30 August 2010

DigIN: A Taste of Indiana Recap

DigIN to tasty eats, great beer and wine? Don't mind if I do! This past Sunday, Rodney and I woke up bleary eyed after a night of reveling at the Hoosier Beer Geek 4th Anniversary party and slathered ourselves with sunscreen in anticipation of a brand new slow food event here in Indianapolis, DigIN: A Taste of Indiana. DigIN was spawned by an Alice Waters (the slow food guru herself) event in 2008 that showcased local and sustainable food efforts in Indiana.


After the event a local chef (our good friend Neal Brown formerly of L'Explorateur and now of Pizzology fame) and the Indiana Department of Agriculture decided to start working together to redefine what "A Taste of Indiana" could be with regard to the developing local food movement. They brought together food producers, chefs, breweries and wineries for one celebration event, Dig-IN: A Taste of Indiana. This was a great event that showcased what Indiana is truly capable of with regard to great food and drink!



We tried many dishes from Indiana Artisians including chicken and noodles (Indiana handmade noodles); bloody marys made with Indiana Vodka and Indiana bloody mary mix; and amazing chocolate truffles!



We had nibbles of burgers produced from local cattle, topped with farm fresh eggs and local cheese.  One of my favorite dishes was from a chef at my alma mater, Butler University - their fresh gazpacho with lots of jalapenos and onions!  It was SO tasty and really well spiced.



We had perfect weather for the event; I just wish it could have been about 10 degrees cooler or the breezes had continued through the balmy afternoon.


We also were really impressed with the unique and innovative selections that each chef strived to enhance the event with, from many different takes on pork to lots of fresh caprese salads.


I really liked that the chefs also had lots of signs so you knew what you were getting into with your decadent eats at each location.  I was really impressed with the local goat cheeses and the quality of the pork that each of the chefs used!


I did appreciate also that the producers were on hand to discuss the dishes and the conditions in which they are growing their produce or how they raised their animals.  We actually talked to one of the producers from Gunthorp Farms in Northern Indiana about their animals and about the ingredients of our salad. 

Rod and I stuck to just one pint of Brugge Brasserie's Pooka (which was $4 a pint) but for just $1 more you got an awesome Drink Indiana/DigIN pint glass that was really nicely done (and it was filled with beer).  All in all this was a great event and I really hope that the people who put on DigIN decide to make this an annual event!

29 August 2010

HBG4: Thank You.


Saturday's Hoosier Beer Geek Fourth Anniversary Party went off like gangbusters, and we've got a lot of people to thank.

First off, thanks to you, our readers and party attendees - without you there'd be no reason or excuse to put together such a fun event. Thanks to our hosts at Sun King - you folks treat us better than we'll ever deserve. Thanks to the folks whose wonderful beer we drank: Sun King, Lafayette, Upland, Ram, Rock Bottom Downtown and College Park, Brugge, Schlafly, Broad Ripple Brewpub, New Albanian, Barley Island, People's, Bell's, Dark Horse, Great Divide, Stone/Brewdog, Heavy Seas, Tyranena, Anchor, Lindemans, Avery, Dogfish Head, Harpoon and Thomas Hardy's - regardless of if you had a role in your beer appearing at our party or not, it was enjoyed by an enthusiastic and beer appreciative crowd. Thanks to Cavalier Distributing for a putting together a stellar lineup for us, and for that special Thomas Hardy's toast. Thanks to our friends at World Class Beverages, who helped not only with a selection of great craft beer, but also with the glassware. Thanks to The Tamale Place for proving that tamales were the right choice. A special thanks to the officers on staff for their professionalism and patience.

All of you make what we do worth doing and there's no way we could do this without you.

So - if you were at the party, we'd love to hear about what you thought - your favorite beer(s), your thoughts on the food, if you were happy about the diet soda options... (sorry, inside joke). Leave us a comment, and we hope to see you at a Hoosier Beer Geek event again soon. Very soon.
















27 August 2010

HBG4 featuring... Dogfish Head and Harpoon

The lineup of beers at Hoosier Beer Geek's Fourth Anniversary Party continues. Yes, that's right -- we're still adding beers to the lineup the day before the big party.

The next breweries we are announcing are...







Dogfish Head Craft Brewery
Milton, Delaware

Red & White
Style: Witbier


It wouldn't be a proper HBG anniversary celebration without Dogfish Head beer on hand. DFH 90 Minute IPA was the featured beer at our first anniversary celebration in 2007. Last year, the Knights of the Beer Roundtable toasted to three years together with DFH's magnificent Palo Santo Marron, accompanied by a video toast from DFH's founder and president, Sam Calagione.

A bit about Red & White from the brewery:

A big, belgian-style Wit brewed with coriander and orange peel and fermented with Pinot Noir juice. After fermentation a fraction of the batch is aged in one of our giant oak tanks.

This has been one of our most popular Limited Edition beers at both our Rehoboth Beach, DE brewpub and at festivals. It successfully marries the refreshing citrusy qualities of a Belgian-style white beer with the robust complexity of a bold red wine.

ABV: 10%
IBU's: 35









Harpoon Brewery
Boston, Massachusetts

Harpoon Big Bohemian Pilsner
Style: Pilsner


From the brewery: This installment of the Harpoon Leviathan Series was brewed in the centuries-old tradition of Czech and Bohemian brewers. Harpoon Big Bohemian is a large lager with a clean maltiness and a huge aromatic hop character.

Continental Pilsner, pale two-row, and Carafoam malt was used to brew this big, strong beer, true to the Leviathan Series. Pilsner malt is the classic ingredient of this classic style and the Carafoam malt produces a nice, frothy head. This malt mixture combined with Czech Saaz hops, the quintessential hop of the style, yields an assertive but not overly aggressive beer. The finish is dry with a lingering floral hop character.

ABV: 9%
IBU's: 75

Tickets aren't sold out yet - they are available here and at Sun King Brewery (in limited quantities). Here's that beer list again.

Draft:
Sun King Wee Mac Scottish Ale
Sun King Bitter Druid ESB
Sun King Osiris Pale Ale
Sun King Sunlight Creme Ale
Upland Wheat
Ram Big Horn Oktoberfest
Rock Bottom Downtown The Hammer Baltic Porter
Brugge Pooka
Brugge Spider
Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
Rock Bottom College Park Happy Pils
Broad Ripple Brewpub Monon Porter
Bell's Java Stout
Dark Horse Fore Smoked Stout
New Albanian Jenever
Barley Island Damien Batch #666 Belgian Golden Strong Ale

Bottles:
Lafayette Brewing Co. Tippecanoe Common Ale
Great Divide Double Wit
Stone Brewdog Bashah
Heavy Seas Smoke on the Water
Tyranena La Femme Amere
Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Ale
Schlafly Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Anchor Humming Ale
Lindemans Faro
Avery Maharaja
Dogfish Head Red & White
Harpoon Big Bohemian Pilsner

Firkin:
Upland Dragonfly (Dry Hopped)

Tamales:
-beef in red sauce tamales (mild)
-chicken in green sauce tamales (mild)
-black beans & cheese in green sauce tamales (vegetarian)
-veggie tamales (potatoes,
zucchini, mushrooms, corn, peas,
onion, tomato, garlic, light jalapenos)
-spicy chipotle beef tamales (hot)
-spicy chicken in green sauce tamales (hot)
-poblano chili and cheese tamales (vegetarian, sometimes hot)
-hot & spicy pork tamales (hot)

Homemade chips, salsa, and guacamole

About HBG4:
It will be held Saturday, August 28th, starting at 6pm. Sun King Brewing will again be hosting us at their brewery at 135 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis. Tickets are $30 (plus $1.99 for online fees) for regular tickets and $20 (plus $1.99 for online fees) for designated drivers. Tickets are available online and at Sun King Brewery and are in limited supply. And yes, the tickets are on sale now.

If you didn't attend last year, you can see what you missed here. But if you did attend last year, you'll find it to be similar. Here is what we have so far (please note that all of this is subject to change).

Regular attendees will receive a commemorative tasting glass that can be used to sample various quality beers from our favorite Indiana breweries as well as a few other breweries. Additionally, you'll be able to select a few larger pours of your favorite beers. Designated drivers will have a selection of non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, pop, cola... whatever regional term you like. And bottled water, of course.

All attendees will get to enjoy food from The Tamale Place. Those of you who have been know how good their food is. And those of you who have not been are in for a treat. There will be a variety of tamale flavors to sample, including vegetarian friendly options.

There will also be chips and salsa and such for your enjoyment all night as well.

And what's a party without gifts? And by gifts, I mean us giving stuff to you! That's right, prizes and giveaways and all sorts of stuff.

We're still filling in all the details, but if you've been to our events, you know it is a good time. And all tickets will be sold online. Tickets are not available at Sun King nor will they be available at the door. So don't miss out.

We appreciate that you follow us for the latest and craziest in the Indiana craft beer world. And we hope you'll come out and celebrate with us our fourth year of tomfoolery.

Random Beer Roundup - The Fourth Year Edition



HBG 4th Anniversary is this Saturday. Tickets are still available, for now. We hope you will be joining us.

If there is something coming up that is not listed, we would love to hear about it. News, reviews, info, etc., to share for our next Random Beer Roundup can be submitted to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. Don't see your favorite craft beer establishment? Let them know you'd like to see them here! Work for an establishment that serves craft beer? We want to hear from you too!

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change



What's Brewing

From Jeff at Barley Island in Noblesville/Broad Ripple:
Friday August 27th about 5:00 pm Barley Island locations will have on tap DAMIEN Batch #666 Belgian Golden Strong! Some tasting notes - spicy belgian yeast aroma, sugary sweet taste with a dry finish, 35 IBUs featuring Saphir hops, 8.9% ABV.

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co. in Lafayette:
On tap this weekend at Lafayette Brewing: Star City Lager; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Pipers' Pride Scottish Ale; Tippecanoe Common Ale; Eighty-Five; Black Angus Oatmeal Stout; I Am An American IPA; and our latest specialty release, Oatis Brown- a malty brown ale with 12% oatmeal in the grist. ABV ~ 5.0%, IBUs ~ 28

From Andrew at Ram Restaurant and Brewery in Indianapolis/Fishers:
Keep an eye out for Big Horn Oktoberfest on the horizon. We will be hosting a tapping party at our Fishers location for Oktoberfest on Tuesday, September 7th at 6 p.m. Come out and join us for one of the best beer styles in the world!

Also, come in and try our newest seasonal, Aries American Wheat, featuring some pleasant American hop citrus character.

From Charles at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington:
Upland will of course be at the Hoosier Beer Geek Anniversary party on Saturday. We'll have a firkin of Double Dragonfly as a special treat.

For those of you going south for the weekend, Upland will be pouring at Louisville's Brew at the Zoo on Sat., Aug 28.

We'll also be pouring a specially-brewed cream ale on Saturday, Aug. 28 at the Corn Fest block party in Bloomington. Corn Fest is a weekend-long celebration of all things corn. Saturday you'll not only be able to try our limited-release cream ale and other brews by the pint, but you can also enjoy other beverages and food made with local sweet corn, compete in a corn hole tournament and a corn-on-the-cob eating contest, and watch a Hoosier corn cooking demo.

We're only a week away from Upland's Hillbilly Haiku Americana Music Concert featuring Todd Snider, TV Mike and the Scarecrows, and The Elly Maze. The show is on the Upland brewery grounds in Bloomington from 6-11pm on Fri., Sept. 3rd. Get $5 off your ticket by buying early at Upland's Bloomington Tap Room, Indy Tasting Room, or online at buskirkchumley.org.

Special hotel rates for Haiku-goers are available at the Bloomington Courtyard. Just click on the link - the promotion code is already typed in for you.


At the Bar

From Amy at Fireside Brewhouse in Greenwood
Our business Fireside Brewhouse will be hosting a BEER TASTING (7 - 9pm) next Wednesday. The ticket price is $25.00 for 30 different beers, giveaways, raffles and live music.
Live Music by Cheryl Johnston & Phil Pierle

From Corrie at Goose the Market in Indianapolis:
New on the cellar's shelves at the Goose...

Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! The brewers are releasing autumnal brews before Labor Day, before the leaves turn, before...Oktober. But bekause it's never too early for delicious, Germanik style brews, toast the koming fall with the latest Oktoberfests from Bell's, Left Hand, and Upland (a World Beer Cup silver winner...kool).

Two mo' Moa new to the shelves...Moa Noir, a bottle fermented dark lager, and Moa St. Joseph, a special release, bottle conditioned Belgian style tripel.

Three Floyds is giving us the old one eye. Their Moloko Milk Stout is heavy on the tongue, slightly malty-sweet, and delicious with cookies.

From Lauren at Scotty's Brewhouse:
Scotty's Brewhouse Muncie now has Upland Double Dragonfly on tap!

Scotty's Brewhouse Bloomington now has Mad Anthony Auburn Lager on tap!

Scotty's Brewhouse West Lafayette now has Mad Anthony Auburn Lager and People's Newman's Bitter on tap!

Carry Out

From Big Red Liquors in Bloomington:
* Anchor Humming Ale - From their commercial description, "Having found and experimented with a very rare and unusual hop variety called Nelson Sauvin, we knew that its unique character would impart a wonderful flavor and aroma to a pale ale brewed especially for the occasion"
* Dogfish Head Theobroma -Or "food of the gods" is brewed with Aztec cocoa powder and cocoa nibs, honey, chilies, and annatto (fragrant tree seeds).
* More various Oktoberfest beers from Hofbrau, Point, and Breckenridge

As always don't forget about our weekly beer tasting at our downtown Bloomington location. Coming up on September 2nd we will have a selection of Oktoberfest beers for you try.

Also, Big Red Liquors is now on Facebook and Twitter. Friend or like us there to learn about more great deals!

From Bill at Crown Liquors in Downtown Indianapolis:
New this week at Crown Wine and Spirits- Ohio and Delaware - Downtown Indy

Bell's The Oracle DIPA (very limited)
Bell's Oarsman, a tart wheat ale
Three Floyds Moloko Milk Stout
and the return of Flying Dog Double Dog Double Pale Ale

This Friday we will feature an amped up tasting, to welcome home Bobby Ostuni. Join Sprinkle, Bobby, and friends for some treats from the Sprinkle Stash, Brugge Pooka, and perhaps a side-by-side Pliny the Elder/Bell's The Oracle hop extravaganza. 3-7pm, with a visit from Indy Jazz Fest with some give-aways. Hope to see you here!

From Todd at Keg Liquors in Clarksville:
Here is the latest from Keg Liquors in Clarksville:

Events:Feast of Fall Beers, September 16th from 5 - 8 PM

Join us on September 16th from 5 - 8 PM as we hold our 5th Annual Feast of Fall Beers. This is one of our biggest beer tastings of the year, and brings together 3 different craft beer distributors with over 20 different Octoberfest, Pumpkin, and other fall beers. For more information, check out our website here:

New Products:
Breckenridge - Autumn Ale (Colorado)
New Belgium - Hoptober (Colorado)
Upland - Oktoberfest (Indiana)
Sprecher - Oktoberfest (Wisconsin)
Hofbrau - Oktoberfest (Germany)
Three Floyds - Moloko Plus (Indiana)
Bells - Octoberfest (Michigan)
Flying Dog - Dogtoberfest (Maryland)
Leinenkugel - Oktoberfest (Wisconsin)
Thirsty Dog - Barktoberfest (Ohio)
Regenboog t'Smisje - Grande Reserva (Belgium)
Trois Dames - Grande Dame Oud Bruin (Switzerland)

From Joe at Payless Liquors in Indianapolis:
Payless Uptown Dr.
Remember a few weeks back when I said Bell's Oracle would be at this store? It didn't make it. However, that will change as of Friday August 27th. We will be getting 12 bottles and 12 bottles only. You will be limited to a single bottle. Also new from Bell's is the release of Oarsman, a neo-berlinerweiss style ale. Though it has been available on draught in some places this will be the first time bottles are available.
Also picking up sour beer extrordanaire, La Roja, Jolly Pumpkin's Flemmish red. It's amazing. Also getting a case of the super limited Breckenridge Imperial Pilsner. Speaking of super limited, we have Gumballhead. We have Lord Admiral Nelson's ESB. We have Moloko Milk Stout. We have Ocktoberfest Mini-kegs.
One other new addition to the shelves, a third beer from the Sierra Nevada Anniversary series, a black Barley Wine. Buy two; one for now and the other for 2015.
And should you find yourself bored next Saturday at 8pm, I recommend heading up this way for our tasting. Some of the items slated to be cracked: 2006, and 2009 Left Hand St. Vrain Tripel as well as a fresh bottle of Founder's Nemesis. The tasting is free.

From Josh at United Package Liquors at County Line and Meridian (South Side):
A few new beers in stock-

Three Floyds Lord Admiral Nelson
New Belgium Tripple
New Belgium Abbey
Dogfish Head Theobrama
Buffalo Bill's Pumpkin ale
Flying Dog Dogtober

From the Distributors

From Greg at Cavalier Distribution:
A ton of New Beers & Fall Seasonals have hit our warehouse in the last couple of weeks!!

Breckenridge 471 Regal Pilsner --Double Pils!! New 471 special release, extremely limited cases & kegs!!

Schelde Hop Ruiter --Brand new to Indiana, Hoppy Belgian Golden Strong Ale!!

Stevens Point Whole Hog Russian Imperial Stout --Special Release, once a year, very limited!

Thornbridge Brewery -- Brand New Brewery to Indiana!!
--St. Petersburg Imperial Stout
--Halycon Green Hop
--Jaipur IPA (GBBF Gold Medal Winner!)

Wurzburger Pilsner 6pks are now available in addition to the 5 Liters!!


FALL SEASONALS NOW IN STOCK:

* Breckenridge Autumn Ale
* The Bruery Autumn Maple
(brewed w/Yams!!)
* Clipper City Prosit Imperial Oktoberfest
(10%)
* Hofbrau Oktoberfest 6pks & 5 Liter mini-kegs!!
* Lakefront Pumpkin Lager

* Left Hand Oktoberfest
* Sprecher Oktoberfest
* Stevens Point Oktoberfest
* Thirsty Dog Barktoberfest
* Weihenstephaner Fest Beer



Upcoming Events

Founders Special Tapping Event @ Fiddler's Hearth in South Bend
Tuesday, August 31st, 8 - 11 pm.

People's Brewery Tapping & Pint Night Event @ Beer Sellar
Wednesday, Sept 1st @ 8 pm.

Left Hand Beer Dinner @ 54 Main Bistro in Hobart
Wednesday, Sept 1st @ 6 pm.

Cavalier Beer Tasting @ Off the Clock in Lakeville
Thursday, Sept 2nd, 4 - 6 pm

Cavalier Beer Tasting @ Colfax Liquors in Griffith
Friday, Sept 3rd, 3 - 5 pm

Cavalier Beer Tasting @ Party Liquors in Griffith
Friday, Sept 3rd, 5:30 - 7:30 pm

26 August 2010

HBG4 featuring... Barley Island

The lineup of beers at Hoosier Beer Geek's Fourth Anniversary Party continues. We are please to announce that the next brewery at HBG4 is...





Barley Island Brewing Co.
Noblesville, IN

Damien Batch #666
Style: Belgian Golden Strong Ale

An email from Jeff Eaton about Damien Batch #666:
"I had some for breakfast, it is ready."

No word yet if it goes better with Cheerios or Frosted Flakes.

Here's a more comprehensive description from Jeff:
"We are calling it DAMIEN (South Park reference) Batch #666 Belgian Golden Strong.
Sugary sweet taste since it is young, but finishes dry, nice spicy belgian yeast aroma. 8.9% ABV and 35 IBU's featuring Saphir hops."

Tickets aren't sold out yet - they are available here and at Sun King Brewery (in limited quantities). Here's that beer list again.

Draft:
Sun King Wee Mac Scottish Ale
Sun King Bitter Druid ESB
Sun King Osiris Pale Ale
Sun King Sunlight Creme Ale
Upland Wheat
Ram Big Horn Oktoberfest
Rock Bottom Downtown The Hammer Baltic Porter
Brugge Pooka
Brugge Spider
Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
Rock Bottom College Park Happy Pils
Broad Ripple Brewpub Monon Porter
Bell's Java Stout
Dark Horse Fore Smoked Stout
New Albanian Jenever
Barley Island Damien Batch #666 Belgian Golden Strong Ale

Bottles:
Lafayette Brewing Co. Tippecanoe Common Ale
Great Divide Double Wit
Stone Brewdog Bashah
Heavy Seas Smoke on the Water
Tyranena La Femme Amere
Schlafly Bourbon Barrel Ale
Schlafly Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout
Anchor Humming Ale
Lindemans Faro
Avery Maharaja

Firkin:
Upland Dragonfly (Dry Hopped)

Tamales:
-beef in red sauce tamales (mild)
-chicken in green sauce tamales (mild)
-black beans & cheese in green sauce tamales (vegetarian)
-veggie tamales (potatoes,
zucchini, mushrooms, corn, peas,
onion, tomato, garlic, light jalapenos)
-spicy chipotle beef tamales (hot)
-spicy chicken in green sauce tamales (hot)
-poblano chili and cheese tamales (vegetarian, sometimes hot)
-hot & spicy pork tamales (hot)

Homemade chips, salsa, and guacamole

About HBG4:
It will be held Saturday, August 28th, starting at 6pm. Sun King Brewing will again be hosting us at their brewery at 135 N. College Avenue, Indianapolis. Tickets are $30 (plus $1.99 for online fees) for regular tickets and $20 (plus $1.99 for online fees) for designated drivers. Tickets are available online and at Sun King Brewery and are in limited supply. And yes, the tickets are on sale now.

If you didn't attend last year, you can see what you missed here. But if you did attend last year, you'll find it to be similar. Here is what we have so far (please note that all of this is subject to change).

Regular attendees will receive a commemorative tasting glass that can be used to sample various quality beers from our favorite Indiana breweries as well as a few other breweries. Additionally, you'll be able to select a few larger pours of your favorite beers. Designated drivers will have a selection of non-alcoholic beverages such as soda, pop, cola... whatever regional term you like. And bottled water, of course.

All attendees will get to enjoy food from The Tamale Place. Those of you who have been know how good their food is. And those of you who have not been are in for a treat. There will be a variety of tamale flavors to sample, including vegetarian friendly options.

There will also be chips and salsa and such for your enjoyment all night as well.

And what's a party without gifts? And by gifts, I mean us giving stuff to you! That's right, prizes and giveaways and all sorts of stuff.

We're still filling in all the details, but if you've been to our events, you know it is a good time. And all tickets will be sold online. Tickets are not available at Sun King nor will they be available at the door. So don't miss out.

We appreciate that you follow us for the latest and craziest in the Indiana craft beer world. And we hope you'll come out and celebrate with us our fourth year of tomfoolery.

The Beer Geeks Take Madison: Madison and Great Taste of the Midwest

I went to Madison looking for hookers and meth.

The brewers kept the hookers busy all weekend, so that was a no go.

And I found something worse than meth:

Cheese curds.

Given that I was in Madison for the Great Taste of the Midwest beer festival, you would think I would have gotten sick on the massive consumption of beer that I was destined to participate in. On the contrary, it was the massive amount of cheese that I consumed on Friday that left me in pain Friday night. I warn you, if you plan on making a trip to Madison, beware the squeaky cheese.

(For the record, the best deep fried cheese curds that I had were at the Old Fashioned bar and restaurant. Add some Sriracha sauce on top of them, and you will have a flavor explosion in your mouth.)


If you are able to control your consumption of cheese, the next thing you should be warned of is the massive amount of quality beer that you have available for you. And I’m not just talking about the Great Taste. Our drinking explorations consisted of downtown Madison and the stretch of State Street that connects to the University of Wisconsin.

Every establishment in that area has good beer. EVERY ESTABLISHMENT. You don’t have to search out good beer; good beer finds you. Good beer is the Chuck Norris of Madison.

Breakfast at Marigold Kitchen? Good beer was there!

Late night at a hole in the wall dive bar called Paradise? Good beer was there!


Wasting time in the hotel bar? GOOD BEER WAS THERE!

You would have to look hard in Madison to find a bar that serves nothing but the swill you find at most bars in Indianapolis and the rest of Indiana. To me, that is just impressive.

And many places have beer menus that are longer than their wine lists, which is a nice change. The Old Fashioned, aside from making great old fashioneds, has dozens of taps of Wisconsin beers plus a hundred or more bottled beers. The Coopers Tavern, aside from having an excellent gastropub food menu, also has plenty of beers for your enjoyment. And the Great Dane makes some stellar English-style ales for their four locations.


Madison can definitely be enjoyed on non-Great Taste weekends.

But if you are up for Great Taste, make sure you go out and enjoy the Friday night brewery events. These mini-beer festivals give you the opportunity to try different breweries and the variety of beers they bring. Drinking the bourbon barrel beers from Central Waters and the Key Lime Pie beer from Short's stands out in my mind.

There is a lot to enjoy in and around Madison and I would recommend it to everyone. Even if you don’t have Great Taste tickets, going up that weekend would be entertaining with the pre- and post-festival parties.

Plus, you might find an old Englishman selling tickets right outside the festival gate.



I've been looking forward to the Great Taste for so long. I've tried for three years before this year to get tickets in the online ticket lottery, but I never had any luck. I was just so focused on the beer fest, and I didn't expect anything from the city of Madison. That was a huge mistake on my part.

The city of Madison has such a great vibe. We stayed right on the square overlooking the beautiful state capital building. My first experience was at the Great Dane pub just off of downtown. I've never seen another brewpub brew so many beers. I think they had somewhere near 12-15 of their own beers on tap! I tend to gravitate toward English style ales if I am drinking with friends, and the Great Dane's brews fit the bill perfectly. I loved that they served their beer in 20 oz. pints, they were all 5 bucks, and they were all served at cellar temperature. I probably had four of the Black Earth porters while I was there over two days. It was rich and robust with plenty of roasted malt and a gentle smokiness.


I had a chance to walk around the farmers market on Saturday morning as well. The farmers market completely wrapped around all four sides of the town square. The market just had an amazing feel of community. The prices were fantastic and I was able to grab a cup of coffee and a freshly baked blueberry scone and just wander around for over an hour. I wish I had been able to load up on all that fresh veg, but the car was already packed with beer. We have our priorities straight here at HBG.

The beer fest itself was also a really great experience. As Gina already stated, the feel of the people coming to the festival was something I've never really been able to encounter before. Most patrons of the fest really had a great knowledge of craft beer and styles, and they knew what they wanted. I was floored at all the intelligent questions I was getting when I was pouring for Brugge. I kept waiting for someone to walk up and ask me which beer had the most alcohol content, and then they wanted two of those. It never happened.



My personal highlights of the day:

Short's: S'mores Stout. I don't know how they do it, but I'll be damned if this beer didn't taste like a s'more. It wasn't cloying or overly sweet, but was really nice.

Short's: Black Cherry Porter. I like my porters and this one was a little smoky with a cherry sweetness.


New Glarus: Gueuze. It was fantastic and one of the best American examples of the style I've ever tasted. I would have guessed it came from Belgium if I didn't know it was from New Glarus.

Brugge: Pooka. It was so freaking hot under the tents pouring beer. The acidity was really what I needed while pouring. It was as refreshing as lemonade on a hot day, but with booze and boysenberries.

Revolution: Gomorrah. This was the small beer runoff of a bigger Russian imperial stout collaboration with Three Floyds. This beer was only 3.4% abv, but had a ton of roasted grain and an earthy hoppiness that I enjoyed.

I just had a fantastic time, and I honestly could go back to Madison without the beer fest and be very happy, but I hope I get to make it back again next year for Madison and the Great Taste.