Hiking The Summer Lake County Libation Trail 2022
By: Nick Borowitz 06/17/2022
Don't worry, we aren't actually saying that you should hike the Lake County Libation Trail for the summer 2022 season.
We here in Lake County love roller coasters, festivals and farmers markets, endless shopping options and finding a beach to kick back on. But when we’re digging our toes into the sand or after hitting the trails, we like to wind down with a cold one, sip a stiff cocktail or converse over a berry vintage.
The Lake County Libation Trail features over 25 partners, each one with its own unique concoction. Read on below to learn about each establishment's tasty beverage that we think you should check out this summer.
Tart-Y To Class Sour POG Berliner Weisse | 4.1% ABV
This craft beer is a fruity, sour concoction made with pomegranate, oranges and grapefruit. The 9th Hour makers start with the same base beer and add the fruit puree into the kegs. This particular brewery is interesting in that they share a tap room space with Libation Trail-partner
Harbor Brewing Co. in their Lake Villa location.
9th Hour Brewing Co., 136 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa.
Strawberry Lakeside Blonde Ale | 5.0% ABV
This craft beer is a pilsner recipe with Kveik Lutra ale yeast, making it more of a “pseudo” pilsner. They throw in a balanced amount of tasty strawberry purée for a fun and bright summer refresher. This brewery lives by the credo "beer, grounded in tradition, and inspired by enthusiasm."
Black Lung Brewing Co., 2217 N. Illinois Route 83, Round Lake Beach.
Frumentum Corn Lager | 4.5% ABV
This craft beer is brewed with a classic influence in mind: Prohibition. Bosacki's has managed to make this "a-MAIZE-ing" version with a modern influence and a gentle sweetness. Bosacki's started in 2000 as a homebrew shop. They decided to go from hobby to production in 2013. And that's the story ever since.
Bosacki's Brewery, 610 E. Hawley St., Mundelein.
Debonair Black Manhattan Artisan Craft Cocktail | 46% ABV
For those with a refined taste, the black Manhattan made with their Debonair Bourbon hits the spot after a long day or just a midday refreshment. The 28 Mile Distillery is a cocktail lounge, and is thoughtfully adorned with art deco décor and exquisite appointments, making it the ideal location for an evening out. Catch a variety of live music on the weekends.
28 Mile Distillery, 454 Sheridan Rd., Highwood.
Local Artist Series Rosé Wine | 13.1% ABV
This rosé is crisp and slightly fruity. It is fuller in body than one may expect a rosé to be. Bright looking and decadent, the libation is outstanding when sipped cold. The DiVito family perfected the winemaking recipe as the southern Lake County winery crushes, ferments, ages and bottles the berry beverage onsite.
Pazzo di Vino, 524 Sheridan Rd., Highwood.
Red Headed Stepchild Strawberry Blonde | 6.1% ABV
The traditional German blonde is brewed with mountains of fresh strawberries. This craft beer is released annually in June right before Long Grove's Strawberry Festival. This strawberry craft beer often moves quickly, so try it while you have a chance.
Buffalo Creek Brewing, 360 Historical Ln., Long Grove.
Diamond Lake's Finest Pilsner | 6.5% ABV
This craft beer is brewed as lagers were made before prohibition. created with six-row barley and corn, this combination lends a unique malty sweetness that balances the moderate bitterness provided by Cluster hops. Half Day Brewing Co. produces up to 12 different brews from lagers, IPAs, stouts, seasonal and some small-batch, wood barrel-aged specialty beers.
Half Day Brewing Co., 200 Village Green S., Lincolnshire.
Breakwater Hefeweizen Wheat Beer | 5.5% ABV
This refreshing wheat beer is brewed with notes of banana and clove for a sweet, mellow flavor experience. Harbor has three locations throughout the Lake County area. During the summer months, they close down the Winthrop Harbor taproom and operate from the Lakefront Biergarten Taproom.
Harbor Brewing Company locations:
Lakefront Biergarten, 701 North Point Dr., Winthrop Harbor.
Lake Villa Taproom, 136 Cedar Ave., Lake Villa.
Winthrop Harbor Taproom, 811 Sheridan Rd., Winthrop Harbor. (Closed for Season)
De la Costa Red Sangria | 11% ABV
Their red sangria is more intensely flavored with cherry and berry flavors. It is finished with a dash of citrus and sweetness. Experience four generations of wine-making at Lake County's first winery. Award-winning wines are available for tasting and purchase by bottle or in discounted cases.
Glunz Family Winery and Cellars, 888 E. Belvidere Rd., Ste. 107, Grayslake.
Squishee Sour Ale | 4.0% ABV
This sour ale is part of Light The Lamp's rotating series of heavily fruited kettle sours. The Grayslake craft beer is conditioned on berry purées and fermented out. Squishee is brewed with pilsner, wheat and milk sugar. Light The Lamp Brewery serves innovative beer and modern Americana cuisine in a beautifully renovated historic building.
Light The Lamp Brewery, 2 S. Lake St., Grayslake.
Triple Berry Hugs Fruited Sour Berliner Weisse | 5.6% ABV
This beer is brewed with tangy goodness with LOADS of blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, vanilla and a touch of cinnamon. They top it off with “boxes of graham cracker & milk sugar.” Liquid Love Brewing is a Chicagoland brewing project focused on creating a beer that has heart. They use fresh ingredients to create what they like to call “Arterial Alchemy.”
Liquid Love Brewing, 1310 Busch Pkwy., Buffalo Grove.
Voids in Space Imperial Stout | 13% ABV
Imperial Stouts have a unique, boozy bite on their own, and Voids in Space is no different. After being brewed, they let this space cadet age in Willett bourbon barrels before serving. Since 1993, this landmark, casual, social gathering place famous for handcrafted beer is Lake County's first brewpub and has a trophy case to prove it.
Mickey Finn's Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
The Bee Sting Artisan Gin Craft Cocktail | 45% ABV
This gin-forward cocktail is made with their very own Fyren Gin. To make it stand out and have a bite on the tongue, they mix the spirit up with lemon juice and honey syrup for that sweet sting. This locally-owned business in Lake Zurich sources grains from the Midwest. Their award-winning spirits are handmade, grain to bottle. They welcome bring-your-own-food as well!
Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. Illinois Route 22, Ste. 110, Lake Zurich.
Valentino Rosé Wine | 13.9% ABV
The Valentino Rosé Wine is a fantastic local flavor to add to your summer drinking experience. Their wines are grown and produced on their 20-acre estate. The white vino is barrel-aged in French and American oak barrels, and bottled right on site. They boast over 20 different grapevines that produce more than 20 vinos.
Valentino Vineyard and Winery, 5175 Aptakisic Rd., Long Grove.
So Many Idiots Classic Belgian Dubbel | 8.0%
“Beer is intellectual. It’s a shame so many idiots drink it.” - Pulitizer Prize-winning and Lake County dweller Ray Bradbury. It's a classic malty copper-colored dubbel with a hint of raisin and a dry finish. Nightshade and Dark's Pandemonium Brewing Co. provides the drink of your wildest dreams and days gone by, as though one more sip will bring them back in reach
Nightshade and Dark's Pandemonium Brewing Co., 216 W. Clayton St., Waukegan.
Experimental Beer: 1094 Hazy DIPA | 8.0% ABV
This taproom-exclusive DIPA was brewed with just two different grains, pilsner malt and flaked wheat. Phase Three Brewing Co. wanted to branch out and try a nice hazy craft beer without any additional grains or complicated malts for a change. They do hand-crafted beer brewed with quality ingredients by honest people. They celebrate life’s ordinary and extraordinary moments.
Phase Three Brewing Co., 932 Donata Ct., Lake Zurich.
Medusa's Lagoon Hazy IPA | 7.3% ABV
As part of their Isle of Lost Hops series, Medusa's Lagoon is a brew that delivers a sweet fruit aroma with strong notes of guava and melon. Ravinia Brewing Co. features a cozy taproom and taco bar located in the historic Ravinia District. The Highland Park brewhub features amazing beer, live music and an expansive beer garden.
Ravinia Brewing Co., 582 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park.
This vino stop on the Lake County Libation Trail offers Vin De City Rose Sparkling was made with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the beautiful Central Valley of Chile. Lynfred has two luxurious locations here in Lake County: their Highland Park and Wheeling locations. You can tour both and shop to your heart's content. Lynfred is Illinois' oldest and largest, continually-operating family winery.
Lynfred Winery Highland Park, 1823 St. Johns Ave., Highland Park.
Lynfred Winery Wheeling, 971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
Secret Beach German-Style Hefeweizen | 5.6% ABV
Secret Beach is the Lake Zurich brewery's take on a classic style that is simply unbeatable on a hot day. It incorporates clove spice and the inimitable banana which esters the hefe (yeast). Roaring Table Brewery offers a cozy taproom and an eclectic menu of fresh, hand-made beers, local ciders and hard seltzers to the Northwest suburbs.
Roaring Table Brewing Co., 739 W. IL State Rt. 22, Lake Zurich.
Legend of Norm American Pale Ale | 7.0% ABV
This American pale ale is a light, hoppy craft beer treat with a citrus-y kick. The flavor is bright and crisp and easy to drink. Side Lot Brewery has a rustic, reclaimed and leather-filled lounge. Cool, welcoming color palettes and friendly faces. And best of all, craft beer and cocktails are capable of turning a good night into a legendary one.
Side Lot Brewery, 110 Slocum Lake Rd., Wauconda.
Key Lime Pie Comfortably Blond Ale | 4.8% ABV
Key Lime Pie Comfortably Blonde Ale is an easy-drinking libation. This blonde is lighter and less bitter than a traditional pale ale, yet contains plenty of malt sweetness to support the ample additions of crystal hops and lime flavor. This brewpub is a neighborhood institution where friends and families can meet and enjoy great music, wonderful company and beer.
Tighthead Brewing Co., 161 N. Archer Ave., Mundelein.
Barrel Reserve Old Tom Gin Craft Cocktail | 45% ABV
The Barrel Reserve Old Tom Gin is the first spirit in Oppidan’s Experiment Collection. The Waukegan distillery reimagined their standard gin by adding a smoke element and barrel aging. The grapefruit peel was smoked over pecan wood, giving a nice smokey candied pecan note to the gin. Oppidan Spirits pays respect to one of the world’s oldest craft spirits while taking a distinctively modern perspective.
Oppidan Spirits, 220 W. Clayton St., Lot C, Waukegan.
The Marquette Red Table Wine | 12.5% ABV
This robust red wine was created from the French hybrid grape. This wine has a smooth read, and pleasant aroma of berries with an oak finish. The taste of the vino is of similar notes to a merlot flavor. Vigneto del Bino Winery is a boutique winery specializing in “Wines grown from local vines." The winery sits on a 10-acre property surrounded by 2,300 grapevines.
Vigneto del Bino Winery, 42150 Crawford Rd., Antioch.
Misfit IPA | 6.5% ABV
A chewy IPA with a velvety blend of perfect hop bitterness, aroma and malt body." It is brewed with centennial and citra hops that gives it a pleasantly bitter bite. Hints of the citrus match the aroma and flavor. Wild Onion Brewery has a timber-framed bar and dining room, anchored by a massive stone fireplace, creating a comfortable atmosphere that has made The Onion a local favorite since 2003. This June, the Lake Barrington brewery celebrates its 25th year in existence.
Wild Onion Brewery and Banquets, 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington.
Five Eyes Honey Ale | 6.5% ABV
Did you know that bees have five eyes? Well, that is how this honey ale from Wright’s Brew and Bistro, located inside
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort, got its name. This honey ale is brewed in collaboration with
Tighthead Brewing Co. The award-winning brew house utilizes the honey that is produced in the beehives on-site at the Lincolnshire resort.
Wright's Brew and Bistro, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire.
15 Mile Hazy & Lazy | 6.5% ABV
The Waukegan Lake County Libation Trail partner and the
Lake County Forest Preserves have created a beer called Mile 15 Hazy & Lazy. The New England India Pale Ale dons its name from
Independence Grove's hiking and biking location along the
Des Plaines River Trail. The Libertyville preserve's beer garden challenges libationers to find marker 15 on the Overlook Trail Loop and snap a photo. The hazy beverage NEIPA has a mild bitterness, with great hops. The aroma and flavor of the Waukegan suds include azacca, cashmere and el dorado. The beer is served exclusively at Independence Grove's
Craft Beer Garden which sits in place of the beach area now. This brew is limited-time only, so get it while it's lazy.
Coloradoan Artisan Craft Cocktail | 45% ABV
This southwest-influenced sipper, made with our North Shore American Whiskey, fresh lemon juice, and a house-made simple syrup made with two kinds of chili pepper and fresh ginger. North Shore Distillery is the first craft distillery to open in Illinois after prohibition. Since day one, our mission has been creating original, delicious spirits that we love to drink.
To see the Libation of The Month, click here. To view each partner listed above, head here.
Enjoy photos from our social media friends on the Lake County Libation Trail.
Be sure to continue sharing with us socially!
