Saturday 16th of October 2010 01:35:19 AM

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I was excited to go here after I read a bunch of reviews of the place and wanted to get my hands on some of their more unique beers, especially their collaborations. I drove all the way out from the burbs because we don't get Half Acre out here.

Parking is readily available on both sides of the street, not to mention the Jewel lot right across from the brewery. I went on a Friday, so not a tour day. The tasting/shop area is in the front of the brewery and is quite small but they had four beers on tap (Daisy Cutter, Over Ale, Gossamer, and Wake of the Flood). The guy giving out samples gave as many as you wanted.

The shop had only some shirts, pint glasses, and.. thats pretty much it. They had a glass fridge in the front where they had cold 4pks of Daisy Cutter and Gossamer. I bought one of each to bring back to friends. As far as the bombers I went there to find. BUST. They had nothing of theirs or any collaborations. No Shewolf or Invasion Helles Bock. So that was a let down. The only bombers they did have was Lagunitas Little sumpin wild, Stone vertical epic (which I bought since It came out only a few days earlier) and 2 other randoms that were nothing special. I also picked up a growler because I was drinking with a few people that night and the growler had double sided logos that makes for a nice display piece if nothing else. Got a punch card though, once you buy 10 refills you get one for free. Tuesdays are two growler refills for $20.

I will definately try to come back though but if you don't live anywhere close and plan on coming just for the brewery then it may be hit or miss with their special limited release beers. Their standard line is delicious however.

Sunday 29th of August 2010 12:09:57 PM

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These guys have been brewing some good beers. Their Daisy Cutter IPA is all over Chicagoland and I have not been let down by it. Classic, flavorful, drinkable IPA.

Their tasting room is very small, staff is knowledgable and friendly. Growlers to go are handy (and they have a punch card for repeat buyers). Have 3-4 beer typically on tap (free tasting), and might still be working on a soda with unlikely ingredients like heather and greenpepper or something (sometimes they have available for a taste). They have started up their canning line, available around Chicagoland (tho have not tried via can yet). Can't go wrong with Daisy Cutter. RSVP for their tours.

Thursday 5th of August 2010 05:41:20 PM

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Stopped by Half Acre today to look around. Their beer has popped up all over Chicago and it's good to see a city brewery doing well. They do conduct tours on the weekend (I think you need to RSVP in advance). I did not go on a tour, just wanted to look around. Their shop is small (mainly because the facility itself is small), so don't go expecting them to have a full size tasting room that looks like a bar. They don't. However, you can buy shirts, coffee, bars of soap, some unique beer offerings from other breweries, and their beer. I saw cans of Daisy Cutter, but I opted for a growler of the Gossamer. They also had Daisy Cutter and Over Ale available. A new growler was $16, with refills at $12. There was also a loyalty card where I believe if you get 10 growlers you get some kind of discount (either discount or 1 free, not sure).

Go expecting it to be small. If you want a tour, RSVP ahead of time and go on the weekend. As long as you have those expectations you should enjoy the visit!

Wednesday 2nd of June 2010 02:44:05 PM

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I tried this place last fall, so things may have changed since then.

I was pleased to find a brewery within walking distance from my best friend's place in Chicago. Located in a neighborhood, this one doesn't look much like a production brewery from the outside. The tasting room is small, but upscale looking, with taps coming straight out of the wall for tasting. Tastings were free, and they had 4 beers to try. The Daisy Cutter was very nice.

I like that they sell a few beers from other brewpubs/breweries here. I would love to live close by.

Sunday 28th of February 2010 07:13:44 PM

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I was not there on a day where they do tours. I stopped in a for a taste and for a few bottles to purchase. They had the following on tap:
Ginger Twins
Daisy Cutter
Over Ale

Also had some soda's to try with some very odd combinations... and I guess they switch those up on a regular basis.

They had plenty of bottles for sale including some that were available to taste. Also shirts, glasses for sale. The girl working was very energetic and helpful and seemed to enjoy her job.

A nice new addition to the beer scene in Chicago for sure... would love to get back to do the tours which I believe are on Saturdays.

Thursday 10th of December 2009 10:52:44 AM

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The shop has been open a couple months now, and it's always worth dropping by to sample some stuff that hasn't been bottled yet. Some tasting room exclusives: Buckingham Green, a mild bitter, and Gossamer, a dry-hopped golden ale. Also available are small-batch craft sodas made in-house. Orange/basil/fennel soda was especially fun to try, it reminded me a little of Kvass and Flanders ales.

The tasting room is small, and set up like a boutique store, with some swag and local beers for sale. Growlers are affordable, currently $12 I think for a refill. Bring your own growler! They are still using mason jars that aren't so great for resealing/pouring, but plan to have their own growlers soon. There is a small cooler full of bombers from 1/2 Acre, FFF, Founders, and Flossmoor.

Tours are held on fridays at 5:00, and saturdays at 1:00pm. To sign up, email: info "at" halfacrebeer.com