Erv-toberfest 2025

Beer has always been part of Wisconsin’s culture. Milwaukee’s famous first “Beer Fest” in 1933 drew more than 20,000 people to enjoy beer and German food, laying the groundwork for the celebrations that continue today. Festivals such as the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison and Milwaukee Brewfest on the lakefront carry on that legacy in the modern craft beer era.

Among those traditions, Erv-toberfest has grown into one of the longest-running independent craft beer events in the area. It began in 2011 as a small Sunday gathering with just 30 beers, a few backyard tents, and 50 people. The idea was simple: a festival without long lines, VIP pricing, or exclusivity—just great beer shared by everyone.

Over the years, Erv-toberfest has weathered torrential rains and even high winds that once leveled tents just before the event began. Each challenge brought improvements, from sturdier professional tents to better layouts and more food and beverage options. What started as a backyard experiment is now a four-hour Saturday night tradition, celebrated every year on the weekend after Labor Day.

Today, Erv-toberfest features more than 70 beverages, including over 36 Oktoberfests, fall ciders, and a wide range of styles from IPAs and sours to stouts and lagers. Guests also enjoy a full German-inspired buffet that goes well beyond pretzels and sausage. The menu includes house-made Spätzle with sauerbraten gravy, authentic sauerbraten that has been brined for a week, pork roast with Dunklebock gravy, German meatballs, warm potato salad, sauerkraut, red cabbage, and desserts like cheesecake with cherries and German chocolate brownies. The food reflects family traditions, prepared the way they were meant to be.

Adding to the atmosphere is live music—this year featuring Double Bourbon Quick—which helps turn the evening into more than just a tasting. With unlimited sampling, hearty food, and entertainment, Erv-toberfest has become a celebration of Wisconsin’s brewing heritage and German roots, while maintaining the intimate, welcoming spirit of its earliest days.

For just $50, guests receive unlimited samples, dinner, and live music. Erv-toberfest may not draw 20,000 people like Milwaukee’s first Beer Fest, but that’s by design. Instead, it offers a festival experience that feels personal, friendly, and rooted in community—a chance to raise a glass together and celebrate what makes Wisconsin beer culture so special.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased right here! Hope to see everyone there!