Central Waters Funnel Cake Ale Returns to Wisconsin State Fair

The 5.5% cream ale is back for a third year, brewed exclusively for Badger Bites and Buzzy Badger.

AMHERST, Wis., July 28, 2026: Central Waters Brewing and Distilling has brought back its Famous Funnel Cake Ale for a third consecutive year at the Wisconsin State Fair, brewed exclusively for Badger Bites and Buzzy Badger, the fair concessions run by The Tap Yard. The 5.5% ABV cream ale pours only on tap at the fair which runs August 6 through 16.

The beer comes off of Central Waters’ 10-barrel pilot system at its Milwaukee brewery, located at 1037 W Juneau Ave. Reserved mainly for recipe development and experimenting with unique and interesting flavors, the breweries’ R&D facility was the perfect place to brew this specialty offering. “It’s a traditional cream ale, medium bodied with a golden hue and a bready sweetness,” said Joe Abbott, Sales Manager at Central Waters. “The natural flavors bring in hints of vanilla that give it that funnel cake character.   The perfect beer to drink while cruising the midway, or taking in a pig race” 

Badger Bites and Buzzy Badger are Wisconsin State Fair staples brought to you by the same folks who run The Tap Yard locations throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Badger Bites serves rolled and fried takes on Wisconsin comfort foods like buffalo chicken dip and cheese curds, while Buzzy Badger pours handcrafted cocktails and other drinks alongside the beer. This is the third year running that Central Waters has brewed a beer just for the two stands.

“If you’re heading to the Wisconsin State Fair, please be advised: a delectable and delicious beverage has returned,” said Nick Marking, co-owner of The Tap Yard. “Central Waters Famous Funnel Cake Ale is back for its third consecutive year at Buzzy Badger and Badger Bites. Side effects may include buying a second pint and declaring this your favorite fair tradition.”

More information on both stands is available at badgerbites.com.

About Central Waters Brewing and Distilling

Founded in 1998 in Junction City, Wisconsin, Central Waters is a craft brewery and distillery known for one of the largest barrel-aging programs in the country, alongside IPAs and other classic styles. The company operates a second brewery in Milwaukee, where they brewed a beer that took first place at the 2025 Wisconsin IPA Fest.

About The Tap Yard

Founded in 2021 at 84South in Greenfield, Wisconsin, The Tap Yard is a family-owned business run by husband-and-wife team Nick and April Marking. The Tap Yard now operates beer gardens in five Southeastern Wisconsin communities: Waukesha, Brookfield, Menomonee Falls, West Bend, and Schlitz Park in Milwaukee.

Media Contact Jordan Steffen jordan@centralwaters.com Central Waters Brewing and Distilling