Glendale is a community of over 12,000 people that provides travelers a small town atmosphere along with the convenience of being just seven miles north of the bustling heart of Milwaukee. Visitors will love the city’s relaxed pace, and it’s numerous restaurants, parks, and community events. From golfing 18 holes at the Brown Deer Golf Course to the seemingly endless shopping opportunities at the Bayshore Town Center, Glendale has something for you.
The Wisconsin Beer Lover’s Festival has been attracting thousands of people to Glendale for the past eight years, and it will take place June 17 at the Bayshore Town Center. The event will showcase more than 100 beers from 40 Wisconsin breweries including Central Waters Brewing Company, Milwaukee Brewing Company, and South Shore Brewery. Attendees will also encounter a variety of Wisconsin restaurants serving everything from traditional Japanese meals to hot pretzels. Cheese producers and vendors will sell a variety of different cheeses, creating numerous food and beer pairing opportunities. A marketplace will feature vendors selling beer-related merchandise, and patrons will find ample shopping opportunities close by in the Bayshore Town Center. We got the chance to interview Trevor Cravens, a representative of the event, to learn about this great celebration of beer.
RAL: How long has the event been running?
TC: This is our eighth annual festival!
RAL: How many annual participants do you draw?
TC: On average, we see about 2,400 attendees.
RAL: What demographic does your event attract? Children? Families? Couples?
TC: It’s a bit of a mixed bag. We see lots of couple and friend groups, but it’s also a family-friendly event. It makes for the perfect Father's Day gift for dad, with food, beer, and a full day of spending time with the entire family!
RAL: What makes this event unique?
TC: Although there are many good beer festivals in the Midwest, nothing compares to the Wisconsin Beer Lover’s Festival's high-caliber of brewers, and the unbeatable food pairings that come along with it. Our vendors have crafted each pairing with a partner beer in mind. It’s an exceptional deal for the price of admission, so be sure to come with an empty stomach.
RAL: Take me through the activities of a day at the event.
TC: While beer and food are the main attractions, there is also live music, shopping at Bayshore Town Center, and games at certain booths. Attendees should arrive on time to take advantage of everything the festival has to offer!
RAL: Will there be any guest appearances?
TC: The Mayor of Glendale, Bryan Kennedy, will be joining festival-goers this year. Other influencers in the city will also be in attendance, as well as representatives from the Wisconsin Brewers Guild.
RAL: What dining options will attendees encounter?
TC: In addition to the restaurants at the festival, Welcome to Glendale, the city’s Convention & Visitors Bureau, has put together a guide of where to eat/drink in Glendale after the festival concludes. Attendees will receive this itinerary when they visit the Welcome to Glendale booth in the town square.
RAL: What will the overall environment be like?
TC: Great beer, amazing food, and warm weather all make for the perfect Wisconsin summer day. It doesn’t get much better than that!
RAL: Are there any lodging specials that are set up specifically for the event?
TC: We’ve partnered with local hotels to offer packages so people can spend the whole weekend in Glendale. Packages for Glendale’s recently renovated La Quinta are still available for purchase, just follow the link.
RAL: Does this drive business to your local economy?
TC: The City of Glendale started the Wisconsin Beer Lover’s Festival to draw visitors to the city. As the event grew, Draft Magazine took over operations, and the city continues to be a great partner. Festival attendees can receive exclusive discounts at local businesses by showing their attendance bracelet.
RAL: Is there maybe one place in particular that guests have been flocking to since the event started?
TC: The festival is a great opportunity for Bayshore Town Center and Glendale restaurants to shine. Sprecher Brewery is proud to call Glendale home and welcomes visitors before and after the festival for tours and more tastings.
RAL: Why should people come to your event?
TC: The Wisconsin Beer Lover’s Festival is truly the premier beer and food-pairing event of the Summer for Wisconsinites and visitors. Attendees will be blown away by the selections available from the 40 Wisconsin breweries, local restaurants, and cheesemakers.
For more information about the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival, please visit the event website.