PAOLI, Wis. (WKOW) — The Hop Garden–Paoli celebrated Wisconsin’s winter culture with its Annual Winter Games, offering a unique twist on community events this Saturday.
The games invited “beer lovers of all nations” to compete or cheer, as stated in a media release.
Rich Joseph, owner of Hop Garden, shared that the Winter Games began about eight years ago during a slower season for the business.
“So we started doing the Winter Games about eight years ago. There was our slow time of year,” Joseph said. “So we kind of had a few beers and made up some games, and decided to call it the winter Winter Games, the Paola Winter Games.”
The event featured competitions like a keg toss, brat toss, and stein holding contest.
“So we’re doing a keg toss. So we’re tossing a European keg four points,” Joseph said.
“And then we do a brat toss, where one person tosses a brat the other person catches it in a bun.”
He added that the games are a reflection of local traditions.
“It’s more just things to have fun and just do goofy things in the middle of winter. That’s kind of a Wisconsin thing, too,” Joseph said.
Joseph emphasized the focus on community and fun.
“We just try to have a fun family environment where everybody’s welcome, and come and have some beer, have some great barbecue, and just kind of hang out, listen to music,” Joseph said.