Haven't seen much talk about it and we are a couple short weeks away, so here is what I have seen so far in terms of pre-parties: -Central Waters/Short's/Nebraska @ Brickhouse BBQ -Bell's Night @ Maduro 12 PM-? -Destihl @ Brasserie V 5 PM-? -Toppling Goliath @ Dexter's 11 AM-? -Goose Island @ Madison's -Potosi @ Harmony
Founders lineup: ALL DAY Centennial IPA All Day IPA Red’s Rye PA Cerise Dirty Bastard TIMED TAPPINGS 1pm: Breakfast Stout (2012 batch) 2pm: Frangelic Mountain Brown 3pm: Curmudgeon’s Better Half 4pm: Devil Dancer 5pm: KBS
Three Floyds will be at the Argus again Six Point will be at Merchant New Holland will by at the Tipsy Cow Founders will be at the Glass Nickel (Atwood)
No worries, just relaying it from thebeerspot honestly. Some other info about the Maduro Bell's Night: #15 - Bourbon Barrel Aged Amber #16 - Bourbon Barrel Aged Best Brown
Why do so many of these events start so early? I don't want to have to take the afternoon off of work to get some black note. In previous years have they tapped everything right away and run out before us working folks could get there? I used to foolishly think that I would get my fill of beer on Saturday so no need for the pre-parties...I've wizened up, those pre-parties are too good to pass up.
...It's really worth it to take Friday off. I take Monday off too. Every year. You really need to think of Friday as an extension of the festival. They start early because a lot of the breweries associated with the events have to be at the fest at 9:30-10 the next morning for set up and be in a fairly functional state for the day. Plus, wouldn't you rather get a bunch of events in earlier as opposed to later?
If I can take a paid day off to drink great beers only three hours away from home, then I'm all in. Friday off for sure, and this year I made sure to take off Monday as well.
I don't know about that. Last year at the Three Floyds event at the Argus the tappings got better and better as the night went on and finished with a Vanilla DL tapping at 9:00
That's what I wanted to hear, I don't want to show up at 7 and find out that everything exciting was tapped out by 2 in the afternoon. And why are people taking Monday off? I've been known to get a 2 day hangover but not take off of work bad, and the GT never screws me up too bad because I'm done drinking by 6. Are there events on Sunday I've been missing out on?
I take Monday off because I make it a small vacation. I also travel, albeit only from Chicagoland. I use Monday to get back to life.. get back on the workout train.. get groceries.. relax.. etc.. The FFF event last year was very crowded. They kept putting off the tappings too.. I don't think any were on time.
I take Monday off to get back in the swing of things. After driving a few hours to get there Friday, then drinking from noon until midnight, and then drinking for a good portion of Saturday, then having to drive home Sunday... Monday sounds like a good day to take off. I have to use these vacation days for something.
Couple more for those interested: The Malt House is having WI Brewery Night (O'so, Central Waters, Redeye). There's another cryptic posting about another party right underneath it that I'll let you interpret. http://www.osobrewing.com/events.php For those who want some '80's with their beer, Pearl Street Brewery at the Majestic: http://www.majesticmadison.com/calendar/detail/great_taste_of_the_midwest_pre_party_081012
Stolen with respect from The Beer Spot...there's a reason we've camped out at the Brickhouse the past three years! Just Central Waters is reason enough to plant one's ass & not move, & who knows what Nebraska & Short's might be bringing. Central Waters Tap List Posted Friday, July 27th, 2012 by Tip Top I'm excited to announce the tap list for Central Waters. I've always been told that there was no way that Central Waters was going to let another brewery show it up on it's home turf. Well, they sure deliver. This year's tap list is even better than last year's impressive list. On Tap Right From the Start Happy Heron Pale Ale Mudpuppy Porter Oisconsin Red Ale Glacial Trail IPA Satin Solstice Imperial Stout Shine On Belgian Blonde Honey Blonde Oktoberfest Bourbon Barrel Cherry Stout Y2K Barleywine 2011 Peruvian Morning 2011 La Petite Mort Bourbon Barrel Barleywine 2011 Bourbon Barrel Stout I'm also told that there will be a firkin on all night, but I'm not sure what it will be yet. You'd think this is enough, but there are timed releases too... Time Releases 7pm - Barrel Aged Slainte Scotch Ale 8pm - Barrel Aged La Petite Mort 9pm - Exodus 10pm - 1414
Decent line up but have to say I don't see me spending any time there having tastes of things that have all been released. At least last year they brought Cashew, something never bottled only on tap. I know not all places will bring super secret one time only specials, but it's always nice to be able to try the non-bottled distro brews that places save for in house tap only. Still love what Founders does.
Now, to pick between 1414 and a special bells or FFF tapping... ...or to hold out and hope for GI bringing Henry and vanilla...
Some others thanks to levifunk (RIP): http://www.madisonbeerreview.com/2012/07/its-that-time-again-great-taste-pre.html
Good info - Wish all those CW tappings weren't so late. The key to a successful pre-fest Friday is to start and end early. Bell's taplist varies greatly from year to year, but that looks a lot like last year. I'll probably hit Maduro very early to avoid the excess smoke and crowds. I'm very interested in hearing what Destihl brings to Brasserie V. I gave Argus a shot last year and it was horrible. It doesn't help that I really hate that place to begin with, but we had just about no luck getting anything on tap. I'm pretty sure I walked out cursing the place.
I'll be hosting a small tasting early Friday too. Like a 1-2 bottles per person thing. If you are interested, shoot me a BM. Looks like we will have a nice little group so far
I have some information on Friday night At essen haus (Rev Brew), Revolution will be bringing Rosa, Cross of Gold, Eugene, Double Fist and a batch of Institutionalized that was made for the tap takeover. I feel like there was also one other tap the person I spoke to mentioned would be there (and if there is, I assume it would be Antihero).
Anyone have any information on transportation to and from Chicago? Was looking to come back Saturday night.
I'll be driving from Chicago to the Great Taste (haven't decided if we are going on Friday or Saturday). Message me if you want to carpool. I have 1 or 2 open seats.
Actually that would be great. Will BM you with info tonight. Driving up either day would work, but would prefer to come back saturday night.
I'd love a ride back to Chicago from someone that drank (mostly) high gravity beers for 5 consecutive hours.
Ha. I did it last year and was completely sober when we left. Though we stuck around Madison for dinner to give me a couple extra hours.
Bell's just released their lineup for the Taste. No special tappings times yet (sadly for those who are making a cheat sheet). Here is what we will have at the festival on August 11: Wedding Ale Round House Black Note Smoked Vienna Lager Harvest Ale Le Batteur Two Hearted Amber Oberon Oarsman Pale Ale Oracle Hopsoulution Bourbon Barrel Aged Amber Ale Bourbon Barrel Aged Best Brown Raspberry Wild One Third Coast Old Ale (2011) Cherry Stout (2011) Two Hearted firkin Pale Ale firkin http://www.bellsbeer.com/blog/119-T...f_the_Midwest__Maduro_tap_takeover_beer_lists
My favorite parts of the festival are when many of the attendees line up for a limited tapping at <insert brewery>, making the rest of the grounds more intimate. That being said (and not having seen the full program) I could very well end up in one of those lines. Can't wait.
[/quote]"I gave Argus a shot last year and it was horrible. It doesn't help that I really hate that place to begin with, but we had just about no luck getting anything on tap. I'm pretty sure I walked out cursing the place.[/quote] That makes two of us, what a clusterf$%#!
Anyone traveling from NWI/Chi burbs? I could use help completing an IP trade with a Fellow BA at the fest. I'll toss ya a brew or 2 for your time. If interested shoot me a message. Thanks!
