Beer Garden at Independence Grove

WHERE IS THIS?
16400 West Buckley Road
Libertyville,IL 60048

Beer Garden at Independence Grove

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The Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville is closed for the season. We look forward to seeing you in the Spring!

The Beer Garden features a variety of Lake County craft brews on tap, along with packaged snacks and other beverages. Plenty of casual lakeside seating is available. Purchase a light meal, snack or beverage to be delivered to you from the preserve's café

Beer Garden Menu  Café Menu


Pets

No dogs, horses or other pets are allowed in the preserve or preserve facilities.

Service Animals

Qualified services animals are allowed throughout the preserve and in all preserve facilities.


Brewed

Brewed XIII (13)

Hibiscus Shandy • 4.8% ABV
Contained no dye (or cicadas!)
Brewed exclusively for the Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville

Inspired by periodical cicadas, Harbor Brewing Company in Lake Villa teamed up with the Forest Preserves to celebrate the cicadas’ 2024 arrival with a new beer! Brewed XIII (13) was aptly named after the brood of cicadas that emerged this summer after spending 17 years underground.

The shandy was deep red, inspired by the eyes of the insect. It burst with refreshing tropical vibes thanks to infusions of lemonade and hibiscus tea. The beer, which contains no dye or cicadas, was floral and fruity.

Learn About Cicadas Get a Brewed XIII (13) Shirt


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Compostable Cups

Look for these signs at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville. These compostable cups are an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional plastic and are made from annually renewable plant-sourced NatureWorks ® PLA. Each week a compost pick-up service collects the cups to properly dispose of them.


Host an Event

Offering panoramic views of the lake and preserve, the Beer Garden at Independence Grove can be reserved for special events such as birthday parties, reunions, picnics, corporate retreats and other private celebrations. Available to rent late spring through late fall, the Beer Garden features a variety of local craft brews on tap, along with packaged snacks and other beverages. There are semi private and full buy-out options available, and plenty of casual lakeside seating. For catering arrangements, please contact Relish Events at Independence Grove at 847-665-9211 or info@relisheventsig.com, or you can bring in the food yourself.

Please fill out an events inquiry form, and our team will be in touch soon.

Semi-Private

$300

  • Includes 3 hours access to Beer Garden back patio with up to 10 bar height tables.
  • Private access to rear restrooms.
  • 1 bartender for event.
  • Choice of up to 3 draft beers or 2 draft beers and a can selection from current inventory of beers.
  • Canned beers, seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages available.
  • Pre-purchased beverage tokens available (1/guest) at $5/token.

Event Inquiry Form

Please fill out the request form below to inquire about hosting an event at the Beer Garden at Independence Grove. If you are unable to fill out the form or would prefer to inquire over the phone, please contact us at 847-968-3473 or by email at IndependenceGrove@LCFPD.org.

*Required

Beer Garden at Independence Grove

Activities

Amenities

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More About This Facility

Parking

Preserve hours: 6:30 am to sunset, daily.

Visitors Center hours: 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, unless otherwise posted.


Entrance and Parking

Free for Lake County residents. Driver's license is required for proof of residency.
$6 per car for nonresidents, Mon–Thu, $12 Fri–Sun and holidays. Fees collected spring through fall.
Vehicle window sticker available
$5 for Lake County residents only. Purchase at Visitors Center.
Sticker allows visitors to bypass showing the required proof of county residency on each visit. Just point out your sticker to the gate attendant to be waved through. Sticker is good for the life of the vehicle's window and is not transferable.

Scenic Views

Independence Grove welcomes many different kinds of visitors. During the spring, birds stop here to rest and feed during their long journey to nesting grounds as far north as the Arctic. Watch the trees along the Des Plaines River Greenway corridor for many colorful species of warblers. 

The preserve's rolling prairies, open fields and woodlands offer the perfect environment for a variety of wildlife like owls, muskrats, beavers, minks, raccoons, possums and deer. Take a guided night hike with our naturalists and you might even spy an owl in the oak forest.

We also encourage wildlife by creating habitats for them. Special underwater shelves around the lakeshore are designed for aquatic plants. Above and below the water's surface, these plants provide nesting sites, cover and food for all types of wildlife.

Location

The entrance is on Buckley Road (Route 137) east of Milwaukee Avenue (Route 21). Follow signs to the Beer Garden.

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