The New Brew Thursday drops Grayslake craft beverage community anticipates all week have officially landed at Beer Bazaar! Your favorite local bottle shop is stocked to the brim with fresh autumn arrivals, world-class German Doppelbocks, award-winning Belgian wheat beers, non-alcoholic IPAs, and premium Mexican agave cocktails.
Our retail package shop displays are loaded with 1,000-year-old brewery classics, spiced chai hard ciders, nitro pumpkin stouts, and estate spirits.
New Brew Thursday Drops Grayslake Overview & Highlights
Thursday nights at Beer Bazaar mark the arrival of fresh regional releases, national classics, and seasonal restocks. As shown in our drop photo, our display table is packed with everything from German festbiers to gluten-free pumpkin ales.
Whether you are seeking iconic GABF gold medalists, low-calorie session lagers, or premium 100% Blue Agave tequila canned cocktails, tonight’s lineup features 26 distinct products across 21 top-tier producers.
Weihenstephaner, 28 Mile & Numbskull Historic Classics
Historic German brewing traditions and local Illinois craft spirits lead off today’s arrival list.
1. Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan: Korbinian (7.4% ABV)
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.80 / 5 | World Beer Awards Medalist
- Producer: Crafted by Weihenstephan, the world’s oldest continuously operating brewery (est. 1040).
- Tasting Notes: A dark German Doppelbock featuring aromas of roasted malts, dark chocolate, dried plums, and toasted bread crust with a warming, velvety malt finish.
2. 28 Mile Distilling Co: Hidden Door Gin (43.5% ABV / 87 Proof — Restocked!)
- Ratings: Bartender Spirits Awards & USA Spirits Ratings Medalist
- Producer: Distilled in Highwood, Illinois, by 28 Mile Distilling Co.
- Tasting Notes: Copper pot-distilled using limestone-filtered water. Infused with piney juniper, zesty citrus peel, and warm baking spices for a creamy texture and balanced botanical finish.
3. Numbskull Whiskey: Mint & Chocolate Flavored Whiskey (35.0% ABV / 70 Proof — Restocked!)
- Ratings: Fresh Local Drop (Unrated)
- Producer: Crafted by Numbskull Whiskey.
- Tasting Notes: An indulgent flavored craft whiskey blending sweet cocoa and cool peppermint with smooth aged American whiskey warmth.
Sketchbook Brewing & Haymarket Autumn Lagers & IPAs
Skokie and Chicago craft icons deliver sessionable lagers and heavy dry-hopped IPAs.
Sketchbook Brewing Company (Skokie & Evanston, IL)
- Doodle Low-ABV Pale Lager (2.4% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.72 / 5
- Producer: Sketchbook Brewing Company
- Tasting Notes: A mindful session lager brewed with Vienna malts. Delivers clean malt character, subtle floral hops, and crisp drinkability at just 89 calories per 12 oz.
- Oktoberfest Märzen (5.4% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.65 / 5
- Tasting Notes: A seasonal German-style lager featuring toasted biscuit malts, amber clarity, and a smooth, clean finish.
- Orange Door DDH Hazy IPA (7.2% ABV — Restocked!):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.85 / 5
- Tasting Notes: Double dry-hopped for bold aromas of candied orange peel, ripe tropical fruit, and resinous pine over a soft malt base.
- Insufficient Clearance Hazy Session IPA (5.0% ABV — Restocked!):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.76 / 5
- Tasting Notes: A sessionable hazy IPA offering juicy citrus, passionfruit aromatics, and a light, crushable body.
Haymarket Pub & Brewery (Chicago, IL)
- Fest Bier German-Style Lager (5.7% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.62 / 5
- Producer: Haymarket Pub & Brewery
- Tasting Notes: Brewed according to traditional Bavarian festival standards. Showcases bright golden clarity, soft honeyed bread maltiness, and a clean noble hop bite.
Roaring Table, Ghostfish & Trillium Hazy IPAs & Pumpkin Ales
Elite regional and national craft producers deliver tropical hazies and gluten-free autumn offerings.
1. Roaring Table Brewery (Lake Zurich, IL)
- Southern Tuba! Hazy IPA (7.2% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 4.10 / 5 (Series Rating)
- Producer: Roaring Table Brewery
- Hop Profile: Hopped with Citra, Nectaron, Nelson Sauvin, and Galaxy hops.
- Tasting Notes: Intense aromatics of tropical fruit salad, passionfruit, and white wine grape with a soft, pillowy body.
- Midsized Hazy IPA (5.25% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.75 / 5
- Tasting Notes: Hopped with Cashmere, Citra, and Motueka. Delivers bright lime zest, sweet peach, and tropical melon notes in a lighter profile.
2. Ghostfish Brewing Company (Seattle, WA)
- Gluten-Free Lunar Harvest Pumpkin Ale (5.0% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.50 / 5
- Producer: Dedicated gluten-free brewery Ghostfish Brewing Company
- Tasting Notes: A naturally gluten-free Belgian-style pumpkin ale brewed with real pumpkin puree, autumn spices, lactose, and Belgian yeast for aromas of warm nutmeg and cinnamon.
3. Trillium Brewing Company (Canton, MA)
- Trucks & Buses Must Exit Left Hazy Pale Ale (5.5% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 4.01 / 5
- Producer: New England craft icon Trillium Brewing Company
- Tasting Notes: Pours a cloudy straw color with aromas of fresh pineapple, overripe mango, and stone fruit, balanced by a gentle resinous hop bitterness.
Urban Chestnut, Pig Minds & Nik & Ivy Specialty Brews
Authentic Bavarian lagers, vegan autumn Märzen lagers, and winter porters enrich our retail shelves.
1. Urban Chestnut Brewing Company (St. Louis, MO)
- Festbier German-Style Seasonal Lager:
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.68 / 5
- Producer: Urban Chestnut Brewing Company
- Tasting Notes: Crafted by St. Louis’ premier traditional lager specialists. Features toasted Munich malt depth, golden-amber hue, and crisp, authentic Bavarian drinkability.
2. Pig Minds Brewing Co. (Machesney Park, IL)
- Brieekraut Oktoberfest Märzen (6.0% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.65 / 5
- Producer: Rockford area’s 100% plant-based/vegan craft brewery Pig Minds Brewing Co.
- Tasting Notes: A traditional Oktoberfest lager with toasted caramel malt depth, amber clarity, and a clean, dry finish.
3. Nik & Ivy Brewing (Lombard, IL)
- Snoasis Vanilla Porter (5.8% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.78 / 5
- Producer: Nik & Ivy Brewing
- Tasting Notes: A smooth winter porter conditioned on sweet vanilla beans, layering baker’s dark chocolate and roasted coffee malts with a creamy vanilla finish.
- Good Better Best Hazy IPA (5.5% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.70 / 5
- Tasting Notes: An easy-drinking session hazy IPA featuring juicy citrus oil, ripe tropical fruit aromatics, and a soft finish.
Schilling Chai Cider & Off Color Gose Releases
Spiced artisan ciders and tart, savory Gose styles offer refreshing alternative flavor profiles.
1. Schilling Hard Cider x Dragonfly Chai: Chaider (6.5% ABV)
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.90 / 5
- Collaborators: Produced by Schilling Hard Cider in collaboration with Oregon’s Dragonfly Chai.
- Tasting Notes: Blends crisp Pacific Northwest apples with authentic chai tea spices including cinnamon, clove, and cardamom.
2. Off Color Brewing Playful Releases (Chicago, IL)
- Beer For Dealing With Relocation Hoppy Wheat Ale (5.0% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.70 / 5
- Producer: Off Color Brewing
- Tasting Notes: A playful hoppy wheat ale offering a fluffy wheat malt backbone, bright citrus hop notes, and a clean, refreshing finish.
- Pomegranate Beer For Tacos Gose (4.8% ABV):
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.77 / 5
- Tasting Notes: A tart, refreshing Gose brewed with real pomegranate juice, coriander, and sea salt. Pairs bright berry acidity with a subtle savory salt contrast.
Southern Tier, Solemn Oath, Rhinegeist & Cigar City Classics
Nitro pumpkin stouts, fall festbiers, and all-time craft IPA classics anchor our main display tables.
1. Southern Tier Brewing Company: Nitro Warlock (8.6% ABV)
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.95 / 5
- Producer: Southern Tier Brewing Company
- Tasting Notes: A seasonal imperial stout served on nitrogen. Infused with pumpkin and pie spices for a cascading, velvety pour loaded with dark chocolate, espresso, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
2. Solemn Oath Brewery: Oktoberface (5.7% ABV)
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.72 / 5
- Producer: Solemn Oath Brewery
- Tasting Notes: Solemn Oath’s annual fall release featuring a rich copper color, sweet toasted bread crust malts, and a crisp lager finish.
3. Rhinegeist Brewery: Franz Oktoberfest (5.4% ABV)
- Ratings: Untappd: 3.68 / 5
- Producer: Rhinegeist Brewery
- Tasting Notes: A traditional seasonal lager boasting a copper hue, toasted biscuit maltiness, and clean Bavarian hop balance.
4. Cigar City Brewing: Jai Alai American IPA (7.5% ABV — Classic!)
- Ratings: GABF Medalist | Untappd: 3.92 / 5 (150,000+ Reviews)
- Producer: Cigar City Brewing
- Tasting Notes: An all-time craft classic! Double dry-hopped for bold flavors of yellow clementines, candied orange peel, and heavy resinous pine.
Go Brewing NA Double IPA, VMC Cocktails & Allagash White
Zero-proof award winners, celebrity Mexican tequila cocktails, and multi-gold medal Belgian witbiers complete today’s drop.
1. Go Brewing: The Story Non-Alcoholic Double IPA (<0.5% ABV)
- Ratings: 2024 Award Winner | Untappd: 3.34 / 5
- Producer: Go Brewing
- Hop Profile: Triple dry-hopped with Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic hops to deliver 57 IBUs of genuine DIPA bitterness.
- Tasting Notes: Bright grapefruit peel, resinous pine, and tropical papaya notes at less than 0.5% ABV.
2. VMC Tequila Canned Cocktails (5.5% ABV — Restocked!)
- Ratings: Premium Ready-to-Drink Mexican Spirits
- Brand Partners: Created in partnership with Vicente Fernández family estate and boxing champion Canelo Álvarez.
- Flavors: Crafted with 100% Blue Agave blanco tequila and real fruit juices. Includes Paloma, Margarita, Mangonada, and the NEW Pepino Limón (cucumber and zesty lime).
3. Allagash Brewing Company: Allagash White (5.2% ABV — Restocked!)
- Ratings: GABF & World Beer Cup Multi-Gold Medalist | Untappd: 3.79 / 5
- Producer: Allagash Brewing Company
- Packaging: Restocked in 19.2 oz single cans and 12 oz 12-packs.
- Tasting Notes: The benchmark American-brewed Belgian witbier, spiced with coriander and Curaçao orange peel for a cloudy, refreshing profile.
New Release Inventory & Rating Quick-Guide
| Product Name | Producer / Brand | Beverage Style | ABV / Dosing | Ratings |
| Korbinian Doppelbock | Weihenstephan | Dark German Doppelbock | 7.4% ABV | World Beer Awards Medal | Untappd: 3.80 |
| Hidden Door Gin | 28 Mile Distilling | Small Batch Artisanal Gin | 43.5% ABV | Bartender Spirits Gold Medal |
| Doodle Pale Lager | Sketchbook | Low-ABV Session Lager | 2.4% ABV | Untappd: 3.72 / 5 (89 Calories) |
| Southern Tuba! | Roaring Table | Hazy DIPA | 7.2% ABV | Untappd: 4.10 / 5 |
| Lunar Harvest | Ghostfish | Gluten-Free Pumpkin Ale | 5.0% ABV | Untappd: 3.50 / 5 |
| Trucks & Buses | Trillium | New England Hazy Pale | 5.5% ABV | Untappd: 4.01 / 5 |
| Chaider | Schilling x Dragonfly | Spiced Chai Hard Cider | 6.5% ABV | Untappd: 3.90 / 5 |
| Beer For Tacos | Off Color | Pomegranate Gose | 4.8% ABV | Untappd: 3.77 / 5 |
| Nitro Warlock | Southern Tier | Imperial Nitro Pumpkin | 8.6% ABV | Untappd: 3.95 / 5 |
| Jai Alai IPA | Cigar City | Classic American IPA | 7.5% ABV | GABF Medalist | Untappd: 3.92 |
| The Story NA DIPA | Go Brewing | Non-Alcoholic DIPA | <0.5% ABV | 2024 Award Winner (57 IBUs) |
| VMC Tequila Cans | VMC Drinks | 100% Blue Agave Cocktails | 5.5% ABV | Pepino Limón, Paloma, Margarita |
| Allagash White | Allagash | Belgian Witbier | 5.2% ABV | GABF & WBC Multi-Gold Medalist |
Technical Brewing & Distilling Science Breakdown
To help craft beverage lovers appreciate today’s arrivals, here is a technical breakdown of the production chemistry featured in this release:
1. Decoction Mashing in German Doppelbocks
In Weihenstephaner Korbinian, the world’s oldest brewery utilizes traditional decoction mashing.
A portion of the grain mash is removed, boiled in a separate vessel, and returned to the main mash tun.
This process triggers intense Maillard reactions, creating complex melanoidin compounds that impart rich toasted bread crust, dried plum, and dark caramel flavors without requiring heavy caramel specialty malts.
2. Triple Dry-Hopping in Non-Alcoholic IPA Formulations
In Go Brewing The Story NA DIPA, achieving 57 IBUs and authentic double IPA aroma without alcohol requires precise hop timing.
Brewers perform a triple dry-hop regimen using Simcoe, Citra, and Mosaic hops during cold conditioning.
Because alcohol is absent, hop polyphenols and essential oils (myrcene and humulene) bind directly to unfermented malt dextrins, delivering true IPA bitterness and mouthfeel at less than 0.5% ABV.
3. Nitrogenated Gas Dissolution in Pumpkin Stouts
In Southern Tier Nitro Warlock, the stout is packaged with a blend of 70% nitrogen and 30% carbon dioxide gas.
Because nitrogen is less soluble in liquid than carbon dioxide, pouring the beer triggers a cascading surge of micro-bubbles. This creates a dense, velvety head that softens roasted malt astringency and amplifies warm cinnamon and nutmeg pie spices.
Food & Beverage Pairing Suggestions
Elevate your Thursday evening tasting experience at home with these recommended food pairings:
- Weihenstephaner Korbinian: Pair alongside braised beef short ribs, smoked pork chops, or aged gouda cheese.
- Schilling Chaider Spiced Cider: Matches warm cinnamon donuts, pork tenderloin, or sharp cheddar slices.
- Allagash White Belgian Witbier: Excellent with steamed mussels, goat cheese crostini, or fresh ceviche.
- Southern Tier Nitro Warlock Stout: Enjoy with pumpkin pie, chocolate lava cake, or roasted pecans.
Step-by-Step Taproom Arrival Guide
Visiting Beer Bazaar to snag these new releases is simple and welcoming:
- Visit Downtown Grayslake: Head to 107 Center Street in historic downtown Village of Grayslake.
- Inspect the Arrival Displays: Check out our main display tables and coolers filled with fresh arrivals from Trillium, Ghostfish, Schilling, and Off Color.
- Build Your Custom Mix-Pack: Select individual cans across all featured breweries to craft a custom 4-pack or 6-pack to-go.
- Enjoy Fresh Pours & Outside Food: Grab a fresh draft glass pour at the bar. Feel free to bring takeout or order delivery from local downtown Grayslake restaurants to enjoy at your taproom table.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find New Brew Thursday drops in Grayslake, Illinois?
Beer Bazaar carries the complete New Brew Thursday drops Grayslake selection in our package shop and taproom at 107 Center Street in downtown Grayslake.
Are Ghostfish Lunar Harvest Pumpkin Ale cans 100% gluten-free?
Yes! Ghostfish Brewing Company is a dedicated 100% gluten-free brewery. Lunar Harvest is brewed without barley or wheat and is completely safe for celiacs.
What flavors do VMC Tequila canned cocktails come in?
VMC canned cocktails are made with 100% Blue Agave blanco tequila and come in Paloma, Margarita, Mangonada, and the NEW Pepino Limón (cucumber and zesty lime).
Can I purchase single cans at Beer Bazaar?
Yes! You can mix and match individual single cans across all featured breweries, cideries, and non-alcoholic brands in our retail shop.
Hub & Spoke Cluster: Related Grayslake Events
Explore our connected event hubs and upcoming taproom activities:
- Pillar Event Hub: View our full schedule on the Grayslake Community Events Calendar.
- Tuesday Night Trivia: Join us for Tuesday Trivia Night Grayslake every Tuesday at 6:30 PM.
- First Friday Party: Attend First Fridays Karaoke Grayslake on the first Friday of every month.
- Draft & Package Hub: Browse active glass pours on the main Beer Bazaar Taproom Menu.
Visit Beer Bazaar Tonight for New Brew Thursday Drops Grayslake
Stop by Center Street tonight to explore our fresh arrivals and pick up these New Brew Thursday drops Grayslake releases!
For inventory holds or product questions, call us directly at (224) 541-4494. See you in the historic Village of Grayslake center!
