Beer fests can be hit or miss, but the Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival at the Harley-Davidson Museum was a hit. Plus: Sprecher’s Wisconsin Pale Lager, the beer selection at the Riverside, and more.

I spent Saturday afternoon at the Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival at the Harley-Davidson Museum. Beer fests can be hit or miss, but this was one of the good ones. One of the reasons why was an accurate list of breweries and the beers they were pouring, which made it really easy to find oddities and interesting recipes. Unique sips of brews like Ballast Point Wahoo with Thai chili and ginger or Jester King Funk Metal Sour Barrel-Aged Stout are the reasons to attend beer fests. Plus, there were very few lines and the crowd was subdued and didn’t behave like drunken bunch of frat boys (that can happen at beer fests too). Props to the fest. I’ll go again.

Sprecher Whole Cone Hop Series

Sprecher just released Wisconsin Pale Lager, which is dry hopped with fresh Cascade hops grown in Wisconsin. The beer is the first in Sprecher’s new Fresh Hop Series. The next, slated for release in mid-November, is Citra Bomb. It will be followed up by a Belgian Pale Ale. The fourth beer is still a secret and the fifth is an All-American Pale Ale. Keep an eye out.

Barley Pop of the Week

I was able to sample Smoking Wood Bourbon Barrel Stout from The Bruery at the Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival and it was amazing. It has a hint of smoke, but not enough to be off putting. The big flavors are vanilla and a sweet booziness. It’s a complex brew, and the best one that I tried at the fest.

Quick Taps

I was part of the throng at The Riverside this weekend for Widespread Panic’s visit. It’s hard overstate what a great venue the place is. The beer selection is solid (I rotated between Surly Furious and Lakefront Fixed Gear) and the staff is outstanding. It’s a great showcase for hundreds of folks who made the trip from other states and cities. Well done, Riverside.

Events Brewing

Wednesday, Oct. 28: Get a taste of Luxembourg when Bofferding owner Georges Lentz comes to Draft & Vessel (4417 N. Oakland Ave.). Sample a pilsner from the tiny European country.

Wednesday, Oct. 28: The Milwaukee Beer Society samples Halloween beers from 6 to 9 p.m. at Best Place (901 W. Juneau Ave.). Cost is $10.

Thursday, Oct. 29: Romans’ Pub (3475 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.) is bringing a few Founders brews up from the cellar. On the list is a 2013 Curmudgeon Ale, 2014 Backwoods Bastard Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale, 2015 Blushing Monk Raspberry Ale and a rare 2015 Kentucky Breakfast Stout.

Friday, Oct. 30: Discount Liquor Milwaukee (5031 W. Oklahoma Ave.) hands out Dogfish Head samples from 4 to 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30: Get your pumpkin fix with Southern Tier Pumking and Warlock samples at Discount Liquor Waukesha from 4 to 6 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 30: The Malt Shoppe (813 N. Mayfair Rd.) pours Cerverceria Mexicana’s Cerveza de los Muertos beers from 5 to 7 p.m. The Beer of the Dead line is certainly perfect for Halloween.

Saturday, Oct. 31: Try “lesser-known beers” at Three Cellars (7133 S. 76th St.) from 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 31: Three Floyds takes over the taps at Palomino (2491 S. Superior St.) for Halloween. Show up at 7 p.m. to see what tasty brews are being poured.

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