Midwest Sour + Wild + Funk Fest

This annual beer festival hosted by Upland focuses on all that is sour, wild, and funky and includes breweries not only from Indiana but across the United States. It’s the only event of it’s kind in the Midwest so if you’re a sour fan like me this is a must! Historically this festival is always held at City Market indoors. This year they shut down Market Street and held the festivities outside. This was my first time at this event so I can’t compare the two setups but overall it worked well regardless if the heavens parted and poured down on us like a flood — the sour wild funky warriors pushed on in the rain, soaked, yet eager to try the bounty of sour ales, while the not so brave took cover inside City Market.
The good funk:
*The beers… those hard to find, rare, high dollar, special occasion Lambics, Sours, Belgians, Barrel Aged goodness can be found here. I tried so many different varieties of funky beers, everything from a Pickled Barrel from Flat 12 (Cucumber Kolsh aged in Four Roses Bourbon Barrels), to a Cocoa Mole from New Belgium (Cocoa, cinnamon, and chilies), to an Old Sour Cherry Porter from Rivertown, to a Malefactor from Upland (8 month bourbon barrel aged version of a Flanders-​Style Red Ale), to a Red Angel from Wicked Weed (Barrel Aged Sour with Raspberries). So many good selections!
*Unlimited samples, cheers to that!
*There are only 25 – 30 breweries (which I like) I was able to take it slow and try something from almost every brewery.
*If I lived downtown I would take advantage of biking to this event. A bike valet area is available for bikers.
*The line into the event was long but moved quickly
*Lines for beers (if there was a line) also moved quickly
*Lots of excellet food options offered within City Market
The bad funk:
*Breweries started running out of beer by 4:30 which was disappointing.
*Very few port-​o-​johns
*Parking
Tips:
*Don’t miss trying selections from Wicked Weed & Upland
*If you want to purchase an event shirt get it early… smalls run out fast
*This event is very focused on sour funky ales someone who doesn’t like these styles may not enjoy this event.
*Purchase a crocheted beer glass holder in advance from Don’t Worry Be Hoppy. They come in a variety of fun, funky, wild colors to perfectly compliment this event and future beer events. Click here for more details: