What’s more Wisconsin than beer or cheese?

Beer and cheese. Put them in a festival, host it in the dead of winter, go with all your buddies, maybe there’s a football game on. Life’s good.

80+ beer and beverage vendors slinging samples. More cheese than is doctor recommended. Stein holding competitions and hammerschlagen so you can totally impress your friends.

Back for it’s 16th year, Beer & Cheese Fest is making it’s return to the Alliant Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin on January 17th, 2026. Although named Beer & Cheese Fest, prepare to sample far more varieties of beverages.

Beer will always be the foundation of the event, but if mead or cider is more your style, you’ll have plenty to sample. If THC infused refreshments are your jam, you’ll find a bunch. Spiked seltzer your elixir of choice? Yep, got those too. We don’t judge what you’re sippin’ on, and this is the perfect time to try out some of these unique libations.