Breweries and Wineries Near Chicago: A Northwest Indiana Guide

Less than an hour from Chicago, Northwest Indiana’s craft beer and winery scene is growing fast. Here you’ll find under-the-radar spots where tastings are laid-back, approachable, and perfect for casual drinkers. 
 

Why Northwest Indiana for Wine and Beer

Beer and wine are infused with a sense of place. With cool, breezy winds coming from Lake Michigan, the soft air from the foliage surrounding the Indiana Dunes and beyond pairs well with a craft beer or a glass of good wine. Wineries are relatively new to the region, but they’re quickly turning heads for quality wines and their laid-back approach to the winery experience. The beer brewing scene in Northwest Indiana is diverse, ranging from creative, sour-forward breweries to those making award-winning Scottish Ales and craft IPAs.
 

Wineries on the South Shore

Shady Creek Winery is a must-visit. A mile south of Lake Michigan in Michigan City, this cozy, welcoming winery is perfect for an afternoon glass of wine. Play lawn games with new friends on Shady Creek’s patio, and stick around for a fondue dinner.

Near Valparaiso, enjoy the rustic charm of Four Corners Winery. Sample wines in their beautifully restored 1870s Farmhaus, listen to local live music, and watch the sunset on their patio.

At Running Vines Winery, located in the heart of downtown Chesterton, sip their award-winning wines in their intimate tasting room. Pop in for wine and trivia on Thursday nights, live music on Friday and Saturday nights, or weekend brunch.

If you're looking for something a little different, Manic Meadery serves up mead, wine and cider in Crown Point, not far from I-65. Try Elliot, their flagship blueberry mead made with Elliot blueberries from Indiana, orange blossom honey and rested on American oak.

Further south, step into Carpenter Creek Cellars for a taste of their Traminette, Indiana’s signature wine grape. This classic Indiana winery in Remington features wines made from grapes grown on their property and from vineyards throughout the Midwest. Make sure to say hi to Port, the Carpenter Creek winery dog who likes to go sailing in his spare time.
 

Breweries Worth the Drive

Just over the Indiana-Illinois border, make a stop at Byway Brewing in Hammond, Indiana. This family-friendly microbrewery has an expansive outdoor seating area and a food menu to pair with its rotating list of beers on tap.

At nearby Fuzzyline Brewing in Highland, try their sour ales in a vibrant dining room. The tap list goes beyond sours with stouts, lagers, IPAs, and a bold menu worth trying. It includes favorites like pork bao buns and Bertha’s Sourdough Pizzas.

Located in Gary, 18th Street Brewery is brewing its take on saisons, double milk stouts, and pilsners. You'll find pizzas and salads to pair with your favorite beer, which you can even take to go.

Off Square Brewing, just off I-65 in Crown Point, prides itself on an eclectic selection of beer and food, with brews ranging from cream ales to Mexican lagers to Hazy IPAs. Each June, Off Square puts on its popular Beer, Bourbon, BBQ Fest, featuring country music and all-day-long festivities.

Make It a Trail Experience

Turn your beverage sampling experience into a weekend trip, with the South Shore Brewery Trail and the South Shore Winery Trail guiding your route. Both trails have seamless, easy-to-follow guides to make planning your journey across the region a breeze.

The South Shore Brewery Trail offers over 15 breweries to sample, featuring a variety of beer-making styles, atmospheres, and kitchen offerings. Breweries on the trail span the region from Hammond to Crown Point, Valparaiso, and Michigan City.

For your trip along the Brewery Trail, let someone else do the driving and book your group on a Brewery Lodge Brew Bus Tour, which visits top breweries across the South Shore region.

The South Shore Winery Trail takes visitors on a vineyard crawl through Valparaiso, Chesterton, Michigan City, and beyond, showcasing the best of the upstart Northwest Indiana winery scene. Along the trail, you’ll discover why this region is becoming a popular place to set up a new winery. Come along for the ride and support the wineries putting Northwest Indiana on the map.

Plan a Day Trip or Weekend

Make your South Shore breweries and wineries visit a full-day or weekend trip. In late February and early March, enjoy the annual Savor the South Shore Restaurant Week, featuring special menus and deals. Some breweries, such as Byway and Fuzzyline, participate.

Make sure to download the South Shore Passport app to stay up to date on the latest brewing updates across Northwest Indiana and make planning your trip easy and fast. For added fun, check in at selected breweries on the app for prizes.

If coming from Chicago, leave your car at the train station and hop aboard the South Shore Train line, which connects Chicago with stops across the South Shore region via the Lakeshore and Monon Corridors. There are plenty of breweries within walking or biking distance along the Lakeshore Corridor—including Zorn Brew Works in Michigan City and 18th Street Brewery in Gary.

Turn your South Shore Brewery Trail visit into a weekend getaway with a stay at a lakefront hotel, a cozy B&B, or the (quite on-theme) Brewery Lodge & Supper Club in Michigan City.

Discover Northern Indiana your way along the South Shore Brewery and Winery Trails.