Chicago has long been a city of beer-lovers – and drinkers. With the craft beer trend overflowing beyond city limits, the suburbs have been reaping the benefits of foamy, flavor-forward brews the past few years. With new gastropubs popping up in the area – and an increase in stocked microbrews on the shelves of stores, restaurants and bars – Kane County appears to be going “craft.”

There is no better time to drink beer in the U.S. than right now, according to the Colorado-based Brewers Association website, www.brewersassociation.org. The Brewers Association is billed as the nation’s largest organization of craft brewers.

As of July 2012, there were more than 2,000 operating U.S. craft breweries – up from about 1,900 in 2011, according to the website.