Northern Chicago Suburban Beer Tour

On February 24th my wife, another couple, and myself did a beer tour of the Northern Suburbs of Chicago, prior to judging at a Homebrew Competition on Saturday.  We started off at Geneva Ale House http://www.genevaalehouse.com/.  When you first pull up you see the old marque from days gone by and when entering the place it is updated with lots of exposed wood and bricks.  I felt at home almost instantly, even before we sat down at the bar.  At the bar we were quickly greeted by the bartender, while we perused the beer menu.  They advertise over 140 beers, which includes 12 tap beers.  After looking at the menu the men ordered a pint each and the ladies ordered a sampler of three beers.  We wound up staying for a couple beers both drafts and bottles.

A few of the standouts included Trumer Pils http://www.trumer-international.com/, a wonderful German style Pils.  It poured light yellow with a dense white head, crystal clear and it was nice and crisp from hops and had a wonderful malty taste.  Another standout was Founders All Day IPA http://www.foundersbrewing.com/the-lineup/all-day-ipa as the name implies this is not your average IPA.  It checks in at 4.7% ABV with 42 IBUs, so it is an IPA that could be a session beer that could be enjoyed all day.  The last standout was Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine http://www.3floyds.com/our-beers-2/, a wonderful American Barleywine.  It checks in at 10.5% ABV and 80 IBUs, and it is rich and malty with caramel notes.  The high hopping rate offsets the malty sweetness and high alcohol making this a really good drinking barleywine.  Just make sure to share the beer, this is not a beer to have all to yourself particularly if you are driving or planning to have more beers later on in the day.



Next stop was the Fikin in Libertyville, IL http://firkinoflibertyville.com/ , which has around 30 draft beers and at least another 50 in bottles.  This is a must stop for all beer lovers in the northern suburbs.  Walking into this bar has the feel along the lines of an English pub; I am sure that is why the name.  It is dark wood with a wonderful old bar back that just says home.  

With that many taps there is always a beer on tap for your particular taste.  Some fine examples were Stiegl Brau, Kasteel Rouge and Mongo IPA.   Stiegl is a wonderful malty Austrian Lager, Kasteel is a great Belgian Brown ale aged with cherries and Mongo IPA is a big IPA with lots of hops.  On the weekend if you want a seat come early.

Next on our tour was Tighthead Brewing Company in Mundelein, IL http://www.tightheadbrewing.com/; this is a brewery started by a homebrewer.  Located in a warehouse area it is a bit difficult to get to if you do not know the way.  It is a combination of a brewery and a tasting room.  Since it is located near a train stop this could be a great place for the commuter to enjoy a beer or two to relax after work.  They have six tap beers: Comfortably Blonde, Scarlet Fire, IRIE IPA, Boxcar Porter, Hat Trick Tripel and Upright Extra Pale Ale.  All are good solid beers, but a couple I could pass on were the blonde and the tripel.  A couple growlers were filled to be taken back to the QC and shared at the MUGZ meeting on Sunday, Scarlet Fire and IRIE IPA made it home unopened.  Since this is a homebrewer that went pro I really liked this place and suggest any one giving it a try when in the area.

Lake Bluff Brewing Company in Lake Bluff, IL http://www.lbbrew.com/index.html is a place my wife and I have previously been to when visiting the Northern Suburbs.  It is still as quaint as my wife and I remembered.

We wanted to introduce our friends to this little place.  They enjoyed it as well.  They have seven beers currently on tap: Udderly Oatmeal Stout, Autumn Rye, Bohemian Blonde, Inspiration Pale Ale, Black Squirrel Bourbon Stout, Hard Tail Imperial IPA and Weeee!! Heavy Scotch Ale.  A couple standouts were the Black Squirrel and the Weeee!! Heavy.  Both are big beers in flavor and alcohol.  Located in the downtown area of Lake Bluff this seems to be a gathering place for the locals.  Stop in when you are in the area.


Last stop on the beer tour was Mickey Finn's in Libertyville, IL http://www.mickeyfinnsbrewery.com/. A brewpub we have been to a few times now and it is always crowded.  They have eight beers on tap and a full food menu.  This is a good brewpub, but not a must hit every time in the area.  There are also numerous other bars and brewpubs we did not have time to hit, so I believe another trip is in order.


QC Beerguy