Great Taste of the Midwest

Great Taste of the Midwest
Name	Great Taste of the Midwest
Location	Madison, Wisconsin
Founder	Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild
Date	Second Saturday in August

Great Taste of the Midwest. The Great Taste of the Midwest is an annual beer festival held in Madison, Wisconsin, featuring over 190 breweries from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Ohio. The festival is organized by the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting homebrewing and craft beer in the Midwest. The event is held at Olin-Turville Park in Madison, Wisconsin, and attracts thousands of attendees, including beer enthusiasts, brewers, and industry professionals from across the United States, such as Boston Beer Company, New Belgium Brewing Company, and Sierra Nevada Brewing Company.

Introduction

The Great Taste of the Midwest is one of the largest and most prestigious beer festivals in the United States, showcasing a diverse range of craft beers from regional breweries, including Bell's Brewery, Founders Brewing Co., and Surly Brewing Company. The festival provides a unique opportunity for attendees to sample a wide variety of beers, meet brewers and industry experts, and learn about the craft beer industry, with presentations and workshops led by experts from University of Wisconsin–Madison, Michigan State University, and University of California, Davis. The event also features live music performances by local and regional bands, such as The Avett Brothers and Trampled by Turtles, and offers a range of food options from local restaurants and food vendors, including The Old Fashioned and Ian's Pizza.

History

The Great Taste of the Midwest was first held in 1987, and has since become an annual tradition, attracting attendees from across the United States and Canada, including Toronto and Vancouver. The festival was founded by the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting homebrewing and craft beer in the Midwest, with support from local businesses, such as The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. and Capital Brewery. Over the years, the festival has grown in size and popularity, featuring an increasing number of breweries and beers, including rare and limited-release offerings from breweries like Russian River Brewing Company and Dogfish Head Brewery. The event has also become a major fundraiser for the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, supporting local charities and community organizations, such as United Way of Dane County and The Salvation Army.

Festival Details

The Great Taste of the Midwest is held annually on the second Saturday in August, at Olin-Turville Park in Madison, Wisconsin. The festival features over 190 breweries from across the Midwest, offering a diverse range of craft beers, including IPAs, stouts, sours, and lagers, from breweries like Lagunitas Brewing Company, Stone Brewing, and Firestone Walker Brewing Company. Attendees can sample beers from breweries like New Glarus Brewing Company, Bell's Brewery, and Founders Brewing Co., and meet brewers and industry experts from companies like Brewers Supply Group and Hopunion LLC. The festival also features live music performances by local and regional bands, such as The Head and the Heart and The Lone Bellow, and offers a range of food options from local restaurants and food vendors, including The Old Fashioned and Ian's Pizza.

Breweries and Beers

The Great Taste of the Midwest features a diverse range of breweries and beers, including rare and limited-release offerings from breweries like Russian River Brewing Company and Dogfish Head Brewery. Attendees can sample beers from breweries like New Glarus Brewing Company, Bell's Brewery, and Founders Brewing Co., and meet brewers and industry experts from companies like Brewers Supply Group and Hopunion LLC. The festival also features collaboration beers brewed specifically for the event, such as beers brewed in collaboration with local breweries like The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. and Capital Brewery. Some of the notable breweries that have participated in the festival include Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Boston Beer Company, and New Belgium Brewing Company, as well as regional breweries like Surly Brewing Company and Lagunitas Brewing Company.

Attendance and Impact

The Great Taste of the Midwest attracts thousands of attendees each year, including beer enthusiasts, brewers, and industry professionals from across the United States and Canada, such as Toronto and Vancouver. The festival has a significant impact on the local economy, generating revenue for local businesses and supporting local charities and community organizations, such as United Way of Dane County and The Salvation Army. The event also provides a platform for breweries to showcase their beers and connect with attendees, helping to promote the craft beer industry and support local breweries, like The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. and Capital Brewery. Additionally, the festival has inspired the creation of similar beer festivals across the United States, such as The Great American Beer Festival and The World Beer Cup, which are organized by Brewers Association and feature breweries like Firestone Walker Brewing Company and Russian River Brewing Company.

Organization and Volunteers

The Great Taste of the Midwest is organized by the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting homebrewing and craft beer in the Midwest. The festival is made possible by the efforts of hundreds of volunteers, who work together to plan and execute the event, with support from local businesses, such as The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. and Capital Brewery. The Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild also partners with local organizations and charities to support the community and promote the craft beer industry, including United Way of Dane County and The Salvation Army. The festival's success is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the volunteers and organizers, who strive to create a unique and enjoyable experience for attendees, with presentations and workshops led by experts from University of Wisconsin–Madison, Michigan State University, and University of California, Davis.

Category:Beer festivals in the United States