6 Popular Wisconsin Beer Festivals You Can’t Miss This Summer

Beer is one of America's great summer traditions. Whether it is a cold one on the back porch, a round at a tailgate, or a full weekend built around sampling the best of what the craft brewing world has to offer, the numbers speak for themselves.

The Brewers Association reports that Americans consumed more than 25 billion dollars worth of craft beer in 2025 alone, with craft breweries now operating in all 50 states.

Summer is by far the peak season for beer consumption in the country, and nobody celebrates that more enthusiastically than the state of Wisconsin. With a brewing heritage that runs as deep as its dairy roots, Wisconsin plays host to some of the best beer festivals in the country every summer.

Whether you are a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or just someone who appreciates a cold, well-made brew on a warm afternoon, here are six Wisconsin beer festivals worth putting on your calendar this summer.

Okay, so technically, some of these happen before the official first day of summer, but Wisconsin summers are short enough so you deserve a head start.

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Up North BeerFest - Eagle River, June 13 | Noon - 6 p.m.

For those who love their craft beer with a side of Northwoods scenery, the Up North BeerFest in Eagle River is a natural fit.

The festival runs from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, featuring up to 30 breweries from Wisconsin and the Midwest, including local favorites Tribute Brewing Company and Riverstone Brewing Company.

A VIP session runs from noon to 1:30 p.m., with specialty craft beers not available during the main event.

Highlights include:

• VIP event noon to 1:30 p.m. — $85, featuring specialty beers not available at the main event
• Main event 2 to 6 p.m. — $60 in advance or $70 at the door
• Sampling glass, beer guide booklet, and live music from Hijinx are included with admission
• Food is available for purchase from the Eagle River Veterans Resource Center
• Designated drivers admitted free when accompanying a paid admission
• Must be 21 or older — no children or pets
• Tickets are available at upnorthbeerfest.com, Trig's Cellar 70, Tribute Brewing Company, or the Eagle River Chamber of Commerce.

Sip & Savor Wisconsin - Glendale, June 13 | 1 - 6 p.m.

Also on June 13, the Milwaukee area hosts Sip & Savor Wisconsin at The Bavarian Bierhaus in Glendale. Formerly known as the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival, it's back with a new name to celebrate America's 250th anniversary.

The festival brings together more than 60 of the state's top craft breweries, cideries, distilleries, and food partners for an afternoon of unlimited tastings in a lively open-air setting.

Highlights include:

• 60-plus craft breweries, distilleries, wineries, and cider brands from across Wisconsin
• Local restaurant and cuisine partners on site
• Live entertainment throughout the afternoon
• VIP tickets $85, General Admission $65, Designated Driver options available

Door County Beer Festival - Baileys Harbor, June 20 | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Now in its 14th year, the Door County Beer Festival returns to the grounds of About Thyme Farm in Baileys Harbor on June 20 — one of the most scenic settings of any beer festival anywhere.

More than 150 craft beers from breweries across the Midwest are available for sampling, with Door County chefs, cheese pairings from Renards Cheese, and live music rounding out the afternoon. General Admission tickets are $55 through June 20.

Highlights include:

• 150-plus craft beers from Midwest breweries
• Food from Door County chefs and food trucks
• Cheese pairings from Renards Cheese
• Live music throughout the event
• Farm setting in scenic Baileys Harbor

While you are in Door County that weekend, a trip to the historic Eagle Bluff Light Station in Fish Creek should be on the agenda. The 150-year-old lighthouse just completed a two-year restoration and is one of the most photographed spots in all of Door County.

Taste of Wisconsin: Beer, Cheese & Wine Festival - Beaver Dam, June 20 | Noon - 4 p.m.

Also on June 20, the Original Taste of Wisconsin Festival in Beaver Dam combines more than 100 craft beers, over 30 varieties of artisan cheese, and a curated selection of local wines, all in one place.

Milwaukee rock cover band Mood Medication provides live entertainment, and every ticket includes a souvenir tasting glass and access to the festival app.

Highlights include:

• 100-plus craft beers, 30-plus cheese varieties, local wines
• Souvenir tasting glass and festival app included
• Live music from Milwaukee's Mood Medication
• Life-size Jenga, Hammerschlagen, and Masskrugstemmen (Bavarian stein-holding competition) on site

Milwaukee Brew & Spirits Fest — Milwaukee, July 25 | 2 p.m. - 7 p.m.

The Milwaukee Brew & Spirits Fest at McKinley Park is one of the larger beer events of the Wisconsin summer, drawing significant crowds to Milwaukee's scenic Lake Michigan lakefront.

This year, the festival has expanded its lineup beyond craft beer to include craft cocktails, hard seltzers, and THC beverages, making it one of the most diverse tasting events in the state.

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VIP gates open at 2 p.m., with General Admission following at 3 p.m. Highlights include:

• 100-plus craft beer, cider, wine, hard seltzer, craft cocktail, and THC beverage pours
• VIP admission $95 — gates open at 2 p.m. with one hour of early access
• General Admission $75 advance — gates open at 3 p.m.
• Designated Driver tickets $30 — includes Ian's Pizza voucher and food truck access
• Live music throughout the afternoon
• Food trucks and food sampling from Wisconsin-based companies on site
• Axe throwing is available on the festival grounds
• Scenic lakefront setting at McKinley Park on Lake Michigan
• Last sampling call at 6 p.m. — must be 21 or older
• Tickets at brewandspirits.com

Great Taste of the Midwest — Madison, August 8 | 1 - 6 p.m.

Save room on the calendar for the biggest one. The Great Taste of the Midwest returns to Olin Park on the shores of Lake Monona in Madison on Saturday, August 8.

It's North America's second-longest-running craft beer celebration and a festival that ranks among the Top 10 best beer festivals in the entire country.

Around 200 breweries from across the Midwest pour roughly 1,400 different beers from 1 to 6 p.m., with local food vendors and live music throughout the afternoon.

The brewers are often on site pouring and talking about their beers directly with festival-goers. Highlights include:

• 200 breweries, approximately 1,400 beers available for sampling
• Unlimited 2-ounce samples included with admission
• Local food vendors and live music throughout the afternoon
• Lakeside setting with views of Madison's skyline
• Tickets are $70 and must be purchased in advance — no tickets sold at the door
• Tickets sell out quickly — plan ahead
• Tickets at greattaste.org