The Blaum Brothers Tasting Grayslake showcase brings Galena’s premier craft distillery to Beer Bazaar on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM! Join us during the final summer Grayslake Farmers Market to sample handcrafted spirits including small-batch bourbon, rye, White Rum, and spicy HellFyre Vodka.
Blaum Brothers Tasting Grayslake Event Overview
Wednesday afternoons in downtown Grayslake bring community energy and local commerce together. Located directly along Center Street, Beer Bazaar acts as a gathering hub during the weekly Grayslake Farmers Market.
Galena’s favorite brothers—Matt and Mike Blaum—return to our taproom for a summer market finale. Their distillery produces full-flavored whiskeys, gins, rums, and specialty vodkas.
This complimentary four-hour tasting gives local spirit lovers a chance to sample small-batch releases. You can chat with brand experts and pick up bottles for cooling autumn evenings.
Featured Blaum Brothers Spirits Lineup
Blaum Brothers Distilling Co. controls every step of their production process in historic Galena, Illinois. They grind raw grains, ferment, distill in custom copper pot stills, and age their spirits on-site.
Here are the primary spirits available to sample during the Blaum Brothers Tasting Grayslake event:
1. Blaum Bros. Straight Bourbon Whiskey (100 Proof)
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Mash Bill & Maturation: Crafted from a rich midwestern grain bill of corn, rye, and malted barley. Aged in charred white oak barrels.
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Tasting Notes: Offers aromas of toasted oak, dark caramel, and vanilla bean. The palate delivers sweet corn, baking spices, and a long, warming finish.
2. Blaum Bros. Straight Rye Whiskey (100 Proof)
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Mash Bill & Maturation: Built on a heavy rye mash bill. Aged to perfection in deep-charred oak casks.
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Tasting Notes: Rich and spicy. Notes of cracked black pepper, dark honey, cinnamon stick, and toasted rye grain dominate the palate.
3. Blaum Bros. HellFyre Vodka (80 Proof)
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Flavor Infusion: Infused with real habanero peppers, jalapeño peppers, and cracked black pepper.
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Tasting Notes: A fiery spirit engineered for Bloody Marys. Delivers vibrant vegetable pepper flavor backed by an intense, warming heat finish.
4. Blaum Bros. Artisanal White Rum & Aged Rum (80 Proof)
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Fermentation & Maturation: Fermented from pure cane sugar and dark molasses.
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Tasting Notes: The White Rum features notes of fresh cut sugarcane, tropical fruit, and bright citrus. The Aged Rum offers buttery caramel and toasted coconut notes.
Craft Spirits Lineup & Tasting Comparison
| Spirit Expression | Base Ingredients / Grain | Alcohol Proof | Primary Flavor Characteristics | Ideal Serving Style |
| Straight Bourbon | Corn, Rye, Malted Barley | 100 Proof (50% ABV) | Caramel, Vanilla, Toasted Oak | Neat or Classic Old Fashioned |
| Straight Rye | High Rye Mash Bill | 100 Proof (50% ABV) | Black Pepper, Cinnamon, Honey | Manhattan or Sazerac |
| HellFyre Vodka | Grain Neutral Spirits + Peppers | 80 Proof (40% ABV) | Habanero, Jalapeño, Black Pepper | Ultimate Spicy Bloody Mary |
| White Rum | Pure Sugarcane & Molasses | 80 Proof (40% ABV) | Sugarcane, Lime Zest, Tropical Fruit | Mojito or Daiquiri |
The Distilling Science & Galena Terroir
Understanding what makes Blaum Brothers Distilling Co. unique requires examining their grain choices and custom copper equipment.
1. Custom Hybrid Copper Pot Stills
Blaum Brothers uses custom-built copper pot stills designed in Germany. Copper is essential during distillation because it chemically binds to volatile sulfur compounds.
Removing sulfur yields a clean, sweet distillate that allows delicate grain flavors to shine through maturation.
2. Midwestern Grain Sourcing & Barrel Aging
Galena sits in the Driftless region of Illinois. Local agricultural fields produce dense, starch-rich corn and rye grains.
When aged in charred American oak barrels, natural wood sugars melt into the high-proof spirit. This creates deep amber color, oak vanillin, and complex caramel notes without adding artificial additives.
Grayslake Farmers Market Season Transition
The Blaum Brothers Tasting Grayslake showcase marks an exciting seasonal milestone for downtown Grayslake.
This Wednesday event serves as the grand finale for the Wednesday Summer Market season. Following this event, community market shopping shifts to weekend mornings.
Grayslake Farmers Market Schedule Overview
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Summer Market (Final Week!): Wednesdays from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM (June 3rd through September 23rd).
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Fall Market (Starts Next!): Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM (September 26th through December 12th).
Step inside Beer Bazaar during your Wednesday evening market walk to celebrate the close of the summer season.
Cocktail Recipes & Food Pairing Guide
Elevate your home drinking experience using Blaum Brothers spirits:
1. The HellFyre Galena Bloody Mary
Combine 2 oz of Blaum Bros. HellFyre Vodka with 4 oz of premium Bloody Mary mix and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Shake over ice and garnish with celery, sharp cheddar, and crispy bacon.
2. The Autumn Rye Manhattan
Stir 2 oz of Blaum Bros. Straight Rye Whiskey with 1 oz of sweet vermouth and two dashes of Angostura bitters over ice. Strain into a chilled glass and garnish with a maraschino cherry.
3. Market Food Pairings
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Spicy HellFyre Vodka: Pairs with wood-fired pizza, spicy wings, and cured charcuterie.
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Straight Bourbon: Matches smoked brisket, pulled pork, and dark chocolate desserts.
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Artisanal White Rum: Complements fresh ceviche, goat cheese crostini, and key lime pie.
Step-by-Step Arrival & Tasting Guide
Attending our Wednesday spirits showcase is simple and welcoming:
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Arrive Between 3:00 PM & 7:00 PM: Walk down Center Street during the Wednesday Farmers Market.
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Head to the Tasting Table: Step inside our air-conditioned taproom at 107 Center Street.
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Sample Free Pours: Meet the distillery team and sample custom pours of bourbon, rye, rum, and vodka.
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Browse Package Shelves: Pick up full bottles of your favorite expressions to stock your home bar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an entry fee for the Blaum Brothers Tasting Grayslake event?
No! The Blaum Brothers Tasting Grayslake showcase is 100% free to attend for all guests aged 21 and older.
What time does the spirits tasting take place?
The tasting session runs from 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
Can I purchase bottles of Blaum Brothers to take home?
Yes! Beer Bazaar maintains retail bottle stock of Blaum Brothers Distilling Co. spirits in our package shop.
Can I bring outside food to Beer Bazaar during the event?
Yes! Guests are welcome to bring food purchased from Farmers Market vendors or neighboring downtown Grayslake restaurants into the taproom.
Where is Beer Bazaar located?
Beer Bazaar is located in historic downtown Village of Grayslake at 107 Center St, Grayslake, IL 60030.
Hub & Spoke Cluster: Related Grayslake Events
Explore our connected event hubs and upcoming taproom activities:
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Pillar Event Hub: View our complete schedule on the Grayslake Community Events Calendar.
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Tuesday Night Trivia: Join us for Tuesday Trivia Night Grayslake every Tuesday at 6:30 PM.
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First Friday Party: Attend First Fridays Karaoke Grayslake on the first Friday of every month.
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Draft & Package Hub: Browse active pours on the main Beer Bazaar Taproom Menu.
Visit Beer Bazaar for the Blaum Brothers Tasting
Stroll through the final summer Farmers Market, step into our taproom on Center Street this Wednesday afternoon, and sample small-batch craft spirits from Blaum Brothers Distilling Co.!
For bottle holds or storefront directions, call our team directly at (224) 541-4494. See you in historic downtown Village of Grayslake!