Outlook: Oppidan Spirits deviated from the standard London Dry style to create a unique and refreshing perspective gin with floral and citrus notes that are usually unseen in this category. For citrus, the Waukegan distillery uses a freshly peeled pink grapefruit. Elderflower, hibiscus and Chamomile give the Oppidan Spirit American Botanical Gin a light floral nose, balanced by spices like ginger, cardamom and cinnamon. The result is a superbly balanced gin tastes great neat or in your gin cocktail.
ABV: 43%
Zümbier Brewery (Waukegan)
Outlook: Zumbier produces an extraordinary porter this time of year that is well-balanced and with its malty body pairs well with the cooler temperatures. After aging in barrels, this beer relays whiskey and vanilla tasting notes directly to your taste buds giving that nice warm feeling during the holidays. This drinkable treat is brewed once a year so be sure to grab some before it's gone.
ABV: 9.5%
Valentino Vineyards (Long Grove)
Outlook: Late harvest wines are made from grapes that are left on the vine, late in the season, after reaching peak ripeness. Plucking these berries later in the year allows the sugar content to become more concentrated. This gives the rosé a slight touch of sweetness. This versatile wine is the perfect complement to turkey for your Thanksgiving feast. Gobble, gobble!
ABV: 13.9%
Wright's Brew & Bistro (Lincolnshire)
Outlook: Did you know that bees have five eyes? Well, that is how this new honey ale from Wright’s Brew and Bistro located inside Lincolnshire Marriott Resort got its name. This cream ale is brewed in collaboration with Tighthead Brewing Co. in Mundelein. The award-winning brew house utilizes the honey that is produced in the beehives on-site at the Lincolnshire resort. One sip and you will see what all the buzz is about.
ABV: 6.5%
Mickey Finn's Brewery (Libertyville)
Outlook: BEAR DOWN, Chicago Bears. Being neighbors with Halas Hall (the Chicago Bears practice facility), the county's oldest brewery pays ode to the Monsters of the Midway with a brown ale. The brew heralding the inventors of the T formation is an English-styled beer that’s charismatically nutty and toffee flavor.
ABV: 10%
Glunz Family Winery (Grayslake)
Outlook: Glunz Family Winery & Cellars produces a trio of seasonal Sangria flavors: red, white and rosé. The intense citrus, berry flavors complemented by a dash of sweetnes, makes for a refreshing treat during hot summer days. The Grayslake vino can be enjoyed by the glass or by can!
ABV: 11%
Flesk Brewing Co. (Barrington)
Outlook: The newest hazy New England IPA from Flesk Brewing Co. is bursting with a citrusy aroma and fruity flavors. This juicy IPA brewed with Citra and Amarillo hops is the perfect complement for your summer adventures!
ABV: 6.20%
Buffalo Creek Brewing Co. (Long Grove)
Outlook: Chocolate AND bacon. Who can say NO TO that DYNAMIC duo? This choclate bacon stout IS rated 35 ON the International Bitters Unit Scale (IBU) AND can be thoroughly enjoyed YEAR-ROUND. WITH the village's Strawberry Festival in June, this is the perfect time to complement our favorite cocoa treat with an enormous berry.
ABV: 5.8%
Ravinia Brewing Co. (Highland Park)
Outlook: Cock-a-doodle-doo has NEW meaning WITH the Flight of the Rooster Saison. Utilizing NEW Zealand Nelson Sauvin hops, this brew obtains a sauvignon blanc palate. This brand of suds has 25 IBUs AND IS perfect FOR warmer months.
ABV: 7.5%
Harbor Brewing Co. (Winthrop Harbor)
Outlook: Your favorite cereal IS NOW a beer! AND it's good! This delightful IPA is brewed with zero boil hops and is packed with Citra and Mosaic hops for an incredible aroma and finish.
ABV: 6.7%
Only Child Brewery (Gurnee)
Outlook: Pucker up, buttercup. This Gurnee Pale Ale is brewed with lime zest and agave; the perfect combination of sweet and sour. The crisp finish of this brew pairs nicely with the assortment of food vendors that the brewery brings to their tap room most weekends.
ABV: 5.30%
Light the Lamp Brewery (Grayslake)
Outlook: Perfect for a chilly winter's day, Light the Lamp's Sin Bin Stout is the perfect mixture of roasted malts and a smooth, smokey finish. The English Oatmeal Stout is the perfect compliment to more than a few of the Grayslake brewery's finely crafted food menu.
ABV: 5.80%
Copper Fiddle Distillery (Lake Zurich)
Outlook: Pronounced "Fire Engine," this unique style of gin packs a punch. The spicy libation uses a full serrano pepper in each bottle which has been charred, roasted and cut by hand. Fyren Gin is the perfect companion for cocktails such as bloody marys, martinis and more. If you're looking for the perfect winter warmup, this is the libation for you. Fyren Gin perfectly accompanies cucumber, basil, tonic water, simple syrup and more in their featured cocktail, Lake Zurich Fire Department.
ABV: 46%
North Shore Distillery (Green Oaks)
Outlook: The delightful spirit starts with fermented honey turned into mead and then distilled with a variety or oranges, spices and herbs. Beehive Curaço is a phenomenal sipping liqueur for the holiday season. North Shore Distillery will host the libation's launch party on December 8 at the Green Oaks tasting room / distillery.
ABV: 40%
Lynfred Winery (Wheeling)
Outlook: The mulled libation is packed with aromas of cinnamon, cloves and gingerbread cookies; perfect for cold, long November nights. Pair with oatmeal cookies or chocolate berries for a real treat. The spiced wine can also be warmed for especially chilly nights.
ABV: 11%
Tighthead Brewery (Mundelein)
Outlook: The limited edition IPA is full bodied, incredibly refreshing and brewed by award-winning craftsmen. The Greenway Boogie IPA is a collaboration between Tighthead Brewing, REI in Vernon Hills and the Lake County Forest Preserves. A percentage of sales support the Preservation Foundation of the Lake County Forest Preserves.
ABV: 6.7% | IBU: ??
Roaring Table Brewery (Lake Zurich)
Outlook: This is a soft, hazy, fruity beer that goes well with hanging out with the best people in the world! Friends, family and Fido.
ABV: 5.4% | IBU: 20
Bosacki's Home Brew (Mundelein)
Outlook: A complement TO the newly released Raspberry Wheat, this American Pale Wheat Ale provides the subtle taste of blueberries AND allows the slight sweetness of the wheat through. This unfiltered wheat beer IS visually cloudy, WHILE obtaining a fuller body. The ale has a 5.3 percent alcohol BY volume AND IS rated AT 15 ON the International Bitterness Unit scale. Available FOR a limited time.
ABV: 5.3% | IBU: 15
RETURN TO the Lake County Libation Trail
