Belly Up Beer and cheese: “Wisconsin kills the world in both categories”

Ripe odors of strained, salted dairy and the penetrating aroma of malts will suffuse the Alliant Energy Center Exhibition Hall (1919 Alliant Energy Center Way, 608-267-3976) on Jan. 29 at 1 p.m. for the Isthmus Beer & Cheese Fest, an exhibition that thrusts a smorgasbord of specialty cheese and craft brews from a voluminous array of providers—many local—into our collective grill for chomping. Attendance was about 1,200 last year, which surpassed expectations, so this year the event will take place in a bigger room. More than 70 exhibitors will present more than 160 beers and cheeses, and additional snacks and cured meats will provide tummy-buttressing starches and protein. “Beer and cheese make sense—Wisconsin kills the world in both categories,” explains Jason Joyce of the Isthmus. “But the shocking thing for at the inaugural event last year was how popular the Gail Ambrosius-led chocolates and beers pairing was.” It was so packed that this year an extra ticket ($10) is required for the breakout pairing session. For general admission tickets ($45), email cmajchrzak@isthmus.com or call 608-251-5627.

FATSOMETER: 9. Free rides to the event and discounted rides home are courtesy of Union Cab, a fillip for those who know they’ll get wobbly on beer. But even alcohol abstainers will be bloated and slow-moving after this slow and sweet Wisconsin death trip.