Guide to Libations That Put the Spring in Spring 2025
By: Stephanie Wylie 05/09/2025
Spring is finally in the air, and there’s no better time to explore the fresh flavors, seasonal brews and creative spirits along the Lake County Libation Trail. From newly tapped IPAs to fruit-forward wines and craft cocktails, this season offers a perfect pour for every palate. Whether you're just starting your brewing journey or looking to level up, Perfect Brewing Supply in Libertyville has everything you need—from expert advice to hands-on classes. And when you're ready to sip something new, head to Beer Bazaar in Grayslake, where 20 rotating taps and hundreds of curated bottles make every visit a discovery. So grab a glass, bring a friend and toast to the tastes of spring across Lake County.
Now, let's explore the Lake County Libation Trail as you embark on your tasting journey throughout Lake County!
Broken Tee Brewing in Highwood tees off with a standout hazy IPA that's as bold as it is refreshing. One Hop N Haka is a New England-style IPA brewed exclusively with New Zealand Motueka hops, delivering a vibrant citrus aroma that opens into layers of tropical fruit and zesty lime. At 7.1% ABV, it’s smooth, juicy and easy-drinking — perfect for hop lovers seeking a bright, modern twist. Crafted by a team whose passion for brewing started on the homefront and was inspired by a lifetime on the golf course, Broken Tee blends community roots with creative brewing. Stop by their Highwood taproom for a round — of beer — and raise a glass to local flavor and fresh hops.
In the heart of Historic Downtown Long Grove, where cobblestone charm meets Bavarian tradition, Buffalo Creek Brewing has carved out a space that feels like a slice of Germany in suburban Illinois. Surrounded by pine trees and set against the backdrop of the town’s rich German roots, the brewery’s Bavarian-style taproom and scenic Biergärten offer a distinctly European experience. One of their standouts, Angelic Helles, is a classic Munich Helles Lager brewed with reverence and precision. At 4.9% ABV and 22 IBU, this golden lager is lagered for eight weeks, resulting in a clean, crisp pour that highlights gentle bready malts and soft floral notes. It’s the kind of beer that rewards patience — and pairs perfectly with a slow afternoon under the pines.
Copper Fiddle Distillery is a hidden gem in Lake Zurich for spirit lovers seeking bold, small-batch craftsmanship. Proudly grain-to-bottle and Midwest-sourced, this locally owned distillery offers an impressive lineup of award-winning spirits—from smooth bourbons to spicy gins. One of their signature cocktail, The Fandango, is a rich, elegant expression of their bourbon. Stirred with housemade bitters and a touch of Luxardo liqueur, then garnished with a candied orange peel and a deep red Luxardo cherry, it’s a cocktail that balances sweetness and strength with finesse.
A pillar of winemaking heritage in Lake County, Glunz Family Winery & Cellars brings four generations of tradition to their Grayslake tasting room. Among their standouts is the White Hawk Vineyard Syrah, a bold, Central Coast-grown red that’s as rich in character as it is in flavor. The 2020 vintage, a Gold Medal winner at the Central Coast Wine Competition, delivers deep, brooding aromas of tar, roasted coffee and charred seaweed. It’s a wine for those who appreciate depth—and a story in every sip.
At Half Day Brewing Company in Lincolnshire, craft beer meets elevated pub fare in a cozy, wood-fired setting. With up to a dozen beers on tap—including barrel-aged specialties and house-made sodas—there’s always something new to explore. One standout is the Meridian Wit, a Belgian-style Witbier that’s as bright and refreshing as a late morning sun. Brewed with generous coriander, this golden ale delivers a punch of peppery citrus aroma, complemented by the subtle spice of traditional Belgian yeast. At 5.3% ABV, it’s crisp, sessionable and perfect for sipping.
Harbor Brewing Company may have started small in 2018, but their bold approach to brewing has earned them a loyal following in Lake Villa and beyond. With a laid-back taproom, a retro-style “beercade” and a steady flow of inventive beers, Harbor has carved out a space where good times and great hops go hand in hand. To mark their 7th anniversary, Harbor launched Turbo Jetboat—a turbocharged version of their fan-favorite hazy IPA. Clocking in at 6.5% ABV, this limited-release New England IPA dials the Citra hop content up to eleven with the addition of ultra-concentrated hop extract. The result? A face-smacking burst of citrus, pine and juicy tropical aroma that’s as explosive as it is smooth. It’s a bold celebration beer from a brewery that’s never stopped charging forward.
Lake Villa | Winthrop Harbor
At Lynfred Winery, Illinois' oldest family-run winery, innovation meets tradition in every glass—and their Rhubarb Wine is a prime example. Crafted from 100% Polish-grown rhubarb, this vibrant dessert wine uses cold maceration to capture the plant’s natural tartness and herbaceous character, resulting in a lively, fruit-forward sip that surprises and delights. Pouring a striking pink-coral hue, this wine offers aromas of rhubarb, celery and fresh-cut grass, with delicate floral undertones. It's a bold twist on tradition from a winery known for redefining American wine one bottle at a time.
Highland Park | Wheeling
A cornerstone of Lake County’s craft beer scene since 1993, Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville is a true pioneer—Lake County’s first brewpub and a community favorite for over three decades. Sesh Pale Ale stands out as the go-to for easy drinking. At just 4.8% ABV, this session pale ale is packed with flavor but light enough for long afternoons. Brewed with Mosaic and Simcoe hops, it delivers bright notes of tropical fruit, grapefruit and a touch of pine resin, all balanced by a clean, simple malt backbone.
In the heart of downtown Waukegan, Nightshade and Dark’s Pandemonium Brewing is crafting something extraordinary—both in beer and in atmosphere. With a name nodding to hometown literary legend Ray Bradbury, this eclectic, family-friendly brewery offers up to 22 beers on tap, ranging from traditional styles to bold experiments, all brewed on site. Among their most intriguing offerings is Barrel Aged Ravine, a rich Irish Dry Stout aged in Four Roses bourbon barrels and finished with Hungarian oak chips. Dark, smooth and layered with notes of char, whiskey warmth, and subtle wood spice, this beer is a moody tribute to both Bradbury’s imagination and craft beer artistry.
From a garage hobby between two high school teachers to a silver medal on the world stage, 9th Hour Brewing has come a long way—and they’re just getting started. Now, they've added serious prestige to their growing resume: Bel Ringer, their bold and beautifully balanced Belgian Tripel, just took home the Silver Medal at the 2025 World Beer Cup, edging out 66 other entries. Clocking in at 8.1% ABV and brewed with Belgian candy sugar, Bel Ringer boasts layers of fruity esters, spice and a clean finish that belies its strength.
North Shore Distillery—the state’s first craft distillery since Prohibition—brings innovation and bold flavor to every bottle. Founded in 2004 by Sonja and Derek Kassebaum, the award-winning distillery has become known for its experimental spirit and handcrafted gins, rums, vodkas and seasonal creations. The Green Oaks distillery was also honored with the Illinois Office of Tourism honor of "Illinois Made" recognizing the state's makers, creators, artisans, artists, family-owned businesses and more. This month, they’re shaking up something truly unique: the Humuhumunukunukupuaa. Named after Hawai‘i’s state fish, this tropical cocktail surprises with a rare base of Old Tom Gin—specifically, North Shore’s own Scofflaw Old Tom. The gin’s floral richness mingles perfectly with the cocktail’s nutty, fruity notes for a lush, island-inspired escape. It’s a mouthful to say—and a delight to sip.
Lake Zurich’s Phase Three Brewing Company continues to impress with its meticulous attention to detail and passion for craft. Known for their innovative beer styles and eye-catching can art, Phase Three has earned a place among Lake County’s top breweries—built on collaboration, creativity, and quality. Their latest standout, P3 Czech Pils, is a crisp homage to brewing history. Made with Briess Pilsner malt and Czech Saaz hops, it honors Ignatius Briess and the classic lagers of Plze, while nodding to Chicago’s early beer culture. Expect floral spice, golden clarity and a clean, bitter finish.
At Pips Meadery the art of meadmaking is elevated to new heights. Known for their bold, fruit-forward creations and reverence for craft, Pips blends tradition with innovation in every pour. Their latest release, Blackjack, is a luxurious melomel aged for a full year in barrels from Side Project Brewing. This special version dials up the richness, made exclusively with black raspberries and orange blossom honey to complement the barrel’s depth. The result? A velvety 12% ABV pour brimming with juicy berry flavor, wrapped in whispers of chocolate, char and toasted marshmallow. It’s a decadent nod to fermentation’s endless possibilities—and a must-try for mead lovers and the mead-curious alike.
Highland Park’s beloved Ravinia Brewing Company is entering an exciting new chapter as Steep Ravine Brewing Company, a rebrand inspired by their flagship IPA and a renewed focus on storytelling through craft beer. “Your story. Our beer,” says Co-Founder Kris Walker—a motto that captures the community-driven, experience-first ethos behind the brand. Their namesake brew, Steep Ravine, is a bold American IPA clocking in at 6.7% ABV, delivering a smooth but hop-charged journey with bursts of citrus zest, piney aromatics, and just the right amount of bite. It’s a trailblazing pour for beer lovers chasing flavor, meaning, and a little adventure in every pint.
Roaring Table Brewing Co. is where craft meets comfort—offering an ever-evolving lineup of eclectic beers in a space designed for connection, conversation, and good times. Their latest release, Holiday Romance, is a 5.9% ABV American lager that’s as fleeting and memorable as its name suggests. Brewed with pilsner, wheat, oat, and a touch of Vienna malt, it pours with rustic charm and a soft, golden glow. Dry-hopped with Loral, it bursts with notes of fresh hay and fruit salad—perfect for sipping while lounging fireside or gathering around the communal table. Drink it fresh, because just like a good fling, it’s not meant to linger.
Mundelein’s Tighthead Brewing Company has been a local staple since 2011—pouring passion, music and community into every pint. Their latest standout, Everybody Loves Comet, is a double dry-hopped American Pale Ale that lives up to the name. Bursting with bright citrus, subtle pine and that unmistakable pop of Comet hops, this beer delivers a crisp, flavorful ride with every sip. Whether you’re a neighborhood regular or just passing through, this brew is a stellar reason to stop in and see why everybody really does love Comet.
Just 28 miles from Chicago, 28 Mile Distilling Co. is where elevated cocktails meet timeless ambiance. This north shore gem crafts small-batch spirits with precision, serving them up in a glamorous art deco lounge that hums with live music and weekend dueling pianos. Their newest star? A Seasonal G&T that’s as refreshing as a lake breeze: featuring 28 Mile Gin, pink peppercorn, basil and strawberry, it strikes the perfect balance of fresh, sweet and herbaceous. It’s the ultimate sip to toast summer’s arrival—best enjoyed in their chic courtyard under the stars.
Valentino Vineyards proves you don’t need to head to Napa for a top-tier wine experience. With over 20 styles crafted from 4,000 estate-grown vines, this 20-acre vineyard is a destination for wine lovers seeking elegance close to home. One standout is their 2020 Valentino Seyval Blanc—a late harvest white, barrel-aged for a year and glowing with a golden hue. Floral on the nose with whispers of honey, oak and just a kiss of sweetness, it’s a versatile pairing for seafood, poultry and creamy pastas—or simply sipped solo for its crisp, smooth finish.
Wild Onion Brewery offers more than just great beer—it’s a cozy escape with hearty comfort food, a timber-framed bar, live entertainment and the kind of welcoming atmosphere that’s kept locals coming back since 2003. Their latest standout, Hand Up Accountability, is a Double Hazy IPA double dry-hopped with Galaxy and Alora hops, packing a juicy punch of tropical and citrus flavors with lush notes of peach and guava. At 7.8% ABV, it’s a hop lover’s dream—big, bold and beautifully balanced. Grab a pint by the fireplace or sip lakeside under the bistro lights—it’s a brew that lives up to the view.
Wrights Brew and Bistro, nestled inside the Lincolnshire Marriott, delivers a laid-back yet elevated dining experience. This Lincolnshire hotspot not only pours the locally crafted Five Eyes Honey Ale—a smooth, golden brew from fellow Lake County Libation Trail member Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein—but also plates up a fresh take on Midwest comfort food. The menu features a flavorful lineup of modernized classics, from juicy steaks and fresh seafood to hearty pastas, crisp salads, and more—bringing familiar favorites to life with inventive seasonings and a contemporary flair.
For more information about the Lake County Libation Trail, continue here. To check-in at your Libation Trail location, click here. Continue here to return to the Lake County Flavor Festival page.
SPRING OUTDOOR GUIDE
ROAD TRIPS
Volo Museum
Family-Friendly Dining
Breakfast/Brunch
Lakeside Dining
MainStreet Libertyville
Historic Downtown Long Grove
Downtown Highland Park
Great Wolf Lodge Illinois
Lincolnshire Marriott Resort
Hyatt Deerfield
Visitors Guide
Special Offers
Accommodations
Weddings
Group Tours
Military Reunions
Community Partners
Partner Directory
Become a Partner
