SHARE The Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival runs Friday and Saturday at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St. velllena

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When Craft Beer & Brewing magazine decided to host its first beer festival, it chose Brew City.

The location may have less to do with Milwaukee's reputation and more with its partnership with Kalmbach Publishing, but beer lovers and home brewers win either way.

The Wisconsin Craft Beer Festival runs Friday and Saturday at the Harley-Davidson Museum, 400 W. Canal St.

The idea was to attract those who love beer and, at the same time, offer "education, specialty beers, unique breweries and local and national breweries," said John Bolton, CEO and co-founder of the magazine.

"For us, education and learning are part of the brewing process," Bolton said. "Having an understanding of why you enjoy craft beer is really important."

More than 50 breweries will pour their brews. Also on hand will be beer experts Randy Mosher, an award-winning brewer and an author; John Palmer, speaking on brewing strategies; Stan Hieronymus, on hops and Belgian beers; and Brad Smith, on how to design recipes.

The festival had to get a special liquor license for Jester King, an Austin, Texas, brewery making its first trip to Milwaukee.

"The owner is coming because of our relationship," Bolton said. "You'd have to literally trade or buy it online to get it otherwise."

Bolton said what might set his festival apart from others is that each brewer was asked to bring at least one specialty beer for each of the tasting sessions and the VIP area. Many of the breweries plan to bring beers that are served only in their taprooms.

Bolton also asked every brewer attending to bring a brewer in for the festival: "We thought it was important for them to be here."

That means brewers will come from as far away as Alaska (Alaskan Brewing) and as close as Lakefront Brewing. The Bruery, from Placentia, Calif., will be on hand, as will brewers from Perennial in St. Louis.

Bolton said he didn't want the festival to highlight only out-of-state beer producers and "shot for 15 Wisconsin breweries" to be included. Sixteen will be represented.

Tickets for the event range in price from $449 (not including fees) for an all-access pass for Friday and Saturday, to tasting session tickets at $49.99 for each session and seminar sessions at $39.99. Designated-driver tickets also are available.

See wisconsincraftbeerfestival.com.