Maybe you’re on the ball and you’ve already purchased the perfect gift for your dad for Father’s Day, which is coming up on Saturday, June 17. But if you’re like many of us, you’re still scrambling for something he’ll enjoy.
Fortunately, if your dad loves beer, there's a gift that's likely to put you in the "best son or daughter ever" category: tickets to the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival.
Why? We’ve got lots of reasons. Here are four of them:
1. It’s a great way to spend time together
"Best Father's Day gift ever! My dad and I had a blast!" That’s what Mike Johnson of Cedarburg had to say about his trip with dad to the festival. And he’s not the only one.
Ask just about any dad how he’d like to spend his father’s day weekend, and he’s likely to tell you he’d be happy just spending time with his kids. And that’s what makes the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival such a winning choice.
Dad loves beer, but you don’t? No problem. Just grab a Food Lovers Pass ($25) for yourself and eat your way through the festival right alongside dad.
2. If you go VIP, dad can take beer home
"This is absolutely my favorite Milwaukee-area beer event and might be the best in the state!" notes Luke Schade of Oshkosh.
This year, one of the perks included with VIP passes is exclusive access to the special VIP beer area, featuring brews not found elsewhere on the grounds.
The $65 passes also include an additional hour to explore the event and taste your favorite beers and foods without the lines, private seating in front of the live music stage, a special festival collectible and a a one-year subscription to Draft Magazine.
3. It’s simply one of the best
If you're a beer lover, there's really nothing out there like this festival. Every tent is manned by a brewery owner or brewmaster, so if you choose to strike up a conversation, you won’t be talking with distributors or beer reps.
Attendees also note key differences between the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival and others of its ilk.
"Beer events are not all created equal," says Chris Muellenbach of Glendale. "The Beer Lovers Fest is not your typical ‘drunkfest.’ Rather it is more relaxed with lots of food options, live music and, best of all, short lines."
4. There’s always shopping
"My husband and I come up to Glendale every year with another couple for the [festival]," says Cami Martin of Chicago. "It is perfect, the guy's imbibe at the beer fest and us ladies shop till we drop at Bayshore!"
Seems it’s a win-win for everyone.
Festival tickets and hotel packages are available at WisconsinBeerLoversFest.com.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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