Chicago, ILBeer Halls and Biergartens

Time Out Chicago says authentic German biergartens are hard to come by in Chicago and that this institution has stood the test of time, with wrought iron patio tables, wooden privacy fences and bright flowers around a beer list packed with options from Deutschland. Order the spaetzle or the schnitzel with a stein of weiss in the open air. Tables are first come, first served. The garden is outdoors, so it runs the warm weather season that Chicago beer gardens keep.

Time Out Chicago calls this one of the most picturesque places to drink outdoors in the West Loop, a beer garden festooned with lights around its own bocce court, pouring drafts from some of the city's best breweries. Order the cheese curd stuffed brats or the bacon board. A retractable roof means the sausage and beer keep going when the weather does not, which stretches the garden past the warm weather months most Chicago beer gardens keep.

Time Out Chicago puts The Northman on the Chicago Riverwalk, a laid back spot for a local brew, a boozy slushy or a cup of soft serve, with counter ordering and umbrella topped picnic tables. Live music runs from country to alternative rock and dogs are welcome, especially at the summer yappy hour fundraisers. Order the pretzel with beer cheese or the Chicago dog. The Riverwalk garden opens daily at noon and its hours are weather dependent through the season.

Time Out Chicago puts this expansive beer garden in the sprawling parking lot at Half Acre's Balmoral Avenue brewery, pouring a rotating selection of beers found nowhere else alongside the year round portfolio. Dogs and families are always welcome. Order the cheese curds or the classic fish and chips with whichever rotating pour is on that day. The lot is an outdoor room, so it keeps the warm weather season Chicago beer gardens run from spring into October.

Time Out Chicago describes a small courtyard behind this Andersonville institution, a tree lined beer garden surrounded by brick walls where the long Belgian beer list can be worked through in the sun. Order a goblet of St. Feuillien with a pile of mussels and a cone of frites, which is the pairing the guide sets out. Tables are first come, first served. The courtyard is outdoors, so it keeps the warm weather season Chicago beer gardens run.