The Beer Geeks Take Madison: Indiana Breweries at the Great Taste of the Midwest

Six of eight of the HBG Knights of the Beer Roundtable were fortunate enough to get to visit Madison, WI for the 24th annual Great Taste of the Midwest last weekend (8/12 - 8/15). Through our efforts putting together both Brewers of Indiana Guild events, we knew that the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild's event is considered the gold standard for beer festivals by those breweries who make the trip. Their enthusiasm is shared, as over 120 breweries from across the midwest joined them in an effort to show midwestern drinkers just how lucky they are.

We've got a lot to say about the experience, but we'll start by highlighting the Indiana breweries who served their beer to an audience of eager craft beer fans from across 34 states along with Puerto Rico, Italy, and Ireland.

Upland brought a few beer from their regular lineup as well as some big guns: Wheat, Helios Pale, Double Dragonfly, Oktoberfest, Ard Ri, and Cherry Bourbon Barrel Teddy Bear Kisses

Brugge (seen here with Sun King brewing's Clay Robinson) poured Triple de Ripple, Erasmus, Pooka, and Spider (with a secret password of "Squirreling Dervishes")

Shoreline featured baby-assisted pouring (Wisconsin's laws are the best!) of their Stella Blue, Sesh Wheat, Sum Nug IPA, Three Sum IPA, Rillo Rye, Beltaine Scottish, Seven Red on Red, and Lost Sailor Imperial Stout

New Albanian served up their Beak's Best, Bonfire of the Valkyries, Burning Away the Hours 'Til Ragnarok, Elector, Elsa Von Horizon, Hoptimus, and Thunderfoot along with a few other surprises

Mad Anthony brought their Ol' Woody Pale, Ruby Raspberry Wheat, Summer Daze Wheat, Good Kharma IPA, and a dry hopped cask conditioned IPA

The fine people at People's Brewing Co. featured their People's Pilsner, Aberant Amber, Mound Builder IPA, and Fiddlin' Willie Scottish

Three Floyd's brought out their purple shoes along with Alpha King, Robert the Bruce, Dreadnaught, Ice Grille, Sand Pebbles Brown, and Infinitas Mild along with hourly releases of Arctic Panzer Wolf, 3F/Mikkeller Ruggoop, OWD Engwish Barleywine, 2008 Dark Lord, and 2007 Dark Lord

Lafayette Brewing Co. poured their Tippecanoe Common, Black Angus Oatmeal Stout, and Frozen Cajones Sour Brown

Barley Island brought their Barfly IPA, Dirty Helen Brown, New Harmony Naked Dunkel, Goldilocks Belgian, and 80 Shilling Scotch Ale

Broad Ripple Brewpub celebrated their 20th year at the Great Taste and brought selections from their usual lineup of tasty beer.