Spring Uplifiting Sips on the Lake County Libation Trail 2020
By: Jonathan Jones 05/22/2020
As we take a look at spring uplifting sips on the Lake County Libation Trail, we also celebrate Illinois Passport at Home month.
Lake County is home to 14 libation trail brewhouses, including the first craft brewery in the county in Mickey Finn’s. It's also home to the first craft distillery in the Land of Lincoln in North Shore Distillery.
While you "stay-at-home," drink Illinois, as throughout May and early June, indulge in the Passport at Home. Click here to learn more.
Take advantage of all the delicious flavors that come with spring uplifting sips on the Lake County Libation Trail.
The Mundelein brewhouse, during this stay-at-home order, has been creating small batches periodically and almost weekly. This weekend, don't waste a second, because the Bosacki family is concocting a mouth-watering Peanut Butter Brown Ale small batch. It will be released Saturday, May 23, and is available while supply last. The ten gallon batch of peanut combined with chocolate flavor is almost like you're devouring a Reese's. The drink is 5.6 percent alcohol by volume (ABV) with the International Bitterness Units Scale (IBU) rated at 19. To practice social distancing, on May 23, the Mundelein brewhouse will take prepaid orders and be open between 2-6 p.m.
Saisons originated in the Wallonia region of southern Belgium during the 19th century. Meaning ‘season’ in French, Saisons were typically brewed during winter months and stored until summer months when they were given to farmworkers as a form of hydration when water wasn’t suitable for drinking. Mike’s Saison is true to nature but brewed all year long. The Long Grove brewhouse is open for curbside pickup Wednesdays-Saturdays.
Intrigued by some old good old boys drinking whiskey and rye with Don McLean? Copper Fiddle Distillery has been mighty busy as they've been creating hand sanitizer for first responders of Lake Zurich. They returned to the old drawing board and made an impeccable rye whiskey. The Gin connoisseurs just released this gem, and it's available for curbside pickup.
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. is open for pickup daily serving growler refills, four packs and family meal kits daily.
The lost season of 2020. Hopefully, a vaccine can be found sooner than later. Nevertheless, while you shelter-in-place sip on the perfect spring/summer beer, just tapped at the Winthrop Harbor brewery. Now that you can boat with 10 friends or more, you can take this fruity and crisp beverage on your aquatic voyage. The Lost Saison is a large dry hop of Citra that pairs perfectly with Harbor Brewing Co.'s French Saison strain. Tis the season to drink Saison.
Summer is coming soon, so subtle is the proper adjective to describe this brew. This new Subtle SUmmer Hazy IPA is spectacular for the upcoming warm seasons. This Saturday, May 23, the 6.4 percent ABV drink will be released in six-pack cans. The Grayslake hockey-themed brewhouse is serving eats and adult beverages via carryout, curbside pickup or delivery.
Classic, refreshing and bubbly are a few choice words for the Wheeling winery's Sparkling Rosé. The elegant Sparkling Rosé was made out of Pinot Noir (65 percent) and Chardonnay (35 percent) grapes. The libation is a perfect balance of crispness and fruity aromas with long-lasting and refreshing laborers. It has a scent of strawberry rose and cherry with a palate of raspberry, red apple, mineral and tangerine. The light-bodied wine with a pale salmon pink color perfectly pairs with shellfish, antipasti, calamari, a fresh fruit salad and mixed greens. Check the Instagram that makes for a divine summer spirit concocting Lynfred Rosé and the Sparkling Rosé called the classic French 75. Lynfred is offering curbside pickup at this time.
The Cerveza is the Libertyville brew house's Mexican-styled lager just in time for summer drinking. The pilsner malt is jam-packed with flaked maize that provides libationers with a hint of graininess and sweetness. This lager is light, crisp and refreshing for the season. Besides Mickey Finn's premium fare menu, they are also offering four packs and growlers to go.
We may not have the ability to have our brew picnic at Ravinia Festival this year, but you can still have one in your backyard or while practicing social distancing. The Waukegan brewhouse has created a citrusy seasonal called Rosemary's Baby. This blood orange rosemary pale ale stands at 6.5 percent ABV. The Ray Bradbury-themed brewery is open for pickup and growler refills.
The self-proclaimed nerds and Illinois-Made inventors love to experiment on new flavors with a plethora of different ingredients, and that’s why the award-winning Green Oaks distillery designs innovative art with their liquid creations. Their seasonal spirit for the last two years has been exceptional curaçaos. They also just recently released an American Malt Whiskey. The whiskey demonstrates the style and flavor profile. I thas a rich, inviting nose of malt, spice, heather and fruit. Thee 88 proof, 44 percent ABV adult beverage contains a palate that's smooth and balanced with spice notes, candied fruit and tobacco. The finish embodies delicate notes of honey, vanilla and orange blossom. The distillery is providing curbside pickup for liquors, spirits and sanitizers.
Brews with a kick of produce are always what the doctor ordered. Get your berry kicks with all of this hullabaloo surrounding Gurnee's summer suds. The Hullabaloo Raspberry is a Berliner Weisse with lactose and, of course, our favorite tart berry. It stands at 3.8 percent ABV, which makes for a light, refreshing sweetness aftertaste. Canned beers, howlers and growlers are available for pickup and curbside pickup.
Weltschmerz translated from German is world pain. The definition of the coined phrase is "a general feeling of disorientation and melancholy brought on by the current state of the world and political affairs. The Lake Barrington pub is providing eats as well as spectacular beverages such as the Weltschmerz Hefeweizen while we wait stay-at-home order out. The hefeweizen brew stands at 6.5 percent ABV and is available in six-packs. The brew was made in collaboration with the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel and the Cherry Circle Room & Game Room in Chicago.
Steep Ravine is the Highland Park brewhouse's flagship IPA. Light in color but bold in flavor, the combination of Citra and Chinook hops deliver big orange and grapefruit flavors exuding aromas of citrus and pine. The scrumptious suds is listed at 7.25 percent ABV, this refreshing, hop-forward beer is dangerously easy to drink. The brew was recently lauded as the Hop Review's article of the top 10 beers at BeerHoptacular 2017. During this public health crisis, Ravinia Brewing Co is serving lunch, dinner and brews for pickup.
