Crystal Lake Brewing — Restaurant in Crystal Lake

Summary: A fantastic spot to spend time with family and friends while enjoying some really well-made craft beers.

Quality: CLBC's beers are extremely good. I've had the full suite of offerings (not all at once, thankfully) and they're all really good. Most of the beers are fairly strait-down-the-middle styles, which I actually appreciate. It's nice to see folks doing a good job making styles everyone can appreciate.

Value: Their main offerings are priced roughly in-line with most brewpubs. Of course it's not going to be as cheap as crushing BLs at your corner dive, but you knew that already. Some of the higher ABV beers start to get a little pricey, but that's to be expected.

Ambiance and service: The beer is great, but the I love this place for the facility. It's a big open room where you can just hand out with family and friends. No TVs (thankfully), but they have plenty of board games and sometimes live music.

Tip: CLBC doesn't serve food, but they are fine with you getting delivery or bringing food. There is a Mexican grocery store across the street that does a mean burrito that goes extremely well with dark beer. It's a combo that is as delicious as...

A must visit of all the breweries along the Northwest Highway and Metra NW Route stop at Crystal Lake where hangs amon others an FOBAB Silver. Stayed true to its purpose of the last eleven years ... drink local ... brewing flavorful beer, changing with the season and pouring a true pint. Then there are the growlers and food trucks. No secrets here, there are also tours of a compact, efficient and by taste, a very succesful brewery. A real regular can join the Mug Club. So with all safety features in place run, jump, growl or crowl to CLB or find your favorite at an around town display from Jewel to Costco. And soon weather permitting, there among the white oak tables on the patio to enjoy a flagship pour or the latest Imperial Hazy IPA, Hoptopus or the Dunkel Lager or Clooney's Irish Stout. The latter has a finish smooth and creamy with a touch of sweetness that gives way to the traditional dry, bitter end of a known classic. Oh and the patio is dog friendly with water...

Had such a blast hanging with Ryan Clooney the head brewmaster , Beth Alberger the GM and of course drinking their amazing award winning beer! One of the coolest tap rooms in all of Illinois and some of the best customer service around. You feel so welcomed here that you and your friends are in no hurry to leave. Excellent vibes. Now onto the beer. Have been here multiple times and every beer I had was excellent. This beer, The Boathouse Reserve Rye Whiskey Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout Crystal won silver at FOBAB this year and it is lights out! I had every intention of saving the cans I brought home, but I drank them all! LOL. Crystal Lake Brewery opened August 2014 in Crystal Lake, IL. If you have not been here yet, get there and GET SOME! Make sure and follow me on You Tube and Instagram at...