American Craft Beer Week runs May 11–17, 2026 — and there’s no better corner of Illinois to celebrate it than McHenry County. Just an hour northwest of Chicago, the county pours a surprising depth of independent craft beer across seven breweries scattered through Crystal Lake, Algonquin, Cary, Huntley, McHenry, and Woodstock, with a Harvard distillery rounding out the lineup.
Whether you’re a Chicagoland local plotting a Saturday crawl or a road-tripper hunting your next great pint, this guide covers every operating brewery in McHenry County, two ready-made trail itineraries, and the FAQs first-time visitors ask most.
Why McHenry County Is a Craft Beer Destination
McHenry County’s beer scene blends small-batch experimentation with serious technical chops. Brewers here lean into German lagers, English session ales, hazy IPAs, and surprising one-offs like raspberry hibiscus ale and barrel-aged stouts. Most taprooms welcome dogs and kids, host rotating food trucks, and pour pints under string-lit patios — the kind of unhurried, neighborhood feel that’s harder to find in the city.
The county is also home to the McHenry County Craft Beverage Trail, a free app-based passport challenge run by Naturally McHenry County that rewards visitors with a custom T-shirt for visiting all the trail stops. The trail returns in July 2026 — download the Naturally McHenry County app and watch for the new edition.
All 7 McHenry County Breweries
1. Crystal Lake Brewing | Crystal Lake
An award-winning production brewery known for approachable, well-built craft beer using locally sourced grain and hops. Wheat beers, IPAs, and stouts dominate the lineup; trivia nights, beer yoga, and rotating food trucks dominate the calendar.
- Try this: Beach Blonde - their flagship golden lager
- Address: 150 N. Main St., Crystal Lake
2. Scorched Earth Brewing Company | Algonquin
Around 30 beers are pouring at any given time at Scorched Earth, from crisp Kölsch and pilsner to Belgian ales, ciders, and nitro milk stout. Old-world brewing methods, local ingredients, shuffleboard, beer gardens, and a packed events calendar of live music, yoga, and food trucks.
- Try this: German-style Doppelbock
- Address: 203 Berg St., Algonquin
3. Cary Ale House & Brewing Company | Cary
A family-friendly gastropub with the vibe of a vintage neighborhood pub: darts, shuffleboard, a kid’s menu, and chef-driven food (poutine, cheese curds, burgers) paired by the staff with house brews like maibocks, saisons, and golden ales.
- Try this: Lux Umbra - a blonde stout
- Address: 208 W. Main St., Cary
4. More Brewing Company | Huntley
A sprawling craft brewery with an extensive tap list — märzens, bocks, wheats, sours, lagers, and a strong barrel-aging program — plus a full food menu of pub favorites. Lots of space inside and out, and a kid’s menu makes it family-friendly.
- Try this: Morever - a hazy IPA
- Location: Huntley, IL
5. Sew Hop’d Brewery & Taproom | Huntley
Housed in a former sewing-machine factory and lacing those roots into beer names like “Stan’s Amber” and “Needles Hazy Eye.” Expect nitro brews, seasonal flips of the Borden Street Stout, live music, food trucks, and a generous patio.
- Try this: Friendly Village Porter
- Address: One Union Special Plaza, Ste. 113, Huntley
6. McHenry Brewing Company | McHenry
The newest take on a brewery that originally opened on this site in 1860. Today, MBC brews craft beer on the same historic Pearl Street block, releasing a brand-new beer every Friday alongside Scotch ales, pilsners, and even a non-alcoholic root beer for the kids. Beer garden, food trucks, and live music.
- Try this: Fox River Scotch Ale
- Address: 3425 Pearl St., McHenry
7. Kishwaukee Brewing Company | Woodstock
A large, modern facility where brewmaster Dan turns out German pilsners, English bitters, West Coast IPAs, märzens, gose, and saisons. Expansive patio, indoor seating, regular food-truck programming, and a special new cask tapped every Friday.
- Try this: Märzen
- Address: 1900 Dillard Ct., Woodstock
Bonus stop: Rush Creek Distilling | Harvard
Not a brewery, but the county’s lone craft distillery deserves a mention. Four local friends turn out vodka, gin, whiskey, and a beloved coffee vodka inside an industrial-modern tasting room with a lofted event space. The perfect cocktail nightcap to a beer-soaked day.
- Try this: Barrel-rested gin or coffee vodka
- Location: 1501 West Diggins St., Harvard, IL
Two Ready-to-Drive McHenry County Brewery Trails
Pick the route that fits your day. Both are designed so you can rideshare or take a designated driver, with stops within easy driving distance.
Trail 1: The North County Run
Three stops across the northern half of the county, perfect for a leisurely afternoon.
- Kishwaukee Brewing in Woodstock - start with a Friday cask if you can time it
- McHenry Brewing Company in McHenry - catch the new Friday release in the historic beer garden
- Rush Creek Distilling in Harvard - close out with a cocktail in their tasting room
Trail 2: The Fox River & South County Run
A scenic, family-friendly day through the busier southern half of the county.
- Sew Hop’d in Huntley - start with a porter and patio time
- More Brewing Company in Huntley - second Huntley stop, full food menu
- Scorched Earth Brewing in Algonquin - 50 beers on tap, plenty of room to linger
- Cary Ale House & Brewing Company in downtown Cary - great food pairings to break up the day
- Crystal Lake Brewing in downtown Crystal Lake - right off the Metra line for an easy ride home
Pro tip: Always designate a driver or use a rideshare. The Metra Union Pacific Northwest line stops in Crystal Lake, Cary, and McHenry — the easiest car-free way to brewery-hop from Chicago.
McHenry County Brewery FAQs
How many breweries are in McHenry County, IL?
McHenry County has 7 operating craft breweries: Crystal Lake Brewing, Scorched Earth Brewing (Algonquin), Cary Ale House & Brewing (Cary), More Brewing (Huntley), Sew Hop’d (Huntley), McHenry Brewing Company, and Kishwaukee Brewing (Woodstock). Rush Creek Distilling in Harvard rounds out the local craft beverage scene.
What is the McHenry County Craft Beverage Trail?
The Craft Beverage Trail is a free, app-based passport challenge from Naturally McHenry County. Download the Naturally McHenry County app, check in at participating breweries and distilleries, and earn a custom T-shirt for completing the full circuit. The next edition launches in July 2026.
Are McHenry County breweries kid-friendly?
Most are. Cary Ale House, More Brewing, McHenry Brewing, and Scorched Earth all welcome kids and offer family-friendly food. Other taprooms allow outside food or delivery, call ahead to confirm policies.
When is American Craft Beer Week 2026?
American Craft Beer Week runs May 11–17, 2026. The Brewers Association created the week to celebrate the country’s small and independent breweries and the people behind them.
Can I get to McHenry County breweries without a car?
Yes. The Metra Union Pacific Northwest line stops in Crystal Lake, Cary, and McHenry, three towns that put you walking distance from Crystal Lake Brewing, Cary Ale House, and McHenry Brewing Company.
Where should I stay if I want to brewery-hop for a weekend?
Woodstock anchors the north-county trail with the most walkable downtown lodging. Crystal Lake and McHenry both have hotels close to several breweries. Browse places to stay in McHenry County for full options.
Cheers to Craft Beer Week
American Craft Beer Week is a celebration of the small, independent brewers who make their hometowns better, and McHenry County’s seven breweries deserve a place on every Chicagoland beer-lover’s list. Whether you knock out both trails or just sneak away for an afternoon flight, stop in between May 11 and 17 and raise a glass to the people pouring it.
Ready to plan your trip? Get the free Insider Guide or download the Naturally McHenry County app and watch for the Craft Beverage Trail relaunch in July 2026.