Hike & Hydrate: Beer Trails
I smell a series coming on. The more we travel, the more we’ll need to stop for a drink. But let’s start with what I know best - Central Illinois.
Nearby hikes: Kickapoo State Recreation Area and Kennekuk Cove Country Park.
Big Thorn is located in Georgetown, Ill. True to it’s name, it’s a farm in the middle of fields, with an incredible treehouse bar, lots of green space, and beer made with home-grown ingredients.
Nearby hikes: Clinton Loop,
Two Doors Down is located in the heart of downtown Clinton, Ill. It’s got a fun, local atmosphere, a love for dogs, and a yummy local restaurant (two doors down), Snapper’s, that provides excellent post-hike carbs. If the beer isn’t enough.
Nearby hikes: Homer Lake Nature Preserve
Rigg’s is a spacious, German-style brewery located on the edge of Urbana, Ill. With good weather, it’s got one of the most expansive outdoor patios in Illinois (if not the Midwest) with adorable farm cats and a rotation of local food trucks.
4. Destihl and/or Keg Grove Brewery
Nearby hike: Comlara Park
Located in Normal, Ill., both of these breweries offer different, but lovely, experiences. Destihl is a high-end restaurant with an exceptional and locally-focused menu and memorable beer hall. Keg Grove, located right off of the Constitution Trail, is an energetic, neighborhood brewery.
Nearby hike: Fugate Woods Nature Preserve
Drive slowly as you come up on Emancipation, located in Fairbury, Ill. It’s located in the country, right next to the owner’s property in a beautifully renovated old barn.