The Gist: This Platt Park taproom has been a must-stop on the cool kids’ circuit since it opened in February with style to spare (check out that bartop, fashioned from the wing of a 1970 Cessna). While Sarah Howat oversees the front of the house, her husband James takes a carefully researched yet experiment-driven approach to brewing that could yield a salted-caramel porter one week, a rye-oatmeal saison the next.

Signature Suds: Exemplifying James's fascination with historical styles, the Countinghouse cream ale has emerged as a standard favorite on the eight-tap system.

Now on Tap: Look for the tart saison being released this week.

The Food: With neighbors like Adelita’s Cocina y Cantina, GB Fish and Chips and Maria Empanada, Former Future’s BYOF policy is a given.

Insider’s Tip: Ask and you shall receive: James has been known to conduct impromptu tours that inspire “everybody in the place to gather in the back and ask questions.” -ZAGAT