An estimated 2,000 people attended the 11th annual Lake County Beer Fest Saturday in the Expo Hall at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake.
More than 50 beverage vendors participated, according to Chey Pribel, the director of marketing for the Fairgrounds and Event Center.
“The funny thing is that craft beer has changed over the last year,” she said. “We’ve actually seen more people interested in ciders and wines and things like that, so we’re actually trying to play that up a little bit more, too, by offering some different vendors who have that to diversify.”
There were Lake County-based home brewers, and larger businesses such as distilleries, wineries and breweries.
“Lake County is definitely a destination for … national and local breweries,” Pribel said. “We’ve got a ton around here. There are a lot of brewing societies, too, that we love being able to showcase.
“We love being able to bring people together,” she continued. “It’s fun to just have a 21-and-over event. It’s just kind of a night to let loose, get a babysitter for the kids, just kind of come on down (and) have some good clean fun. We have lots of entertainment for all of our adults.”
The event had a “fire and ice” theme. Those in attendance were encouraged to don fire and ice accessories and dress up for the costume contest. People were seen wearing lighted icicle tiaras or fiery orange costume wigs. They posed for pictures in front of a festively themed backdrop.
Lynn Columbus of Gurnee wore a lighted red devil horn headband. For tasting, Columbus prefers stouts over ciders.
“We love Lake County breweries, are you kidding me?” she said. “It’s fabulous,” Columbus added, citing Mundelein, Grayslake, Libertyville and Mundelein as examples. “We go all over.”
Several participated in the costume contest. Winners were selected based on how loud the audience was in clapping and cheering.
Taking first-place with a trophy and a gold medal for a cold-weather themed ice blue costume was Brad Hortness of Edison Park. He said it felt “awesome” to win, calling the gold medal “my Olympic moment.”
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Brewery staff pouring signature beverages such as pale ales and key lime pie sours included Rick Hill, co-owner of 9th Hour Brewing of Lake Villa.
“We’ve been real fortunate,” Hill said. “We’re in about 50 different locations in Lake County. We just self-distribute, so we’re pretty happy with Lake County.”
Waukegan home brewers Renee Weinberger and spouse J.D. Blythin poured a red pepper ale for heat and edible glitter diamond sweet cider for coolness on behalf of their McKenna Road Brewery. The couple made five gallons of each variety.
Weinberger wore a rhinestone tiara to pour the diamond cider.
“I was like trying to come up with the ice princess (vibe),” Weinberger said.