, ordering a flight each to sample. When we got our, beer, it came in wine glasses. It was so neat. And the beer? Super tasty.

My favorites:

- Steeped Emperor's Lemon Saison

- Smoked Applewood Gold

- Peeled Grapefruit Pilsner

Other recommended breweries:

Goose Island, Lincoln Park

Forbidden Root, Ukrainian Village

Band of Bohemia, Ravenswood

Revolution Brewing, Logan Square

Half Acre Brewing, Lincoln Square