Breweries Serving Solely Suds on the Lake County Libation Trail 2022
By: Jonathan Jones 02/02/2022
“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts and beer,” said the 16th President of the United States and suds sipper, Abraham Lincoln.
In this piece for Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check-in Challenge, we take a look at breweries serving suds solely on the land of lakes initiative.
The Lake County Libation Trail is home to 20 sudseries, and nine of them serve exceptional eats. The 11 showcased in this installment specialize in only brew making.
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 to the venues these makers serving solely suds on the Lake County Libation Trail. Bottoms up Lake County because it's Check-in Challenge time.
This brewery is a blue-collar sudsery. However, the Round Lake Beach brewpub's story is bubbling in tradition and family roots. Opening its doors earlier this year, the brand spanking new drinking hole began nearly five years ago in a Grayslake garage. The positive feedback from family and friends encouraged Josh Grubbs, the brewmaster and owner, to open a brick and mortar taproom in northwestern Lake County. The Round Lake Beach facility reflects its homebrew roots with a rotating 12-beer tap.
Bosacki’s Brewery (formerly known as Bosacki’s Home Brew/Microbrewery) is a local microbrewery serving traditional and historic ales and lagers. Fresh liquified hops are available in growlers to take home and share with family and friends. Bosacki features 12 libations on tap. You can take home 32 and 64-ounce growlers for later consumption. One of their hot drinks about to be released is their cranberry wheat lager - perfect for the holiday season. The Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy was named the Lake County Libation of the Month in October 2020 and August 2018 for their Blueberry Wheat Ale. The Mundelein craft brew-hub is open for carryout.
Buffalo Creek Brewing in historic downtown Long Grove has something different brewing every weekend. The Lake County destination brewery famous for its Bavarian-style brew features a tasting room, deck and gazebo. Brewmeister and owner Mike Marr puts a little bit of magic in his libations as he produces 10 unique beers. The award-winning brewery is known for its 42K Belgian Strong Ale, Marrvelous German-Style Kölsch, Xerxes Chocolate Bacon Stout (Lake County libation of the month in June 2019) and more. Buffalo Creek's Alpine Biergarten is open through late March. The Long Grove suds house also serves to-go orders.
The Winthrop Harbor microbrewery produces adventurous ales. The Lake County suds maker is also highlighted by a taproom, beercade and live music. Since 2018, Habor Brewing has taken innovative flavors and created exceptional libations. The Lake Michigan bordering brewhouse offers 12 different potables on tap. Over the summer, Harbor Brewing Co., in partnership with North Point Marina, opened the land of lakes' first beer garden. The Lakefront Biergarten is closed for the season, but features outdoor live tunes and their famous adult beverages. Harbor also serves carryout brews. In addition, the brewhub just added a third location in Lake Villa that also houses new Lake County Libation Trail partner 9th Hour Brewing Co. #DrinkLocal and stay #harborstrong.
Heart and Arterial Alchemy is what makes this liquid love world go round. The Buffalo Grove brewery is dedicated to collaborating to providing suds with the best ingredients, boldest flavor and attention to detail. The southwestern Lake County brewery has eight delectable brews on tap, including Choccy Cherry Cheesecake, Rainbow Tubs, hard seltzers, beer slushies and more. Visit "the Loveshack" through the challenge and beyond.
The Ray Bradbury-themed Waukegan brewhouse is a part of the Lake County Libation Trail. The Waukegan suds factory boasts 20 traditional and experimental brews and creates adult beverages on site. Shares a co-location with Oppidan Spirits Distillery. The Waukegan brewer will offer 32-ounce crowlers, and packs of bottles for carry-out, but Nightshade is also open for outdoor sips. Besley's Waukegan Extra was the April 2020 Libation of the Month that is a must-taste.
The family-friendly and doggo-friendly Lake County Libation Trail participant is offering their original brew flavors for curbside pickup. The Gurnee brewhouse also features a new beer straight off the presses: Orlando Vacation Sex and Sunday Staple.
The Mundelein brewhouse is dedicated to crafting exceptional suds for all seasons. Sample first-class drinkables like the Scarlet > Fire Irish-Style Red Ale, the Boxcar Porter and the Irie IPA, just to name a few. The one-decade-old neighborhood institution poured their heart and soul into each glass. The brewery will be providing packaged beer for curbside pickup. They've also unveiled a brand new heated patio area last year for you winter drinkers to support your makers in rain, snow and shine.
The Waukegan brewery created innovation bier along with traditional to-style bier. The city brewhouse concocts tons of beers and has a changing lineup on 13 rotating taps. Zümbier is a family-run business and Larry Bloom, Founder, and Biermeister want your journey in beer exploration to be inspirational. The Waukegan brewhouse is open for carry-out and delivery. They are offering cans, bottles and growler/howler refills. The Waukegan brew home also has a patio area equipped with bonfire pits.
9th Hour Brewing Co. in Lake Villa
The Lake Villa brewhouse is the newest member of the Lake County Libation Trail. Ninth Hour Brewing Co. is a community-supported brewery run by owners,
Dave and Jim, who discovered their shared passion to brew while teaching together at Lakes Community High School. In fact, one of the core values of their team is education. In addition to traditional tours, 9th Hour will offer their guests classes on various brewing-related topics. They've brewed 21 staple suds prior to their grand opening on January 14.
To learn more about the February Lake County Libation Trail Month/Check-in Challenge, click here. To register for the challenge, continue here. Drink Lake County local!
Enjoy photos from our social media friends on the Lake County Libation Trail.
Be sure to continue sharing with us socially!
