Long Grove's Buffalo Creek Brewing showcases beer in homey space
Long Grove's Buffalo Creek Brewing goes against the grain when it comes to new craft breweries and taprooms - make that wood grain.
Feeling more like an expansive log cabin with wall-to-wall wood and stone finishings, Buffalo Creek offers a nice contrast to typical, tight-spaced, front-of-house craft beer taprooms. The mellow vibe and living room-like feel make you want to lean back and enjoy a cold one.
<b>Motif:</b> Open since July in a building that formerly housed an art gallery, Buffalo Creek is a welcoming, showcase space featuring home brews with catchy names. The spot goes beyond “taproom;” it feels more like a craft-brew gallery with plenty of seating surrounded by Bavarian-style accents. On nicer days and nights, there is a spacious - and scenic - outdoor patio.
<b>Liquid consumption:</b> It's not every day that you see something called Farmers Illegit Daughter on a drink menu, but that was one of the six craft brews featured the night we visited. Buffalo Creek makes it easy to try all the brewery's beers by offering sample-size portions (in cool mini-steins) in addition to its goblet (regular) and growler (large) servings.
With each of us ordering a flight of four samples, we could try everything on the menu while cleansing our beer palates in between servings with salted pretzels on the table. My favorite on this night would be the Mamet (pronounced ma-MAY), described as “hoppy, but balanced for summer drinkability.” Another favorite was the Burning Red that, according to the menu, was born out of a brewing incident involving an unexpected shot of hot steam from the brew kettle. It had a nutty/hearty taste that kept us scrambling for the perfect description. We settled somewhere between roasted peanuts and s'mores.
Each brew is described on the menu with a fun story on how it got its name. That Farmers Illegit Daughter beer originates from a tale in southern Belgium. And my favorite descriptor has to be for Buffalo Creek's 42K brew - which reflects the cost of the brewery's water connection fee during construction. Ouch!
<b>Food: </b>As is the case with many craft brewery taprooms, Buffalo Creek doesn't have a kitchen and doesn't serve food, other than salty snacks. However, there are takeout menus from area restaurants spread around and ordering from local eateries is encouraged. With extra-long tables that are perfect for big groups, there's plenty of room for pizzas.
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Service:</b> The crowd was light on this particular Thursday night, so service to our table didn't take long.
<b>Music:</b> Here's another area where Buffalo Creek separates itself from the local craft brewery pack. Music from the 1980s, '90s and beyond is played overhead at a low enough level to carry a conversation at a table - another factor that adds to its cozy, inviting vibe. You really feel like you're coming into a home rather than a bar.
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Parking:</b> Parking is no problem, being that Buffalo Creek sits on the edge of one of Long Grove's large parking lots, which may also be a drawback for non-locals trying to find it. If you're unfamiliar with the area, use your navigation app and if it looks like you're turning into the driveway of another business, keep going back and you'll find the parking lot.
<b>Overall: </b>Trying to create a cozy atmosphere inside a craft brewery is a tall order, but Buffalo Creek Brewing serves up comfort and cold brews rather well. It joins a growing list of new night spots in Long Grove that are looking to attract a following around the famous covered bridge.
Buffalo Creek Brewing
360 Historical Lane, Long Grove, (847) 821-6140,
Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, noon to 11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday