Bucolic Kohler, Wisconsin, home of the legendary Kohler company headquarters and luxurious golf resort located about two hours from downtown Chicago, will become an even more desirable destination this weekend. The village will present its first-ever Festival of Beer from Friday, May 22 through Sunday, May 24. (And, as we know, the entire state of Wisconsin knows a thing or two about the brew.)
The event will host more than 20 breweries from across the nation, with a strong emphasis -- surprise, surprise -- on beer companies hailing from the Dairyland State, including Leinenkugel's, New Glarus Brewing Company and Sprecher. Chicago's own Goose Island will participate in the hoppy occasion, as will international imports Unibroue (from Quebec) and Chimay (from Belgium).
A daily schedule of events will include a beer-battered Wisconsin fish fry, a variety of tastings, a homebrewers' competition and even a golf tournament dedicated to beer lovers (is there any other kind?). Many of the festivities are open to the public while others require tickets; you can also purchase all-day passes for Saturday and Sunday that will get you into all of the day's activities. You can still buy advance tickets through tomorrow, Thursday, May 21 on the Kohler Web site or by calling 800-344-2848, or pick yours up in person at the Will Call Desk located in the Demonstration Kitchen at the Shops at Woodlake.
