"In the summertime, when the weather is fine," we loosen up with summer libations in Lake County.
While we do love enjoying all of the coasters, community festivals, boating expeditions, shopping options and bodies of water, we also like to kick back and relax with a cold one.
We make our own here in Lake County. Take your taste buds out for the ride of their life as we recline, relax and loosen up with summer libations in Lake County.
Summer Libation: Cherry Lager (release on July 19)
Outlook: The Cherry Lager is a crisp finish lager with the subtle background flavor of seasonal cherry. This would make a great compliment to your summer with an ABV of 4.6 percent and IBU of 16.
Outlook: Saisons originated in the Wallonia region of southern Belgium during the 19th century. Meaning ‘season’ in French, Saisons were typically brewed during winter months and stored until summer months when they were given to farm workers as a form of hydration when water wasn’t suitable for drinking. Mike’s Saison is true to nature but brewed all year long.
Outlook: Everything that you think a drink should have when you're poolside or ocean side laxing and sippin' libations. This tropical old fashioned is made with the Copper Fiddle Rum, muddled orange, pineapple, orange bitters, mango juice and ginger beer.
Outlook: Created with Lake Zurich, this pineapple upside down milkshake IPA is 8.3 percent abv. The palette has a pineapple aroma and flavor with big tropical fruit hops with a sweet side and a hint of vanilla.
Outlook: When you’re active during the summertime, it’s the dream of many (including this author) to enjoy the fruits of vino in a can. Now this dream is a reality as Glunz Family Winery and Cellars have this berry concoction in an aluminum can format! Sangria in a can is a life-saver.
Outlook: This session IPA is jam-packed with fruity citrus flavors. A generous amount of wheat adds to your taste bud adventure while it obtains a clean refreshing finish. A firm bitterness rounds out the flavor of this palatable ale. The fan-favorite brew stands at a 4.8 percent.
Outlook: Younger sibling to the thicker Special K Milkshake IPA, Harbor Brewing Co., provides cereal/beer lovers with their destiny. This the breakfast treat IPA is brewed with zero boil hops and is packed with Citra and Mosaic hops for an incredible aroma and finish.
Outlook: You're clear for takeoff! Time take a trip back to physics class where you'd launch fruit. The Grayslake brewery presents the Pineapple Launcher which is a double try hopped double IPA. Concocted with an abundance of pineapples and coconut, this libation sits at an eight percent, juicy-hoppy juxtaposition perfect for summer Saturday sips!
Outlook: Lynfred Sangria Rouge which features red wine blended with cherry, cranberry, raspberry and strawberry wines for a sweet, tart and herbaceous summer sipper. Oenophiles can add sparkling water and a squeeze of lime to make the ultimate spritzer.
Outlook: The Libertyville brewery’s favorite brew of the vernal equinox months. This German-style ale is brewed with 60 percent wheat malt and 40 percent malted barley. This award-winning suds libation is uniquely highlighted by light fruit, banana, clove and vanilla taste. The Gudenteit Hefe-Weizen, which is 5.5 percent ABV, is best served in a 22 oz glass.
Outlook: The delightful spirit is created with fermented honey that turns into mead. The liqueur is and then distilled with a variety of oranges, spices and herbs. Beehive Curaçao is an exceptional sipping liqueur for the holiday season.
Outlook: Everyone's favorite smiling skull IPA got a sweet tooth by popping a little pineapple in the libation for the summer. The Pineapple Misfit IPA, a perfect blend of hop bitterness, aroma, malt body and fruit with the swaggy hairstyle. Watch out because that misfit can kick with some bitterness, but it’s quite pleasant due to the centennial and Citra hops.
Outlook: That unpleasant looking gentleman has a striking resemblance to Nick Offerman...Ron Swanson you say? Never heard of him. The "Parks & Rec"-themed libation obtains a cornucopia of tropical tastes. The array of flavors include pineapple, guava and stonefruit. It's a double, double, dry, dry, hop, hop (we just like wordplay around here). The Double IPA is an eight percent is also created with kviek yeast, Amarillo, cascade and ekuanot hops.
