More than 150 craft beer selections from more than 40 craft breweries across Wisconsin will take center stage in Glendale this weekend as the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival celebrates its fifth year.
The festival, to be held at Bayshore Town Center on Saturday, June 14, will give patrons a chance to sample craft brews as well as indulge in special pairings with food prepared by local chefs, Wisconsin cheese manufacturers, brewpubs and restaurants.
Welcome to Glendale, which acts as the City of Glendale’s Convention and Visitors Bureau, is hosting the event in partnership with DRAFT Magazine and the Wisconsin Brewer’s Guild.
“We are excited to represent Glendale among the breweries again this year for the festival,” said Jeff Hamilton, president of Sprecher Brewery in Glendale and a member of the Wisconsin Brewer’s Guild. “The festival is one of a kind, allowing visitors to sample Wisconsin’s best beers and food and meet the brew masters and chefs behind the creations. We anticipate the festival will draw an even bigger turnout of beer and food lovers to Glendale this year.”
Features new to the festival this year include seminars led by Kyle Cherek, host of “Wisconsin Foodie.” During seminars, Cherek will teach patrons more about beer and food pairings.
A new festival app is also available for patrons to download to their smartphones and tablets. The Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival app contains a map of festival grounds along with information about brewery and restaurant locations at the event.
And beer fans who want to make the most of their day at the festival can purchase the Wisconsin Beer Experience VIP Ticket. The $80 ticket, which is also new to the 2014 festival, will give a maximum of 300 patrons access to a special VIP tent that will showcase at least 10 beers not on tap for other attendees. The VIP ticket will also grant patrons a limited edition Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival growler, a one-year subscription to DRAFT Magazine, a meal voucher for food in the tent and early admission to the festival at noon.
The 2014 festival will run from 1 to 5 p.m. at Bayshore Town Center, located at 5800 N. Bayshore Dr. in Glendale, with entertainment provided by the Brewhaus Polka Kings. General tickets cost $45 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets include admission, a souvenir beer sampling glass and unlimited samples of beer and food pairings.
Attendees must be at least 21 years old. Designated drivers and patrons under age 21 can still experience the festival with a $25 Food Lovers and Designated Driver Ticket.
For more information on the festival, tickets and available hotel packages, visit www.wisconsinbeerloversfest.com.
