83 Brewers. 12 Cheesemongers. One Very Wisconsin Saturday.

If beer and cheese are part of your love language, consider yourself invited.

The Beer and Cheese Fest returns to Madison on January 17. And you can call it one very Wisconsin Saturday.

Here’s why.

This annual event takes over the Alliant Energy Center from 2 to 6 p.m. with what will be a greatest-hits tour of flavor. Plus, there will be a few surprises from beyond state lines!

2026 marks the 16th year for the festival and the first under new organizers Brothers Molloy Events. Organizer Lucas Molloy says stepping into this Wisconsin staple hasn’t really been intimidating — just exciting. 

“The goal is simple,” Molloy says. “Honor the tradition and make it a great day for anyone who loves craft beer, local cheese, or both.”

And there will be plenty of both.

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Listen to the complete discussion about Beer and Cheese Fest here:

General admission ticket holders will get to sample pours of more than 80 craft brewers from across the U.S. This includes Wisconsin favorites and standout names from places like Texas and Washington. And add in 12 cheesemongers with roughly 2,400 pounds of cheese — yes, just for sampling — and you’ve got a very Wisconsin problem on your hands.

The festival leans into some play, too. Expect stein relay races, stein-hoisting competitions, and what’s sure to be a new crowd-pleaser this year: the Spanish long pour, where skill (and a steady hand) matter more than height. There’s also live entertainment throughout the venue, from an electric violinist, roaming one-man band, a silent disco, and polka tunes from DJ Shotski.

Then there’s the fashion. Beer fest veterans know the true must-have accessory is the pretzel necklace. Some keep it classic. Others go full charcuterie with meat sticks, cheese, candy bars, you name it. It’s a way of turning snacks into a wearable art form.

Molloy says VIP tickets are sold out, but general admission tickets are still available for $65.

“Doors open at 2, and we’ll work quickly to get everyone inside and out of the cold,” Molloy promises.

Beer. Cheese. Games. Polka. Indoors.
Honestly, it’s hard to think of a better way to spend a Saturday in January during winter in Wisconsin.

Find more information here.