Spring Uplifting Sips on the Lake County Libation Trail 2021
By: Jonathan Jones 04/02/2021
As we look at spring uplifting sips on the Lake County Libation Trail, we also celebrate the land of lakes Check-in Challenge week running April 9-18.
Lake County is home to 24 libation trail brewhouses, distilleries, and wineries, including the county's first craft brewery in Mickey Finn’s. It’s also the residence of the first craft distillery in the Land of Lincoln in North Shore Distillery.
Slowly but surely, we're returning to normal. We're inching closer and closer to being able to return to full capacity at our favorite drinking holes. Continue to #DrinkLocal and discover suds, spirits and vino made in our very own backyard.
Take advantage of all the delicious flavors that come with spring uplifting sips on the Lake County Libation Trail.
"Do the dance sensation that is sweepin' the nation at the hop." You know it's Hoppy Time at the Waukegan small-batch brewery if you hear the smash song by Danny and the Juniors. Zümbier is canning this delightful adult beverage. The libation palate is highlighted by honey, loads of hops, Columbus, Citra and Simcoe. Don't be bitter, and take a sip or 20 of this delectable drink this Lake County Restaurant Rally and beyond. The ZümBier brew is available on tap and for carryout via can, howler and growler.
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.
Everyone’s favorite smiling skull IPA got a sweet tooth by popping a little pineapple in the libation for the summer. The Pineapple Misfit IPA, a perfect blend of hop bitterness, aroma, malt body and fruit with a swaggy hairstyle. Watch out because that misfit can kick with some bitterness, but it’s quite pleasant due to the centennial and Citra hops.
The Antioch winery offers two fantastic whites for the fall season. The Frontenac Gris is a semi-dry wine made from the French-hybrid grape. This vino has a taste of sweetness with honey flavor and finishes tart with apple.
You can’t go wrong with any wine that is a winery’s calling card. The 2004 red is an International Medal-Winning Wine. This full-bodied, smooth finish Bourdeaux styled vino with mid-to-full range tannins aged two years in a combination of French and American oak barrels. The delectable wine that pairs well with heavy eats like steaks, whitefish, chicken and lamb, is 13.8% ABV.
The Mundelein brewery expands the family of its signature series draft, "Everybody Loves" with Ekuanot. Infused with tropical fruit, berry, papaya and apple, the refreshing aroma of this American double dry-hopped India pale ale will transport you to a tropical paradise. Visit the Mundelein brewery as they open for indoor suds sipping as Lake County advanced to Phase 4 Tier 1 in Restore Illinois recently. If you want to drink the psychedelic sips in a land of lakes winter wonderland, Tighthead Brewing Co. also boasts a heated patio area. If you're not comfortable returning to indoor or outdoor service, you can enjoy the newest draft addition, via carryout by purchasing a four-pack to-go of the DDH IPA. Support your local Lake County brewers.
"How's life treating you, Norm?" We all know the Bostonian barfly was legendary in "Cheers." The Legend of Norm (of the Wauconda dimension) is an allegory for the ages. Bill Brasky in stature, Tiger King in exotic pets and always wears Oakleys. The Side Lot brew is a pale ale, light-body, bone dry and pairs perfectly with the end of a bike ride. The seven percent ABV adult beverage is served in a 16-ounce draft or in a four-pack to-go.
Baaaaaaa dum. The ever slow approach of the tuba intro of the movie “Jaws” makes way for the Lake Zurich brewery’s Tuba Solo! IPA is simply divine as it contains 7.2 percent ABV. The New England double dry-hopped IPA has tastes of candied citrus, passionfruit, honeydew and ripe berries on a rich, silky body.
The Highland Park Brewery, Ravinia Brewing Co., was originally concocted as a limited release, but now food truck-themed suds is a flagship feature. This beer will bring bright and warmer days. The Food Truck Pils was created with one thing in mind, clean and easy drinking with balanced, fresh and light tasting notes. This pilsner lives right between classic European pilsners and over-hopped American pils. This fruity yet slightly bitter pilsner pairs splendidly with tunes blaring from the eldest outdoor concert venue in the country, the Ravinia Festival, and many other summer feels.
Built for strong flavor and drinkability with simplicity in mind, the wheat pale hits your taste buds with a shade of yellow. The American ale contains yeast for full attenuation, Pacific Northwest Amarillo hops that bring huge citrus notes. The Lake Zurich brew packs just enough dank and pine notes, malted wheat to keep things from getting too light at a modest 5.5% ABV. Feel free to have a few.
They deviated from the standard London Dry style to create a unique and refreshing perspective with floral and citrus notes unseen in this category. For citrus, the Waukegan distillery uses a freshly peeled pink grapefruit. Elderflower, hibiscus and chamomile give Oppidan American Botanical Gin a light floral nose balanced by the spice of ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon. The result is a superbly balanced gin that works well neat or in your favorite gin cocktails.
That child is a real problem. Toddler tantrums are the cherry top of your day. For those lovely nights, your mini-me isn't falling asleep. Only Child Brewing Co.'s Tantrum is their Bavarian-style hefeweizen. The German beer has a signature banana aroma. The fruity, crushable, effervescent ale will really get you spring feels while drinking down spring uplifting sips. Just remember to watch out for the Jenga tower.
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