Spring events keep the suds flowing.
What do you want with your beer on April Fools’ Day? A photo booth with jester hats, of course. Draft & Vessel, 4417 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood, will have them. Expect pours of North Coast Pranqster, Nitro Old 38 and more starting at 6 p.m., according to the Draft & Vessel Facebook page.
April 1: The Brass Tap, 7808 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield, goes fishing — Dogfishing. Dogfish Head takes center stage with 60 Minute, 90 Minute, Namaste, Romantic Chemistry at 4 p.m., according to the Brass Tap Facebook page.
April 3: The Sugar Maple, 441 E. Lincoln Ave., celebrates its eighth anniversary with a benefit for the Mitchell Park Domes from noon to 5 p.m. Look for some special beers and a food truck out front.
April 6: Come for Eric Blowtorch but stay for the Lakefront beer tasting from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Miramar Theatre, 2844 N. Oakland Ave. Tickets are $5.
April 7: Happy National Beer Day.
April 7: Enlightened Brewing and Central Standard Distillery team up for a beer/cocktail/snacks event at 7 p.m. at Rumpus Room, 1030 N. Water St. Cost is $40.
April 7: The Brass Tap taps its first firkin ever at 6 p.m. It’s one of several brews from Summit Brewing, said the Brass Tap Facebook page.
April 7: Burnhearts, 2599 S. Logan Ave., goes wild with Brewers Gone Wild, a series of brews from Tyranena on tap. Look for Wrath of Rocky, Kissers, Doubley Down & Even Dirtier beginning at 6 p.m., according to Burnhearts’ Facebook page.
April 16-23: Milwaukee Beer Week. Details coming.
April 16: Cellar Spring Cleaning at Rumpus Room. They’re hauling out the 2014 through 2015 vintage brews including Peruvian Morning and Local Option de Kleine Dood from Central Waters for happy hour from 3 to 5 p.m.
April 11: Abita Brewing is the centerpiece of Bar Bites at Story Hill BKC, 5100 W. Blue Mound Road. The brews are paired with five courses. The cost is $65 and includes a reception at 6 p.m. Dinner is at 6:30 p.m. For tickets, call (414) 539-4424. See the Story Hill BKC Facebook page.
April 17: Crafts & Drafts Spring Beer Festival hosted by Discount Liquor. Expect regular, seasonal and rare beers, and a VIP Tasting area with 28 prized brews. It runs from 1 to 5 p.m. for VIP entrance and 2 to 5 p.m. for general admission at Serb Hall, 5101W. Oklahoma Ave. VIP tickets are $70 in advance; general admission is $55 in advance. Proceeds benefit the Wisconsin Ovarian Cancer Alliance.
April 22: Cakes & Ale is a benefit for Optimist Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park starting at 7 p.m. at the Woman’s Club of Wisconsin, 813 E. Kilbourn Ave. Tickets are $50 and are available at birthdaybard.org.
April 23: Saturday happy hour gets Surly with Todd the Axe Man, Abrasive and BLAKKR from the Surly Brewing inventory. Beers are paired with food specials. Bring your growler for fills. 3 to 5 p.m. at Rumpus Room.
Coming up:
April 29-May 1: Kohler Festival of Beer.
May 5: Humboldt Park Beer Garden, 3000 S. Howell Ave., opens for the season. Live polka music begins at 5:30 p.m. and keg-tapping follows at 6 p.m. with free beer until the keg is emptied, per the event Facebook page.
For a guide to beer news and more, see Tap Milwaukee’s Beer Here page.