Heading up to Madison this upcoming weekend from Chicago and will be waiting in line for tickets early Sunday morning along with other BAs, I presume. Any preference as to where to go? I'm not entirely familiar with the location of some of the liquor stores where tickets will be going on sale, and don't want to be waiting in line in a not-so-great area early in the morning.
It's Madison. Just watch out for some drunk college kids and you should be fine. BTW I believe the Mifflin Street block party takes place on Saturday so that should make things interesting if you're near the university.
Steve's on University is the place to be. It's right next to a Walgreens and a grocery store that has bathrooms. It's completely safe. I usually get there around 5am and I am always in the first ten or so people. Hit up the Great Dane Fitchburg brunch buffet afterwards. I think it runs until 2 and it is the best.
Star Liquor is definitely the most enjoyable experience, and a highly desirable location. Willy Street Coop has all sorts of killer food and coffee, lazy janes is just down the street and the Weary Traveller for lunch afterwards. I've never waited anywhere else.
Thanks for the info! Looking forward to it, hopefully the weather holds up- any sharing that typically takes place in line?
It is the most enjoyable experience, but you have never gone anywhere else? Something seems a bit off there.
I CAN POST AGAIN!!!!! Breaking my hiatus by proposing a bottle share at a specific location that's selling, preferably Steve's
I was at Star last year and it was cold and windy. Enjoyable line though. I'll be at Tyranena this year as it is closer to Waukesha, only problem is no beer/alcohol allowed on premise.
At risk for having the post deleted for not being in the right forum, Chicago BA here willing to engage in some trades while in line with Madison BAs. Just let me know if there is anything in particular you guys are looking for, and I'll bring it up!
I live right near Steve's on university (I'm off of old university) so anyone who wants to stop by and hve a few ldrinks after or the night before... Can't risk open container ticket violation in Madison", however
While you can't bring your own beer/alcohol with to enjoy in line, Tyranena does sell their beer by the glass and pitcher.
Awesome! I didn't see it on the website anywhere and just went by normal hours. I figured there would be some special hours.
Well - i prefer not to hang out in parking lots on major commercial streets. Star is in the most vibrant neighborhood of Madison. Beats a strip mall.
One of the locations has a big green space and we have always had a great tasting while in line. I t is like having a tasting in a park while waiting for tickets for the best day of the year. Just sayin...
Since I'm coming up Since I'm coming from out of state please fill me in to which location has this big green space.
Steve's Mineral Point. It is in a strip mall of sorts, but has a big empty lot between it and the next building. Target is across the street if you need to run and get anything as well.
Mineral point is a great place to wait but seems to have a larger crowd than some of the other spots. Grass is great but I still I've heard good things about shorter lines at cork or university. I've seen plenty of people drinking in line without issue such as the people with a keg last year.
So in line 3 hours sooner than last year and in the same spot, about 80 people back. Sad part is the line here at Tyranena will likely be cut off by 10, which is when I got here last year. Crazy that this event is getting to this level of advaned preperation. But damn glad I got my tix.
Yes I know tickets are not on sale yet. Just glad to have my spot in line and know I will get tix in 15 hours or so.
So anyone else in line yet? Planning on driving up there in about 30 minutes to be in line by Midnight. Hoping 12 hours will be more than enough time to be assured tickets. Any on the ground information?
Really hard to tell, no official head count yet, just judging on where the line cut off last year. Slowed down the last hour, IDK if midnight will make it.
Well hoping that Tyranena is one of the busier locations, we will have to see. Between the 7 locations I'm hoping we will find one that is still slow by midnight, but I guess only time will tell. Cheers!
80 people in line already?? Wow... that is crazy! Seems crazy to me when you consider that there always seem to be plenty of tickets floating around day-of due to people that had to cancel, etc... but then again this is pretty much THE best beer event I've ever been to so can't say I blame ya... GABF, etc... can't hold a candle to the Great Taste if you ask me! Anyway - good luck to you brave souls camping out overnight! Stay warm!!!
Was going to get in line at Tyranena at 4 but drove by two hours ago and decided it would be a waste of time to get up for it. Line looked pretty crazy. I'll spend Sunday with my wife and kids and hope I can tickets some other way. Awesome beer festival, but these ticket sales events aren't for me.
You all suck. There's no line at Steve's. Makin me wake up at 545 am with your paranoid nonsense. Zzzzz
