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COVID-19 has effectively put an end to so many beer events that news of an outdoor beer festival, especially one in the Midwest, is NEWS.
Here’s the deal…
Giving the middle finger to both the cold and COVID-19, Mittenfest 2021 is a go, marking the first winter beer festival in 2021 brave enough to throw an outdoor beer festival in the midst of a global pandemic, let alone in the heart of a Midwestern winter.
Sponsored by 3CDC, Mittenfest 2021 will take place in Washington Park on February 20 & 21. $25 will get you three 12oz beers guaranteed to fuel your stay in the cold. And as things stand now, Rhinegeist Brewery, 50 West Brewing, Taft’s Brewing Company, Christian Moerlein Brewing Co., Platform Beer Co., Samuel Adams, Rebel Mettle Brewery and MadTree Brewing will all be pouring.
Why Mittenfest Matters
At a time when most craft breweries, brewers guilds and national trade organizations are cancelling planned events, or kicking them back to later in the year as the Brewers Association recently did with its Craft Brewers Conference now scheduled to take place in Denver early September, Mittenfest 2021 is making a statement.
That even with the pandemic lingering, there’s a need for these beer gatherings. A COVID-19 addled nation needs a break from sheltering-in-place and the event’s sponsors are betting that beer lovers have a thirst for drinking in public again, no matter the cold, COVID-19 be damned.
And we know that brewers are desperate as well for events such as Mittenfest to resume.
Festivals like Mittenfest help build an essential bond between craft breweries and their fans. And after almost a year of state-mandated shutdowns, that bond has never been more important, both economically and, well, spiritually.
And we’ve included additional details from 3CDC about this promising beer “coming out” party below…
- Masks must be worn at all times while in the event area. Masks must be worn at ticket pickup, while ordering drinks / food, when moving around common areas, and in the restrooms. You may remove your mask only while seated to consume your food or drink. You will not be served without a mask.
- We’ve called it Mittenfest for a reason. This is an outdoor event in February. Prepare for cold weather, dress accordingly. Mittens strongly encouraged.
- Washington Park will have additional seating areas and propane heaters scattered throughout the Park. We encourage you to warm up at a local establishment after you leave Mittenfest.
- You are not permitted to bring alcohol to Washington Park. Buy a Mittenfest ticket and if interested and additional drinks tickets will be available
- Food trucks will be onsite providing artisan foods. Attendees are welcome to bring outside food or pick up carry out from an OTR restaurant nearby.
- The event is outdoors and rain, snow or shine. In the case of a severe winter storm, the event will be rescheduled to a later date. Ticket holders will be notified via email of any event changes.
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferrable so again dress accordingly.
