In Chicago, the “lake effect” is when moisture from Lake Michigan causes massive snowfall over the city. But the Lake Effect Brewing effect is when craft fans from all over the area trek up to the north side for a pint. This blizzard of craft beer drinkers has continued unabated ever since 2011, when Clint Bautz set up shop and started brewing. And with beloved brews like Falcon Drive IPA, Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout, and Lake Effect SNOW Witbier, the crowds aren’t about to thin out anytime soon. But if you really want to treat yourself, try to find one of their hyper-limited dark beers, like Fannie’s Double Milk Stout — brewed with actual chocolate cake! If you’re really lucky, you might be able to score a bottle from their continually rotating Inland Seas Series. Hype: Praised by Eater, Time Out, and the Chicago Tribune