Buffalo Creek Brewing to host inaugural Maifest May 12-13

Buffalo Creek Brewing will welcome the month of May with spring's answer to Oktoberfest.

From noon to 11 p.m. Friday, May 12, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, May 13, the authentic German brewery in historic downtown Long Grove, 360 Historical Lane, will host its inaugural Maifest (pronounced my-fest) and usher in the long-awaited spring season like they do in Germany and Austria.

Besides the ancient rite of dancing around the maypole, Buffalo Creek Brewing's two-acre biergarten will come alive with blooming flowers and the sights and sounds of the budding spring season, including live music, German games, new warm-weather beer releases and a special small batch tent, food trucks, and more.

"Bavaria's fall festival may get all the attention, but Maifest is awesome too, and with better weather," said owner/brewer Mike Marr.

Although oompah bands, steins of lager and men in lederhosen under big tents seem synonymous with Oktoberfest, Maifest is just as delicious and fun as it welcomes in the warm weather season.

On Friday, a live band will rock the Buffalo Creek Brewing main stage before the biergarten is transformed into a dazzling outdoor club experience on Saturday led by a DJ.

During the two-day free fest, Marr will be releasing warm-weather beers that he'll feature at the brewery throughout the spring-summer season, like his ever-popular Hefeweizen called Muttersholtz and a rare version of his Russian Imperial called Hallows, aged in rum barrels with coconut.

The small batch beer tent will be an area where guests can participate in meet-and-greets with the brewer and sample his latest experimental beers. In addition to authentic German jumbo soft pretzels, some of the area's most renowned food trucks will be rolling through as well.

Partial proceeds from the festival will benefit YouthBuild Lake County, a local nonprofit organization, in support of their vision to see self-sufficient young adults thriving and improving in their communities.

For information, visit buffalocreekbrewing.com.