BLOOMINGTON, Ind. Upland Brewing Company and French Lick Resort Casino have paired up to present the first annual "Great Licks Craft Beer, Wine & Music Festival" on Mother's Day weekend at the Resort.

Beginning at noon on Friday May 11 and concluding at 11 p.m. on Saturday May 12, the Festival will combine Indiana's premium brewers and vintners with two days of performances by some of the region's stellar singer-songwriters. Pouring wine by the taste and by the glass will be Oliver Winery, Huber Winery, and French Lick Winery. Besides Upland, who will be serving their award-winning brews, craft beer aficionados will also be able to enjoy the hand-crafted ales from members of the Brewers of Indiana Guild such as Broad Ripple Brewpub and Mad Anthony Brewing Company.

The musical lineup brings many of Indiana's most renowned singer-songwriters to a single event. Anchored by the Friday night performance of the legendary Johnny Rivers inside the Windsor Ballroom (separate fee), performers include Stella and Jane, Carrie Newcomer, Slats Klug, Krista Detor, Jennie DeVoe, Tom Roznowski, and Leo Kottke.

"Great Licks" is envisioned as a yearly event focusing on premium Indiana-based wineries and brewers combined with the best of original Americana musical talent. "Our goal is to create an annual event that will be the best and largest Spring Festival in South-Central Indiana," states Mark Bommarito, vice president of sales and marketing.

"The focus is on creative process," adds Upland's Penn Jensen, the event coordinator. "Craft brewing and artisan wine making in Indiana stand second to none," he states. "This event brings this collaborative process to life in a way that allows people to enjoy great beer, excellent wine, and great music in the context of one of the most beautiful resort hotels in America."

Although Johnny Rivers will perform inside the Resort in the Windsor Ballroom, tickets sold separately thru www.ticketforce.com, the two-day Mother's Day Festival will be held outdoors in the formal gardens of the renovated Hotel. Rivers will play on Saturday evening beginning at 8 p.m. An acoustic jam session will begin at 9 p.m. The intimate setting will allow the singer/songwriters to share their new work, discuss their projects, and jam together. "I'm really excited about this festival," states singer-songwriter Jennie Devoe. "It's allows many of us who work so closely with one another, such as Carrie [Newcomer], Slats [Klug], and Tom [Roznowski] to perform together in a really special and exciting way."

Tickets are $25 for two days, $15 for one day. Tickets for Johnny Rivers are available online from French Lick Resort Casino. The full schedule and online ticket purchases can be obtained from Upland Brewing Company, Oliver Winery, Huber Winery, and French Lick Winery.

About French Lick Resort Casino:

French Lick Resort Casino is a $382 million historic restoration and casino development project that includes the French Lick Springs Hotel, the new French Lick Casino and the West Baden Springs Hotel (opening spring 2007). When complete, this premier resort and casino destination will feature 693 guest rooms and suites; 42,000-square-foot, single-level casino; 45-holes of golf, including the fully restored 1917-designed Donald Ross Course at French Lick and the new, 18-hole Pete Dye Course at French Lick (opening 2008); two full-service spas with a combined 36 treatment rooms totaling 41,000 square feet; and an array of dining and entertainment options. For more information, please visit www.frenchlick.com or call 1-888-MyHideaway (888-694-4332).

About Upland Brewery:

Founded in 1997, Bloomington's Upland Brewing Company opened its doors and began distributing the first kegs of Pale, Porter, Amber, and Upland's signature Wheat Ale to our first customers in Bloomington and other select venues throughout Indiana. Thanks to a dedicated and top-flight brewing crew who have consistently created award-winning beers, Upland products have expanded exponentially each year since. Today, Upland beers are distributed to all 92 counties in Indiana. Thanks to our loyal customers and the growing ranks of new patrons, and we are truly thankful, Upland is proud to call itself Indiana's number one microbrewery. For more information about our beers and the excellent dining offered in our Tap Room and Patio, please visit www.uplandbeer.com