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Lodi Beer Fest & State BBQ Championship

2026 Lodi Beer Fest & State BBQ Championship

Presented by F & M Bank

Saturday, April 24, 2026

1:00-5:00 PM

The Lodi Beer Fest is a great celebration of craft beer from up to 50 local and national breweries. Join us and find a new favorite beer, toss a game of cornhole with friends and dance along to the live band. Held in conjunction with the State BBQ Championship more than 30 BBQ teams will compete for prizes in a variety of categories.

The Spirit Lounge is back this year featuring award winning bourbons, whiskeys, tequilas and vodkas along with barbecue bites and chocolate.

"S"VIP Tasting - 1:00-3:30 PM

$90 in advance / $125 day of event

A limited number of tickets will be sold

Entry one hour before General Admission
Beer tasting from up to 50 breweries
Access to the Spirit Lounge with bourbon, whiskey and tequila tasting
Commemorative tasting glass
Live music and games

VIP Tasting - 1:00-5:00 PM

$50 in advance / $60 day of event

A limited number of tickets will be sold

Entry one hour before General Admission
Beer tasting from up to 50 breweries
Commemorative tasting glass
Live music and games

General Admission - 2:00-5:00 PM

$40 in advance / $50 day of event

Beer tasting from up to 50 breweries
Commemorative tasting glass
Live music and games

Located in the Ole Mettler Grape Pavilion at the Lodi Grape Festival Grounds

413 E. Lockeford Street, Lodi, CA 95240

Must be 21 or older to attend - this includes infants, toddlers and all children. You will be required to show ID to enter the Lodi Beer Fest - no ID, no entry.

Pets are not permitted.

Designated Driver Tickets

To attend with a "S"VIP ticketholder - $30
To attend with a VIP ticketholder - $25
To attend with a General Admission ticketholder - $20

Gate for entry to the event close at 4:00 PM.

State BBQ Championship

California State BBQ Championship sanctioned by the Kansas City BBQ Society (KCBS),

Contestants cook 4 meats:

Chicken
Pork Ribs
Boston Port Roast (Pork Shoulder/Boston Butt)
Beef Brisket

Which may be cooked using heat sources of

Wood
Pellets
Charcoal (lump or briquettes)

Entries are judged blindly on the following criteria:

Appearance
Tenderness
Taste

For more information and to sign up click here.

If more than 15 teams enter the contest the winner will be sent to the “World Series of BBQ” known as Jack Daniel's World Championship Invitational Barbecue (draw) and an American Royal Invitational Qualifier, as well as a Team of the Year (ToY) event.

Lodi Beer Fest Pages

To Purchase Tickets

Tickets can be purchased in advance online beginning December 1, 2025 or in stores beginning February 1, 2026 through close of business on Friday, April 24, 2026 at the following locations:

Lodi Grape Festival Office - 413 E. Lockeford Street in Lodi
Stogies Lounge - 230 W. Pine Street in Lodi
Five Window Beer Company - 9 W. Locust Street in Lodi
River Rock Brewery - 608 N. Lincoln Way in Galt
Dry Creek Liquor - 1060 E. Augusta Street in Woodbridge

Designated driver tickets are available online or at the door, but must be purchased with someone that has a valid Lodi Beer Fest ticket.

Tickets are not refundable. Tickets purchased online are subject to a processing and handling fee.

Must be 21 or older to attend - this includes infants, toddlers and all children. You will be required to show ID to enter the Lodi Beer Fest - no ID, no entry.

Pets are not allowed.

Gate for entry to the event close at 4:00 PM.

Thank you to our Sponsors

Lodi Beer Fest & State BBQ Championship

2026 Lodi Beer Fest & State BBQ Championship

State BBQ Championship

Lodi Beer Fest Pages

To Purchase Tickets

Thank you to our Sponsors

F & M Bank

Clark Pest Control

Stogies Lounge

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