Milwaukee has been called both Brew City and the city of festivals, so of course every summer there are multiple occasions that combine the two.
Check out these festivals to sample many different beers from around the state and the country.
Many beer fests are for folks who are 21 years and older with proof of identification, and they are held rain or shine. Be sure to check the events’ websites for more information and updates.
Here’s a list of beer festivals happening across Wisconsin in 2024.
Is your Wisconsin beer fest missing from the list? Let me know at [email protected].
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Milwaukee area
April 7: Pours for Parks
Pours for Parks is a up-to-date brewery festival supporting Milwaukee County Parks, held at the Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery. It is bringing together more than 20 Milwaukee breweries that will offer unlimited samples at the historic brewing site.
This year’s festival will support Humboldt Park Friends, specifically for educational placards and restoring the Humboldt Park pond shoreline.
Attendees can enjoy the space that was built in 1880 as Pabst Brewery’s corporate office and includes Captain Frederick Pabst’s original office. It is now an events hall and includes a basement speakeasy. Food from Cafe Corazon and K&L BBQ will be available, as well.
Where: The Best Place at Historic Pabst Brewery, 917 W. Juneau Ave.
When: April 7 with two general admission sessions: noon to 3 p.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. A VIP session is from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: General admission tickets are $60 and VIP tickets are $75. Tickets are confined to 300 people per session.
For more information and to purchase tickets:events.mketix.com/events/pours-for-parks-4-7-2024
Brewery Tours:From Pabst to Lakefront, here are 5 brewery tours to check out in Milwaukee
April 20: Joint Beer Fest
This beer festival at Eagle Park Brewing Co. in Muskego will have more than a dozen craft breweries from around the Midwest featuring unique brews created exclusively for festival attendees.
Many of the beers will be collaboration brews, according to a press release.
The festival will feature live music from Hollyy, Free Joel, UR Mom and Cruel Buddhist. Food will be provided buffet style, and will be munchie-themed in a nod to the festival’s name and celebration date.
Admission includes a mixed 12-ounce six-pack of beer, and VIP attendees get two cans of barrel-aged collaboration beers. The buffet and a souvenir glass are also included in admission. Eagle Park will also throw an after-party with Wire and Nail playing from 6 to 9 p.m.
Where: Eagle Park Brewing, S64 W15640 Commerce Center Parkway, Muskego
When: April 20 from noon to 6 p.m. for VIP attendees and 1 to 6 p.m. for general admission
Cost: General admission tickets cost $105, VIP tickets are $125, and designated driver tickets are $40.
For more info or to purchase tickets: eagleparkbrewing.com/event/joint-beer-fest-2024
May 18: Riveredge’s Frothy Forage
This Saukville festival will have samples from local breweries, wineries and cideries to be sipped while enjoying the great outdoors at Riveredge Nature Center.
Attendees can walk through the center’s restored prairies, woodlands and wetlands while enjoying drinks, food trucks and live music.
Proceeds from the event support Riveredge’s mission to conserve wildlife and provide environmental education to the public.
Where:Â Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 County Road Y, Saukville. A shuttle service is offered from Newburg Fireman’s Park, 508 Main St., Newburg, starting at 11:50 a.m.
When:Â May 18 with samples available from noon to 3 p.m. Food trucks close at 4 p.m.
Cost: Early bird tickets cost $45, available until May 3; $50 from May 4 to 17; $55 the day of. Designated driver tickets are $10.
For more info or to purchase tickets: riveredgenaturecenter.org/program/frothy-forage
June 1: Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival
This Glendale beer festival is bringing together more than 60 craft beer vendors from across the state to show off Wisconsin brews.
Local bands will perform, too, with Wire & Nail from noon to 2:30 p.m. and The Hungry Williams from 2:45 to 5 p.m.
Food truck vendors include Hot Box Pizza, Piña Mexican Eats, Tiffany’s Dessert Bar and Wisconsin Fried Cheese Curds. Local restaurant and cuisine partners will serve food samples, as well.
Tickets include a tasting glass, beer samples, food and live music. VIP tickets also include a swag bag. Designated driver attendees can get samples of nonalcoholic beer and soda.
Where: 5800 N. Bayshore Drive, Glendale
When: June 1 from noon to 5 p.m. for VIP and 1 to 5 p.m. for general admission.
Cost: General admission costs $65 in advance and $80 the day of. VIP tickets are $80 in advance and $100 the day of. Designated driver tickets cost $25.
For more info or to purchase tickets: wibrewersguild.com/WIBLF
July 27: Milwaukee Brewfest
This gigantic beer festival on Milwaukee’s lakefront brings nearly 100 vendors from across the country to serve samples of craft beer, cider, mead and more at McKinley Park on the lakefront.
Food vendors, games and live music will also be available on the grounds.
Tickets include samples and a commemorative pint glass. VIP members can access a lounge with seating, and others are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. Designated driver admission includes a food and drink voucher.
Where:Â McKinley Park, 1600 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive
When: July 27. Gates open at 2 p.m. for VIP and 3 p.m. for general admission. Last sampling call is at 6 p.m. Attendees must exit the fenced-in grounds by 6:30. p.m.
Cost:Â General admission costs $75 in advance and $85 the day of. VIP tickets cost $95 in advance and $105 the day of. Designated driver tickets cost $30.
For more info or to purchase tickets:Â milwaukeebrewfest.com
More beer festivals across Wisconsin
April 27: Between the Bluffs Beer, Wine & Cheese Festival, La Crosse
This La Crosse beer festival is celebrating 20 years of providing tastes of beer, wine and cheese.
This year it will have 200 different brews and 60 wines from Wisconsin and across the globe.
The event will have live music from the JayR Brink Band and The Caminos, and hammerschlagen will be available to play.
The night before, attendees are encouraged to visit bars and restaurants around La Crosse for Taster’s Eve, when VIP ticket holders get two free drinks at Pearl Street Brewery and a food coupon for participating vendors.
Where: Oktoberfest Grounds, 1 Oktoberfest Strasse, La Crosse
When: April 27 from 2 to 6 p.m. for general admission and noon to 6 p.m. for VIP
Cost: General admission costs $55, VIP costs $95 and designated driver tickets cost $20.
June 7 and 8: Up North Beerfest and Premier Beer Night, Eagle River
This Northwoods beer festival at a campground is a two-day event, starting with the premier beer night with 15 breweries and hors d’oeuvres, followed by the main beer fest event the next day with 25 breweries, mostly from the Midwest.
The event will have live music, and food will be available to purchase from the Eagle River Veterans Resource Center.
Tickets go on sale April 1.
Where:Â Hi-Pines Campground, 1919 Highway 45 North, Eagle River
When:Â Premier Beer Night is from 6 to 8 p.m. June 9. Up North Beerfest runs from 2 to 6 p.m. June 10.
For more info or to purchase tickets: eagleriver.org/events/up-north-beerfest
June 15: Door County Beer Festival
This beer festival in Baileys Harbor will have more than 40 Midwest craft breweries with more than 150 beers to sample during Father’s Day weekend. The festival will also have local food and live music.
Where: Maxwelton Braes, 7680 Highway 57, Baileys Harbor; shuttles will pick up and drop off from various locations in Door County
When: June 15 starting at 11 a.m. for early access, noon for general admission; goes until 4 p.m.
Cost: $55 for general admission, $75 for early admission, $15 for designated driver
For more info or to purchase tickets:Â doorcountybeerfestival.com
June 15: Taste of Wisconsin, Beaver Dam
This festival will have craft beer and cheese tasting, featuring only Wisconsin-made products. The event also will have live music from The Characters and food trucks.
Where:Â The Downtown Beaver Dam Tower Parking Lot, 112 S. Spring St.
When:Â noon to 4 p.m. June 15
Admission:Â Early bird tickets go on sale April 1 and cost $45 for a single ticket or $225 for six tickets.
Hannah Kirby of the Journal Sentinel contributed to this report.
