Each year the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild organizes the Great Taste of the Midwest, billed as “one of the premier beer festivals in the United States.” Having more than 100 vendors, 500 beers, 6,000 attendees and people who camp out in line for 12 or more hours for tickets, I would have to agree.
The event runs from 1-6 p.m. on the second Saturday of every August at Olin-Turville Park (this year it was on Aug. 14). The vendors are split into five tents, and there’s a free guide book to see what each vendor is serving (each will pour you about 2-5 oz. per beer in a souvenir glass you get as you enter the main gates).
I can’t stress this enough: You can’t drink all 500 beers! That’s why using the guide book is helpful. Before you get in line at each vendor, you can see what they’re serving. Sometimes you’ll encounter a vendor that doesn’t have any beers that you’d like, so at least you don’t have to waste your time (and tolerance) there.
I am glad I brought a lawn chair, which I placed under a tree near the middle of the grounds (with about 500 other people!). It was nice to rest in the shade every so often while enjoying the tasty microbrews. Plus, I bought some food at the “food court,” so it was good to be able to sit while eating.
I was pleasantly surprised that the event did not turn into a drunked debauchery. I guess it’s because most of the attendees are people who like beer for beer, not solely to get tanked. The few police officers I saw seemed to have a pretty quiet day.
Despite the numerous porta potties, I still think the event needed more. As each hour passed, the lines grew larger and larger. Like at any crowded bar or sporting event, standing in a long line to pee is a punishment for enjoying a few drinks.
Union Cab offers $1/person cab rides back to your home or hotel. If you don’t want to wait a LONG time for a cab, you may have to consider–dare I say it–leaving early from the event. This year was an extra tough year to get a nearby hotel such as the Sheraton or Clarion as WJJO’s Band Camp was across the street at Willow Island, and it happened to be move out day on the UW campus (the day in which many college kids are homeless for one night until they move into their new place).
