Three Cheers For The Big Blue Craft Beer Festival This October 18

SHEBOYGAN, Wis., Sept. 12, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 18th, dozens of the best craft beers in the country will be featured at the Big Blue Craft Beer Festival at Blue Harbor Resort on the shores of Lake Michigan in scenic Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The festival will be set at the end of South Pier which features gorgeous waterfront views.

Working with the local Sheboygan brewery, 3 Sheeps Brewing Company, Blue Harbor has received commitments from over 30 breweries with the goal of offering a very wide variety of beer styles for attendees to sample and learn about.

According to James Owen, co-owner of 3 Sheeps, this beer lineup will have something for everyone. "We are excited to showcase some of the best breweries from here in Wisconsin, the Midwest, and all over the country in one of the most beautiful spots in Sheboygan. Craft beer has evolved dramatically in the past ten years, and we're hoping to expose attendees to many styles of beer that they've perhaps not had the chance to try."

Included in the brewery lineup are the three Sheboygan County breweries: 8th Street Ale Haus, 3 Sheeps, and Plymouth Brewing Company. Established favorites Founders Brewing Company (Michigan), Lagunitas (California), and Deschutes (Oregon) will be in attendance, as well as some newer breweries that have been pushing the envelope with exciting beer styles, including Destihl and Solemn Oath from Illinois, and Mobcraft out of Madison.

Flavors will range from traditional styles like IPAs, wheat beers, and stouts to those less widely known and available like saisons, barrel aged beers, and sour ales. Other offerings will fall outside defined styles such as Lynnbrook Raspberry from Destihl Brewing, Shake Chocolate Porter from Boulder Beer, and Sasquach Pumpkin/Sweet Potato Porter from Milwaukee Brewing.  3 Sheeps will also be tapping its first ever barrel aged beer for the VIP hour. A complete list of brewers and beers will be announced the week of September 22.

Blue Harbor Resort is the #1 Resort on Wisconsin's Lake Michigan Coast, with more than 240 suites and villas, a full service spa, shopping, dining and indoor water fun.

Big Blue Craft Beer Festival October 18 Event Line-Up

VIP Event Experience * Noon – 1 p.m.
Guests can meet the brewers, preview exclusive beers with culinary pairings and small plates designed by the culinary teams at Johnsonville Sausage and Blue Harbor Resort.  Included in the VIP experience is early entry into the Craft Beer Tasting and Food Fight.  Early bird pricing is two tickets for $100.  VIP tickets after the early bird pricing are $55 each.

Grand Craft Beer Tasting * 1 - 4 pm                      
Big Blue Craft Beer Festival attendees can sample beers from more than 30 breweries.  Music, fun and cheer are all included.   Early bird tickets are only two for $50, or $35 each. Thanks to the partnership with Johnsonville Sausage, also featured at the Festival will be fresh grilled Johnsonville Brats with all the fixings including the company's specialty mustards, for only $1 each. Proceeds will go to The Boys and Girls Club.

Food Fight * 3:45 – 6 p.m.
Johnsonville vs. Sargento
Be entertained and enjoy appetizers while seeing how the area's top culinary experts create prize dishes with secret ingredients.  Sargento will be represented by Chef Adam Price; and Johnsonville's top expert will be Culinary Scientist Jay Scroggins.   Both of these leading food companies are based in Sheboygan County and have never faced off in a competition like this before.

Tickets to any or all of these events can be purchased at www.Xorbia.com.

Take the Elevator Home
In celebration of this event, Blue Harbor Resort is offering special accommodation packages.  If booked before September 15, guests can receive overnight accommodations and two Craft Beer Tasting tickets for rates starting at only $149 plus tax and resort fee.  It's a perfect Fall getaway to the Lake.  For reservations, guests can call 1.866.701.BLUE or book online at www.blueharborresort.com, using code BEER14.

Members of the craft beer industry have rallied to be part of this special event.  Proud partners of the Big Blue Beer Festival include Johnsonville Sausage, Beechwood Distributors and 3 Sheeps Brewing.

About Blue Harbor Resort
With stunning Lake Michigan beachfront and water views, Blue Harbor features 182 suites, 64 villas, more than 17,000 square feet of meeting and event space, a 54,000 square-foot indoor waterpark entertainment area, a full service spa, three restaurants, and recreation amenities including watersports and access to the Bull golf course. This Classic Lakeside Resort and Victorian style landmark is a favorite for leisure travelers and groups because of its proximity to Chicago, Milwaukee, Green Bay and other gateway cities.

The resort is located in the Harbor Centre District in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, a city known as the "Malibu of the Midwest" for its scenic waterfront, sailing, boating and freshwater surfing.  It has also received many accolades including Best Places to Raise a Family by Bloomberg and other national news organizations.
For additional information on Blue Harbor Resort, visit www.BlueHarborResort.com.

SOURCE Blue Harbor Resort