Beer Garden at Independence Grove

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16400 West Buckley Road
Libertyville,IL 60048
Facility Map

Beer Garden at Independence Grove

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The Beer Garden at Independence Grove in Libertyville is open for the season. 

From spring through fall, the Beer Garden features a variety of Lake County craft brews on tap along with other beverages, packaged snacks, and light meals available for delivery to your table. Plenty of casual lakeside seating is available.

Hours:

Tuesday–Thursday: 5–9 pm
Friday–Sunday and holidays: 1–9 pm

Beer Garden Menu Upcoming Events

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Exclusive Brews:
Heroes & Villains

We teamed up with Harbor Brewing Co. again to launch two limited-edition beers channeling the spirit of iconic heroes and villains for the Beer Garden. The cans feature artwork inspired by the upcoming special exhibition at the Dunn Museum.

Heroes · Blueberry Golden Ale · 5.5% ABV

This fruited golden ale blends blueberry and blue spirulina–a natural plant-based pigment–to create a light, balanced fruitiness with a hint of natural sweetness. The result is a daring, fearless blue that steals the spotlight.

Villains · Cherry Hibiscus Golden Ale · 5.5% ABV

Refreshing cherry flavor bursts out of this fruited golden ale, perfectly balanced by the tropical essence of hibiscus. Its bold red hue mirrors the vibrant energy of a supervillain.

Proceeds from the new beers support the Preservation Foundation’s Every Acre Strong campaign, which helps protect Forest Preserves land for future generations.

Learn More   View 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.

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 [email protected], 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: $350

  • Includes 3 hours access to Beer Garden Back Patio.
  • Private access to rear restrooms.
  • Canned beers, seltzers and non-alcoholic beverages available.
  • Pre-purchased beverage tokens available (2/guest) at $5.75/token.

Observation Deck Rental: $200/hour with a 3 hour minimum

  • Access to deck overlooking the lake.
  • Able to order directly at counter or upgrade to a private beer cart.
  • Pre-purchased beverage tokens available (2/guest) at $5.75/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 [email protected].

*Required

Beer Garden at Independence Grove

Activities

  • Banquets/Weddings/Meetings
  • Hiking

Amenities

  • Beer Service
  • Beverages and Snacks
  • Drinking Water
  • Fire Pits
  • Heated Restrooms
  • Picnic Table Seating
  • Sand Volleyball Court
  • Trails
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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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