Flight Tasting Room & Bottle Shoppe is celebrated for its extensive and thoughtfully curated selection of craft beers, ciders, meads, wines, and spirits, available both on tap and in bottles or cans to enjoy onsite or take home. With about 15 rotating taps and over 200 varieties in the coolers, guests can explore new releases, local favorites, and hard-to-find brews—often with the option to build their own mixed packs. The staff is knowledgeable and passionate, ready to offer recommendations or guide you to something new, making the experience approachable for both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.

The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, featuring spacious indoor seating, a cozy outdoor beer garden, and amenities like bar games, trivia nights, and live performances. Board games and a classic arcade game add to the fun, while the family- and pet-friendly environment invites groups of all sizes. Guests are encouraged to bring their own food or order from nearby restaurants, and food trucks make regular appearances. Flight also stands out for its community-minded approach, including monthly charity tip donations and a women-owned business ethos. Accessibility is prioritized with wheelchair-friendly facilities and ample parking.

Flight Tasting Room & Bottle Shoppe is perfect for anyone seeking variety, a friendly vibe, and a true sense of local community—whether you’re sampling a flight, picking up a rare bottle, or just relaxing with friends in a casual, trendy setting.

McCarty Mills Taproom in downtown Aurora is a welcoming craft beer bar and bottleshop known for its impressive selection of local and specialty beers, meads, and wines. With 10 rotating taps and over 50 different cans available to enjoy onsite or take home, the taproom offers something for every palate. The atmosphere is laid-back and friendly, featuring a neighborhood vibe, knowledgeable staff, and regular pop-up food events—like pizza, pretzels, and local food vendors—that pair perfectly with their drinks. Guests can relax inside or on the dog-friendly outdoor patio, enjoy live music or DJ nights, and participate in unique events like tap takeovers and art pop-ups. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out, a place to discover new brews, or a fun community gathering spot, McCarty Mills Taproom is a local gem in Aurora’s craft beverage scene.

Up North Wine Tasting Room brings the spirit of Northern Michigan’s wine country to downtown Geneva, offering a curated selection of premier wines from the Traverse City region and beyond. The tasting room is co-owned by three women—Cathy, Amy, and Mary—whose passion for Michigan wine and hospitality shines through in every detail. Guests can enjoy rotating monthly wine features, guided tastings, and customizable wine flights, as well as Michigan craft beers, ciders, and cocktails. The cozy, upscale space is designed for relaxation, with both indoor and outdoor seating, and is known for its friendly, fast service and community events like trivia nights. Charcuterie boards and snacks featuring Michigan and local products complement the wine experience, and bottles are available to enjoy onsite or take home. Up North’s mission is to provide a destination-style environment that encourages guests to slow down, connect, and savor exceptional wines in a welcoming, inclusive setting.

Stockholm's Restaurant & Brewery is celebrated for its handcrafted, Old World-style beers brewed onsite and a diverse menu featuring American and Italian-inspired comfort food. The welcoming, historic tavern atmosphere makes it perfect for families, friends, and solo diners alike. Highlights include a rotating selection of house beers, hearty soups, burgers, Swedish meatballs, and a popular Sunday brunch. The service is consistently praised as friendly and attentive, and the restaurant is wheelchair accessible with both indoor and outdoor seating options. Stockholm’s is also known for its community spirit, with a staff whose dedication and personality help create a true neighborhood gathering place. Whether you’re seeking a casual meal, a special brunch, or a pint of expertly crafted beer, Stockholm’s offers a warm, memorable experience in the heart of Geneva.

Penrose Brewing Company in Geneva, IL, is a standout craft brewery known for its inventive Belgian-inspired ales, fresh hop-forward beers, and creative barrel-aged and alternative fermentation projects. The spacious, lively taproom offers a welcoming atmosphere with plenty of seating, board games, and regular events, making it ideal for groups and casual visitors alike. While Penrose doesn’t have a kitchen, guests are encouraged to bring their own food or order in from local restaurants, and food trucks often make appearances. The rotating tap list features everything from hazy IPAs and sours to stouts and hard seltzers, including popular releases like Goofy Boots and Lemon Seltz-Up. Friendly staff, private event space, and brewery tours round out the experience, making Penrose a must-visit for craft beer lovers in the Fox Valley.

Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead in downtown Elburn, Illinois, is a lively destination where inventive craft beer, small-batch mead, and wood-smoked barbecue come together in a welcoming, community-focused setting. The brewery features a spacious indoor dining area, a vibrant beer garden with live music, and a cozy patio—making it ideal for gatherings of all kinds. Obscurity’s tap list is known for its creative brews, including unique braggots (a beer-mead hybrid), sours, IPAs, and a rotating selection of house-made meads and ciders crafted from 100% locally sourced wildflower honey, with no extracts or concentrates used. The full kitchen serves up crowd-pleasing barbecue favorites like brisket, ribs, and bao buns, perfectly complementing the drink menu. With friendly service, regular events, and a fun atmosphere, Obscurity Brewing and Craft Mead is a standout spot for beer, mead, and food lovers alike in the Fox Valley region.

Hardware Sustainable Gastropub and Brewery in North Aurora is a destination that seamlessly blends inventive cuisine, craft brewing, and a deep commitment to sustainability. Housed in a striking industrial space with reclaimed materials and a living wall of fresh herbs, Hardware features a greenhouse, on-site organic hop farm, and gardens that supply much of the kitchen’s produce.

Guests can enjoy spacious indoor dining or relax on the expansive patio with fire pits and garden views. Hardware’s eco-friendly ethos extends to compostable packaging and water sourced from its own well. With attentive service, a unique atmosphere, and a focus on local, sustainable ingredients, Hardware offers a memorable dining and drinking experience unlike any other in the region.

Gilted Edge Winery in Newark, IL, is a family-owned boutique winery known for its small-batch fruit wines and sweet dinner wines. Guests enjoy a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere with indoor and outdoor seating, friendly service, and regular events like live music. Perfect for tastings, gatherings, or private celebrations, Gilted Edge Winery offers a charming local wine experience in Kendall County.

Geneva Winery & Tasting Room in Batavia stands out for its inviting ambiance, blending rustic charm with modern sophistication right along the Fox River. Guests can enjoy a diverse selection of handcrafted wines—ranging from robust reds and crisp whites to luscious dessert and fruit wines—crafted with care in Kane County. The tasting room offers flexible tasting experiences, including customizable flights and full tastings, allowing visitors to sample a variety of wines to suit their palate. The space is ideal for relaxing with friends, savoring small bites, or hosting private events, and features both indoor and riverside seating. Friendly staff and a wine club with exclusive perks create a sense of community, making it a perfect spot for both wine aficionados and newcomers looking for a memorable tasting experience in Batavia.

Fox Republic Brewing Co. in Yorkville, IL, is a lively, community-focused brewery offering a rotating selection of house-brewed beers—including lagers, IPAs, sours, and seasonal specialties—plus seltzers, cider, and wine. The spacious taproom features indoor and outdoor seating, complimentary popcorn, games, and frequent events like food trucks, craft nights, and live music. Family- and dog-friendly, Fox Republic is known for its welcoming staff and fun, relaxed atmosphere—making it a favorite local hangout for both beer lovers and visitors.

Foxes Den Meadery in Yorkville, IL, is a micro meadery specializing in handcrafted, artisan honey wines made from the finest quality ingredients. Their tasting room, located at 101 S. Bridge St. with views of the Fox River, offers an intimate French Provincial Industrial atmosphere and outdoor seating. Foxes Den produces a wide variety of meads, from dry to sweet, still to sparkling, and session to full strength, with a particular focus on dessert-style meads. Their creative lineup features unique flavors—such as Chocolate Covered Raspberry, Lemon Blossom, and barrel-aged specialties—crafted by owner and mead maker Rico Bianchi, who brings years of passion and experimentation to every batch. The meadery is child-friendly, welcomes outside food, and strives to create a world-class experience for both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to mead.

Foreign Exchange Brewing Co. has quickly made a name for itself in the Chicago-area craft beer scene, specializing in innovative small-batch and oak-aged ales. Recognized as '2020’s Best New Brewery in Illinois' by PorchDrinking.com, the brewery is celebrated for its commitment to quality and creativity, using only the finest ingredients in their brewing process. The brewery’s focus on unique, limited releases and oak-aged offerings sets it apart from more traditional taprooms, appealing to adventurous beer drinkers and connoisseurs alike. Located in Aurora with a wheelchair-accessible entrance, Foreign Exchange Brewing Co. provides a welcoming environment for all guests and is an excellent choice for those looking to experience the cutting edge of local brewing.

Art History Brewing and Taproom in Geneva, Illinois, offers a unique blend of tradition and innovation, inviting guests to experience classic beer styles from around the world in a modern, welcoming setting. Art History Brewing is renowned for its diverse lineup, specializing in traditional European lagers—such as Czech Pilsner, German Helles, and Vienna Lager—alongside hop-forward North American ales and seasonal releases. Their beers are crafted with meticulous attention to historical authenticity and served in the appropriate glassware to highlight each style’s character. Guests can enjoy cold brew coffee, snacks, and a rotating selection of beers available on draft, in cans, and in growlers. The brewery is open daily and features a permanent beer garden, with leashed pets welcome in the outdoor space.

Energy City Brewing in Batavia, Illinois, stands out in the Chicagoland craft beer scene for its inventive, fruit-forward beers and welcoming taproom experience. Founded in 2017 by David and Heidi Files, the independently owned brewery has quickly built a reputation for small-batch creativity and bold flavors, especially their signature smoothie-style Berliner Weisse sours and decadent pastry stouts. The taproom, located at 917 1st Street in Batavia, is open on weekends and Friday nights, offering a relaxed, friendly atmosphere with free tasting samples, a shuffleboard table, and the option to bring your own food or enjoy snacks for purchase.

Fox Valley Winery Inc., located in Oswego, Illinois, is a premier boutique winery specializing in small lots of handcrafted, award-winning wines made primarily from estate-grown and single-vineyard Illinois grapes. The winery offers a diverse selection, including dry reds, sweet whites, rosés, and ciders, ensuring there’s something for every palate. Visitors can enjoy daily wine tastings in a welcoming tasting room that features cozy fireplaces, local artisan goods, and a spacious outdoor patio. Fox Valley Winery also hosts year-round special events such as live entertainment, painting classes, winemaker’s dinners, and wine and food pairing experiences.

Geneva Winery & Tasting Room stands out for its broad portfolio of wines, ranging from robust reds and crisp whites to specialty dessert and fruit wines. Visitors can enjoy personalized tastings and flights, with knowledgeable staff guiding you through their unique offerings. The tasting room features a cozy, ivy-covered patio and a charming indoor space, making it an inviting spot year-round. Guests are welcome to bring their own food or pair wines with available cheeses, charcuterie, and snacks. The winery also offers a wine club with daily tastings and exclusive perks, further enhancing its community feel. Whether you’re seeking a casual afternoon with friends or a special celebration, Geneva Winery delivers a delightful, approachable wine experience in the heart of Geneva.