Beer festivals, like the Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival, runneth over during the summer and fall. Credit: Wisconsin Beer Lovers Beer Festival

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Beer festivals are a chance to join hundreds of like-minded beer lovers in the pursuit of the perfect pint.

Well, maybe not a full pint, but three ounces of liquid gold.

The beauty of a festival — and the 3-ounce glass — is that you don't have to be a beer aficionado. Festivals, with table after table of brewers sharing their blends of hops and malts, are designed for the beer-curious.

Try something new. Talk to the man or woman who made the beer. Go for all the medals on untappd.

Here's where:

May 27-29:Summer Untapped. The Micro and Leinie Lodge at Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St., West Allis, will open for the Memorial Day weekend, serving more than 50 Wisconsin craft beers.

It's open from 5 to 11 p.m. May 27, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. May 28 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 29. The event is free to get in. Parking is $6.

Bonus: So far, the live music schedule includes JDubz Acoustic Duo on May 28 and Zachary Wade & Guest on May 29.

June 4:World of Beer Festival. The Beer Barons of Milwaukee host the festival at Schwabenhoff Pavilion, N56-W14750 Silver Spring Drive, Menomonee Falls.

Sample from more than 350 Baron-picked beers, meads and ciders from 1 to 5 p.m. General admission tickets are $45 and include a festival glass. VIB (very important beers) tickets are $65 and include a chance to try rare beers.

Bonus: Shuttle buses available from Milwaukee's east side, St. Francis and Bay View, Oak Creek, Wisconsin State Fair Park, Hales Corners and Delafield.

June 11:Beer Camp Across America Festival. Host brewery Sierra Nevada invited every craft brewer to join them for the six festivals they have planned across the country. Bottom line: The tour is a chance to highlight a variety pack of beer Sierra Nevada Brewing made with 30 other breweries.

Ninety-seven breweries will make themselves at home at Veterans Park from 3 to 7 p.m.

Bonus: The plan calls for live music, food trucks and a party atmosphere.

Tickets are $50 for general admission in advance and $70 for early access. Ticket prices go up $15 after advanced tickets are sold out.

June 18:Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival. The Wisconsin Brewers Guild helps sponsor this festival, which is a sign of a good party.

More than 40 breweries are represented and each is paired with local chefs and Wisconsin cheese-makers designed to complement the beers available for sampling. The festival takes place in Bayshore Town Center in Glendale from 1 to 5 p.m.

Bonus: There's an app with brewery and restaurant locations.

General-admission tickets are $45 in advance and $55 at the door. That includes a souvenir tasting glass and unlimited samples. Designated drivers can purchase a "Food Lovers Ticket" for $25.

June 25:Border War Beer Fest. Like Beer Camp Across America, this one is new. Kenosha sets the stage for an imagined rivalry between Illinois and Wisconsin brews.

Fifteen Wisconsin breweries and cideries are pitted against a dozen breweries from Illinois from 3 to 6 p.m. at Harbor Park, 206 55th St., Kenosha.

Bonus: The winning state takes home the "Willy," a traveling trophy awarded to the state with the best brews as voted on by attendees at the fest.

General admission is $45 for a 31/2-hour session, unlimited samples and a commemorative pint glass. VIP tickets cost $79 and include early access, admission to the VIP lounge, unlimited samples of rare and limited-release beers and more.

July 23:Milwaukee Firkin Fest. It's fun to say and fun to sip. A firkin is a small wooden barrel or covered vessel. Expect 50 of them filled with cask-conditioned ale or cider from 4 to 7:30 p.m. in Cathedral Square.

Bonus: The festival concentrates on the beer but also the history of beer. Look for Historic Milwaukee brewing displays and a breweriana tent.

General admission tickets are $49; VIP tickets are $80. VIP tickets allow a one-hour head start, food from 3 to 4:30 p.m., tastings of rare or limited-release brews and a fest T-shirt.

July 30:Milwaukee Brewfest. The beer is good, but the lakefront view can make anything taste even better.

Milwaukee Brewfest spreads out at 1600 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive from 3 to 7 p.m. VIP admission begins at 2 p.m.

Bonus: Look for live music and home-brewing demonstrations.

General admission is $45 in advance and $50 at the door (if not sold out in advance). VIP tickets are $75 in advance only and allow for early entry; free food; covered seating; and private restrooms.

August 13:Great Taste of the Midwest. Beer lovers wait overnight for tickets to the annual festival held on the shores of Lake Monona in Madison.

It's worth it.

The nonprofit Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild has beer festival efficiencies down — for both brewers and fest-goers. Expect 1,000 beers this year, but don't try to drink them all.

Gates open at 1 p.m. Beer sampling ends at 6 p.m. There's plenty of room to dance to live music and food trucks are available on the grounds.

Bonus: The festival draws brewers from across the Midwest and many save their rare or limited-edition brews for the occasion.

Tickets are $60 and are sold in person the first Sunday of the month or May or by mail in a ticket lottery.

Sept. 10:Thirsty Troll Brew Fest. The annual event is held at Mount Horeb's Grundahl Park, 401 Blue Mounds St., where 25 craft brewers serve more than 100 different beers. The festival runs from 1 to 5 p.m.

Bonus: Food is provided by local civic organizations.

Tickets cost $35 through May 31; $40 after June 1; and $50 at the gate. VIP tickets are $75 and include early entry and a special beer sampling.

Sept. 10: Ervtoberfest. It's a small but mighty beer festival in front of Erv's Mug, 130 W. Ryan Road in Oak Creek. The size makes it easy to get a sample and talk with a brewer or a representative. And sometimes, they pour you something that's not on the menu.

Ervtoberfest runs from 5 to 9 p.m.

Bonus: Your $40 ticket includes food and beer.

Sept. 17:Great Lakes Brewfest. Here's your chance for brew at the zoo. The popular festival is held at the Racine Zoo from 3 to 6 p.m. More than 400 breweries and ciders are represented.

Bonus: The festival is a benefit for The Kilties, an all-ages, coeducational drum and bugle corps focused on education and mentorship.

General admission tickets cost $50. VIP tickets are $89 and include early entry, food samples, rare beers, a private lounge and private restrooms.

Oct. 1:Milwaukee Cider Fest. The festival celebrates cider but doesn't forget beer (see the Oktoberfest tent).

The festival is held from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. and opens at noon for VIPs at Schlitz Park, 1543 N. 2nd St.

General admission tickets cost $42.19. VIP tickets cost $63.44.

For a guide to beer news and more, see Tap Milwaukee's Beer Here page.