Gurnee, IL?

Im guessing most answers will be Woodmans in Kenosha. Im not too familiar with the Gurnee beer scene, but I can also say that DiCarlo's in Mundelein is pretty good too.

 

Timmy O'Tooles for a bar, and not any really good shops that I've come across.

 

The above is correct on beer stores. Sometimes Gold Eagle in Libertyville will have a few worthwhile things but don't expect much. Another sometimes interesting option is Wine Knows is Grayslake on Rt 45. They have a really nice selection for a wine store although most of it is sitting on the floor in boxes. If your willing to drive all the way to Kenosha there is also Antioch Liquors.

As for beer bars, the Firkin in Libertyville is your best bet. They almost always have a nice tap selection and just tapped Zombie Dust today (but it wont last long).

 

Just make the 20min drive up 94 and hit up the Woodmans in Kenosha, you can get most of the stuff from IL and they have NG goodies

 

I'll second Woodman's as well as DiCarlo in Mundelein (my usual go-to).

Firkin is arguably the best beer bar in Lake County. Whirlyball in Vernon Hills usually has a surprisingly good draft and bottle list as well. Lake Bluff Brewing Co. and Tighthead Brewing are both in the area too and have solid selections. Most of these locations are within about 5-10 miles of each other so you could conceivably knock off most or all of them if you have a few hours to spare.

Beermenus.com if you want to see what's around you too.

 

Skip O'Toole's, they don't clean the tap lines and every time I've been there one or all three of these things have sucked-Taps, Service, Food.

Firkin is the way to go and only about 15 minutes away in Libertyville, they are my go-to spot. They make some great food to pair with a fantastic tap menu and almost all of the servers/bartenders are good for advice. If Dave is there (has a monk style beard) he is the man...

Skip Mickey Finn's-overrated swill and the only spot where I returned a beer and said I wanted something that I could drink (Think it was called black santa's magic, supposed to be a mint stout that tasted like straight scope)

As far as stores you could almost do a round-robin and hit Wine Knows in Grayslake (they can get some brews from Mikkeller and Evil Twin the other places will never see...among others of course). Then hit Deli Lama on 83 and ride straight-up to Antioch on the corner of 83 and 173.

Gold Eagle isn't bad but the manager/owner is such a doosh to the beer buyers I'm not surprised when I see a limited release beer sitting there for weeks after everywhere else has sold-out. They do not get my money anymore.


Dicarlo's in Mundelein has a great selection as well but it is pretty similar to the selection in Antioch.

And I will agree with everyone else and say head-up to Woodman's for some New Glarus...thats a given, down the road is Uncle Mike's which has a good variety of national and Wisconsin only brews at a friendly price.

 

So sorry I missed this thread. I would have had you over for a few. Saturday was brew day for us so that would have been fun. I of course second DiCarlos because i live in Mundelein.

On a side note, any BA guys in the area interested in starting a tasting group?

 

"Brew day" as in homebrew, or as is you work at a brewery? I work in Lake Forest and drive down Rt 60 to get home to Algonquin, so periodic meetups for beer tastings might work for me. I just can't overdo it as I would be driving 20+ miles home.

 

brew day as in homebrew...I work in Vernon Hills and live in Mundelein so i am just trying to see who is close and or willing to host or travel to a tasting.

 

I'd be down with a local tasting group (I live in Grayslake). I know a couple other people in my hood that might be interested as well.

 

now we're talkin'!

 

I have a tasting group that meets in Beach Park on the first Friday of every month. BM me if you're interested.

 

Wine Knows in Grayslake -- just west on Washington St., across from College of Lake County.

Gold Eagle in Libertyville is right in the middle of the reconstruction armageddon of Rts. 21 and 137 -- I tried to get there last week and couldn't find an easy way in.

Also, of all places, the Citgo in Grayslake at the corner of Center and Rt. 83 is carrying a great selection of micro-brews. Check that out. And Cardinal Liquors on the corner of Grand Ave. (Rt. 132) and Rt. 21 has a good selection.

Lived in the area for 5 decades, beer-mail me with any questions.

 

Tasting in Lake Co. sounds great.

 

ChefBergo - if you disliked Mickey Finn's in the original location, their recent move has re-booted it into a douchey sports bar. Nearly a month on into their "grand opening" and they are unable to produce beer!!!!

Good golly miss molly, I would have stocked up on the most popular beers prior to the move to avoid this sort of situation!!! I do agree that MF's beer is boring to be kind and their management has been arrogant and defensive when I have tried to lodge a complaint about beer/food/service. I just don't go there anymore to avoid the hassle.

Light The Lamp in Grayslake is one of the hidden gems in Lake County IMHO, although I have to give Tighthead props also. Grayslake's Craft Beer Fest 2.0 is coming up May 31st 2014. If it is as good as last year's "fest" it will be a treat for all beer fans!

http://www.grayslakebeerfest.com