The fourth year of Lager & Friends is happening at Old Heidelberg Park (700 W. Lexington Blvd.) on Saturday. The festival, presented by Gathering Place Brewing, is focused solely on lagers (of course), and is a great chance to explore just how nuanced the large family of beer styles can be.
“Brewing lagers is a choice, and not one most breweries make,” said Gathering Place Brewing founder Joe Yeado. “Lagers are challenging beers to make and require more time and resources than brewing pale ales or stouts. Lager & Friends is a celebration of these crisp and flavorful beers as well as the brewers who’ve made the decision to focus on these styles. The festival will feature light and crisp helles and Mexican lagers, hop forward pilsners, dark black lagers, and strong malty doppelbocks. It’s a great lineup that really showcases all the unique flavors of lagers.”
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Tuesday, May 31
Amorphic Beer (3700 N. Fratney St.) is releasing Hendrix & Cuke, a “pseudo-Kölsch” made with lemon zest, sea salt, cucumbers and gin botanicals. Get to the taproom at 4 p.m. to try it on draft or to grab a four-pack.
Wednesday, June 1
Brazilian Simbolos is being released by Amorphic Beer at 4 p.m. The DDH hazy double IPA is a collaboration with Cervejas Fermi and features feijoa, a wild mountain guava.
Now’s your chance to see how fast you can run a beer mile. Head to Draft & Vessel Wauwatosa (7479 Harwood Ave.) by 5:45 p.m. to check in. After a short jog to Hart Park, the beer miles will be happening. The challenge is to drink one beer each 1/4 mile while attempting to run a full mile.
Central Waters Brewing is taking over a few of the taps at The Tap Yard Waukesha (1150 W. Sunset Dr.) at 4 p.m. They’re bringing Black Gold Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout and a few other treats.
The Plant & Sip Succulent Bar has been making its way around town this spring and stops at The Tap Yard Brookfield (2925 N. Barker Rd.) this week. For $60 you get the tools you need to make a cool arrangement and a free beer.
The Traveling Beer Garden sets up shop in Cooper Park (8701 W. Chambers St.) until June 19. Hours are 5 to 9 p.m. on the weekdays and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Thursday, June 2
The Wicked Hop (345 N. Broadway) is the site of Lakefront Brewery’s release of Hop Gods DDH Imperial IPA at 5:30 p.m. As an added bonus, local artist John Kowalczyk will be painting a brewery-related scene that will be raffled off.
Friday, June 3
New Barons Brewing Co-op (2018 S. 1st St.) is hosting the Summer Kickoff Party in conjunction with Bay View Gallery Night from 3 to 10 p.m. There will be live music, food trucks, art and beer, of course.
1840 Brewing Company’s Beer Garden Road Show sets up shop at Riverside Park (700 Kilbourn Ave., West Bend) fro 4 to 9 p.m.
Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) is handing out samples from Three Floyds from 4 to 6 p.m.
Steel Tank Brewing is handing out samples at Discount Liquor Waukesha (919 N. Barstow St.) from 4 to 6 p.m.
Saturday, June 4
The Lager & Friends Festival comes to Old Heidelberg Park from noon to 4 p.m. The fest features more than 30 breweries sharing their best lagers. Gathering Place is releasing Landbier Dunkel, a collaboration with KC Bier Co., at the event. Tickets are $55 and include a four-pack of the Landbier Dunkel.
The Tap Yard Brookfield is hosting a Fruit Beer Fest from noon to 8 p.m. They’ll be tapping beers like Potosi Steamboat Shandy and Lift Bridge Mango Blonde.
The Beer Garden Road Show comes to St. Gabriel’s Parish (1200 St. Gabriel Way, Hubertus) to pour 1840 Brewing beers.
The Wisconsin Athletic Club is running a Barre Burner class at City Lights Brewing (2200 W. Mt. Vernon Ave.) at 10 a.m. The 45-minute class is $20 for WAC members and $25 for non-members. The cost gets you half-off beermosas when you’re finished with your workout. Call 414-228-2800 to reserve a spot.
Sunday, June 5
Ray’s Wine & Spirits (8930 W. North Ave.) is hosting Toppling the Ray-Borhood from noon to 6 p.m. The huge block party, with special guest Toppling Goliath Brewing, includes food, music, games and plenty of Toppling Goliath beer to choose from. The family-friendly event is free.
Jigs and Swigs is coming to Black Husky Brewing (909 E. Locust St.) from noon to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 for a fun workout and a beer when you’re done.
The Tap Yard Waukesha celebrates TacoFest by having nearly one dozen taco trucks on hand from noon to 6 p.m. Wash them down with a nice lager.
