BRING ON THE BEER. Viennese Ball celebrates being back by bringing guests locally made Viennese-style beers. (V-ball photo by Luong Huynh)

Returning to Eau Claire for the first time since 2019, the Viennese Ball is baVck and bigger than ever. This annual tradition supports UW-Eau Claire students by raising money for music, service, and international study scholarships. 

In addition to dancing and music, the Viennese Ball always features standout German- and Austrian-style cuisine and beverages throughout the night. This year, the event will feature the all new Viennese Beer Tour, a taste of German and Austrian style lagers brewed by area breweries: The Brewing Projekt, Modicum, Ombibulous, and K-Point.

All four breweries have contributed a Vienna-style lager, that today we would recognize as a modern amber ale with a dry, clean, and refreshing finish, with their own takes on this traditional brew. Across the four brews, expect a variety of flavor notes including toasted malt, caramel, fresh bread, slight nutty flavor, and subtle herbal spice (but not all in the same draught).

Historically, the Vienna lager was an important development from dark beers to modern pale lagers. Fans of New Belgium’s Fat Tire Amber Ale should enjoy these traditional European brews. Prost!

Viennese Ball • Apr. 8 (9th is sold out) • 7pm • UWEC Davies Center • $55 public, $30 student, discounts for UWEC • uwec.edu/centers/viennese-ball