Crystal Lake Brewing

CLB is a treasure to downtown Crystal lake. It's located in the heart of the downtown area and offers a space for a multitude of activities. We were able to bring our dog, share drinks, and play some games before our wedding. Beth was incredibly helpful and accommodating as well as Greg who was the bar tender for the afternoon. Cannot recommend enough!

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 dishes availble.

Really fun vibe! We ordered a flight to try some of their beers which ended up being a win! Ended our night playing some shuffleboard. Fun place and I'm sure when the weather is nice the patio is equally a fun spot to hang out. Everyone was very friendly and you get a cool view of the brewery sitting at the bar.

Love this brewery! Delicious brews with lots of selection. They even have non alcoholic options if needed. Seating indoors and outdoors. You can even bring your dog! Always clean with friendly service! No food available for purchase, but you can bring your own food, order for delivery, or purchase from a food truck if available.

Update: took me a year but I finally made it back for a visit. The beers just as good as I remember it. Due to the weird Illinois liquor licensing they don't serve anything other than beer or cider. The cider is gluten-free and the couple that I tasted were very good. Had been in town for a few hours. Tried one of their beers at the hotel. Two others at the restaurant. Super excited to go to the brewery but unfortunately it was a slow Monday night and instead of closing at 10:00 they closed up at 9:00. Would have started my night here but they don't serve any food so went to dinner first. Looks cool from the outside. Hope to get back next time I'm in the area.

My wife and I went here over the weekend and really enjoyed this place. Unfortunately, we live about an hour away, but we will try to come back as much as we can! Their beer is great as well as their story. We took a tour, which is TOTALLY worth your time! There were some nice surprises along the way and it was great to hear about a business with so much pride in what they do. We will be purchasing more Crystal Lake the next time we are at Binny's!

Nice local brewery right on the corner, feels very busy all around you while you're sitting on the patio taking it easy. Nice citrusy beer selection, we had four of them, all slightly different but all very good. They offered our dog a bowl of water and a dog treat right away which is so cool. We really like local things and when local things are actually good it's nice. They don't have a food menu which seems to be a brewery thing so just be aware. Fantastic quick stop and we will be back.

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 A Biker Dude!