Join us in celebrating the outstanding breweries of Door County and the beauty of Crossroads at Big Creek at the Trails & Ales festival on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 12:00 to 3:30 pm, rain or shine.

Proceeds from Trails & Ales directly support Crossroads’ mission to inspire environmental stewardship in learners of all ages and all backgrounds through education, research, restoration, and outdoor experiences. Thank you for your support!

Tickets

The ticket price includes a Trails & Ales keepsake beer glass and unlimited three-ounce tastings from all eight of Door County’s breweries. Meet the brewers, explore the natural beauty of the Crossroads trails, enjoy an afternoon with friends. The event also features a raffle, with a chance to win many great beer-related and Door County related items. 

Space at this event is limited, so day of event tickets might not be available. If tickets are available on the day of the event, they will cost $40 plus processing fees. Save money and assure your spot by buying your tickets early!

In addition to purchasing a ticket, all attendees must present proper ID at the event entrance to receive a wristband and beer glass, and to participate in the sampling. Sorry, there will be NO exceptions.

There are NO ticket refunds. 

Timeline

11:30 Registration tables open to receive wrist band and glass.
Raffle: review baskets and purchase tickets.

Noon Ale Trail opens!

3:00   Raffle drawing in front of Collins Learning Center
Souvenir glasses for sale in front of Collins Learning Center.

3:30  Trails & Ales closes. All attendees exit the Ale Trail.

Details 

·       The Trails & Ales festival opens at noon and ends promptly at 3:30 pm.

·       Raffle drawings will be held at 3:00 pm in front of the Collins Learning Center. You must buy your tickets (cash only) at the event, but you need not be present to win. 

·       The breweries will be stationed along the trails closest to the parking lot. The route is about 1/3 mile long. The trails are level, and portions are crushed gravel. For those with mobility limitations, contact Crossroads at info@crossroadsatbigcreek.org before September 6 to inquire about accommodations. 

·       The event will proceed rain or shine. Please dress for the weather. If bad weather makes the trails impassable, the event will move into and around the Collins Learning Center. 

·       Food and soft drinks will be available for purchase at the food truck. 

·       You are welcome to take a break from the “beer trail” and explore everything that Crossroads has to offer on its 125-acre main campus. Other family members are also welcome to visit the campus, or even tag along with you for a while, but no one without a wristband and beer glass issued by the Trails & Ales festival staff may drink beer. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome anywhere on Crossroads’ main campus, but we ask that you please be considerate of other attendees. (As a courtesy to all attending, no dogs will be permitted inside the Trails & Ales event.)

·       No beer in a glass or other open container can be taken off the main campus grounds. 

·       Check the Crossroads’ website and Facebook page for updates on Trails & Ales and the beer list.

Parking

Limited parking will be available at the Crossroads lot. Overflow parking is available across the street in the Whitetails Unlimited parking lot, located at 2100 Michigan Street. Please be respectful of our neighbors by only parking only on the paved areas and not on the grass.

Place

Crossroads at Big Creek, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235
Located at the intersection of Highway 57 and Michigan Street, on the east side.

FAQ

Q. When is Trails & Ales?
A. Saturday, September 6 from 12:00 noon to 3:30 pm.

Q. What breweries will be participating in Trails & Ales?
A. All Door County breweries are participating: Bridge Up Brewing Company, Door County Brewing Co., Hacienda Beer Co., One Barrel Brewing Co., Peach Barn Farmhouse & Brewery, Shipwrecked Microwbrew, Starboard Brewing Company, and Sway Brewing + Blending. 

Q. Will there be seating at the event or are we allowed to bring our own?
A. There will be picnic tables and benches available, and bench seating at the amphitheater. No need to bring your own chairs.

Q. What is the admission policy for the day of the event? Will I need an ID?
A. All ticketed attendees must present a valid photo ID with proof of age at the event entrance to receive a wristband and beer glass, and to participate in the sampling event. Sorry, there are NO exceptions.

Q. Can I buy a ticket at the door? Will it sell out?
A. Because space is limited, tickets may not be available on the day of the event. IF tickets are available, they will cost $40 plus processing fees. Save money and buy online early!

Q. What does my ticket include?
A. Your ticket includes unlimited beer tastings, a tasting glass, access to the trails at Crossroads, and the chance to meet the people behind your beers. You can also participate in raffles, and purchases at the food truck.

Q. Is there a designated driver ticket price?
A. There is not a designated driver ticket price however, if you are not drinking (so not needing a wristband and tasting glass) you don't need to pay to enter the event.

Q. Are kids allowed at the event?
A. All of Crossroads is open to the entire family. Underage non-participants may prefer to explore other parts of the Crossroads’ campus. They may be at Trails & Ales if they accompany the adults who brought them.

Q. Where can I park?
A. Limited parking will be available at the Crossroads parking lot. Overflow parking is available across the street in the Whitetails Unlimited parking lot, located at 2100 Michigan Street. Please be respectful of our neighbors by only parking on the paved areas, and not on the grass. Additional parking may be available along Michigan Street.

Q. Will food be served at the event?
A. Yes. Food will be available for purchase from the food truck throughout the afternoon.

Q. Do you accept credit cards?
A. All online purchases are made by credit card. Day of event tickets may be purchased with cash or credit card at Crossroads. Raffle tickets may be purchased with cash only.

Q. May I leave the Trails & Ales event and return later?
A. You are allowed to leave the event area to explore Crossroads and may return for more beer if you still are wearing your wristband.

Q. May I bring carry-ins?
A. No carry-in beverages are allowed. Free water will be provided at multiple locations, and other beverages may be purchased at the food truck. 

Q. What if it rains?
A. The event will be held rain or shine, so dress appropriately. If rain is heavy or the trails are impassable, the event will move into the Collins Learning Center and the surrounding area. 

Q. Are dogs allowed at Trails & Ales?
A. As a courtesy to all attending, no dogs will be permitted inside the Trails & Ales event. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome outside the event area on Crossroads’ main campus, but we ask that you please be considerate of other attendees.

Q. Will there be souvenirs available for purchase?
A. If available, souvenir Trails & Ales glasses will be available after 3:00pm in front of the Collins Learning Center. You may purchase a six pack of glasses for $5.00 or individual glasses for $1.00 each.

Q. What should I do if I can’t find my email with the ticket QR code?
A. Contact us at info@crossroadsatbigcreek.org and we can resend the ticket to you. 

Q. I can’t attend the event, can I give my ticket(s) to someone else?
A. Because each ticket has a unique QR code, it can easily be given to someone else to use.