I know I can look it up myself but I'd like to jumpstart the process so I'm asking for assistance from BAs in the Great Lakes area. My son is currently at Great Lakes Naval for basic training and will be "graduating" in November. The wife and I will be staying in Chicago for a couple of days then heading north to stay near the base the day before the ceremony. I'm specifically looking for suggestions for craft beer bars and restaurants that have a decent craft beer selection in the Chicago area and north of Chicago. Thank you all in advance.
In Libertyville which is very close to the Naval Base there is this http://firkinoflibertyville.com/ is the best one. Also a Holiday Inn around the corner from there. Firkins has a great tap list and also has some great surprise tappings regularly, the food is topnotch as well.
I second Firkin, though it is on the pricey side for food (delicious food!). If you're in Libertyville you might also want to check out Mickey Finn's just south on Milwaukee. They brew their own (mediocre in my opinion) beer. But the food is decent and cheaper then Firkin. Might want to eat there and then head down to Firkin for more drinks!
It looks great. Thanx. Does the name of the town have anything to do with it being so close to the Naval Base?
I'll be with the wife and it's a special occasion and therefore price will not be an object - which works both ways. I may have to overpay for food but I'll be able to drink whatever I want.
Across the street from The Firkin is a Brewpub called Mickey Finn's that has historically had good beer (some decent cask ales). There is also a beer bar down the road in Vernon Hills called the Beer Market, and a nice micro in Mundelein called Tighthead. A locally-owned restaurant named Emil's, with locations in both Mundelein and Grayslake, has a lot of local beer on tap too. Your best bet: http://beermapping.com/maps/citymaps.php?m=chicago
No, and it's really not terribly close, just a better bet than most places closer to the base. There's also a new brewpub in Lake Bluff that is supposed to be pretty good (it's on that link), but I hear it's pricy. It's also much closer to the base, but not close to many hotels/motels.
BTW -- my next door neighbor is one of the P.T. topkicks at Great Lakes -- if you'd like me to walk over and belt him for your son!
Oh, totally forgot about Lake Bluff Brewery. I have only been there a few times, and not in the last few months, but every time they have had awesome beers on tap. Very small (micro) brewery, but a good place to grab a pint or growler. They also have smaller size pours for tasting multiple beers. Some appetizers and small dishes, but not a full kitchen. I highly recommend this place.
I was in the Mundelein Emils about a month ago and only BMC type stuff, which is par for them. The Grayslake Emils I would agree has a few good choices.
Good call -- I just expected both places to be carrying some of the same stuff. With Tighthead just around the corner, isn't the Mundelein location carrying that?
Thanx for the offer but apparently he's doing OK. He's just finishing up his 3rd week and expressed confidence he would pass his physical tests [if that's what P.T. means]
I was surprised they did'nt have it. I wanted to mention it to the owner but did'nt get a chance. I rarely(never) go in there anymore since I started drinking crafts but some friends drug me in there. Bills has the Comfortably Blonde, personally I'm into the IPAs or Stouts, BW.
There's also an Italian restaraunt/pizza place in Gurnee called Saluto's that has a nice assortment of craft available. http://www.salutosofgurnee.com/index.asp
A co-worker just told me that they aren't carrying as many craft drafts as they used to have -- no confirmation of that yet. One of their bar-tenders used to be a regular contributor around here, but I haven't seen him in a while.
Here's the current Firkin draft list. They usually have a cask-conditioned draught on the hand pull Fridays, but it goes pretty fast.
If you're looking for info on Chicago itself - see the links in this thread. http://beeradvocate.com/community/threads/heading-to-chicago-any-suggestions.43763/#post-552189 Not neccessarily beer related, but make a reservation at Girl & the Goat now. Great food, and good value (for what it is - a little pricey but better than anything else for the $, with the possible exception of longman & eagle).
