If Milwaukee knows two things, it’s beer and public parks. Beyond the city’s rich brewing history, the region is also home to a large and ever-improving arsenal of craft breweries. Similarly, the Milwaukee County Parks system is a sprawling, world-class collection of public spaces that offer accessible outdoor fun for all. Though Milwaukee-area brewing and parks are both well-established, each could always use more attention and support.
On Sunday, April 7, a new beer festival will highlight local breweries while also raising funds for parks in the process. The inaugural Pours for Parks will bring more than 20 local breweries to Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery (917 W. Juneau Ave.) for a day of beer-related fun that also happens to support Milwaukee County Parks. The first-year event was created by Elise Strupp, Event & Programming Manager at MobCraft Beer. She collaborated with Dana Hansen, who currently serves as the Director of the Park People of Milwaukee County Inc., as well as Paul Hepp of Fun Beer Tours Milwaukee. Milwaukee Record was also involved in the planning process and is a proud media partner.
There will be two general admission sessions from 12:30-3 p.m. and 4-6:30 p.m., as well as a limited VIP session from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. The VIP session not only allows guests earlier admission with a smaller crowd, but will feature VIP only pours. Each session is limited to 300 tickets, with 150 of the first session’s tickets dedicated to VIP admission. Tickets are $60 for general admission and $75 for VIP, and each ticket includes a custom taster glass featuring the Pour for Parks 2024 logo. Tickets to both sessions are available here.
During their session, attendees can expect to unlimited samples from the following breweries:
1840 Brewing Company
Bavarian Bierhaus
Big Head Brewing Co.
Central Waters Brewing Company
Company Brewing
Dead Bird Brewing Company
Explorium Brewpub
Indeed Brewing
Lakefront Brewery
MobCraft Beer
New Barons Brewing Cooperative
Ope! Brewing Co
Pilot Project Brewing
Radix Fermentation
Rookery Brewing Co.
Sahale Ale Works
Sprecher Brewing Co
The Fermentorium
Torzala Brewing Company
Wizard Works Brewing Company
Young Blood Beer Co.
In addition to the beer available, Cafe Corazon and K&L BBQ will be on-site serving food all day long.
As the name suggests, a portion of proceeds from Pours for Parks will be donated to Milwaukee County Parks. This year’s funds will be allocated to the restoration of both educational placards and the shoreline of the Humboldt Park pond.
“This year, Pours for Parks intends to support the efforts of the Humboldt Park Friends, a volunteer non-profit group,” Hansen says. “The Humboldt Park Friends are focused on engaging the Bay View neighborhood and greater Milwaukee communities and fostering park stewardship through volunteering, preserving park history, improving park amenities and safety, and sponsoring events and programming for education and enjoyment of Humboldt Park.”
If you want to support a local park, sample some great local beer, or do both at the same time, makes sure to save the date for Pours for Parks and get your tickets while they last!
