Lakefront Brewery’s Maifest, The Midwest’s Largest Gluten-Free Festival, Celebrates Its Fifth Year With An Expanded Event

As gluten intolerances continue to see a significant increase around the globe, Lakefront continues their longstanding support of providing world renowned gluten-free food and beverage, with Maifest as their pinnacle celebratory event.

MILWAUKEE, WIsconsin (April 9^th, 2026) – It’s the five-year anniversary of Maifest, the Midwest’s largest gluten-free festival featuring an expansive array of safe-to-consume food and beverage for those with gluten intolerances. On Sunday, May 17^th from 10am to 3pm, venture outside Lakefront Brewery to enjoy an expanded version of their popular event which will spill onto Commerce Street and into their auxiliary lot next door for the first time. Additional parking will be available down the street at Schlitz Park (1555 N. River Center Dr.) where a shuttle service will be providing rides from 10am to 4pm. As producers of New Grist, the country’s first and best-selling gluten-free beer, and founders of the CurdWagon all gluten-free food truck, they’re ready to embrace their gluten-free audience with a plate of yummy food and a full cup of something tasty.

This year’s Maifest will welcome a record number of vendors, including over 40 gluten-free food vendors and food trucks. This includes their CurdWagon, serving Mesquite BBQ flavored fried cheese curds, Cheez-It crusted chicken strips, as well as the tented Lakefront Lane, dishing out soft pretzels, grilled burgers, sausages, Thai PB&J Brussels sprouts, and multiple stations serving up fried cheese curds – all gluten-free!

New to Maifest is the official release of the Brewers’ Reserve: Sparkling Mead. The latest in their Brewers’ Reserve series and produced specifically for Maifest, this gluten-free sparkling mead is made with cherry and sakura, then aged in Wollersheim brandy barrels. The one-off gluten-free rarity is their first entry in the mead category and will be available on-site and in 12oz cans to-go. They’ll also be celebrating the release of their freshest New Grist variety, New Grist Radler, a gluten-free beer and grapefruit juice cocktail available on-site and to-go. Like in years past, Lakefront will also be serving Bloody Marys as well as six different gluten-free cask beers from a Strawberry Lemonade to a Jala-Piña Colada.

In their continued efforts to give back to the community, starting Sunday, May 10^th through their Maifest event, they will be hosting a “round-up” donation drive for the Bonnie Lynn Mechanic Celiac Clinic at Children’s Wisconsin. A booth will be available at the festival to learn more about their mission and other ways to get involved.

Another first for Maifest will be a showcase of full band performances with stage and sound production sponsored by Kneeverland Productions. Stop by to see some of the best local talent Milwaukee has to offer.

10:30am | Longline Riders

11:40am | Social Cig

12:50pm | Known Moons

02:00pm | Wisconsin Space Program

Join in or just take in some of the special activities including German Dancers at 12pm, the March of the Doxie’s (a parade of Dachshunds) at 2pm, as well as street performances, magic, and much more! Visit Lakefront’s website HERE for additional information and a full list of vendors.

About Lakefront Brewery

Lakefront Brewery, Inc. is an independent craft brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin founded by brothers Jim and Russ Klisch in 1987 when they scaled up their homebrew equipment to a 7-barrel brewhouse. They have grown to produce over 20 full-scale offerings yearly including Riverwest Stein Amber Lager, Hazy Rabbit IPA, Dive Beer Milwaukee Lager, and New Grist Gluten-Free Pilsner, the first Certified Gluten-Free beer in America.

Lakefront Brewery is committed to using business as a force for good by achieving the high social and environmental standards verified through B Corp™ certification. Experience Milwaukee’s brewing legacy by taking their award-winning brewery tour and indulge in top notch traditional Bavarian and Midwestern fare at Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall, one of Milwaukee’s premier tourist destinations. Lakefront distributes its best-in-class products to over 30 states, Canada, Ukraine, and Sweden. For more information, visit lakefrontbrewery.com or call 414-372-8800.

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