Buffalo Creek Brewing (BCB) is shifting its new summer Bootcamp Biergarten scene into high gear with the introduction of the Burn & Brews fitness program that launched on June 22nd. In addition, owner/brewmaster Mike Marr is fully embracing the summertime party atmosphere with the launch of several new seasonal beers and a summer beer fest to end all, Bier Rock Fest, coming August 4th and 5th.
Burn & Brews: June 29, July 6, 13, 20, 27
In honor of American grit and spirit, the new summer biergarten theme outside BCB is Bootcamp, reflected in everything from group workout classes to merchandise for sale to summertime beers that celebrate the Red, White, and Blue! BCB has partnered the local fitness leader, Burn Boot Camp, to bring Lake County an exciting new weekly pop-up training program called Burn & Brews to BCB’s Bootcamp Biergarten. For $20, guests will receive a 45-minute full body workout led by a Burn Boot Camp instructor followed by a BCB beer and potential giveaways. Upcoming event dates include June 29, July 6, 13, 20, and 27 from 6 pm to 7 pm. Tickets can be purchased through the BCB website or inside the taproom.
Bier Rock Fest: Aug 4, 5
BCB’s Bootcamp Biergarten is set to be transformed into one of the suburb’s most hard-rocking live music scenes with Bier Rock Fest, a brand-new “free” festival featuring two days of summer suds, thrilling games, and bands – including internationally-renowned touring headliner WHT.RBBT.OBJ. Summer’s answer to Oktoberfest, which benefits A Safe Place – a charity organization dedicated to addressing domestic violence and human trafficking, will run from 4 to 11 pm on August 4th and 12 to 11pm on August 5th. The weekend rock party features Embers Rise / Esculis from 5 pm to 9 pm on Friday and Absolute Phase from 3 pm to 6 pm followed by WHT.RBBT.OBJ. from 6 pm to 9 pm on Saturday. In addition to all the action on the live music main stage, the Bootcamp Biergarten will be alive with the sights and sounds of summer Bier Rock fun, including German beer games, new warm-weather beer releases, and food trucks that pair up great with beer: Dave’s Holy Smokes BBQ (Friday) and The Curious Crow (Saturday). Down the road, also look for the following annual festivals to take over BCB:
Oktoberfest (Sept 29, 30, Oct 1): The next best place outside of Munich for Oktoberfest are the giant Oktoberfest tents pitched outside BCB. Visitors will enjoy traditional Oktoberfest beer and food, authentic Oompah music, Bavarian games, and much more.
Alpine Fest (January 2024): BCB’s Alpine Biergarten Village, a concept straight out of Germany that features custom-made wooden warming lodges, draws people out of hibernation for winter gaming, live music, and cold beer (that gets colder the longer they hold onto it!).
New Beer Launches: June 16, 23, July 15
Each month, Mike brews new handmade beers to add to his extensive taproom menu.
June 16 – Red Headed Stepchild: Limited release traditional German blonde brewed with mountains of strawberries. This summer favorite is now available in cans, draught, and in the taproom. It is rumored to be best enjoyed with friends who don’t treat each other like a red headed stepchild!
June 23 – Monk E. Biz: On a recent trip to Belgium, Mike was inspired to brew a Belgian Quad to add to Buffalo Creek’s collection of Belgian style ales. This amber-brown strong ale has flavors of caramel and malty sweetness. Served in a goblet, it’s the perfect sipping beer.
July 15 – Summer Watermelon Gose: A historic German Sour Ale style made with summertime’s sweetest watermelons. In addition to serving it on-draught at the taproom, Mike is also now canning the Buffalo Gose for distribution throughout the region. The name stays but the style changes four times throughout the year to complement each season.
Pint of Music Concert Series: July 1, 4, 8, 15, 22, 29
BCB’s Pint of Music concert series continues with some of the most talented local artists in the area, without a cover, from 6 pm to 9 pm, indoors or outdoors on the Bootcamp Biergarten Main Stage (if weather permits). Over the next month, BCB will feature (check www.BuffaloCreekBrewing.com for more dates): July 1: Judson Main, July 4: Lake County Symphony Orchestra presents American Salute (ticketed event at 7 pm available though LakeCountySymphonyOrchestra.com) July 8: Ryan Burns, July 15, Ironwood, July 22: Ex-Bombers, July 29: EJB Band.
Food Truck Pop-Up Night: June 30, July 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 28
Similar to its popularity for live music on weekends, BCB is also synonymous with food trucks, with some of the most popular names rolling through the biergarten up to twice a week from 5 pm to 8 pm to fuel all appetites. Over the next month, look for the following four-wheel kitchens to roll through the Bootcamp Biergarten (check www.BuffaloCreekBrewing.com for more dates): June 30: Guud Burger, July 1: La Parroquia, July 2 and 4: Indaba USA, July 7: Guud Burger, July 8: El Zorro Tacos, July 14: Guud Burger, July 15: Indaba USA, July 21: Mario’s Cart, July 22: Indaba USA, July 28: Guud Burger.
Buffalo Creek Brewing is located at 360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, IL 60047 and on the web at www.buffalocreekbrewing.com.