Best Fall Libations of 2019 in Lake County
By: Jonathan Jones 09/20/2019
Ditch the pumpkin spice, and sip some of the best fall libations the autumn season has to offer. Why not? Take a trip down the Lake County Libation Trail and take your taste buds on a journey to flavor country. Lake County is home to delicious suds, vino and spirits with the autumn theme we all know and love. Every season these masons of brew, spirits and wines continuously blow our minds with the options they offer at their speakeasies. Celebrate the season the right way by tasting a wide variety of adult beverage flights. Lake County, enjoy the best fall libations; nay, the most exceptional Illinois libations!
Bosacki's Brewery in Mundelein
Beers: Oktoberfest Outlook: The Oktoberfest is a lager obtains a toasty flavor, but the finish aftertaste leans on the dry side. The Bavarian Marzenbier-style matches the style of a German Oktoberfest beer but is mildly hoppy. Oktoberfest rates an 18 on the international bitterness unit scale (IBUs) and has a 5.3 percent ABV. Be sure you stop by Bosacki's inaugural Oktoberfest on October 6 as the Mundelein party features the release of this libation, and is highlighted by polka by Lindy Johnson and eats from Pierogi Jo's. Bosacki’s Home Brew, 610 E. Hawley St., Mundelein. 
Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. in Long Grove
Beer: Marrvelous Outlook: This is the beer that started it all. Mike Murr, the Long Grove brewpub owner, was challenged by his friends to create German Kölsch. Don't test Murr's competitiveness. He researched the style and played around with the recipe until he found perfection. Mike’s Kölsch is German in nature, but is unfiltered and has a caramel color with a slight cloudy character. This brew has 5.1 percent ABV and rates 21 on IBUs Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. in Long Grove.
Copper Fiddle Distillery in Lake Zurich
Cocktail: Orange You Glad? We didn't say banana, but you have to be excited about the Orange You Glad concoction the Lake Zurich distillery has created. With the help of the Copper Fiddle Gold Rum (1.5 oz), the drink ingredients include four mint leaves, an orange slice, one-half lime, a half-ounce of simple syrup, soda and three dashes of bitters. Cheers; bottoms up! Copper Fiddle Distillery, 532 W. Illinois Route 22, Suite 110, Lake Zurich.
Flesk Brewing Co. in Barrington
Darth Tater IPA Outlook: The Barrington brewhouse is "altering the deal. Pray they don't alter it any further." The New England India pale ale is load with juicy and delectable Idaho 7 hops. The unique hazy IPA has a unique taste like that of Anakin Potato before him. Drink up this 4.9 percent ABV beverage, you rebel scum! Flesk Brewing Co., 200 Applebee St., Suite E, Barrington.
Glunz Family Winery and Cellars in Grayslake
2017 Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel Outlook: The 2017 Dusi Vineyard Zinfandel is an absolute classic Zin. The color of this 100% Zin is beautiful, dark garnet red. Aromatically, it has tons of dark cherry and berry with hints of cedar, cinnamon. On the palette, this zin is singing. It is bursting with juicy fruit flavors and is delightfully balanced with acidity. Glunz Family Winery & Cellars, 888 E. Belvidere Rd., Grayslake.
Half Day Brewing Co. in Lincolnshire
Beer: Barrel-Aged Warrior Paint Imperial Coffee Stout Outlook: The Barrel-Aged Warrior Paint Imperial Coffee is taking a victory lap through the Lincolnshire brewing company. The 11-percent ABV stout is brewed with Mexican coffee beans from Bannockburn’s Newport Coffee House. Beautiful aromas of molasses and coffee waft from this libation and the scents are paired with hints of oak and vanilla. Half Day Brewing Co., 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire. 
Harbor Brewing Co. in Winthrop Harbor
Beer: Raspberry Milkshake IPA Outlook: Harbor Brewing Co.'s "milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like, it's better than yours." This fruity milkshake India pale ale has a soft touch of raspberry with added sweetness from the lactose. Harbor Brewing Co., 811 Sheridan Rd., Winthrop Harbor.
Light the Lamp Brewery in Grayslake
Beer: Suerte Outlook: Good luck not falling in love with this brew! Suerte (meaning luck in Spanish), is an irresistible Mexican Lager recently released by the Grayslake brewery. The suds are fermented cool and lagered to perfection. The 4.6 percent ABV Cerveza is delectable with or without a wedge of lime. This beer is perfect for the upcoming Dia de Los Muertos celebration. Light the Lamp Brewery, 2 S. Lake St., Grayslake.
Lynfred Winery in Wheeling
Wine: Oktoberfest White Outlook: The Oktoberfest is a sweet white table wine that impersonates a German-style blend. The Rhineland drink has a palate of pear juice and cinnamon and is perfect to with German pub eats like bratwurst, potato salad and Bavarian pretzels. Lynfred Winery, 971 N. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling.
Mickey Finn's Brewery in Libertyville
Outlook: Oktoberfest Lager Outlook: The Oktoberfest is a 6.2 percent beverage that celebrates Bavaria. The Libertyville German-brew has a sweet malt crisp and goes down nicely with October cuisine. It's got a nice copper color and it's on tap for a limited time starting in mid-September. Mickey Finn's Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
North Shore Distillery in Green Oaks
Cocktail: Pinkerton Man Outlook: As we wave farewell to summer, cocktail advocates can rejoice with the Green Oaks libation. The Pinkerton Man is a refreshing autumn-resque beverage containing the distillery's Gin No. 11 complemented with one ounce of pear juice, three-fourths of an ounce of fresh lemon juice and a half-ounce of rosemary simple. The concoction is shaken with ice and strained into an ice-filled Collins glass. The herbaceous cocktail is at perfection with an additional lemon twist or rosemary sprig. North Shore Distillery, 13990 Rockland Rd., Green Oaks.
The Onion Pub and Brewery in Barrington
Beer: Pumpkin Ale Outlook: "There are three things I've learned never to discuss with people: religion, politics, and the Great Pumpkin." - Linus Van Pelt. Celebrate the harvesting season with the Lake Barrington's orange fruited ale. This crisp ale brewed with spices has hints of pumpkin pie and a rich, malty aroma. The Pumpkin Ale rates at 21 on the IBU scale and is a 5.4 percent ABV libation. The Onion Pub & Brewery, 22221 N. Pepper Rd.., Lake Barrington.
Only Child Brewing Company in Gurnee
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