There’s the official mayor of Milwaukee, Cavalier Johnson. There are a couple of unofficial ones, like Bobby Portis and Tommy Violet.
But, now, for the first time, the city’s “Champagne of Beers” region is looking for an (honorary) mayor of its own.
Miller High Life, aka the “champagne of beers,” announced July 14 that it’s searching for the inaugural mayor of the “Champagne of Beers” region, which is located on a portion of West State Street in the Miller Brewery grounds.
In June 2021, the Milwaukee Common Council unanimously passed a resolution by Ald. Russell Stamper, designating the area after a Miller High Life petition campaign.
Yes, it’s a nod to the Champagne region of France. According to the resolution, only beer invented within the Champagne of Beers Region will have the honor of being called the “Champagne of Beers.”
“Every great region deserves a great mayor, and we can’t think of anyone better to represent the Champagne of Beers than someone who truly loves Milwaukee and Miller High Life,” Alison Hanrahan, Molson Coors’ community affairs manager, said in a news release. “We’re looking for someone with hometown pride, a great story and the personality to wear the ceremonial crown with confidence.”
There’ll even be an inauguration ceremony, on Sept. 19 at the Miller Visitor Center in Miller Valley, where the honorary mayor will be sworn in.
Commemorative merchandise, designed by local artist Fred Kaems, will be available, with all proceeds benefiting the Milwaukee Parks Foundation.
Here’s what to know, including how to throw your hat in the ring, and the perks of the position (including some free beer!):
How to apply for a chance to be the first honorary mayor of the ‘Champagne of Beers’ region
According to the official rules of the “Miller High Life Champagne of Beers Mayor Contest,” applicants must be a legal resident of select Wisconsin zip codes (a list of them can be found here), at least 25 years old at the time of their entry, and be available to attend the inauguration.
To apply, according to the rules, visit millerhighlife.com/Mayor and submit your birth date. Complete the registration form, then follow the directions to upload one original essay (250 words or fewer) describing why you should be named the “honorary Mayor of the Champagne of Beers Region,” as well as one photo (in PDF format) of yourself living the “High Life.” Voilà! That’s your submission. And, you only get one.
This is the judging criteria: Passion for High Life is worth 50%, originality (stands out as memorable) counts as 25% and strength of argument for why you should be named mayor is another 25%.
The contest is open until 11:59 p.m. CT Aug. 23, 2026.
After the contest period, a panel of “qualified” judges will select the one entrant with the highest-scoring submission. The potential winner will be notified via email on or around Aug. 31, 2026.
Official duties are limited to participation in the inauguration event, the news release noted, and the honorary mayoral term is one year.
In addition to being crowned honorary mayor of the “Champagne of Beers” region, the winner will receive two cases of Miller High Life; a dinner for eight (the winner and seven guests, who all need to be at least 25 years old) at the Miller Caves; two High Life-branded T-shirts; two High Life-branded hats; and a check made out to the winner for $2,000 to assist in taxes potentially associated with prize acceptance, the rules said.
For more info, go to millerhighlife.com/mayor and be sure to check out the full official rules.
Anyone who applies for mayor will automatically be recognized as a citizen of the “Champagne of Beers” region and receive “an official citizenship certificate,” the release said. Those who aren’t interested in being mayor, but still want to be a citizen of the region − and receive that citizenship certificate − can do so by registering on the Miller Brewery Tour website.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Want to be Miller High Life’s ‘Champagne of Beers’ region mayor?
Reporting by Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
