Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

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Maplewood is a great local neighborhood brewery. It is cozy on the inside, and bright on the outside patio. They have flights of beers, ipas, sloggers and stouts. They've expanded both in space and their menu now includes food. I really enjoyed all four of my mini beers, and the fries were done really well. I love this place. Today I had a flight of four beers, and order of fries, tax and a 20% tip everything came out to 28th from just me

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Wasn't expecting that crowd on a saturday afternoon. The place was packed! Grabbed a flight of IPA and they were all very tasty! BA stouts were very good too

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Over the years, I’ve been hanging out at the Maplewood Lounge, back when it was still a small, humble taproom tucked discreetly into the end of the block. It had this undeniable charm — the kind of place where you’d walk in and be greeted by name, where conversations flowed as easily as the beer, and where the focus was clearly on community and craft. The beer and spirits was (and still is) excellent — inventive, well-balanced, and made with real care. It felt like our town’s best-kept secret, and a place you could always count on for a laid-back evening and a familiar face.

Fast forward to today, Maplewood has gone through major transformations. The addition of a full-service restaurant and a larger dining space has turned it into more of a regional attraction than a local watering hole. There’s now a full menu with a wide range of elevated pub fare — everything from seafood to Polish dishes, late-night bites to American bar food, and much more. I’ll be the first to admit: although the menu is a bit sporadic, the food is genuinely good.

While I’m happy to see a local business succeed and grow, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the soul of the old place. With growth has come a noticeable shift in vibe — it feels more polished, a bit less personal, and definitely more commercial. Wait times are longer, the atmosphere is louder, and the staff — while still friendly — often feel stretched thin during busy hours. It’s reminiscent, in a way, of Phase 3 Brewery, where a once-great stand-alone brewery has pivoted to the restaurant-first business model that also happens to sell its own beer.

In order to soak in some of that old charm of the Maplewood of the past, I enjoyed visiting on Mondays after work, when the taproom wasn’t too busy, the music was good, the staff were friendly, and an occasional Monday Night Football game or movie was playing on the TV. Unfortunately, Maplewood has recently made the decision to close their doors on Mondays.
To be clear, Maplewood is still a great spot. The beer and spirits continue to shine, and the food adds another level of appeal. It’s exciting to see a hometown favorite take things to the next level. But if you were a fan of the old, intimate feel, be prepared for a different experience — one that’s more refined and restaurant-centered, but perhaps a little less connected to its neighborhood roots.

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Lovely small Taproom where you can enjoy good craft beer as well as some splendid cocktails.

Easy walk (2km)from western subway station on the blue line. And well worth it.
Second time we are here and will be visiting whenever back in Chicago

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We were stuck in Chicago traffic and randomly stopped off for dinner here - highly recommend!!! We had the onion dip, split the maplewood burger and fries, added a side salad, and ended with the dumplings. Just their side salad was delicious - so fresh! I almost asked for more dressing at first glance, but it was perfectly dressed after the first taste. The burger was mouth watering!! The dumplings were so fresh, homemade and delicious. I ordered the Thirst Trap drink (so tasty) and then wanted something resembling more of a martini which is what I usually go for. They made the Thirst Trap into a martini style drink, it was perfect! Great atmosphere. We were fortunate enough to sit next to the kitchen door, and every single dish that came out looked so good!! Hard to choose. We’ll definitely be back!

Maplewood Brewery & Distillery

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