What's Tappening? - Get Your Groove On
Events Happening in Madison This Week: Jun 5 - Jun 8
I hope you’re ready to celebrate this month. In the drinks world, this first week on June offers up multiple days and ways to imbibe. Yesterday was World Cider Day, today is National Cognac Day, Thursday is National Moonshine Day, and Saturday is National Bubbly Day. So pick your poison and lift a glass to all the fun events in store for you this week right here in Madison.
But first, as a friendly reminder, if you’re hosting an event and want to be included in this newsletter, reach out to me here, on Instagram @drinkswithdarin, or by e-mail. Let’s work together!
If you weren’t aware, Young Blood Beer Co is celebrating their 5th Anniversary all week long. This little brewery that opened in the midst of the pandemic in 2020 is still going strong and they just broke ground yesterday on a new facility in DeForest, slated to open next year. In the meantime, you can head to either taproom for food specials, limited beer releases including a vanilla bourbon barrel stout, and limited anniversary merch. Their sister establishment, Plain Spoke Cocktail Company, is also celebrating 5 years this week with special promotions of their own.
Not to be outdone on the birthday scene, Bar Corallini is celebrating their 6th today with an all day Aperitivo Hour. You may find me bellied up to the bar enjoying one or two $6 Negronis. It’s already the best Negroni in town, and with those prices you’d be crazy to pass that up.
Now that we’ve got that all out of the way, let’s have a drumroll for this weeks events:
Thursday, Jun. 5
Join Madison’s favorite Americana and Bluegrass band, WheelHouse, gets you ready for the weekend as they kick off the Concerts on the Rooftop series at the Monona Terrace (1 John Nolen Dr.). A different band takes the stage every Thursday for the next two months to bring you a rocking experience in a one of a kind venue. Because tickets are free, that just means you have more money to spend at the cash bar as you sip on drinks with views of Lake Monona on one end, and the State Capitol building on the other.
Cheshire Cat Comedy is bringing the laughs to the Crucible (3116 Commercial Ave.) this week in an effort to Make America Gay Again! This comedy/drag show brings in some of the funniest queer comics and drag stars. Their jokes are guaranteed to hit the spot and have you laughing all evening long. What a way to start Pride Month celebrations with a bang.
Friday, Jun. 6
We’ve got another round of tunes for on Friday on both sides of the isthmus. First, check out Brewgrass Fridays at The Edgewater Hotel (1001 Wisconsin Pl.) sponsored by Wisconsin Distributors and Potosi Brewing. Go early to get a fish fry from the Icehouse and then grab your favorite Potosi beer as you take in the views of Lake Mendota.
Or you can head over to Wingra Boats (824 Knickerbocker St.) for First Friday Music by the Water. Bring your picnic blankets, lawn chairs, and your own food/beverages for an evening of family friendly fun by Lake Wingra. Music kicks off with a kids band at 5pm followed by a local band later.
Regardless of which lakeside event you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Every week there seems to be another festival or two in the Madison area. This weekend it’s Verona Hometown Days. Held at Hometown USA Festival Park (451 E. Verona Ave), this event has it all. There’s live music everyday, carnival rides and attractions, a magic show, a cornhole tournament, and a parade. The Hometown Brewdown beer festival that ran in conjunction with the festival is no more, but there is still a wide variety of local beer on tap in the beer tent that you shouldn’t look over. I’m most looking forward to rockin’ out to all the 80’s hair band hits covered by Cherry Pie. They always put on a great show.
Czech lagers are one of my favorite styles of beer to drink. Whether it’s a Mlíko, Šnyt, or Hladinka pour, it’s always delicious. Now if you don’t know what any of those words mean, you can learn that and more about the art of Czech-style beer at Working Draft’s (1129 E. Wilson St.) 2nd Annual Czech Fest. Three days of 16 different Czech-style beers all on side pull faucets plus food provided by Stalzy’s Deli. This was one of my favorite local beer events last year and I’m sure it will be even better for round two!
Saturday, Jun. 7
If you want to have a fantastic Saturday morning, get yourself downtown. While perusing the farmers market for all of you local produce needs, take a short detour onto MLK Blvd. for Cows on the Concourse. Learn about the local dairy industry and even pet some cows. And afterwards, stroll down State Street for Cars on State. This is one of the few times you can actually see privately owned cars on State St. (other than those out of towners who make a wrong turn). During the event you can view a wide array of vintage cars, chat with the owners, and enjoy everything downtown Madison has to offer.
If two wheeled transportation is more your speed, consider signing up for the Fitchburg Draft Picks Brewery Ride. An official Madison Bike Week event, this guided tour takes you along the various bike trails to three local breweries (Hop Haus, Great Dane, and Delta). Each stop will include snacks and samples of beer for riders. Totaling about 18 miles round trip, this ride will make ensure that each beer stop is a welcome refreshment.
Some people have asked how I find out about all these events. I rely on a variety of sources to compile this list each week. But this next event I found out through a random flier posted on a utility pole in my neighborhood. That event is DogFest! at Come Back In (508 E. Wilson St.). Whether you have a pup of your own or not, all are welcome here. Bring your dog to play in the puppy pool/splash pad or meet some adoptable dogs that you may end up taking home yourself.
Sunday, Jun. 8
For all those celiacs out there, we have Alt Brew for your beer needs. But for everything else you may need to do some searching. To help you out, you can attend Mad Gluten Free Fest at Breese Stevens Field (917 E. Mifflin St.). In addition to gluten free food vendors from across the state, they will also have educational booths to help inform you about gluten intolerance, celiac disease, nutrition, and healthy living. There’s also a kid’s activity zone to keep the little ones entertained throughout the afternoon.
To end out the week, if you want a more low key bike ride to breweries, consider doing the Brews Cruise bike ride. It’s a choose your own adventure kind of ride with starts at either Delta Beer Lab (167 E. Badger Rd.) or Starkweather Brewing (2439 Atwood Ave.). Grab a beer at the starting brewery, then make your way to the other however you please (the lake loop is the suggested path). Have a second round before heading out to finish the loop. Celebrate your accomplishment with a victory beer. Plus all riders get a free sticker from each brewery that you can use to deck out your bike, helmet, or water bottle.
Tapping Soon
June 10th: Book Swap at State Line Distillery
June 20th-22nd: Oregon Summer Fest
July 26th: Seltzer & Cider Fest at Breese Stevens Field
July 26th-27th: Atwood Fest on Madison’s eastside
August 2nd: Wisconsin IPA Fest at Third Space Brewing in Milwaukee
August 2nd: National Mustard Day at the National Mustard Museum in Middleton
That’s it for this week’s highlights. As always, leave a comment and let me know what you’re looking forward to this weekend or about any events I may have missed.