![\"Firkin](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Firkin-Fest.jpg\")
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A firkin is a small wooden cask, about a quarter of a barrel (or nine gallons). Traditionally, firkins have housed butter, fish, salt, and\u2013 most importantly\u2013 beer. Firkin Fest has over forty firkins on the premises, and they all house cask-conditioned ales. That means that the beer hasn\u2019t been cold-filtered, pasteurized, or carbonated by modern factory processes. Instead, the yeast is allowed to ferment in the firkin (say that ten times fast) and naturally carbonate the beer.<\/p>\n
What results is a very smooth, utterly unique beer that tastes something like what you might have drunk in pre-Industrialization England. It\u2019s an old process, and since there are so many variables in play\u2013 yeast, wood, temperature\u2013 the results can be unpredictable. But rest assured, if it\u2019s at Firkin Fest, it\u2019s probably excellent. This year, over fifty brewers will be pouring their beer, including heavyweights like New Glarus and Bell\u2019s, local favorites Lakefront and Milwaukee Brewing Co., and smaller, home brewing operations like The Beer Barons of Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
Firkin Fest is one day only (July 22, 3-7:30) and takes place in Cathedral Park, in downtown Milwaukee. Tickets start at $49, and go very fast. So does the beer.<\/p>\n
Milwaukee Brewfest<\/strong><\/h4>\n![\"Milwaukee](\"\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Milwaukee-Brewfest.jpg\")
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A week is long enough to recover, right? On July 29th, the 8th annual Milwaukee Brewfest kicks off at Old Coast Pavilion Park. It\u2019s a less specialized, but no less special experience, with a truly massive list of over 300 craft beers, meads, and ciders, from dozens of participating breweries. Hinterland, Mobcraft, Surly, Sprecher\u2026 the list goes on and on. And there will be plenty of food vendors, so you can wash that imperial porter down with a brat or two (or three, or four).<\/p>\n
Held on the water, with beautiful views of the lake and nearby McKinley Marina, and abundant live music, the festival lasts from 2-7. General admission is $45, although $75 gets you early access, free sausage and cheese, private restrooms, and access to some of the rarer stuff. And if you\u2019re not drinking, they\u2019ve got you covered, too: tickets for designated drivers cost $15 and provide a hot dog and three (non-alcoholic) beverages of your choice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Is there any phrase more redundant than \u201cBeer Festival?\u201d It\u2019s like saying \u201cSahara Desert.\u201d Every beer is (or should be) a small party, and if the party you\u2019re attending doesn\u2019t feature beer\u2026 well, chances are it\u2019s not a good party.…<\/p>\n
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