Lions have another year of Brewfest on tap Saturday

MONTICELLO — What could be better than a summer day spent outdoors with a beer in hand? How about the opportunity to sample as many as 150 different brews, while surrounded by friends and fellowship with a beautiful backdrop of the Mississippi River?

Now in its 12th year, the Monticello Lions Brewfest will serve up a heaping mug of community cheer and local craft beer on Saturday, Aug. 17 at Ellison Park.

Running from 3 to 7 p.m., rain or shine, the annual craft beer sampling event also features live music, local food, vendors, fun and games — including a dunk tank — along with plenty for non-beer drinkers to imbibe, from wine and spirits to seltzers and hard teas.

This year’s event will include more than 40 vendors, organizers said, with about 150 different beers on tap from a bevy of mostly Minnesota-based brewers.

More than 20 different local and regional breweries have signed on so far, with the list growing by the minute.

So far, that includes AEGIR Brewing Co., Alloy Brewing, August Schell Brewery, Bent Brewstillery, Brookview Winery, Castle Danger, Downeast Cider House, Founders Brewing Co., Gluek Beer, Jack Pine Brewing, Lupulin Brewing Company, Mana Brewing Co., Old Firehall Brewing Company, Pantown Brewing, Spilled Grain, Sociable Cider Werks, Summit Brewing, Sunken Ship Brewing Co., Surly Brewing Co., Waconia Brewing and Lake Hour, among others.

Brewfest wouldn’t be complete without the food. American Legion Riders Post 260 will have festival favorites, including pork chops and corn on the cob; Von Hanson’s Meats will be serving their mouth-watering summer specials; Chin Yuen will satisfy any cravings for Chinese; and Pizza Ranch will be selling slices.

Musical entertainment at Brewfest this year will be headlined by Drew Peterson, an Americana artist from Minneapolis, along with opening act Mandy Fassett, a multi-instrumental string musician.

Last year was the first time Brewfest was held at Ellison Park, after about a decade of successful past events at West Bridge Park, with construction there forcing the venue change.

While the 2023 Brewfest was a hit, it was also something of a learning experience for the Lions Club, organizers said.

“We had many compliments of the park last year but we noticed a few things we could do this year to make it better,” said Lion Kayla Pederson.

One change, she noted: “We’ll be stretching the brewers across the entire road side of the park to open up more views of the Mississippi.”

Brewfest serves as a major fundraiser for the Lions Club, a nonprofit organization that puts proceeds back into the community, helping to better the city.

“This is the Monticello Lions Club’s largest fundraiser of the year and we appreciate the support of the community members but also the vendors and volunteers who support our efforts every year,” Pederson said. “The money raised allows us to donate to the Monticello Help Center, student scholarships, children’s eyeglasses, families in need, local charities, Christmas food baskets, veterans, dire departments, teachers and many others who need and deserve funds.”

She noted that tickets to Brewfest are still available online through the event website at www.lionsbrewfest.com.

Standard, general admission tickets, which are $35 in advance or $40 at the gate, include a sampling mug, scorecard and wristband that allows unlimited beer tastings.

While plenty of fun can be had by all at Brewfest, this year’s VIP tickets are offering quite the upgrade, with a new covered VIP area set up by the river, right next to the music.

VIP tickets, which are $65, will include gyros from Cornerstone Cafe, a golf chipping game, exclusive beer releases, T-shirts or tank tops, early access to the venue and exclusive air-conditioned bathrooms.

Designated driver tickets are also available for $10, allowing entry but no alcohol consumption.

For those looking to park off-site, there will be free shuttles running to Ellison Park from several locations, including in Monticello at River City Extreme and Buffalo Wild Wings; in Big Lake at Tootsie’s Lakeside Pub and Lupulin Brewing; and in Becker at Dueling Brews and Charlie’s Grill and Bar.

To buy tickets, as well as get more information on confirmed breweries and vendors, check out www.lionsbrewfest.com.