Tasty Tuesdays: Breweries Serving Fare on the Lake County Libation Trail
By: Jonathan Jones 01/21/2020
"He was a wise man who invented beer." said Greek philosopher and suds enthusiast Plato.
This installment of Tasty Tuesdays, we highlight those brewmasters that also can cook up a mean dish.
Lake County is home to 15 libation trail brewhouses, and six of them serve exceptional eats.
Make sure this January, you note your attendance at one of these maker’s facilities. During Lake County Libation Trail Month, sippers have the opportunity to win free tickets to the Lake County Beer Festival on February 22 at the Lake County Fairgrounds and Event Center. Click here to learn more.
This tasty Tuesday, sit down with a brew, some food and a smashing good time.
Savor the flavor of an extensive beer list at the Lincolnshire Brewery. The brewery commemorates the town's real name, Halfda, contrary to popular belief of a half day's journey from Chicago. The chief of the village, Chief Atakisic of the Potawatomi tribe, was a Native American leader known for making the Treaty of Chicago in 1833 surrounding the Black Hawk War. And now we move to the present. The four-year-old Lincolnshire brewpub frequently swaps out and adds new delicious craft flavors. Some of their lauded beers include Chieftain Session IPA, the Meridian Wit and their marquee beverage, the Barrel-Aged Warrior Paint Imperial Coffee Stout. Their eats menus are highlighted by award-winning wings, wood-fired pizza, tacos, burgers, sandwiches and a host of other delectable bites.
Half Day Brewing Company, 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire.
This downtown Grayslake pub serves innovative brews, modern American cuisine, locally-sourced craft spirits and top-notch draft wines all handcrafted in-house. Light the Lamp has 14 craft suds drafts created internally. For those who aren't beer lovers, the seven-year-old Grayslake brewpub also offers tap wine. Besides libations, the hockey-themed also offers unique meals, including burgers, sandwiches, flatbreads, shared plates and desserts. Some of Light the Lamp's signature suds include the Red Line Ale (amber ale), Sin Bout Stout (oatmeal stout) and the 1980 Miracle American Pale Ale Kick back, relax and let that lettuce down.
Light the Lamp Brewery, 2 S. Lake St., Grayslake.
The first craft brewery in the land of lakes is Mickey Finn’s Brewery in Libertyville. Illinois's oldest brewpub serves up some house-made ales and lagers as well as eats. The 1994-established brewhouse has served nearly six million pints in that period and sits in their industrial/renovated home on MainStreet Libertyville. Currently, Mickey Finn's has eight of their homemade brews on tap. The Libertyville business is known for its Santa's Magic Belgian Strong Golden Ale, their new Can I Kick It IPA, Pineapple Express and an array of other rotating sips. Mickey Finn's serves brunch (weekends only), lunch and dinner, including salads, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, seafood, tacos and thin crust pizza.
Mickey Finn's Brewery, 345 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville.
This local favorite has been a staple in southwestern Lake County since 2003. The brewhouse creates handcrafted beers and hearty comfort food. The Lake Barrington brewery's philosophy is being firmly grounded with a passion and respect for many of the world-class beer styles that exist in today's brewing renaissance. The Onion Pub's signature brews include the Misfit American IPA, the Hop Slayer Double IPA and Beggar's Brown (English-style). The brewpub's menu is highlighted by soups, salads, burgers, sandwiches, seafoods and more.
Onion Pub & Brewery, 22221 N. Pepper Rd., Lake Barrington.
The Highland Park brewery features a variety of beers in addition to Mexican street fare like tacos, burritos, salads and more. Your tasty Tuesday is now paired with brew and southwest cuisine. The brewpub was recognized for the "Best Beer Garden" by the North Shore Choice Awards. A collection of their trademark libations includes the Flight of the Rooster Saison, the Steep Ravine IPA and the Baldwin Porter.
Ravinia Brewing Company, 582 Roger Williams Ave., Highland Park.
Offering a casual dining experience that is exceptional is Wright's Brew and Bistro located inside the Lincolnshire Marriott. The Lincolnshire bar and restaurant provides the honey to Five Eyes Honey Ale that is brewed by other Lake County Libation Trail partner,
Tighthead Brewery in Mundelein. In the eats department, Wright's serves traditional Midwest comfort food with a modern twist of spices.
Wright's Brew & Bistro, 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire.
For past Tasty Tuesdays, continue here. For more about the Lake County Libation Trail, click here. Cheers, Lake County!
SUMMER 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
