Nearly 50 beer-makers will bring their IPAs to Milwaukee’s Third Space Brewing, 1505 W. St. Paul Ave. in the Menomonee Valley, on Saturday, Aug. 4 for the second annual Wisconsin IPA Fest.

Admission to the event, which runs from noon until 5 p.m. and is part of the 11-day Drink Brew City Week event organized by Milwaukee Craft Brewery League celebrating Milwaukee craft beer, is free. The public can sample 48 Sconnie pale ales this year – 11 more than in 2017 – at $2 per 4-ounce pour in the brewery’s taproom and outdoor beer garden.

In addition to sending a beer, each participating brewery will send a judge. After a double-blind judging session, the judges will crown Wisconsin’s best IPA for 2018, earning the champ the right to display a trophy that resembles a fermentation tank – made by Oconomowoc-based Quality Tank Solutions – until next year’s competition.

Lakefront Brewery won last year’s debut competition.

“We wanted to create an event for the public to celebrate the great hoppy
beers being made right here in Wisconsin” said Third Space Co-Founder and
Brewmaster Kevin Wright. “We also wanted to create a friendly competition to crown the best IPA in the state each year.”

Everyone who attends the event can vote for the the People’s Champion.

While you’re there you can also try some of Third Space’s non-IPA beers, which will be available in the taproom.

A special VIP Hour from 11 a.m. to noon costs $30 and includes 10 sample pours. It also cuts down on wait times for samples and ensures that you’ll taste everything you want before supplies are exhausted. Third Space will also tap some exclusive beers only during the VIP hour.

VIP tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite.

For more information, click here.