Sketchbook Brewing Co - Evanston

This is *the* place for great beer and genuine community in Evanston IMO. Super knowledgeable and friendly staff, kid-friendly (within reason 😉), and events happening all the time. Join the CSB membership too! 🍻

Always a solid place to try a bunch of beers. We came for music bingo, and had a great time, even though we didn’t win anything.

Tasty beers. Orange Door, No Parking, etc. are all good citric tastes. Cool and casual atmosphere, lively without being overcrowded on the Fridays I've come. Can't comment on prices since every time I'm here it's for happy hour with colleagues. They've always been friendly, patient and helpful when I've thought about my order.

Very casual space for friends to get together with friends to enjoy a variety of excellent beers. And they allow you to bring in your own food. We brought in sandwiches from Inspired Indian in Evanston, which paired well with their Amistosa and the Twice Lucky English ale.

Sketchbook Brewing Company in Evanston has great customer service, very informative servers. Cute and cozy, smaller is better in this case. Didn’t get the same attention in Skokie. Everyone is friendly and patient and helpful. My favorites are, Orange Door, the Beer for the soul and the E-town brown ale, will be back to try more special releases!

Updating my review from NYE 12.31.22. Visited this location a few times in between and even enjoyed our first karaoke night earlier this month (November). Adding pictures here of their 9th Anniversary (Tu.12.21.23) celebration and a special Orange [Door]+Firkin which was absolutely delicious and out of this world. Got some cool, discontinued swag beer glasses as well. --- (Sat.12.31.22) Another "not my first time here, but first Google Review" for this place! Being regulars at the Skokie location now, haven't been here since 2017 (Saturday, March 18 specifically) and since it's renovation! Was definitely great to stop by New Year's Eve during the day and see the expanded space and small elevated stage. Menu between taprooms seem the same. Will stop by again if in the area and to check out any music events. Cheers!

This brewery is so good it's ridiculous. From beers to selection to vibes to bartenders. They have created community beer spaces and they should be applauded 👏. This brewery is one of the tops in all of Illinois. 10/10 no notes.

This is our go-to place with my friend group! They have great beer, always enjoyable events, and such a lovely atmosphere. The staff is the best! We come here every single week and never get bored!

Went to their Skokie location recently. Loved the beers. I had a flight with their Snowy Owl, Oktoberfest, Pinky Sweater, and Amistosa. The Cumulus was also really good. It's BYOFood, and we actually enjoyed that since we had a tray of Buff Joe's. There was a taco truck outside too. My friend really wanted karaoke, but that's at their Evanston location on Saturday nights, so we'll check that out next time.

Sketchbook Brewing is a favorite place for my husband and I to pop into when we have a Wednesday off together every now and then. They have a fabulous rotation of craft beers, and the bartenders do a wonderful job of walking you through the selection. The Evanston location is one of two. The other location is in Skokie, and that location has an outdoor space. Both spaces have music and other pop-up entertainment. If I had one complaint about most breweries in general it would be to have better snack selections. You can buy pretzels and cheese curds at Sketchbook.

Breweries are popping up all over and around here. If looking for beers with a hip atmosphere then come to this one. Sketchbook has the original location here in Evanston, and they expanded over to one in Skokie. A little more crowded at this location. The beers are what to get pretty much with a good amount on tap. A pretty crowded brewery where the main thing is the beer. It's about $7 a pint. That's not a great price but for craft beers around here it's pretty typical. Lots of beers to choose from. There's light and there's strong. A good one is the Twice Lucky. It's an English pale ale that's light on alcohol but not on taste. This was my favorite of all these. Lots on tap but there's more in cans. There's not much in the way of food except kettle chips for $1, but you can bring food in. Also you can have it delivered. There's codes you can scan to make an order. Fun brewery with another location. If you like good beer and are okay with only that, then you you should also like this place. There's not a whole lot of room here but it's still good for private events and parties.

I've enjoyed Sketchbook beers for years! But oddly hadn't ever visited either location when I lived in Chicago. Finally visited with my good friends who are members. The original location has a bar to belly up to and a larger room with lots of seating options and a small stage for acoustic duos and such. Sampled many beers and they were all great! I've heard the Skokie location is incredible, but don't sleep on this OG Evanston locale!

The bartenders are kinda uptight. TBH the vibe at Temperance is better. Temperance is in South Evanston.

amazing variety of beers, new ones all the time, GREAT beer. The staff is incredible. the room is convivial. the staff and beer are the stars, but they also have occasional music there. Snacks but no food at this location. highly recommend!

I had never heard of or seen this place before, but I happened to walk past it while running some weekend errands and decided to stop in for a beer (or two). Some call it a coincidence, but I call it fate. It was a really cool spot with a delicious selection of beers. My boyfriend enjoyed his Pilsner and I, my Mexican lager. It was deliciously refreshing on this scorching summer afternoon. I adore their concept with the colored pencils and blank coasters. It's enough to keep the adults and possibly kids you take out with you entertained. The staff was very friendly and was happy to answer our questions about serving size and drink menu options. It serves as a great location for afternoon dates, after work happy hours, or an adult-only family outing. Definitely a 5/5 place that I will be happy to revisit.

My husband, son and I just moved to Evanston and are a block away from Sketchbook! Coming from Califonria, one thing we were looking for in a new neighborhood was a great family friendly bar or tavern, and Sketchbook is it! We love to come by for a beer and our 2 year old loves to play in the kids corner! Helps that the beer is good too!

I went to the Pravda Record Fest this summer, and it was a BLAST. Bands out on the back loading dock - made a perfect stage. Pravda records apparently shares the building, what a cool symbiotic relationship. Great beer, friendly people, progressive values, right off the bike path, cool interior, nice outdoor space - what's not to love?

I'm 28 years old and just was denied service because i had a new jersey ID. I'll take my business elsewhere. Nice job, guys.

I absolutely loved Sketchbook's spacious beer garden. I made a reservation on Tock for a late Saturday afternoon and the area is actually across the street from the brewery, at a roped off grassy area next to the purple line CTA. The picnic tables were generously spaced apart and were sanitized before each new party. My partner and I had a table all to ourselves at the end of grassy area. What I loved was the shade! The area is covered in tall trees so you're comfortable while sitting outdoors. The $10 reservation on Tock included a drink voucher. We started with the hazy IPA and Pilsner, both on tap. You pay at the tent, which faces the garden entryway right when you walk in, so it's self-serve. You can also scan a QR code for food delivery and the info is taped on the table. This was my first time here and it was so lovely to be outdoors and enjoy a beer or two or more. There were large groups and small groups - plenty of space (physical distance) between the tables, and also enough room on the benches to fit 4-6 people. What a perfect glimmer of hope & sunshine, found right by the center of Evanston. I can't wait to be back.

I'm really looking forward to Sketchbook opening up in Skokie and this delay due to Covid really sucks. But that didn't deter getting some of their beer - the user experience was pretty good while ordering online. As for the beers, thus far, the No parking Citra was bursting with Citrus flavor. The Berliner Weiss - Strawberry was tart in favor but I couldn't point toward a strawberry flavor. The Rye ale had hints of caramel - yummy. Night game was very strong and bold in flavor. Looking forward to trying the Hazy Ale. All in all, a good value and looking forward to trying all of their beers and getting a T-shirt. Great job on your website, by the way!!

Great beer and friendly staff! They do a good job of rotating in new beers while keeping their staples. If you haven't tried Night Game you are missing out!

For what it is, I like it. It's BYOF (bring you own food) which is cool. They don't hound you about staying awhile either, which was great, because we had a game night there. I wish they had some more snacks available to purchase (to make it easier on people that don't want a whole meal or to pick-up outside food), but overall, it was a positive experience.

Came here over summer to pick up some beer at open. There was no one there and the bartender working said she hadn't gotten around to the garage door yet, because they had literally JUST opened, but would be happy to open it once she finished setting everything up in a few. We'd mostly been in outdoor settings, but felt pretty comfortable here and decided to have a flight (or two!) and I'm so happy we finally did. Also, that breeze was lovely. First, bartender? Aaaaamazing. Seriously, so nice, so informative, so on top of the way they were running things (with following the little arrows for flow). Pretty sure she was by herself for awhile and by the time we left, I think someone else had come in, but the place was getting busy and everyone was so patient and courteous to each other. Not having been to the other location at the time, I had no clue what to expect from either and having since checked out both, I think this is more my vibe, with it just being smaller and cozier, but that's no slight to the other location. Various types of seating, so many plants and just a really laid back vibe. They have a pretty decent selection to choose from and they're definitely a brewery that surprises me, in terms of what brews I think I will/won't like. Also, their version of Things We Don't Say was one of my absolute favorites. I told this to their founder/a founder (I think? I can't remember, because beers) at BUG and she was one of the nicest people I spoke to that night, which doesn't surprise me, because everyone I've encountered between the two locations has been so pleasant. I wish the drive home from Evanston wasn't so rough (the drive up isn't so bad) because we'd definitely come here more/order beer from them directly. Speaking of, I forgot what came up and why we couldn't get up there at our scheduled time, but I messaged them and they were not only quick to respond, they assured me it would be waiting no matter how long it took to get there. Well, it took quite a few weeks. When my husband went in to get it, they somehow knew that little 4-pack they had was for him, and again, just so nice about it all. We were just sad we couldn't stay for a beer!

I loved my short visit to Sketchbook and am withholding a star only because the place was so crowded and chaotic. The beers are excellent. I very much enjoyed my fruity gose (the Kinetic Peach, I think) and the wheat ale that we bought in cans to take off to our BYOB dinner. (The price for canned beer is $10 for four cans.) I drank a bunch of my co-conspirator's cider and thought that it was perfect as well. What really lifts Sketchbook in my estimation is that great attitude of the people running the bar. They were generous with advice and were happy to supply tastes of beers. They readily supplied an empty glass after I explained that we needed it in order to share the cider. The tip bucket at the bar ("alms for the pour") made me smile broadly. And of course I added a tip!

This place was great. I hear that it is run totally by women which is not that common. Its a small counter-type place but most of the beers I have tried are delicious. They had 3 or 4 belgiums on tap when I was there. I really enjoy belgium style beers so this was a nice surprise and break from the over-hyped IPAs. Place sells little cracker and cheese plates and you can also order food for delivery. The brewery is near a CTA stop which makes travel to/from convenient and inexpensive. Even though I live in West Loop I will travel across the City to visit again. Cheers

Came here on a Friday night around 8PM to have drinks with friends. The space is small and all the tables were taken, so we sat at the kids coloring barrel. The noise level is good, so you can easily hear the people you're with. Ordering and service was also quick. I enjoyed the Build Your Own Flight ($10 for 4 different beers) since it was my first time there and I couldn't decide on just one beer. The flavors have enticing descriptions like "blueberry" and "honey and basil", but I couldn't really taste any of the flavors.

We did a home beer sampling. Staff was insanely nice and helpful...indoor seating was chill. We will be back for the beer garden! Our favorite was the red rye, Mexican lager and citra IPA...least favorite was the smoked wheat. We both agreed the smell was nauseating and the aroma and taste was identical to a smoked sausage...hard pass.

We came here after we were recommended by a friend to try there kombucha on tap. Quite a wonderful place with so many options. The kombucha was delicious and came in a dark brown glass bottle. Subtle and flavorful. Must return.

They are serving up some awesome beer here for sure!! What more do you need to know? Oh, ok, it's small. In fact, it might even be considered tiny. Only a few seats at the bar and a narrow passage where they've crammed a couple tables against the wall. But look, when the beer is this good you just have to find a way! And man, is this beer good!!! I loved nearly everything we tasted and we tried a few before we even ordered a flight. I loved their New England style hazy IPA. Yum. Service was really good and attentive considering a packed house on a Saturday afternoon. If you don't mind drinking while standing come anytime. Otherwise get here early! You'll be glad you came.

Well, this was an awesome find in Evanston! Its biggest downfall is that it's small & on a Saturday afternoon we had to wait for a seat. Ordered 2 smaller sized IPAs to start and waited for a seat to open up to get a flight because we saw a whole lot of beer options we wanted to try. We both said after trying 6 different beers, there was only one we wouldn't order again. That's a pretty glowing endorsement! I loved the hoppy Orange Door (less citrusy than it's name) and hubby loved Insufficient Clearance, a hazy New England Style IPA. Then we ordered a flight where you choose the # of the beer on the list so you can keep track of what you're drinking. Very efficient! We ranked our faves and no surprise, they weren't the same. Hubs fave was the No Parking Citra Ale and mine was the Night Game Double IPA with a close 2nd of the Snowy Owl Red Rye Ale, which kept growing on me more & more. Yeah, this place is a clear 5 Star!

Came on day 1 of phase 4 reopening in Illinois. They're taking safety seriously. The bartenders wore masks and before I could be admitted to a seat got a temperature check. I appreciate it in these uncertain times. Had 3 beers. 2 stouts and a paler one. One of the stouts had Cranberry and it was quite subtle and unique. The other stout had oatmeal and some other ingredients. My last beer wasn't too hoppy had some honey in it.

Great patio area. This brewery is right off the bike path. The beer is very good. I had the Belgian. It was awesome!

I'm not one for hyperbole, but this might be one of the best bars I've ever been to. Not only is there a great selection of beer on tap, but you can also take home a four-pack or six-pack of many of the very same beers. Even before the pandemic, they've done a great job of managing the space so that a good number of customers can be there without it getting crowded. They have some snacks available on the menu, but they're also open to food being delivered as well - a great show of flexibility and confidence. Get over there the next chance you get!

I visited here while visiting several different breweries in Evanston. The beer here was definitely the worst of the places in Evanston. Both Temperance and Double Clutch were much better. The bartender was very nice and personable but extremely offensive in her conversation. I will not be back.

Update! Still awesome! My first time here since Covid. The beer is still excellent and the people are super friendly. What's not to like? Also, here pics!

Another of Evanston's well-known breweries, I see their cans in stores and bars a lot. I wanted to finally come and check the place out. It's not too large a space, but big enough to not be cramped. No food served but you can bring your own. Wide variety of beers to choose from. I got the hop thirsty void and cumulus, both good beers. The bartender was very nice and friendly. Service was fast, then again me and my friend were the only ones in the bar lol Would not be opposed to coming back, it's real close to the purple line if you're taking the L

Hi, my name is Sarah and I'm addicted to trying breweries. For my 2000th review, I thought I'd just come out and say that. If you know me and/or my reviews, you already know this. If you follow my Untappd check-ins, you know better than anyone. And if you want to date me, you better quickly learn this. When this beer chick had a Yelp event in Evanston, she took the opportunity to try a new-to-her brewery in the area. Enough third person...I talk smack when others do that and here I am being a major hypocrite. Sketchbook Brewing Company is a very small space but just big enough for me along Chicago Avenue in Evanston. You can bring your own food and if you need a recommendation, Dollop/Hoosier Mama Pie is just a block away. They have a few small low tables & high tops that can seat maybe 4 at most, as well as a bar which you can belly up to. They have a fun selection of games, including Beeropoly - how apropos! They don't do set flights per se but you can get as many taster sized portions as you like! If you get 4, it's just the right amount that will fit in their fancy schmancy holder. A pseudo flight ran me $9.20 with tip & tax - not bad at all. Of course you can get the usual pints, as well, and they have a good selection of their beers in their cooler in the back for grab & go purchasing. Plus they do growler and howler fills which looked to be a neighborhood favorite, because while my friend and I were there we probably saw about 10 people come in for their fills....in just a couple hours! Now we get to the good stuff...their beer! Sketchbook has been open less than a year but sources tell me they have been brewing for much longer than that. I was able to try 7 different beers while at Sketchbook Brewing and I'm happy to report every beer we tried ranged from good to fan-f!#@%-tastic! The high & away best brew for me was their double IPA Night Game clocking in at 8.8%. Other standouts were Turbulence (9.7% Russian Imperial Stout), their 10% Black Rye Saison Lab Beer and No Parking, a 4.2% pale ale made with citra hops. I just loved Sketchbook and that IIPA! Oh yesssssss! Adorable small brewery churning out solid beer with friendly service to boot. I'm going to try to make a stop in whenever I'm in the Evanston area!

I've been going down to Evanston a couple of times a year for over ten years now, and having tried Sketchbook Brewing Company this past week (July 2021), I have to say it has become an instant favorite. The place is so cool that I think no visit to Evanston is complete without popping in here for a beer or two. But what's so special about it --you might ask-- since there's beer everywhere? Well, let me tell you why. First, yes the beer selection is fairly ample, and I loved the pint of Amistosa I had. You can get beer flights if you'd like too. While in there, you find coloring pencils and coasters that call out to your inherent artistic skills, whichever level you are at. The staff is super nice and attentive, and just plain cool. This is not one of those hipster places trying too hard to be cool, no; this place has the ambiance and nothing feels overdone. Oh and what else gave me an awesome impression of Sketchbook? They have a Juneteenth flag proudly displaced across the bar! And, last but not least, all-gender bathrooms. Cool (like authentic cool) place to grab a pint, hang out with a friend or two, or go for an afternoon beer date.

A lovely place! A lot of space in a great location. The beer is great, orange door IPA is my choice here. Happy hour is from 3 to 6 on he weekends and it is near the trail, so you can get there during your walk, like ride or jogging. This place is definitely recommended.

Absolute favorite micro brewery! Working for a beer company, it's nice to visit innovative breweries do you their thing. When I first visited, they were kind to give me a private tour of the brewery! Honestly, they have so many options that you're sure to find something you'll fall in love with! Me favorite is the Belgian dark! It's so rich and tasty! Also, the bar staff is so sweet!

Just casually scrolling by the Yelp page to update my review because it's been well over two years. I took a break from the CSB, but I rejoined in April because it was calling my name. I'm super happy to have my monthly growler fill back :) Since my first review, their taproom has opened (which is cozy -- I've had dates, friend dates, and been to special events here and it's great for all of the above). They keep 12 beers on tap which is awesome, and they have some super interesting varieties. As always, the staff is extremely friendly, as are the other customers. I've never had a bad experience.

I live right around the corner from Sketchbook and it is such a convenient, perfect place to stop for a beer after class or work! It's directly across from the Main Station stop on the purple line so its a perfect place to meet a friend for a drink after a long day. They have boardgames and for those more artistic, unlike myself, they have colored pencils on every table so you can draw on all of the coasters and add them to their wall of art near the back. It's not a huge place but they sometimes even find room for live music. I saw that they have an Irish session coming up which I'm super excited to stop in for! The staff here are super nice and the beer is great too. So far my favorite beer that I've tried has been Honeybird. It's a favorite among my group of friends although some of them don't even like beer! Definitely recommend stopping in to Sketchbook if you are in the area, or if you aren't and want to find something new!

I like the wide selection of beer. I tasted 8. The fight of 4 3oz is $10. I like insufficient clearance IPA, hop thirsty void, West parking IPA. The ambience is cozy and friendly staff.

I hope they expand! We were here on a Saturday night, and it was PACKED, granted it's a small area to begin with. I'm still surprised at how many people came in to fill containers or buy beer. And then every seat was taken by others enjoying some beers. The inside was super warm. Like I was nearly sweating in just a t-shirt and jeans.The staff was so friendly and knowledgeable. They had great conversations with us and answered any questions that we had. I think 14/15 beers on tap were in stock, so there wasn't an issue with not being able to try anything we wanted to. A couple of their light beers were just too light. I don't want a flavorless bud light knock-off when I visit a craft independent brewery lol! Overall I would still go back to try whatever new offerings they have. You can't beat their friendly staff and fun atmosphere!

Love this place ever since it opened. Their brews are always fresh and tasty. They do a nice job of rotating seasonal along with the mainstays. The staff is always friendly and not averse to spending some time to chat about any questions you might have about their selections. The tasting room is very clean, open, and they've done a great job with spacing and flow during the pandemic. No kitchen but there are many wonderful eateries nearby where you can order & have it delivered. I would suggest Sketchbook to anyone looking to kick back with a quality microbrew in a friendly, relaxed environment.

Great new brewery in Evanston!! They offer a lot of good tasting selections in beer. Small on the inside. I hope they do well and continue to grow, because I enjoy coming here with my husband, family, and friends. The place is nearly always packed with people. They offer the sample platter in which you can taste multiple smaller beers at once if you're not sure what you would like to try initially. Recommended if you love beer!!

My favorite beer is Orange Door because it a yummy IPA. Nonetheless their menu is amazing and tasty. I love your tasting room which wasn't open when we first met. Kuddos for your accomplishments and I'll keep raising my glass to you! For new people, there's no parking available but there's the Purple Line and side street or metered parking.

What a nice experience we had at this small brew bar. The beers are fresh and crisp while The atmosphere is quaint. The scent of hipster is thick in the air, however it gets drowned out by the middle aged Men buying their growlers and howlers. The variation of people flowing through the front door is eclectic yet grounded. Everyone came in with a smile Which made my experience ever better. Customers were willing to sit wherever because the space was very Minimal, which is why my rating is 4/5 stars. I really appreciate the positive attitudes of the bartenders and I think when I am in the area, I will return to the sketchbook brew comp.

You can tell they love what they do here -- and they do it very well! Small, friendly, unpretentious. Something for everyone, from hopheads to malt lovers. Limited appetizer menu to complement your tastings. You can also bring your own food. Family friendly -- we observed an extended family gathering enjoying the beer with pizza they brought. Just across from the purple line Mains St stop in Evanston.

Lots of different styles, all done well. Everything from dark to light to IPA. Seriously, it's a 30 second walk from the train station. Can't get any more convenient

My husband and I came here while we were in the area. We had tried their beer before and wanted to go to their taproom. We each ordered a flight of 4 beers. Overall their beer is great! I really liked the IPAs and stouts, however wasn't the biggest fan of their Hefeweizen and red ale. The ambiance is casual and there are board games available which is fun! I wouldn't bring a big group here however because it's somewhat small. Overall a fun experience and I'd go back! Just wish they had food options (however the do allow delivery).

Really wonderful brewery! Lots of choices and they offer sandwiches from Hewn, a great local bakery.

Great beer, people, and vibe! The space is warm and welcoming, and the beer select offers something for everyone. A real gem!

I have seen sketchbook around town at different stores and have picked up a few four packs to share with friends. I had no idea they had a taproom, but it's the perfect spot! Lucky I found it because they brew an incredible amount of beer, much more than I thought. I got a flight and had the Insufficient Funds hazy IPA, the Common Culture oatmeal stout, Pinky Sweater Pilsner, and Custers Last Kolsch! The stout and hazy IPA were my favorite. When it comes to beer Sketchbook does it right, super friendly owners and staff, and there is a great story for how they got their start!

Yes!!!!! It's a small place but the beer is SOLID. Really good nitro stout and REALLY good Gose. Parking can be a pain but you can easily take the el from the city or park in the garage or test Your luck with a street parking. Ryan and I will definitely be back and we want to check out all the other breweries!

We have recently fallen in love with this brewery so we decided to make a stop before heading downtown. Small tap room, but we were able to find a spot with no problem. The staff was extremely friendly. They provide you with coasters that you can color on, which was fun. The beers were delish! We like the insufficient and No Parking the best. They had beers to take home as well as growlers and howlers. We took some home ourselves. They do not serve food, however, it's BYOF and they also have a little kiosk where you can order and menus. Def worth a stop in!

Sketchbook is my favorite Brewery in the greater Chicago area by far. The beer is great and they offer a wide variety of beer styles, quality over quantity. The staff are all exceptionally friendly and knowledgeable in their beer. Not only do they have good beer but the atmosphere always puts me in a better mood than when I walked in the door.