Brewery / taproom
Unclaimed profileDovetail Brewery
Chicago, IL · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
Dovetail Brewery is a taproom focused on Continental European styles made with traditional methods, from Czech-style lagers to spontaneously-fermented ales in the Senne Valley tradition. The core lineup includes Hefeweizen, Helles, Kölsch, Pils, and Vienna Lager. A September 2026 tap list shows 17 on tap, 1 bottle, and 16 cans, with seasonals like Rauchbier, Berliner Weisse, Grodziskie, and Lichtenhainer. Kölsch is served by.2L stange or Kranz. Samples and different pour sizes are available, though flights are not offered.
- What should I order?
- Start with the Helles, the 4.4% flagship lager, or the Kölsch, served by.2L stange or by the Kranz (11 stanges). For something less common, try the Rauchbier, a Bamberg-style smoked beer, or the Lichtenhainer, a historic smoked sour in a 375ml bottle.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone who wants a broad European-style range spanning lagers, ales, smoked beers, and spontaneously-fermented fruit beers. Kölsch Nights and Kranz service suit groups; the non-alcoholic list includes two beers and several sodas.
- When should I go?
- Kölsch Nights are a dedicated occasion. The taproom provides samples of anything on tap and different sizes of pours, which supports comparison across the lineup.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Underberg is listed at $4. Kölsch is offered by the Kranz for a special price. The taproom provides samples and different sizes of pours, so pricing can scale with pour size.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The taproom specializes in Continental European styles made with traditional methods, including spontaneously-fermented fruit beers in the Senne Valley tradition. Kölsch service by.2L stange or Kranz, with dedicated Kölsch Nights, is a specific format. The tap list spans lagers, ales, smoked beers, and spontaneously-fermented fruit beers.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Beer
A broad European-style range spanning lagers, ales, smoked beers, and spontaneously-fermented fruit beers. The September 2026 tap list shows 17 on tap, 1 bottle, and 16 cans. Core beers include Hefeweizen, Helles, Kölsch, Pils, and Vienna Lager. Seasonals and year-round offerings include Rauchbier, Berliner Weisse, Belgian Blonde, Dampfbier, Dubbel, Festbier, Grodziskie, Kolschbock, Lichtenhainer, Saison, and Summer Hopfenlager. Kölsch is served by.2L stange or Kranz.
Menu strengths
- — Taproom specializes in Continental European styles made with traditional methods, from Czech-style lagers to spontaneously-fermented ales in the Senne Valley tradition.
- — Kölsch is served by the.2L stange or by the Kranz (11 stanges), with dedicated Kölsch Nights.
- — Taproom does not offer flights but provides samples of anything on tap and different sizes of pours.
Standout selections
- — Helles — Helles Lager, 4.4% ABV; flagship, single decoction, open-fermentation, coolship rest, horizontal lagering.
- — Kölsch — Kölsch-style ale, 4.6% ABV; served by.2L stange or Kranz.
- — Rauchbier — Smoked beer, 5.3% ABV on tap; Bamberg-style with beechwood smoked malt.
- — Lichtenhainer — Historic smoked sour wheat-and-barley beer, 3.8% ABV, 375ml bottle.
Nonalcoholic
Two non-alcoholic beer brands plus multiple soda and seltzer options are listed. Non-alcoholic options include Athletic Lite (0.5%) and Krombacher Pils Alkoholfrei (0.4%) in cans. Filbert's Lemon seltzer, lemon-lime, ginger beer, and root beer are also listed.
Menu strengths
- — Two non-alcoholic beer brands plus multiple soda and seltzer options are listed.
- — Non-alcoholic options include Athletic Lite (0.5%) and Krombacher Pils Alkoholfrei (0.4%) in cans.
Standout selections
- — Athletic Lite — Non-alcoholic beer, 0.5% ABV, 25 calories, 5 carbs, organic grains; Stratford, CT.
- — Krombacher Pils Alkoholfrei — Non-alcoholic Pilsner, 0.4% ABV, brewed with natural spring water.
- — Filbert's Lemon Seltzer — 12 oz non-alcoholic lemon seltzer.
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