As the warm months advance, Chicago is gearing up for a summer packed with concerts, cultural events, and festive street celebrations. Among the unique offerings gaining attention this season is Trail to Taproom, a tour company innovatively blending group hiking with brewery visits.
Founded by Lincoln Square resident Erica Zazo, Trail to Taproom aims to make outdoor adventures more accessible.
Zazo, who identifies with she/they pronouns, shared her vision with Block Club Chicago, stating, “I’ve always been interested in living in a city because of everything a city provides, but also benefiting from all the nature we have here, too. How do we lower the barrier to adventure?”
Every month during the warmer seasons, participants can sign up for excursions on a first-come, first-served basis.
For a flat fee, attendees are treated to a day filled with hiking, socializing, and transportation to and from nature sites, culminating in a visit to a local taproom.
The upcoming excursion set for Saturday is particularly special as it coincides with Pride Month celebrations. Hikers will trek through Grand Mere State Park in Southwest Michigan before unwinding at St. Joe Community Taproom.
The idea of merging outdoor activities with beer drinking had long been on Zazo’s mind. However, it was the acquisition of a distinctive 1992 Toyota Hiace Grand Commuter—a nostalgic Japanese van designed to seat ten—that catalyzed the launch of Trail to Taproom in 2024.
Her van, affectionately named Urb, plays on Chicago’s motto, “Urbs in Horto,” meaning “City in a Garden.”
Zazo emphasized the importance of Chicago’s natural scenes: “We have tons of native habitats that are unique to this region. Prairie, woodland, savannah, dunes—all of this is accessible for us along the lakefront and in our forest preserves.”
Highlighting Cook County’s vast expanse of forestland—70,000 acres—Zazo acknowledged the challenge many face in accessing these areas without a car.
Trail to Taproom seeks to bridge that gap.
“For me, just having the willingness to step out your front door is enough to be adventurous,” Zazo remarked.
She noted that a significant part of her mission is to assist those unfamiliar with the city’s natural offerings, encouraging them to explore.
Each trip kicks off at a central location—most commonly Bitter Pops in Lakeview. Hikers are invited to grab coffee or breakfast before boarding Urb for an exciting communal journey to the nature site.
The van itself adds to the fun, featuring an array of cassette tapes from which attendees can choose their soundtrack for the day, ranging from Bruce Springsteen to Cher.
The hikes offered vary in distance and difficulty to cater to various skill levels.
Following their outdoor adventure, participants are brought to local taprooms where they can purchase craft beers and enjoy a meal from nearby restaurants before their ride back to the city.
Each ticket also includes a small, whimsical souvenir—an illustrated sticker of the van, crafted by local artist Katie Lukes.
Zazo, originally from Michigan and an outdoor writer, has resided in Chicago since 2015. She previously led Mappy Hour Chicago, an urban outdoor organization dedicated to fostering community connections around nature.
“Any time I bring out a group of people where not everyone knows each other, it’s a beautiful thing to see folks hanging out on the trail and talking to each other and getting to know each other,” Zazo expressed, reflecting on the communal aspect of the hikes.
The journey in Urb serves as a catalyst for lively interactions among participants, creating an atmosphere akin to a fun road trip with friends.
The decision to purchase Urb was rooted in community connections.
Zazo recounted how a post from an Instagram acquaintance led her to a neighbor selling the van.
“The guy was very interested in selling the van to somebody who was going to use it for something more than just themselves. So it was a natural fit,” she noted.
With a maximum capacity of nine guests, attendees can join these excursions either solo or with friends.
In addition to regularly scheduled public trips, Trail to Taproom is available for private bookings accommodating up to nine participants.
Looking ahead, Zazo envisions further collaborations with local breweries, planning to partner with area businesses for custom excursions.
While the company’s name emphasizes taprooms, Zazo has ambitions to expand the scope of offerings, incorporating other activities such as outdoor concerts and local festivals into adventure packages.
In alignment with Trail to Taproom’s mission to improve access to nature, Zazo plans to engage with local outdoor groups, utilizing Urb to transport climbers and hikers to more remote natural areas.
“We would love to hear from local outdoor groups and organizations that want a partner for transportation to events and outdoor destinations in the region,” she stated.
Zazo aims to provide this transportation free of charge to support community initiatives focused on promoting outdoor activity.
“The van could be an awesome gateway to unlocking experiences and spaces for community groups,” Zazo concluded.
One defining characteristic of Trail to Taproom is its commitment to maintaining a small group format for each excursion, ensuring an intimate experience for participants.
Zazo affirmed, “The van is perfect because it only fits ten of us and it’s an intimate experience. We’re not bringing a horde of people onto the trail. I think our trips will always stay small. It’s really cool that we’re bringing people together to meet each other through this shared experience of love of hiking and craft beer.”
For more information about upcoming trips and experiences, be sure to follow Trail to Taproom on Instagram or visit their official website.
image source from：https://blockclubchicago.org/2025/06/11/trail-to-taproom-connects-chicagoans-with-nature-beer-and-an-awesome-van/
