Firkin

This is a funky place that used to be the gold standard in Lake County. It has about 30 taps and a few beer engines. Always a good selection. The grass fed burgers are great here, in general the food is pretty good here. The ambiance is a bit hoity toity but its okay. Lots of pub crawls of mongoloids come through here as well.

Cool place. Long bar, some tables. Funky international decor. Service was solid. Could have been better, it was inattentive, but the bartender was friendly and it was slow. Hopefully they pull out their A game when its busy. Did not try the food as I was not asked if I wanted food or given a food menu. Their loss... I was hungry. Good beer list. Some regional seasonals, rarities, and a vintage beer (2015 Lost Abbey IPA). Prices on beer were solid. They were willing to provide small samples. Parking is probably easier if you go behind the building (which I did not do). Fairly easy jaunt off of I-94. Overall, solid stop.

Not exactly the most convenient for most Chicago visitors, this joint is a little treasure way up north. Tucked away in a very well-heeled suburb, this is a warm, friendly neighborhood joint that has terrific pub grub (sausage plate: CLICK) and a stellar tap list. Lots of different sizes so you can tick quite a few, and I was impressed with the mix of regional/local craft and some domestics and Europeans I’d not even heard of before. Great joint.

Entrance in back, not on Milwaukee Ave.--look for the red door. Long bar with a smattering of tables for the restaurant. Be forewarned that if you sit at a table, you have to order food (generally). Christmas lights decorate year round, color based on season (purple and green for mardi gras, etc). Lots of beer type signs and odd kitchy stuff all over the place. Huge beautiful area behind the bar that they can tell you a story about. Servers very knowledgeable, especially behind the bar. Dave and his crew really know their stuff. 30 taps that are constantly changing and is very easy to find 4 or 5 that you really want. Food is a bit pricey but generally excellent and is not your standard bar fare. This place is a gold mine, so unless you come at an off time, prepare to wait.

Cool bar. Good selection and variety of taps; import/domestic, local/national, with some nice out of the ordinary and rare taps. A number of bottles available as well, although the only one I asked fore happened to be unavailable... Was there at non-peak hours so service was prompt. Long bar with a good amount of seating. Worth a stop if you’re in the area.

a great craft beer bar. awesome food and awesome selection of beer.

First visit on a week night, nearly full for dinner. Found entrance in the back of the building. Really great tap list, lots of beers I can’t usually get. Comfortable place, narrow with a long bar, decent food. Good service,

NIce variety on tap and bottle...staff allows samples of most beers. Service rated low because someone in my party had a very restrictive diet..and it took multiple explinations to get food ordered right. Get the calamari....nice.

A surprising place with nice food and drinks. A Skinny space but they do a good job of using it with a long bar and tables. Service is good with nice recommendations. Selection is surprising for being up this way with a few nice things on tap. Food has been good on both my visits. Prices are not bad either.

Beer selection is great and always changing. Almost always has a cask beer available. Food is excellent and unique. Great service. Overall an excellent place to hangout and drink good beer.