Microbrew Supporters All Wet, Still Faithful at Pints in the Park Event in Highland

HIGHLAND | Torrential downpours and a flooded parking lot at Wicker Memorial Park couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of hundreds of craft beer lovers who gathered Saturday at the park’s social center for Pints in the Park.

This first regional craft beer festival featured more than 100 craft beers brewed locally and from across the Midwest. They set up tents outside the social center and did a brisk business despite the rain.

More than 500 guests purchased tickets to sample a wide variety of beers in small mugs and help support the Humane Society Calumet Area and the services offered by North Township through Trustee Frank Mrvan, said Jennifer Dettlo, of Griffith, who helped organize the festival with her husband, Jeff, and in-laws Brian and Bridget Cook.

“My husband and I met at Wicker Park. We got married at Wicker Park. I also bartended at Wicker Park a number of years ago,” she said.

Jeff came up with the idea during last winter’s polar vortex, Jennifer said, adding this became “his pet project.”

Brian Cook is Jeff’s brother, and the Cooks own Dining Solutions, a company that holds the liquor and food license at Wicker Park for weddings.

Jennifer Dettlo said she discovered how close-knit the craft beer community is while helping to organize the event.

“There are a wide variety of ages and walks of life in this community,” she said. “They are really intelligent and collaborative.”

Matthew and Amanda Kalwasinksi, of Munster, said they purchased tickets for the festival to sample the “plethora of beers” available.

“Instead of going to the store and buying a six-pack, then not liking it, we can come here,” Matthew Kalwasinski said.

“There’s also the socialization aspect. We are running into a lot of people we know,” Amanda Kalwasinski said. “It’s really an exquisite park, despite the rain.”

Tony Terzarial, of Griffith, said he was surprised to discover how many craft beers were available in the area.

“This is one place to taste the different kinds of beers instead of going all over Lake and Porter counties,” Terzarial said. “This is good for Northwest Indiana to have that many brew pubs. It should attract more people here.”

Jose Malagon, of Munster, said when he and wife travel, they look for microbreweries.

“Since I tried microbrews, I can’t go back to regular beer,” he said.

Creating craft beers “is an art,” said Rosie Malagon. “They take the time to blend unique flavors and ingredients.”

In conjunction with the festival, Trek Bicycle Store in Schererville sponsored a 5K bicycle ride with 35 participants who braved Saturday’s thunderstorm and flooded areas to make it to Pints in the Park. One of the stops along the ride was at Wild Rose Brewery that’s scheduled to open soon in Griffith.

“It was wet, but it was fun. You couldn’t see in front of you for some of the ride,” said Julius Kish, of Highland, as he dried out in the social center and enjoyed food provided by Dining Solutions.

“It wasn’t hell, but it was high water,” Kish quipped.