Breweries Serving Fare on the Lake County Libation Trail 2022
By: Jonathan Jones 02/01/2022
“He was a wise man who invented beer.” said Greek philosopher and suds enthusiast Plato. These beverage makers can also cook you a mean dish.
Lake County is home to 18 libation trail brewhouses, and nine of them serve exceptional fare.
Guests who “Check-In” at five or more locations between Feb. 1-28 will be eligible for a drawing, where 50 people will win a new Libation Trail Roster Shirt. The long-sleeved 100% cotton shirt lists all the Libation Trail partner locations to visit this year. Once 50 names are drawn after March 1, winners who respond to email notification with their name and mailing address within seven days will be awarded a shirt to wear proudly.
- SCAN the QR code, TEXT “CHEERS” to 224.706.1133 or visit Experience.VisitLakeCounty.org.
- Sign up for the Libation Trail Passport and opt-in for location services and prompts.
- CHECK-IN at five or more participating locations between Feb. 1-28 to be entered to WIN.
- 50 eligible entrants will win the new Libation Trail Roster Shirt, a sought-after souvenir for adventurous libation connoisseurs.
To enter, patrons will text "CHEERS" to 224-706-1133. Take a gander at the makers serving fare on the
Lake County Libation Trail.
Savor the flavor of an extensive beer list at the Lincolnshire Brewery. The brewery commemorates the town’s real name, Halfda, contrary to popular belief of a half-day journey from Chicago. The village chief, Chief Atakisic of the Potawatomi tribe, was a Native American leader known for making the Treaty of Chicago in 1833 surrounding the Black Hawk War. And now we move to the present. The four-year-old Lincolnshire brewpub frequently swaps out and adds new delicious craft flavors. Some of their lauded beers include Chieftain Session IPA, the Meridian Wit and their marquee beverage, the Barrel-Aged Warrior Paint Imperial Coffee Stout. Their fare menus are highlighted by award-winning wings, wood-fired pizza, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and a host of other delectable bites. While we endure more mitigations to fight the ongoing coronavirus, Half Day Brewing Co is open for outdoor drinks and dining, but you can also order carryout.
Half Day Brewing Company, 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire.
This downtown Grayslake pub serves innovative brews, modern American cuisine, locally-sourced craft spirits and top-notch draft wines all handcrafted in-house. Light the Lamp has 14 craft suds drafts created internally. For those who aren’t beer lovers, the seven-year-old Grayslake brewpub also offers tap wine. Besides libations, the hockey-themed also offers memorable meals, including burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, shared plates, bowls and desserts. Light the Lamp’s signature suds include the Red Line Ale (amber ale), Sin Bout Stout (oatmeal stout) and the 1980 Miracle American Pale Ale. Kick back, relax and let that lettuce down. Order their brews, eats or both with their outdoor patio service, carryout or delivery.
Light the Lamp Brewery, 2 S. Lake St., Grayslake.
The first craft brewery in the land of lakes is Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville. Illinois’s oldest brewpub serves up some house-made ales and lagers as well as eats. The 1994-established brewhouse has served nearly six million pints in that period and sits in their industrial/renovated home on MainStreet Libertyville. Currently, Mickey Finn’s has eight of their homemade brews on tap. The Libertyville business is known for its Santa’s Magic Belgian Strong Golden Ale, Can I Kick It IPA, Pineapple Express and an array of other rotating sips. Mickey Finn’s serves brunch (weekends only), lunch and dinner, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, seafood, tacos and thin crust pizza. The garden is still open during this public health crisis, but Mickey Finn's is also available for carryout, curbside pickup and delivery.
Mickey Finn’s Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
This local favorite has been a staple in southwestern Lake County since 2003. The brewhouse creates handcrafted beers and hearty comfort food. The Lake Barrington brewery’s philosophy is firmly grounded with a passion and respect for many of the world-class beer styles in today’s brewing renaissance. The Onion Pub’s signature brews include the Misfit American IPA, the Hop Slayer Double IPA and Beggar’s Brown (English-style). The brewpub’s menu is highlighted by soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafoods and more. The Lake Barrington sudsery is celebrating 25 years in business in 2022.
Wild Onion Brewery & Banquets, 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington.
Lake Zurich is home to a slew of stops o the libation trail, including Roaring Table Brewery and Copper Fiddle Distillery. The Lake County brewpub was founded in March 2019 by Evan Morris along with husband and wife duet head brewers Shaun and Britanny Berns. The three ran the decade-long Ram Brewery in Schaumburg that has since closed, but the three had some unfinished business. The Lake Zurich brewery just brought back its signature fall beverage pairs their ingredients with renowned Affy Tapples called a Bushel of Apples. They also release a ton of other inspirational suds, with really cool artwork. Make sure you grab a bite with foodie partner Kooker's.
Phase Three Brewing Company, 932 Donata Ct., Lake Zurich.
The Highland Park brewery features a variety of beers in addition to Mexican street fare like tacos, burritos, salads and more. Your tasty Tuesday is now paired with brew and southwest cuisine. The brewpub was recognized for the “Best Beer Garden” by the North Shore Choice Awards. A collection of their trademark libations includes the Flight of the Rooster Saison, the Steep Ravine IPA and the Baldwin Porter. Enjoy a few brews compliments of the Highland Park Libation Trail stop on their heated beer garden (which is also award-winning) or via carryout.
Ravinia Brewing Company, 582 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park.
Roaring Table brings a cozy taproom and an eclectic menu of fresh, hand-made craft beers to the land of lakes. The 2020 USA Today 10Best winner for Best New Brewery is a small batch brewhouse showcasing options ranging from dry and expressive farmhouse ales to refreshing and straightforward lagers. Roaring Table also offers several ciders, hard seltzers, sodas and snacks. They sell snacks in-house, but you can also take in with the eats in Lake Zurich's foodie scene.
This sleek and savvy brewery knows what’s up with a stellar selection of beers on tap. The Wauconda brewhouse is a rustic, reclaimed and lounge. Cool, welcoming color palettes and friendly faces. Whether it’s craft beer, microbrews, craft spirits, boutique wine or even locally-roasted coffee, the Side Lot Brewery has something for your taste buds. Established in 2015, the Wauconda (Wakanda) suds staple is highlighted by 13 eclectic brews on tap. The Wauconda brewpub provides a slew of snacks and small bites. As the covid crisis continues, Side Lot provides carry-out orders and has an outdoor area for libation-ers. Chill in one of their igloo bubbles, and be sure to make it to a weekend brunch.
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda.
Offering a casual dining experience that is exceptional is Wright’s Brew and Bistro, located inside the Lincolnshire Marriott. The Lincolnshire bar and restaurant provides the honey to Five Eyes Honey Ale brewed by another Lake County Libation Trail partner,
Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein. In the fare department, Wright’s serves traditional Midwest comfort food with a modern twist of spices.
Wright’s Brew & Bistro, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
To learn more about breweries serving fare on the Lake County Libation Trail, click here. To find out more information about the Check-in Challenge, continue here.
Enjoy photos from our social media friends on the Lake County Libation Trail.
Be sure to continue sharing with us socially!
