By Livia King | Photos courtesy of (left to right): UFO Day Beer Fest, Das Boot Bar Tour/VISIT Milwaukee
With well over 100 breweries in Wisconsin, it’s no wonder there are plenty of opportunities to sample the wares at beer festivals this fall. So save the dates and make a day of it!
QUIVEY’S GROVE 26TH ANNUAL BEER FEST (OCTOBER 5)
The sud-filled extravaganza is surely one not to miss. “The brewers themselves tell me it’s one of their favorite festivals to do, because of the setting on the beautiful Quivey’s Grove grass,” says general manager Craig Kuenning. “Because we’ve been doing it for 26 years, it is one of the longest standing beer festivals around.” The Oct. 5 fest in Fitchburg boasts 35 brewers and food from the restaurant and will feature live music from Reverend Ravin and the Chainsmokin’ Alter Boys, with Westwide Andy. qiuveysgrove.com
SECOND ANNUAL UFO DAY BEER FEST (OCTOBER 26)
Sample from 20 breweries and 80 craft beers as part of Belleville’s 33rd annual UFO Day. Swelling the village’s 2,400-strong population by 1,000 each year, UFO Day kicks off with a pancake breakfast. Then, fall into the new season with a spooky run/walk, haunted trail, costume party and a parade on Main Street. This Oct. 26 fest has a little something for everyone and prides itself in being a true family affair. bellevillecommunityclub.com
FOURTH ANNUAL DAS BOOT BAR TOUR (OCTOBER 5)
Go on an Old World Third Street bar tour Oct. 5 as part of Milwaukee’s annual Oktoberfest. Snag a new Oktoberfest Beer at each bar and consider the event a bar crawl and beer festival morphed into one. As the entire day benefits local charities, nobody will be at a loss for a reason to clink their steins. Prost! milwaukeeoktoberfest.com
NORTHEAST WISCONSIN CRAFT BEER FESTIVAL (OCTOBER 5)
Snag your sampling glass and taste away at this Oct. 5 foam-fueled celebration in Green Bay offering samples of more than 200 beers from 50 breweries. Plus enjoy live music and a beard competition—featuring a new ladies division this year! Peruse unlimited 2-ounce samples of beer and food. Use the hashtag #craftbeergb to search and join trends at the event throughout the day. reschcenter.com
DELLS ON TAP (OCTOBER 19)
Waterpark season might be behind us, but the Wisconsin Dells invites locals and visitors alike to their festival grounds to choose from a sampling of over 200 beers from over 65 craft breweries. “Whether you like to sip a cider, sample a mead, taste an ale or swig a lager, Dells on Tap will be serving up some of the best in the world,” says Leah Hauck, communications manager of the Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau. This Oct. 19 affair offers attendees the chance to chat with the brewmasters and clink a drink in honor of Wisconsin’s brewing heritage. wisdells.com
BEER & SPIRITS IN LAKE GENEVA (NOVEMBER 16)
One of Wisconsin’s most popular tourism destinations, Lake Geneva welcomes beer aficionados Nov. 16 for the 10th annual festival held at The Ridge resort. Featuring approximately 140 brews from 35 craft breweries from across the country, fest goers sip and taste their away around the resort’s ballroom—no need to worry about Mother Nature dampening the day! Not into beer? The event also offers a variety of distilled spirits, hard sodas, malt beverages and spiked sparkling water. For those wanting to beat the crowd, consider upgrading for early admission. lakegenevabeerandspirits.com
