Billed as "Chicago's first botanic brewery," Forbidden Root is located in a gorgeously rehabbed, airplane hangar-like building that was formerly home to the classic movie house Hub Theatre. Head brewer BJ Pichman produces intriguing beers infused with roots, bark, blossoms, and other ingredients fit for a druid. A recent standout was the Sublime Ginger golden wheat ale, flavored with key lime, lemon myrtle, and honey, and reminiscent of a Dark and Stormy. Also notable was the Cherry Amaro Ale, an homage to the Italian liqueur infused with cherry stems and spice-roasted blood orange—it's a sweet, creamy treat, and with an 8.2 percent ABV, potent too. The food, from Trencherman vet Dan Weiland, is equally adventurous, ranging from gochugaru-dusted popcorn to a malted hanger steak. The vibe is relaxed and convivial, with plenty of classic punk played on the sound system at a level conducive to conversation about how good the beer is. —John Greenfield