Skeleton Key Brewery, Woodridge

The staff at Skeleton Key Brewery doesn't simply dispense the newest craft brews, it helps beer-thusiasts learn to create them. The brewery invites folks in to learn about the brewing process and participate in observational brew days, when guests can observe a day's worth of brewing from the taproom and get an up-close demo on its pilot system. Those looking for a more in-depth approach need look no further than Skeleton Key's incubator program which trains one person over the course of 12 weeks on the ins and outs of running a brewery and taproom.

The beers themselves all have slight twists on classic brew styles, and taproom visitors can enjoy the familiar-yet-new creations at the brewery's big wooden tables as they play board games, hang out, nosh on goodies from nearby food trucks, or chat with one of the owners who make it a point to be in the taproom whenever it's open.