Black Lung Brewing Company

At the end of a strip mall is Black Lung Brewing, which does its best with the building and the surroundings to make an appealing taproom. "L" shaped bar at the focal point, gaming machines opposite of one side of the bar, a band playing live music the day before St. Patrick's Day, small brewhouse behind where the band was playing. A good crowd on hand.

A varied taplist of 14 different house beer, plus a few guest cans. Among the Black Lung beers, I remember there being a pistachio cream ale, hoppy amber ale (Which I tried, more much bitter than I prefer), a weizenbock (more like a strong hefeweizen, solid beer), a few IPA variants, and an imperial stout. With what I tasted, I wasn't exactly wowed. The beer menu only lists full pours for sale, but I discovered that smaller tasters were available (good for me, I have to journey back home after I had beers in Grayslake).

I'll put Black Lung on the backburner should I find myself in this part of Lake County again.

Nice little place, with a smaller clubhouse hangout vibe, very comfortable. Bartender was quick and personable, with plenty of good info to share. Corner strip mall space with lots of windows and a side patio under a tent. Brewery visible inside, L-shaped bar with live edge wood, to-go cooler in back.

Selection was IPA and milkshake heavy, one BA imperial stout, an Irish Red, and a nice Citra APA. Left with a growler of the Irish Red and 4-pk. of a collab cold IPA/L with Sew Hop’d in Huntley. Quality was good from the two traditional style beers I tried.

Overall i’d go back and try some of the various lagers, hopefully the milkshake fad is on it’s way out though.

My first experience with Black Lung was at Schaumburg's Global Beer Tap House pre-pandemic: My buddy and I were sitting at the far end of the bar, making our way through a few flights, when a hard knock was heard at the delivery door in the back, well within eyeshot. We were probably just as puzzled as the bartender, who loped over to check it out. Turns out it was a keg delivery from some place called Black Lung Brewing. Never heard of it. Who the hell makes deliveries like that after 9pm? Especially without an emergency situation? Mind you, this has no bearing on anything, but it was kinda funny to remember. Anyway...
Didn't expect to stop in here, but, hey, when your buddy wants to head out, you gonna reply negatively? Didn't think so. Popped in pretty late on a Saturday night, the place occupying the corner end of an otherwise nondescript strip mall in Round Lake. (Well, not, like, IN the lake, but you get me.) Brewing equipment is hemmed in by an angled bar, around which a few tables are situated for non-barfly pleasure. Only a couple screens, and they were mostly there to advertise for future releases and happenings and whatnot. During our visit, though, an acoustic performer was plying his trade; normally I'm not too big a fan, but he was jovial, joking around with and taking requests from the admittedly meager crowd that was still hanging out in a brewery that late. Fun times. The range was pretty decent, though aside from specialty (read: almost always saison-centric) breweries, I'd love to see less than 4 IPA-ish styles out there just once. Regardless, we had plenty to occupy us, including some fairly nice lagers (pale and Vienna), so we weren't complaining. The staff were all great, and they were more than able to talk up their product if prodded - and if there was a lull in the music, natch. Honestly, I didn't even notice if food was a possibility, though my hunch is nope (not gonna edit this after checking, sorry, I've gotten lazy in my old age). Pricing was about what you'd expect for the greater RLB area. Overall, we dug Black Lung, and though it may not be a real destination brewery sort o' deal, if we're ever anywhere near Round Lake, we're likely gonna stop in again and see what's brewin'.

The first brewery located in Round Lake. The taproom has bar seating and tables. They currently have outdoor seating as well. The beer is very good and the service is friendly and helpful. Recommended.