Winter Beer Festival

About the Event:

WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 25, 1pm to 6pm

WHERE: LMCU Ballpark in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids

WHAT: Michigan beer! This popular event will feature hundreds of fresh, local beers from Michigan’s finest breweries, plus local music, ice sculptures and carving demonstrations, fire pits to chase away the cold, and food available for purchase.

Festival FAQs:

Is this an outdoor event?

Yes! This festival takes place outdoors. In February. In Michigan. Please make wardrobe choices accordingly.

What does my $60 ticket include?

Your ticket includes admission to the festival and 15 tokens for beer samples. We are a non profit trade association, and your ticket purchase supports our organization, and helps to offset the many costs associated with the festival such as beer, tents, toilets, security, music, insurance, equipment, etc.

Are there ID requirements or an age limit to enter the event?

All festival attendees must be 21 or older to enter, even if they are designated drivers and are not drinking. A valid government ID is required for festival entry, with NO exceptions.

What is the refund policy?

Tickets are NON-REFUNDABLE.  The festival will occur regardless of the normal winter weather conditions. If you cannot attend for any reason, you may sell or transfer your ticket to someone else.

Is my registration/ticket transferable? How do I transfer my ticket to another attendee?

Yes, tickets are transferable – but each bar code will only scan one time. You do not need to do anything special to transfer your ticket to another attendee’s name. Purchaser name will not be checked against ID-holder name at the gate.

Are Designated Driver tickets available?

Yes. DD tickets will be available at Will Call at LMCU Ballpark the day of the festival for $10. You must be 21 to purchase a DD ticket. Please have the person or group you are the DD for come to Will Call with proof of their regular ticket purchase.

Can I buy a Designated Driver ticket and then buy tokens for drinks if I change my mind?

No. Servers will not pour beer to Designated Drivers, and anyone caught drinking on a Designated Driver ticket will be immediately ejected from the festival.

Where do I pick up my tokens?

Festival staff will be handing cups & tokens to attendees immediately upon walking through the main gate into the festival.

Why do I need to use tokens if I already paid for a ticket?

State law requires that we comply with certain rules laid out by the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, which include utilizing drink tokens and specially marked cups to assure that we have a controlled means of serving beer.

All festivals attendees are expected to willingly provide a token for each and every sample of beer received. Thank you for your cooperation which keeps us in compliance with state law.

What are my transport/parking options getting to the event?

Parking will be available at LMCU Ballpark. There may also be shuttles available at local hotels. Please check with your hotel.

What can/can’t I bring to the event?

The following are NOT permitted on festival grounds: outside alcohol, marijuana, glass containers, children (including infants), strollers, bicycles, skateboards, rollerskates/rollerblades, or animals.

You may bring any of the following items with you to the festival: water and other non-alcoholic beverages in non-glass containers, food, folding/camping chairs, coolers.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

You must bring a ticket with you to be scanned to allow you entry to the festival. This ticket can either be printed or be the electronic version accessible on your smartphone or wireless device.

How can I get early admission to the event?

Enthusiasts with valid membership ID card and VIPs with valid VIP pass will be permitted into the festival early (noon), one hour prior to general admission (1pm). If you’d like to participate in early entry, you can sign up as an Enthusiast Member prior to the festival date.