Great Taste of the Midwest

Pair beer with the ultimate outdoor beer festival in America and you have The Great Taste of the Midwest, Madison, Wisconsin's beer-tasting extravaganza. An annual hit, approximately 6,000 people come to together on the second Saturday in August to enjoy the best things about beer and people. With 5,000 paid attendees and 1,000 brewers, staff, volunteers and other complimentary admissions, it's a diverse group with one thing in common: a love for beer.

Imagine: 100+ breweries and 500+ beers all in one place! It is a beer drinker's paradise.

With a heft of depth and breadth, The Great Taste is not only big, it's purported to be the second oldest beer tasting event in North America.

One of the most cherished tickets ever, the event sells out within minutes of going on sale. People camp out the night before in front of festival ticket outlets, snatching up limited quantities the moment they come available. Every year people approach me at the last minute wondering if I know where to get a ticket.

On the day of the event, ticket holders await the starting horn in a snaky line that serpentines across the hills and fields of Olin-Turville Park. With blankets and/or lawn chairs in the early morn, they rest comfortably, snacking and pumping up for the upcoming five hours of drinking. Lounge items come in handy during the event, too. It's difficult enough to stand for five hours much less try to drink and stand for five hours.

Staffed by volunteers, private security and the MPD, the members of the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild organize the event, it's an experience that gets better every year.

With free music throughout the grounds throughout the day, food vendors and plenty of port-a-potties, they have thought of everything. Event organizers and local brewpubs have even partnered with local cab and bus companies (free shuttles) to provide an endless flow of responsible traffic to and from the festival.

The sea of humanity is released onto the grounds promptly at 1 p.m. and not a moment before; the licensed premise is technically not legal until then and expires duly at 6 p.m. Upon entry attendees undergo a cursory search and receive a program with a map and comprehensive listing of breweries and beers, and a complimentary commemorative taster glass. Many literally run to their favorite tent or purveyor vowing to drink heavily for the afternoon, to get the most beer bang for their buck.

Tickets go on sale Sunday, May 3 for this year's festival. Get your now for the August 8, 2009 event.