2026 Traveling Beer Garden Tour Kicks Off May 13th at Wilson Park
Image from Milwaukee County Parks.
Milwaukee, WI — Milwaukee County Parks and Sprecher Brewing Company are excited to kick off the 2026 Traveling Beer Garden Tour at Wilson Park on Wednesday, May 13. The first stop of this year’s tour will take place at Wilson Park Picnic Area #1, located at 1601 W. Howard Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53221.
Opening day festivities begin at 4:50 p.m. with a short ceremony and first-pour celebration. Following remarks from local leaders and partners, guests can enjoy complimentary beer and root beer for 20 minutes to toast the start of another season of community gatherings, live entertainment, and local brews in Milwaukee County Parks.
A Look Back at 2025
The Traveling Beer Garden celebrated another hugely successful season in 2025, including:
- 27,000 pints of beer sold
- 1,000 one-liter beer steins sold
- 4,500 Sprecher sodas sold
- 2,000 Milwaukee Pretzel Company soft pretzels served
- 3,000 Klement’s sausages served
What to Expect in 2026
Due to extremely high demand and after three successful seasons operating a single Traveling Beer Garden tour, we are expanding back to two separate tours this year. This growth allows the program to visit 11 Milwaukee County Parks locations, bringing the experience to even more communities across the county. The 2026 season will build on fan favorites while introducing several exciting additions.
- Thursday Art + Hopps Night Markets featuring local artists and live music
- Partnership with Alt Dog Run Lure Days, adding new activity based programming
- Live music every Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., sponsored by Sprecher Brewing Company
- Classic beer garden menu items including brats, sausages, hot dogs, and Milwaukee Pretzel Company soft pretzels
- Beto’s Tacos & Potatoes serving as the primary food vendor for the 2026 season
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday 5 – 9 p.m.
Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Additional Details
Over the past 13 years, Sprecher Brewing Company has invested more than $270,000 into the Milwaukee County Parks system. These contributions have supported numerous park improvements, including the installation of new basketball hoops at McCarty Park last summer.
“Milwaukee County’s beer gardens are a great way for residents and visitors to gather, relax, and enjoy our beautiful park system,” said Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley. “These popular community spaces help bring energy to our parks while generating important revenue that supports park operations and future improvements. I’m looking forward to another great season at Milwaukee County Parks’ beer gardens. Cheers!”
“Thirteen years in, the Traveling Beer Garden isn’t just an event, it’s part of Milwaukee’s summer, said Milwaukee County Parks Executive Director, Guy Smith. This year, we’re bringing back two separate tours visiting 11 locations, starting at Wilson Park, and expanding Thursday’s Art + Hops Night Market with local artists and live music. Partnering with Sprecher lets us keep delivering something the community genuinely looks forward to, while putting real support back into the parks.”
“The Traveling Beer Garden is one of the many ways the County helps create community spaces where people can relax, connect, and enjoy the outdoors, said Milwaukee County Supervisor, Caroline Gomez-Tom. It’s especially meaningful to kick off the season at Wilson Park, a cornerstone of the South Side. It was great to see so many neighbors out enjoying themselves and supporting our parks last season.
Over the years, these beer gardens have generated millions of dollars to support our parks system while remaining an accessible and welcoming tradition. I’m grateful to Milwaukee County Parks for continuing to invest in community spaces that bring people together and reflect the strength and spirit of neighborhoods across our county.”
“We’re thrilled to continue our partnership with Milwaukee County to bring back the beloved Traveling Beer Garden for its 13th season,” said Sharad Chadha, CEO of Sprecher Brewery. “This collaboration reflects our continued commitment to the Greater Milwaukee community which we’ve proudly served for over 40 years.
The Traveling Beer Garden is about more than great beer and food—it’s about bringing people together, supporting our local parks, and creating shared experiences that matter. As the tour makes its way through Milwaukee County Parks, it offers both residents and visitors a unique opportunity to enjoy our noteworthy beers in some of Milwaukee’s most beautiful outdoor spaces.
We’re honored to carry on this tradition and look forward to another season filled with connection, community, and lasting memories. Cheers to a fabulous summer in Milwaukee!”
Additionally, Bartolotta Restaurants has announced the 2026 opening of the Roundhouse Beer Garden at McKinley Marina. The lakefront beer garden will open Thursday, May 21st from 11 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.
About Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee County Parks is dedicated to enriching the lives of the community by providing safe, enjoyable, and affordable recreational opportunities while preserving the natural and cultural resources of the parks. Spanning over 15,000 acres, the Milwaukee County Park System includes more than 150 parks and parkways, over 100 miles of trails, numerous community centers, golf courses, botanical gardens, beaches, and hundreds of playgrounds, athletic fields, and picnic areas. Committed to sustainability, health, and equity, Milwaukee County Parks continues to strive towards a vision where everyone, regardless of background, can enjoy the benefits of green spaces and recreational facilities.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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