Drink to the Moment in Chicago Southland

“Here’s to you!”

“Raise your glass to toast the bride and groom!”

“TGIF!”

Whatever the reason you grab a drink, enjoy the moment! It is often advised by drink aficionados when tasting a craft beer, bourbon or wine to slow down, pay attention to your senses and enjoy the moment. The same can be said about travel. When you walk into a Chicago Southland brewery, distillery or winery, the warm Midwest atmosphere makes it easy for you to sit down, relax, reconnect and be in great spirits.

Breweries

There are ten unique Chicago Southland craft breweries to greet you with a delicious beer. Give a toast to the railroad history at Flossmoor Station Restaurant & Breweryin Flossmoor with “Station Master American Wheat” or a “Gandy Dancer Honey Lager”! Celebrate partnerships with two Tinley Park breweries, 350 Brewing Company and Hailstorm Brewing Co.  Together they make fun beer like “Howdy, Neighbor” a strawberry-lemon Kolsch. Separately, 350 Brewing makes a Double IPA called “Heavy Metal Garbageman”, an Abbey Single named “Harry Patersbeir” and a “350 Porter” made with vanilla coffee beans. On many weekends Hailstorm Brewing Co. will have food trucks serving great food and musicians serving even better tunes. In 2015, their Maibock called “Rock Out with Maibock Out” won the silver medal at the Great American Beer Festival. Celebrate Mother’s or Father’s Day or any day for that matter with great food and drinks at Granite City Food & Brewery in Orland Park. Check out their seasonal tapping events like “Freezer Burn Winter Warmer Dark Amber” making beer even more fun and tasty. Then enjoy a pint or two at Rock Bottom in Orland Park, where you’ll feel “Peachy Keen” after their strawberry and peach fruit beer. Pull up a chair and order a “Tribal Pale Ale” at Tribes Beer Company in Mokena, where they believe the beer needs to be hop forward and taste like beer. Celebrate the first Latino inspired microbrewery in the U.S. with “5 Grass Hoppy Ale” at 5 Rabbit Cerveceria in Bedford Park. Hop on your horse and ride over to One Trick Pony Brewery for a “Spotted Saddle” APA in Lansing. Then keep riding over to the newest brewery in Chicago Southland, Evil Horse Brewing Company in Crete to hear the story of the defiant racehorse Downtown Hottie, while drinking the American Wheat Ale named after the famed horse. Then experience the historic setting in Blue Island while you drink “Kellsch, not Coalsch” at Blue Island Beer Company, where they have darn good beer to enjoy in a cool and historic setting along Olde Western Avenue. Wherever you choose to sample your brew, the artisans behind the beer will make certain you enjoy every sip and moment!

Distilleries

Take a tour of Frankfort Spirits , located inside CD & ME in Frankfort, to experience the seven times distilled, three times filtered, super smooth Verdict Vodka, distilled under the roof of a former courthouse and made with 100% Illinois corn. Or fill your senses with aromas of butterscotch, caramel and some vanilla by drinking Emil Stimple Straight Bourbon. Make certain to head out to Crestwood to enjoy the silky-smooth vodka at Copper Still CD Vodka Lounge and Restaurant. In addition to their traditional CD Vodka, they also make ultra premium vodka, which is available in many flavored varieties like chocolate-peppermint, lemon and more. You’ll definitely enjoy the martini making classes, or if you’re more in the mood for a hands-off approach, sample eight different types of CD Vodka drinks during one of their tastings. Their food is quite delicious and remember to save room for a dessert martini. There is a strong Polish history for families in Chicago Southland, and they love their vodka. So you may hear “Na zdrowie!” and when translated from the Polish language means “To your health!”

 

Wineries

Now it’s time to “Wine” down at Cooper’s Hawk Winery and Restaurant in either Orland Park or Oak Lawn. Since opening in late 2005, Cooper’s Hawk has received over 300 wine awards from various local, national and international wine competitions. The type of wines they offer include sparkling, red, white, sweet red, blush, sangria, fruit, dessert and mulled. Start off the meal with the Crab & Lobster Bisque paired with a glass of Lux Chardonnay white wine. Try the Cabernet Zinfandel red wine with the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. They also offer a Live Balance menu that helps you watch your calories while still enjoying your wine. Save room for a Cooper’s Hawk dessert favorite, Chocolate Pretzel Bread Pudding paired with an Ice Wine, which is a luscious mix of tropical and stone fruit flavors with a burst of tartness.

Whether you’re visiting Chicago Southland for business or pleasure, relax and enjoy a drink. Whatever the occasion, Chicago Southland drink experts will make certain you enjoy each moment!

Where do you celebrate the great moments in life while visiting Chicago Southland? I'd love to hear in the comments below.