Seven Lake County Craft Beers and Spirits to Drink on Thanksgiving

By: Jonathan Jones 11/21/2016

The spread is going to look glorious whether your family is hosting dinner, your friends are cooking the bird or you are inviting everyone to home base.

As much as we love our eats, we have to make sure that the drinks are on point. The beverages compliment the grub and whether it’s wine, craft beers and spirits or all of the above, Lake County is the hostess with the mostest selections to wet your whistle.

So before you attend your gobble festivities, check out the top seven Lake County craft beers and spirits for Thanksgiving.

Lynfred Winery      971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling Hours: 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Daily

2011 Tannat -  For you Malbec lovers, this is a delicious glass of vino. The Lynfred wine is made from a Mediterranean grape grown in the southwest regions of Basque country in France (near the Spanish border). The grape utilized for Tannat was exported to Uruguay where it is considered the national grape.

This 14 percent content drink is delicious to eat with roasted meats and game, strong-aged cheeses, sausages, mushrooms and perfect for Thanksgiving.

North Shore Distillery, LLC 13990 Rockland Rd., Green Oaks Hours: Wed 3-10 p.m.

Tahitian Vanilla Vodka -  In the words of TimeOut Chicago, "You like vanilla vodka? Prepare to have your mind blown." The Tahitian Vanilla Vodka is perfect for a post Thanksgiving feast. The spirit is a delicate creamy and flora encompassing the most exotic and expensiv vanilla beans in the world. It is lightly sweetened with real cane sugar for a delectable finish. The North Shore Distillery reccommends to mix it with cola, cranberry juice, pineapple juice, orange juice, hot chocolate, hot tea or a desert styled drink. The Taitian Vanilla is 35 percent alcohol by volume and 70 proof.

Onion Pub and Brewery 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Barrington Hours: Tues-Wed 11 a.m.-11 p.m.

Pumpkin Ale – This style of beer is spiced American ale. This Harvest season ale is on tap at the Barrington brewery, but is also sold in six-pack format. This ale is crisp with spices and hints of pumpkin pie and a rich malty aroma. The beer is not too overpowering as it is 5.4 percent alcohol content and contains 21 IBUs.

Half Day Brewing Co. 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire Hours: Tues-Wed 11 a.m.-Midnight

Half Day Iron Horse Porter – Porters are always a good pair with meats. This beer is 6.4 percent alcohol that obtains a toasted malty flavor profile. There is a moderate bitterness, but on the finish you can taste nutty and chocolate notes. Not only do they have this beer on tap, but you can purchase a growler for your Thanksgiving celebration.

[caption id="attachment_6576" align="aligncenter" width="570"] Photo Credit: Daily Herald[/caption]

Copper Fiddle Distillery 532 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich Hours: Wed 4-9 p.m.

Copper Fiddle Gold Rum - Show up to your Thanksgiving celebration with a little style. Grab a bottle of Copper Fiddle Gold Rum that’s 40 percent alcohol per volume and 80 proof. With the weather getting slightly colder, you can make a number of Caribbean style island drunks like a Bahama mama, Mai Tai, Dark n’ Stormy, Pina Colada, Mojito and a  slew of other delicious drinks.

Mickey Finn’s 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville Hours: Tues-Wed 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

Oktoberfest Lager - The Oktoberfest is a German-style lager that is copper in color. This brew is put on tap in mid-September to commemorate the Oktoberfest celebration in Germany. The Oktoberfest is medium-bodied, malty, crisp, clean and very easy to drink. A very nice batch this year. Only on tap a short time. Grab it by growler.

Valentino Vineyards Inc. 5175 Aptakisic Rd., Long Grove Hours: Call for appt.

Chianti Reserve ’09 - Chianti Reserve is versatile red wine that can be paired with many dishes. It’s excellent with red sauce dishes, lasagna, eggplant, veal Marsala, chicken vesuvio, and don't forget pepper steak. This wine's flavor will stand up to tasty or even spicier dishes. Although you can enjoy a glass by itself, because of its wonderful flavor and smooth finish.

For other craft beers and spirits in Lake County, continue here. Also click here to see places to eat out in Lake County for Thanksgiving.