Craft brew, wine fest returns to Niles Friday

Published 8:20 am Thursday, July 28, 2016

Nearly 70 different varieties of adult beverages will be available for tasting at this year’s Niles Michigan Craft Brew and Wine Festival.

Tyanna Weller, president of the Four Flags Area Chamber of Commerce, said the drinks would come from 17 different breweries and five different wineries featured at the event, which runs from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, July 29, at Riverfront Park in Niles.

“It is a great way to enjoy the park, the community and to taste and sample some things you haven’t tried before,” Weller said.

Weller said several breweries and wineries would also be on site, including White Flame Brewing, Frankenmuth, Rochester Mills, Saugatuck Brewing, Round Barn Brewery, Silver Harbor Brewing, Sister Lakes Brewing, Lehman’s Orchard, 12 Corners, Lazy Ballerina and Tabor Hill Winery.

Cost to attend is $20 if tickets are purchased in advance at Martin’s Supermarket in Niles or at eventbrite.com. The price at the gate is $25.

The admission price includes an official festival glass and five tasting tickets, which can be used to get two-ounce pours of beer or one-ounce pours of wine.

Additional tickets can be purchased at the event. Weller said $5 would get a 12-ounce craft beer or five ounces of wine.

Although it is a craft brew and wine festival, Weller said Budweiser distributing would be on hand selling domestic brews, including Budweiser, Bud Light and lemon shandy.

Top Secret Band will play live from 5 to 9:30 p.m.

Weller said the event would feature several fun activities, including beer pong, oversized Jenga and sack toss.

Food will also be available for purchase, including pretzels, hot dogs, pizza and Jamaican chicken.