Jeppson's Malört is the liquor that you either love to hate or hate to love.
The sickos lovers of Malört may find pleasure in pain, or a shot of the stuff may bring back memories of foggy nights at their favorite midwest college bar. Others (i.e., this author) think Malört tastes like dirty hand sanitizer. The point is, if you've tried this Chicago-borne booze, you certainly have an opinion on it.
If you enjoy sharing those opinions, we suggest heading to Malört Fest at Ray's Growler Gallery this Saturday, Aug. 27, from 3 to 10 p.m.
Started in 2019 and returning this year after a COVID hiatus, Ray's Malört Fest is just what it sounds like: a celebration of Chicago's most infamous spirit. On the menu is a Malört-based “Chicago Citrus Slushie” and “Uncle Carl’s Happy Boilermaker," which is a shot of Malört and a pint of Third Space Brewing’s Happy Place. There's also free hot dogs and Jeppson's "swag."
The niche festival featuring a divisive Chicago product coincides with another divisive Chicago product coming to town for the I-94 rivalry, as the Brewers take on the Cubs at 6:10 p.m.
"While beer is the best olive branch we can extend as Milwaukeeans, Chicago will be represented by a spirit about as unique as their sports history, because in all the world there is no liquor quite like Jeppson’s," the Facebook event page reads.
Want to see the pain a shot of Malört causes? Check out the gallery below. We also teamed up with the Milwaukee Record back in 2019 in advance of the inaugural fest to get 25 instant "Malört Face" reactions, but we didn't want to subject their team to that awfulness again.