As the leaves turn and the crisp autumn air settles in, there's no better time to explore the rich tapestry of local libations that the Peoria area has to offer. From the historic charm of whiskey distilleries to craft breweries and serene vineyards, our region boasts a variety of spots where you can sip and unwind. Ready to discover your next favorite drink?
BLACK BAND Distillery {Peoria} // A specialized distillery helping to continue the town’s legacy as the “Whiskey City.” Explore the menu over a flight of their house-made bourbon, whiskey, gin, and vodka, or try one of their popular on-tap cocktails like the Earl Greyhound.
Big Horse Vineyards {Lewistown} // Big Horse Vineyards is a beautiful vineyard nestled into a working draft horse farm. The Archdale Family has created a beautiful slice of paradise, where guests can sit back and relax, enjoy a bottle of wine over breathtaking vineyard views and majestic horses. From Sunday Fundays featuring live music by local artists to stone fire pizza and wine nights---there is never a dull moment at Big Horse Vineyards!
Bust’d Brewing {Peoria Heights} // Bust’d Brewing is bringing brewing back to the Heights! With a lineup of one-of-a-kind beers that you can’t find anywhere else, craft beer nerds will love this addition to the Peoria Area brewery ring.
Evergreen Farm Brewing {Metamora} // With an innovative gamble, brewer Adam Sommer transformed his family’s small, midwestern, traditional, 225-acre, five-generation farm into Evergreen Farm Brewing. With conventional farming out of the question and craft niche breweries taking off, Sommer decided to transform the farmhouse into a brewery—and we’re so glad he did! This one-of-a-kind brewery is not only producing excellent beer, but has created a new concept for brewing with a direct connection to the farm it originates. Sommer has coined the process “Ground to Growler”
Industry Brewing Company {Peoria} // Owned by Peoria’s successful Spice Hospitality, Industry Brewing offers a unique twist on the usual classics. Wash down your pretzel and beer cheese with the Kolsch style – Happy Hour. Industry Brewing is the place to meet your co-workers for a beer after a long week. Or enjoy the warm summer nights with live entertainment in the beer garden. Whatever your tastes or preferences, Industry Brewing has something for everyone.
Mackinaw Valley Vineyard {Mackinaw} // The 86-acre property is a working vineyard and winery situated on a glacial moraine with a 30-mile view from the Mackinaw Valley Vineyard tasting room and decks. The vineyard features daily wine tasting, a gift shop with wine-themed gifts and local foodie favorites, concerts, festivals, murder mystery dinners, trivia game nights, and chocolate + wine pairings.
Mockingbird Vineyards {Manito} // The varieties grown in central Illinois may be less familiar than Cabernet or Chardonnay, but grapes like Marquette, Itasca, and Petite Pearl have tons of potential to produce world-class wines. That's where Mockingbird Vineyards comes into play. Nestled in Southwest Tazewell County, Mockingbird Vineyards offers a relaxed country setting perfect for growing excellent grapes for local wineries. With a bountiful crop of nine varieties and a grove of apple trees, Mockingbird Vineyard strives for supreme-tasting juice derived from the varietals grown on their acreage. Although no wine is made on-site, you can be sure to taste their harvest, bottled at any one of the local wineries.
Native Trails Winery {Lewistown} // Native Trails Winery offers red and white wines made from locally-grown grapes, while its picturesque and winding trails are available for guests to enjoy nature and the beautiful scenery. This 110-acre vineyard is adjacent to Dickson Mounds, a National Historic Site, which provides a distinctive nod toward the land’s Native American roots. Native Trails Winery offers a chance to sip and celebrate the free spirit of an earlier time in history with five dry and four sweet offerings, all named after the native Oneota Indian heritage that runs deep in the region.
Obed + Isaac’s Microbrewery and Eatery {Peoria} // Located inside a renovated and historic church, Obed and Isaac’s opened its second location in the heart of Illinois in 2016. The Conn Hospitality Group Inc. continued their combination of historic architecture, delicious food, and great beer from their first location in Springfield, IL, and found success in Peoria. The atmosphere inside is unlike any other restaurant in town, with its stained-glass design elements (be sure to check out the bathrooms).
Old Mill Vineyard {Metamora} // Stop by Old Mill Vineyard to uncork and unwind with quality local wines that have been estate-grown and bottled. This 10-acre vineyard produces 13 varieties of red and white wines ranging from dry, off-dry, semi-sweet, to sweet. Sample each at the Bent Tree, OMV's tasting room, which is situated by a pond, where guests can enjoy the annual geese broods, wandering wildlife, and tranquil setting from the patio. This peaceful vineyard is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing summer afternoon with a bottle of wine and friends.
Pour Bros. Craft Taproom {Peoria Heights} // Pour Bros. Craft Taproom is Illinois’ first pour-your-own taproom in Heritage Square features the popular Pour The Experience wall where guests can select and pour their own drinks with the swipe of a game card. Though not brewed onsite, the selection is well-curated with an ever-changing small-batch menu of craft beer, ciders, meads, and amazing handcrafted cocktails.
Rhodell Brewery {Peoria} // A regional brewery tour isn’t complete without visiting the granddaddy of them all, Rhodell Brewery. Since opening its doors in 1998, Rhodell's started with three beers on tap. Now offering 13 beers that rotate regularly, this brewery prioritizes small-batch flavor to bring guests the best in ales, lagers, stouts, and IPAs.
Spoon River Junction Winery {Canton} // With a passion for creating unique quality wine, Spoon River Junction Winery has been making wine for almost 25 years. With a national Wine Club that ships hundreds of bottles out-of-state each month, this local gem creates bold flavors for adventurous people and palates. Spend an afternoon at Spoon River Junction for sweet and dry wine tastings! Once you're situated outside around a beautiful fire pit with friends, you won't regret it!
Tres Rojas Winery at Barry Vineyards {Washington} // With much consideration, the name Three Reds, or better known as Tres Rojas Winery, was born from countless experiments with amateur red wines: Pinot Noir (uno), Malbec (dos) and Sangiovese (tres). This winery prides itself on creating high-quality dry red and white wines, but you will find sweet and fruit wines too--their award-winning winemaker has something for everyone. With great wines available by the bottle, the glass, or as a build-your-own custom flight, Tres Rojas is an excellent hangout spot.
