It has become a tradition for some visiting breweries to partner with local establishments to showcase their excellent beers. Even if you missed out on Great Taste tickets, you’ll still be able to find many opportunities to sample some special beers all around Madison. Some of these events even feature breweries that are not able to join us at the Great Taste. Look below for a list of events!
If you’d like to submit an event, please go here.
👾⚪ Craft Pinball League – Featuring FAIR STATE BREWING ⚪👾
August 5, 2026 @ 5:55 pm - 10:55 pm The Kickback - Middleton
Craft Beer Pinball League with Fair State Brewing, will take place on the Wed Aug 5th to help get your Great Taste week started right!
Six rounds of group match play, followed by single-elimination playoffs. Prizes from Fair State Phil!
So, come on out and grab a pint and play!
Just good old-fashioned fun, and as always, your first beer is on us!
On Tap for the evening…
Fair State – Foamers Lime – Lager with Lime Puree
Fair State – Special When LITT – Hazy IPA Collab with LITT
Fair State – Pils – German Style Pilsner
“Phil Collins” Death’s Door Gin, Lime and Fair State Hop Water
🍻 Great Taste Starts with Lion's Tail at Dexter's! 🦁
August 6, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 11:00 pm Dexter's Pub - Madison
Before you head to Great Taste of the Midwest on Saturday, make Dexter’s Pub your first stop!
Join us Thursday, August 6th as we welcome Lion’s Tail Brewing for an all-day feature of 17 different beers—including taproom exclusives, limited releases, barrel-aged specialties, crisp lagers, juicy IPAs, refreshing sours, and fan-favorite classics.
🍺 Taps start flowing at 11:00 AM and pour all day until close!
This is one of the most exciting Lion’s Tail lineups you’ll find anywhere outside the brewery, featuring:
🔥 Limited & Specialty Releases
• Bourbon Trail Decade
• Bourbon Trail ’24 – Stagg #6
• Bourbon Trail ’24 – Woodford Reserve #5
• Bourbon Trail ’23 – Old Elk #6
• Miami Vice Imperial Fruited Sour
• Bomb Pop Slushee
• Twisted Citrus – Black IPA
• I’ve Been to Japan – Japanese-style Pilsner
• All Along the Clocktower – Dbl Dry-Hopped IPA🍍 Fruited Favorites
• Violet
• Sunny – Pineapple Fruited Sour
• Kula Wheat – Pineapple Wheat
• Little Crush🍺 Lion’s Tail Classics
• Oats & Honey
• Juice Cloud
• 90 Red Vienna Lager
• Oktoberfest🎁 Lion’s Tail’s own Eric will be hanging out in the afternoon, enjoying a few pints, talking beer, and handing out brewery swag while supplies last.
Whether you’re warming up for Great Taste or just looking to try some incredibly hard-to-find Lion’s Tail beers, this is a tap list you won’t want to miss.
📍 Dexter’s Pub
🗓️ Thursday, August 6
⏰ 11:00 AM – Close
SOUNDCHECK: Pre-Pre-Party with Young Blood Beer Co. – DeForest
August 6, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm Young Blood - Deforest
Every good show starts with a soundcheck.
If you’re rolling into town early, stop by our DeForest taproom for a sneak peek of this year’s collaboration beers before Friday’s main event. Fewer crowds, first pours, and a chance to get the weekend started a little early.Featuring Collabs by:
Hop Butcher for the World (Chicago, IL)
Atrium Brewing (Louisville, KY)
XUL Beer Company (Knoxville, TN)
Cruz Blanca Brewpub (Chicago, IL)
Mikerphone Brewing (Elk Grove Village, IL)
Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL)
Lion’s Tail Brewing Co (Neenah, WI)
Dimensional Brewing Company (Dubuque, IA)
Piece Pizzeria and Brewery (Chicago, IL)
608 Brewing Company (La Crosse, WI)
Cocoon Brewing (DePere, WI)
G5 Brewing Company (Beloit, WI)
🤝 GREAT TASTING FRIENDS OF THE MIDWEST 🤝
August 6, 2026 @ 2:55 pm - 11:55 pm Mason Lounge - Madison
Here we are again, another Great Taste Week! What better way to start the festivities than getting together with a bunch of buddies! Join us at the Mason Lounge with a few old and new friends…
3 Floyds Brewing
Crafted Artisan Meadery
4 Hands Brewing
Dancing Goat Distillery
Sway Brewing + Blending
Fair State BrewingPints, hugs, cocktails, selfies with Matt from Sway Brewing, free High Fives and plenty of laughs. Come by, say hi… you’ll be glad you did!
~Buddies Bevi List~
THE MASON MANHATTAN – Mason Lounge’s Barrel Section Dancing Goat Limousine Rye
THE PHIL COLLINS – Deaths Door Gin, Lime & Fair State Hop Water
JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE – Rice Saison – SWAY
STRAWBERRY BANANAS FOSTER FOREVER – Strawberries, Honey, Cream, Bananas – CRAFTED MEAD
BLACK COLOSSUS – Barrel Aged Stout with Peppers, Coffee & Cocoa – 3 FLOYDS
RASPBERRY PEACH PRUSSIA – Fruited Sour | 4 HANDS
LOBSTER STUFFED WITH TACOS – Barrel Aged Stout with Vanilla & Coconut – FAIR STATE
MUNSTERFEST – Marzen – 3 FLOYDS
SIDE PULL – Czech Lager – FAIR STATE
TROPICAL OCTOHAZE – Imperial Hazy IPA – 4 HANDS
DRAGON HEART – Cherry, Apple, Raspberry, Honey – CRAFTED MEAD
BETWEEN YOU AND ME – House Pilsner – SWAY BREWING
RYE OF THE TIGER – Rye IPA – 3 FLOYDS
PAHLAY – Tropical Pale Ale – FAIR STATE
WHERE THE DARK WIND WHIRLS ME – Dark Lager – SWAY
CONTACT HIGH – Hoppy Wheat with Orange Zest – 4 HANDS
FOAMERS LIME – Lager with Lime Puree – FAIR STATESpecial Foor Truck Apperence by;
CUBARICAN’S COCINA
5th Annual Great Taste Weekend Warmup at Forward Craft and Coffee
August 6, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm Forward Craft & Coffee - Madison
Our 5th Annual Great Taste Weekend Warmup is upon us!
We really hope you come join us for two special events we have in store leading up to the Great Taste of the Midwest!
Thursday 8/6 starting at 3:00pm:
6 Brewery Takeover:
• G-Five Brewing
• Pilot Project Brewing
• Forbidden Root
• Big Grove Brewing
• Sway Brewing + Blending
• Lions Tail BrewingFriday 8/7 starting at 10:00am:
Revolution Brewing will once again have a VERY special release but this time we’re bringing Madison’s favorite cheesecakes along to the party with a special CHEESECAKE RELEASE to pair with your drink! So get excited for our CHEESECAKE (and Beer) FOR BREAKFAST on Friday.
Location: Forward Craft & Coffee 2166 Atwood Ave Madison, WI
Stay tuned and follow us as the date gets closer as we have a few more surprises in store and also our tap list announcement!https://www.facebook.com/share/197qBJ3EZh/
Athens Grill Tap Takeover
August 6, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 8:30 pm Athens Grill - Waunakee
On tap from Rhinegeist Brewery:
Grapefruit Bubbles (Fruited Ale)
Marg Monday (Sour aged in Tequila Barrels)
House Cat (Pilsner)
Truth (West Coast IPA)
Juicy Truth (Hazy IPA)
Oktoberfest Tapping of Titletown Brewery Bent Tuba at Northside Lounge
August 6, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Northside Lounge - Madison
🍻 OKTOBERFEST SEASON IS STARTING EARLY ON THE NORTHSIDE 🇩🇪✨
Heading to Great Taste of the Midwest or a lover of all things BEER? Make a plan to join Northside Lounge for the very first Oktoberfest keg of the season!
We’re celebrating our 2-Year Anniversary at Northside Lounge all week and Thursday, August 6th is all about tapping a fresh keg of Titletown Brewing’s legendary Bent Tuba Oktoberfest! 🎺🍺
Here’s what you need to know:
🍁 The Beer: Bent Tuba Oktoberfest (6.0% ABV) — a smooth, rich Märzen amber lager with toasty malt flavor and crisp Bavarian hops.
🗣️ Meet the Brewery: A Titletown rep will be hangin’ out from 5:00–7:00 PM to talk beer and pass out samples!
📍 Where: Northside Lounge
📅 When: Thursday, August 6th
PROST!
Pre-Great Taste Fight Night: The Rematch Founders vs. 3 Sheeps
August 6, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Blue Moon Bar and Grill - Madison
🥊 BLUE MOON PRESENTS 🥊
THE TAP TAKEOVER SHOWDOWN II
THE REMATCH3 SHEEPS BREWING (Sheboygan, WI)
vs.
FOUNDERS BREWING (Grand Rapids, MI)🎺 Step right up, ladies and gentlemen!
Last year, these two brewing heavyweights squared off before a packed house in a battle for craft beer supremacy. After three hard-fought rounds, Founders Brewing left the ring victorious, claiming the championship belt and bragging rights.
But the boys from 3 Sheeps have demanded a rematch…
Will Wisconsin’s hometown contender settle the score, or will the reigning champions from Grand Rapids successfully defend their title?
🥊 THE FIGHT CARD
🥊 ROUND ONEChaos Pattern
vs.
Mortal Bloom
A hazy IPA showdown for the ages.🥊 ROUND TWO
Oktoberfest
vs.
Oktoberfest
An autumn classic against an autumn classic.🥊 MAIN EVENT
Veneration
Belgian-Style Quad with Figs & Molasses, Aged in Rye Whiskey Barrelsvs.
Backwoods Bastard
Barrel-Aged Scotch AleTwo barrel-aged bruisers enter… only one leaves victorious.
🍻 YOU ARE THE JUDGE!
Sample each matchup, cast your vote, and help decide which brewery earns the title of:
👑 2026 TAP TAKEOVER SHOWDOWN CHAMPION 👑
And because every great prizefight deserves a little drama…
🥃 THE LOSER PAYS THE PRICE!
The representative from the defeated brewery must climb into the center of the ring and take a double shot of Malört before the crowd.
No judges’ controversy.
No scorecards.
No excuses.Only one brewery leaves with the belt. 🏆
Darkness and Donuts at Tipsy Cow
August 7, 2026 @ 9:00 am - 11:55 pm Tipsy Cow - Madison
10th Annual Darkness and Donuts at Tipsy Cow!
9am
Darkness and Free Greenbush Donuts in the Morning! (While Supplies Last).Featuring tappings of:
2024 Double Barrel Darkness
Aged in Tattersall Rum Barrels and O’Shaughnessy Bourbon Barrels with Vanilla 12% ABV2021 Blueberry Crumble Darkness
Rum Barrel Aged with Blueberries, Vanilla, and Lemon Peel 12% ABV2020 Mole Darkness
Bourbon Barrel aged with Vanilla Beans, Cinnamon, Chilies, and Chocolate 12% ABV2019 Old Fashioned
Rye Whiskey Barrel Aged with Moroccan Sweet Orange Peel 12% ABV11am
Furious IPA Cask Firkin
Double Dry Hopped With Amarillo and Simcoe
6.7% ABVOverrated
West Coast IPA
7.3% ABVLemonade
Refreshing Ale
5.5% ABVInfest the Citrus Nest Sour
Easy-drinking sour with mango, passion fruit, and cara cara orange
4.5% ABV2011 Smoke
Black Lager with Smoked Malts
8.2% ABV4pm
Axe Man IPA Cask Firkin
Double Dry Hopped with Citra and Mosaic
7.2% IPAWhen In Rome
Italian Lager
4.6% ABVA Pils You Can’t Refuse
Italian Pilsner
5.9% ABV7pm – S’MORES AND A NIGHT CAP!!!
Gimmie Smore Darkness
Bourbon Barrel Aged with Vanilla and CinnamonSeventeen – Boulevardier Inspired Strong Ale
Blend of Strong Red Ale and a Wee heavy, aged in Tattersall Bitter Orange Liqueur barrels and 10-Year Henry McKenna Bourbon barrel
11% ABV
Central Waters Pre Great Taste at Lucille
August 7, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Lucille - Madison
Join us for Central Waters Pre Great Taste Tap Takeover with our friends at Lucille! We will feature hourly timed tapping’s, classic Central Waters beers, special one-offs, specialty cocktails/slushies featuring Central Waters 8-year Bourbon & 10-year Rye Whiskey, N.A. Mud Puppy/Honey Blonde, and our brand-new Great Blue Whiskey Bourbon Cocktails.
Timed Tapping’s begin at 10am with the following:
- Black Gold 10am
- Black Gold Hot Honey 11am
- Twenty-Eight (XXVIII) 12pm
- Twenty-Eight (XXVIII) Chai Tea Variant 1pm
- Madeira- Aged Strong Ale 2pm
- Twenty-Five (XXV) 3pm
- Twenty-Six (XXVI) J. Henry Barrel 4pm
- Twenty-Seven (XXVII) Elijah Craig 12 year 5pm
Specialty Cocktails/Slushies:
Lake Emily Mud Slushie- A slushie riff on the Mississippi Mud, the supper club classic
ice cream drink. Featuring: Central Waters 8yr Bourbon, Peach Puree, Coffee, Vanilla
Extract, Demerara Sugar & Water.Amherst Bramble Slushie- A Classic Blackberry Bramble in slushie form. Featuring:
Central Waters 10yr Rye Whiskey, Mint Syrup, Blackberry & Water.The Other Other HHG (Or Just HHG)- A hopped Whiskey Sour named after some
notorious Central Wisconsin river rats. Hop infused Central Waters 8yr Bourbon,
Lemon, Simple Syrup & Fee Form.Amherst Early Girl- A tiki style drink named after a resident of the area that is only
talked about in hushed tones, if at all. Central Waters 10yr Rye Whiskey, Coconut
Demerara, Pineapple, Lemon, Jamaican No.1 Bitters with a grenadine float.
Cheesecake and Deth For Breakfast at Forward Craft and Coffee
August 7, 2026 @ 10:00 am - 9:00 pm Forward Craft & Coffee - Madison
🍓🍰🍺 Kick off your Great Taste Eve morning with the perfect pairing! 🍓🍰🍺
Starting at 10:00am, we’ll have Mixed Berry Cheesecake paired with the release of Revolution Brewing Mixed Berry Supermassive Café Deth!
We’ll be serving both until we sell out, so come early!
Breakfast beer not your thing? No judgment here. We’ll also have all your usual coffee, cold brew, and tea favorites ready to fuel you up for the day. ☕️
COLLAB-A-POLOOZA: Pre-Party with Young Blood Beer Co. – King St
August 7, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Young Blood Beer Co. - Madison
Time for the headliner.
Every collaboration beer hits the draft list at once. No staggered tappings. No waiting around. Just a full lineup from the minute the doors open. Some of these beers won’t be pouring at Great Taste, so if you’re looking to complete the lineup, this is where to do it.Come for the Beer, Stay for the $5 Hot Dogs on the Patio!
Featuring Collabs by:
Hop Butcher for the World (Chicago, IL)
Atrium Brewing (Louisville, KY)
XUL Beer Company (Knoxville, TN)
Cruz Blanca Brewpub (Chicago, IL)
Mikerphone Brewing (Elk Grove Village, IL)
Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL)
Lion’s Tail Brewing Co (Neenah, WI)
Dimensional Brewing Company (Dubuque, IA)
Piece Pizzeria and Brewery (Chicago, IL)
608 Brewing Company (La Crosse, WI)
Cocoon Brewing (DePere, WI)
G5 Brewing Company (Beloit, WI)
Great Taste Pre-Party with Perennial and Side Project
August 7, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 10:00 pm Longtable Beer Cafe - Middleton
🎊 Join us for the kickoff to Madison’s biggest beer weekend of the year – our Great Taste pre-party with Perennial and Side Project. Eight of our twelve taps will be devoted to their spectacular brews, including several rare on tap.
All will be pouring when our doors open at 11am, right through until close at 10pm (or while they last).
PERENNIAL:
Triple Blue Ridge: Triple barreled English-style barleywine aged in bourbon and apple brandy barrelsBA Abraxas 2026: Barrel-aged imperial stout with ancho chili peppers, cacao nibs, vanilla beans, and cinnamon sticks
Haze Roulette: Midwestern IPA with Erebus, Centennial, + Strata hops
Coastal Arch: West Coast-style Pilsner with Nelson Sauvin, Simcoe, and Vic Secret hops
SIDE PROJECT:
Beer : Barrel : Time 2025: A blend of Imperial Stout recipes (O.W.K., Vibes & Omega) aged in Willett Family Estate Bourbon barrels for 16 to 25 monthsWith Tarpey: A blend of Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout and Barrel-Aged English Barleywine which rested in oak for 15-26 months. and finished on 20lbs of Uganda, Comoros, and Madagascar vanilla beans
Pali: Session IPA with HBC 1019, Citra and Idaho 7 Hops
Rosé du Blé Blend #3: Oak-aged Wheat Saison racked atop the skins of Raspberries and a small touch of Hibiscus, adding the color, tannins and aromatics inspired by the rosé wines of France
Cheers to the Great Taste! 🍻
🍻 Great Taste Eve at Cooper's Tavern with 3 Sheeps Brewing! 🐑🐑🐑
August 7, 2026 @ 11:00 am - 11:00 pm The Coopers Tavern - Madison
Kick off Great Taste of the Midwest weekend with an incredible tap takeover featuring one of Wisconsin’s finest breweries! 🐑🐑🐑
📅 Friday, August 7
⏰ 11:00 AM – Close
📍 Cooper’s TavernWe’re pouring 10 incredible beers from 3 Sheeps Brewing, including specialty, limited-release, and Great Taste-worthy favorites:
🍺 On Tap:
• Wolf Imperial Stout
• Veneration Belgian Quad
• Fresh Coast Pale Ale
• Chaos Pattern Hazy IPA
• Oktoberfest
• Couple Two Tree (Cooper’s Specialty Low-ABV IPA)
• Cherry Wisconsinitis
• Beast of Bray Road – Imperial IPA with Galaxy & HBC638
• Hot Honey – Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout with honey, guajillo peppers, and ghost peppers 10.9% ABV
• Lemongrass PilsThe 3 Sheeps crew will be hanging out throughout the day with swag giveaways, great conversation, and plenty of brewery knowledge to share.
Whether you’re getting into town early for Great Taste or just looking for an excuse to enjoy some exceptional Wisconsin craft beer, this is the perfect way to kick off the weekend.
Come thirsty, bring your friends, and we’ll see you at Cooper’s! 🍻
3 Floyds 30th Anniversary, WarPigs, Argus BarGrille Pre-Taste Eve Party
August 7, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 1:05 am Argus BarGrille - Madison
Come celebrate 30 years of 3 Floyds Brewery at the Argus, their exclusive host for Great Taste Eve… a partnership that has spanned 15 years with the 3 Floyds/Argus event always being the beer and the event not to miss. This year’s party will also be Rick and Gwen’s final Great Taste Eve as they will be retiring.
The line up is spectacular, as always, including:
3 Floyds Spirits: Wight Vvitch Gin, Sea’s Cruelty Rum, Bloodforge Bourbon.Beers: Dark Lord, Marshmallow Handjee, XXX Anniversary, Rye Da Tiger, Center Square, Munsterfest, Alpha King, Gumballhead, Deluxe, Zombie Dust, and WarPigs Foggy Geezer and Sword of Orion.
Lager Kings of Wisconsin @ Working Draft Beer Company
August 7, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 11:00 pm Working Draft Beer Company - Madison
Looking for something fun, creative, and delicious to do the night before the Great Taste of the Midwest?
Join Working Draft Friday, August 7th, as we host our friends from Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery, for the Lager Kings of Wisconsin 🍺👑
We have a lot of fun in store for you, including:
Release of Workfront Czech-Style Amber Lager, a collaboration between WDBC and Lakefront
Melvis, an Elvis impersonator, performing from 2-5pm
Sandwich Hub slinging delicious sandwiches, including ‘Fat Elvis’ Sammies
Other Lakefront guest taps, including Dive Bar Lager on a side pull faucet
So grow your sideburns out and get ready for a Kingly night!
The Good Ol' Haze – A Sustainable Great Taste Pre-Party
August 7, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 10:00 pm Karben4 Brewing - Madison
Let’s partner together to keep the haze in your glass and out of the sky. This Great Taste Eve we’re raising funds and our glasses to support Canadian Wildfire Relief efforts. Karben4 has FOUR beer hitting the tap lines and an extra large bingo night benefitting United Way Thunder Bay:
– Long Root Lager – a crushable amber lager made with Kernza, a sustainable perennial grain, available for ONE DAY ONLY
– Disaster Artist – seasonal hazy IPA made with Phantasm
– Supply Drop: Tropical – seasonal sour with pineapple, mango, tangerine, and passionfruit
– ReinHAZEsgebot – one-of-a-kind hoppy, hazy kolsch coming straight out of our tanks for the first time everOther bonuses include a mobile sauna pop-up and local sustainable surprises. Bingo kicks off at 6:00 pm. Let’s get back to the Good Ol’ Haze!!
🦖 Toppling Goliath Pre-Party at BarleyPop Tap and Shop 🦖 ⭐ Featured Pour: 2025 Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout (KBBS) ⭐
August 7, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 11:59 pm Barleypop Tap and Shop - Madison
Get ready to pour the roar — Toppling Goliath is back at BarleyPop for our legendary Pre-Party to The Great Taste of the Midwest! We’ve been throwing this dino-sized bash for years, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of our best yet.
Join the Toppling Goliath crew, including members of our brewing team, for an afternoon of rare pours, great company, and prehistoric fun. Whether you’re chasing world-class stouts or hop-forward favorites, we’ve got a lineup that’s sure to make your taste buds go Jurassic.🦖 Draft List 🦖
Rare Stouts:
🔥 2025 Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout (KBBS) 🔥 – For the first time ever at our BarleyPop Pre-Party, we’ll be pouring Kentucky Brunch Brand Stout (KBBS). Known as one of the most sought-after barrel-aged stouts in the world, this rare opportunity alone is worth the trip. If you’ve always wanted to try KBBS, this is your chance.
2026 Assassin – Smooth, stealthy, and dangerously delicious — the latest vintage of Toppling Goliath’s Assassin Lineage.Core Brands:
Pseudo Sue – The original hop beast that started it all.
DDH King Sue – Double dry-hopped and bursting with juicy tropical character.
Oktoberfest – A smooth, malt-forward fall classic that arrives just in time for festival season.
Joy Top Pilsner – Our new crisp, refreshing pilsner built for easy drinking and good times.
Caramel Apple Fandango – A sweet and tart seasonal twist that tastes like fall in a glass.Expect dino-sized pours, fierce flavors, and a chance to hang out with the Toppling Goliath team before The Great Taste festivities begin. Whether you’re a longtime member of the herd or visiting us for the first time, this is the perfect way to kick off one of the best beer weekends of the year.
No bones about it—this party is going to be a roaring good time! 🦖🍻
🍺Great Taste Eve at Lone Girl Madison Taproom (we are also a Saturday Shuttle location!)
August 7, 2026 @ 12:00 pm - 11:55 pm Lone Girl Taproom - Madison
🍺 Great Taste Weekend starts (and ends) at Lone Girl Madison Taproom.
Whether you’re rolling into town from across Wisconsin or across the country, we’d love to welcome you to Madison.🍻 Friday | Great Taste Eve
🕛 Open Noon–Midnight
🍺 Full Lone Girl Tap Takeover
👋 Meet Brewer John Russell starting at 5 PM
Get first dibs on two brand-new beers—Peanut Butter Brown and Raspberry Wheat. They’re delicious on their own… but together? They become Peanut Butter Jelly Time, the PB&J-inspired mashup you didn’t know you needed.We’re celebrating all weekend long with extended hours, amazing beer, and plenty of Lone Girl hospitality.
🎉 Saturday | Great Taste Day
🕚 Open 11 AM–Midnight
🚌 Shuttle service to and from Great Taste from 11:30am to 7:00pm
Need a pre-fest pint? A post-fest pizza? One more beer with your new festival friends? We’ve got you covered.
Great Taste Eve Pre Party at Starkweather Brewery
August 7, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm Starkweather Brewing Company - Madison
🍻 Great Taste EVE – Pre-Party at Starkweather Brewing! Be first in line — the party starts as soon as our doors open Friday, 08/07 at 2 pm!
We’re pouring our award-winning flagships PLUS hitting it out of the park with:
🍻 Play That Funky Mosaic (6.3% ABV, 54 IBU)
🍻 Charming Kolsch (5.4% ABV, 24 IBU)
🍻 Hoppy250th! (6.7% ABV, 59 IBU)Our friends from Up North Brewing are joining the fun with:
🍻 Stammtisch Helles, (4.5% ABV, 17 IBU)
🍻 Lake Walk Ale (5% ABV, 45 IBU)
🍻 Dark Intentions Imperial Stout (10% ABV, 60 IBU))Register to will two free tickets to the GTMW, drawing at 6 pm. Must be present to win. (Increase your chances of winning by visiting the brewery and registering daily Tuesday, August 3rd-7th.
Come kick off the Great Taste of the Midwest with us — epic beers, fantastic food, Friday featuring Fish & Chips, great vibes, and your beer-loving crew!
Half Acre & Sway Brewing at Muskellounge!
August 7, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm The Muskellounge - Madison
Join us for a Half Acre & Sway Brewing Tap Takeover at Muskellounge & Sporting Club!
We’re pouring an incredible lineup of specialty and exclusive beers from two outstanding breweries. Whether you’re chasing a fresh IPA, a crisp lager, a classic pilsner, or a rare barrel aged stout, there will be something worth raising a glass to.
Hank’s will be serving Friday Fish Fry from 4 PM to 9 PM, and if you’re stopping by earlier or staying late, grab a Fraboni’s pizza while you’re here.
On Tap:
Half Acre Brewing
• Pony Pilsner
• Slow Melt Pale Ale
• Daisy Cutter Pale Ale
• WayBird Hazy IPA
• Gone Away IPA
• Bodem IPA
• LagerTown Oktoberfest
• Reef Knot Summer Lager
• Vallejo IPA
• Before Land Shook Bourbon Barrel Aged Imperial Stout
• Benthic 2×4 Double Barrel 2×4 Benthic
• Fresh Frost American IPASway Brewing
• Mexican Lager
• SaisonCome thirsty, bring some friends, and we’ll see you at The Musky!
Up North Tap Takeover
August 7, 2026 @ 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm Starkweather Brewing Company - Madison
Up North Brewing will bring 3 of their beers to Starkweather Brewing Company, come by and enjoy some great beverages!
COLLAB-A-POLOOZA: Pre-Party with Young Blood Beer Co. – Northstreet
August 7, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm Young Blood Beer Company - Madison
Time for the headliner.
Every collaboration beer hits the draft list at once. No staggered tappings. No waiting around. Just a full lineup from the minute the doors open. Some of these beers won’t be pouring at Great Taste, so if you’re looking to complete the lineup, this is where to do it.Featuring Collabs by:
Atrium Brewing (Louisville, KY)
XUL Beer Company (Knoxville, TN)
Cruz Blanca Brewpub (Chicago, IL)
Mikerphone Brewing (Elk Grove Village, IL)
Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL)
Lion’s Tail Brewing Co (Neenah, WI)
Dimensional Brewing Company (Dubuque, IA)
Piece Pizzeria and Brewery (Chicago, IL)
Cocoon Brewing (DePere, WI)
G5 Brewing Company (Beloit, WI)
Earth Rider Brewing @ One Social Food Hall
August 7, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 9:00 pm One Social Food Hall - Madison
Earth Rider Beer is crafted by decorated brewers with cold, clear Lake Superior water and premium, hand-selected ingredients. We brew at the head of the Great Lakes on the Duluth-Superior Harbor for Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Nine styles of Wisconsin crafted beer are set to grace the lines of One Social Food Hall with three being part of our mixed fermentation series with scheduled releases:
- Brett IPA (4:00pm)
- Peche (5:00pm)
- Cedar Sour Red (6:00pm)
Other styles include, Superior Pale Ale, Royal Bohemian Pilsner, Cloud Top Hazy IPA, Stoney Point IPA, Blueberry Honey Cream Ale, and Festbier with a surprise can option of our N/A, Hop Water.
Come join in the shenanigans! Hold Fast & Cheers!
Great Taste Pre-Party with Titletown & Live Music
August 7, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm Bierock - Madison
Great Taste of the Midwest is almost here and so are Great Taste Eve events, including a special one at Bierock on Friday August 7 from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
We’ve got featured beer tappings from Titletown Brewing Company in Green Bay and live music on the docket.
Performing live music will be Madison’s own Mudroom, starting at 8:00 p.m.
Mudroom is a Madison-based jamband that has been delighting fans for over a decade with 400-plus shows.
While they love to cover their favorite artists like Phish and the Grateful Dead, their funky, jazzy original music is their true passion. Mudroom performances feature a variety of musical styles, quite a bit of improvisation and are always worth the trip.
Meanwhile, we’ll have a tap takeover with Titletown Brewing Company.
Visitors can expect a couple flagship and seasonal offerings from Titletown along with a couple others that are typically taproom exclusives, which we are proud to serve as a Great Taste Eve partner.
The beers in our lineup—along with brewery descriptions—include…
Orange Cream Fizzy, Shandy: Dreams do come true. Is it a soda? Is it a beer? It’s a Fizzy! Orange, vanilla, sweet, effervescent, with a kick of alcohol. Kowabunga!
Canadeo Gold, Kölsch: An all-time great style named after an all-time great player. Clean and easy drinking with subtle fruit notes. The People’s Choice winner for our 30th anniversary comeback brew!
Bent Tuba, Oktoberfest: Fall seasonal. Want a beer that kicks some serious brass? Bent Tuba is a smooth German-style amber lager, loaded with rich, toasty malt flavor, and complemented by a touch of crisp Bavarian hops. It’s playing your song.
Whitecap, Witbier: As white as the surf and as soft as a rolling wave. Cascading notes of bright orange citrus, banana and clove. Light and easy-drinking, best enjoyed with toes in the sand and the waves in view.
Iron Hopper, Hoppy Red Lager: Clean drinking hoppy red lager made with Centennial, Cascade and Amarillo hops. Hop forward lager with citrus, pine and floral aromas complimented with a malty, caramel backbone.
Green 19, IPA: This hop-forward ale showcases a complex blend of citrus-like American hop varieties, their bitterness well-balanced by complex malt for exceptional drinkability.
Early birds get the bonus of Happy Hour pricing. From 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., get $1 off all full-size pours of Titletown and all alcoholic drinks at Bierock.
Bierock will have its full food and drink menu during the event, as well as full indoor and outdoor dining available.So stop by for the best Great Taste Eve pre-party in town.
Located at 2911 N. Sherman Ave., Bierock is part of the Northside TownCenter and across the street from Warner Park.
Hop Garden Great Taste Hangout – Paoli
August 7, 2026 @ 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm Hop Garden – Paoli - Paoli
Celebrate Great Taste Eve at all three Hop Garden’s on Friday, August 7! If you’re a Great Taste ticket holder or one of the amazing volunteers, show your ticket or volunteer email Friday evening and enjoy a Buy One, Get One FREE pint during our Great Taste Eve celebration. Live music at 5 by Carper Diem, performing Classic Blues/Rock. See you at Hop Garden—and then at Great Taste! Cheers!
Boulevard Brewing at Sardine 🍻🐟
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Sardine - Madison
Shuck, sip, and celebrate!
Join us at Sardine for Madison’s favorite oyster happy hour and a Kansas City-inspired tap takeover with Boulevard Brewing Co. We’re kicking off Great Taste weekend with fresh oysters, crispy frites, and an incredible lineup of Boulevard beers—whether you’re a longtime Tank 7 devotee or looking to discover a new favorite.On tap:
🍇 Berry Noir – 4% ABV | Mixed Berry Sour
Vibrant, juicy, and refreshingly tart. Bursting with blueberries and blackberries, this brilliant purple sour drinks like sparkling berry lemonade with a crisp, refreshing finish.🚀 Space Camper Cosmic IPA – 5.9% ABV | Juicy IPA
A tropical, hop-forward IPA loaded with notes of mango, pineapple, and citrus. Soft bitterness and a juicy finish make this an easy-drinking adventure into the Space Camper universe.✨ Tank 7 – 8.5% ABV | American Saison
Boulevard’s legendary American saison, balancing bright grapefruit and tropical fruit with subtle peppery spice, lively carbonation, and a dry, refreshing finish.🌮 Southwest BLVD – 4.5% ABV | Salt & Lime Lager
A crisp, refreshing lager brewed with lime and a touch of sea salt. Bright, balanced, and endlessly drinkable—the perfect pairing for oysters, tacos, and summer evenings on the patio.🍸 Berry Noir Cocktail – Crafted by Sardine
Sardine’s bartenders will also be shaking up a special cocktail featuring Berry Noir, giving this vibrant fruited sour an inventive twist. Be sure to try it alongside the beer and discover a whole new side of Boulevard’s newest release.
Great Taste Eve at Garth's: North Pillar's Madison Debut + Drekker + Old Irving
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm Garth's Brew Bar - Madison
The biggest beer weekend in Madison starts Friday night…and we’re pouring one beer you literally cannot have had in this city before.
North Pillar Brewing Co. (Waukesha) is making its Madison debut in our cooler and tap lines.
Also visiting? Our friends at Drekker Brewing (Fargo, ND — yes, the fever-dream can art people) and Old Irving Brewing (Chicago).All three in one room, the night before Great Taste of the Midwest.
What’s going down:
🍺 Brewery reps in the house from all three — ask them anything, they’re nicer than their beer names suggest
🍺 Rare pours we’ve been sitting on for exactly this occasion
🍺 A bit of a bottle share — we’ll crack a few from the cellar, and if you’ve got something special gathering dust, Friday’s the night it earns its keep. Bring it!Got a Great Taste ticket? Warm up the palate and plan your Saturday route with people who know the grounds.
Struck out in the lottery? This is your mini Great Taste … the out-of-state beer came to you, no lanyard required.No tickets, no cover, no lines. Just show up thirsty.
Friday, August 7 · Garth’s Brew Bar opens at 4 p.m.
Great Taste Eve at Giant Jones Brewing
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Giant Jones Brewing - Madison
It’s the night before the Great Taste of the Midwest so we’ve got a special treat for you, especially if you’re just in town for this beer weekend.
Join our co-owner/brewer Jessica Jones as she guides you through a flavorful beer journey. She will be selecting a flight of four Giant Jones beers, then she’ll chat with you all about the beers & what makes them so special. This guided tour of GJ beers will happen at 5:30pm, and is $16!
Weather permitting we will have our outdoor seating set up and lawn games. (Keep those fingers crossed!)
We are also tapping a special collab American Stout from our friends at Sunshine Brewing & The Badger Beer Report.
“A classic approach to an American stout: Medium body and layers of dark coffee, rich chocolate, and a satisfying roasted finish. Traditional Northwest American hops provide balanced herbal, floral, and subtle citrus notes. Brewed in collaboration with Summer Mash Up Homebrew Competition Best of Show winner Daniel Deveney.” 6.2% abv
And food will be available to order from our neighbors at The Deliciouser (Madison Magazine’s Chef of 2026) from 5pm – close.
We’re proud to be Wisconsin’s only certified organic brewery, so come see what our BIG beers are all about b/c we brew big beers for EVERYONE!
Hop Garden Great Taste Hangout – Belleville
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Hop Garden – Belleville - Belleville
Celebrate Great Taste Eve at all three Hop Garden’s on Friday, August 7! If you’re a Great Taste ticket holder or one of the amazing volunteers, show your ticket or volunteer email Friday evening and enjoy a Buy One, Get One FREE pint during our Great Taste Eve celebration. Live music at 5 by Common Chord, performing Americana/Rock/Roots. See you at Hop Garden—and then at Great Taste! Cheers!
Hop Garden Great Taste Hangout – Evansville
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm Hop Garden – Evansville - Evansville
Celebrate Great Taste Eve at all three Hop Garden’s on Friday, August 7! If you’re a Great Taste ticket holder or one of the amazing volunteers, show your ticket or volunteer email Friday evening and enjoy a Buy One, Get One FREE pint during our Great Taste Eve celebration. Live music at 5 by The Mark Malin Trio performing Instrumental Jazz/Blues/R&B. See you at Hop Garden—and then at Great Taste! Cheers!
McFleshman's-Sway Brewing + Blending Collab Release
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 11:59 pm The Malt House - MADISON
McFleshman’s will be here to swap beer tales with us all.
The featured beer will be their collaboration with Bailey’s Harbor’s SWAY Brewing + Blending. For this event, we’ll also pour the 547 West Coast IIPA, and this year’s Oktoberfest-Maerzen.
PLUS!
Expect a Tall Mast English-style IPA on the firkin.
Mikerphone Tap Takeover at Lola's Sidecar Lounge
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Lola's Sidecar Lounge - Madison
Mikerphone Brewing is taking over the taps at Lola’s Sidecar Lounge! Owner Mike Pallen graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and always loves coming back home!
The tap takeover will run from 4 to 7 pm on Friday August 7th.
On tap will be:
Misty Mountain Hop – the 2026 US Open Beer Champsionship Gold Medal Winning American-Style Pale AleHey Mambo, Mambo Italiano! – a Gold Medal-Winning Italian-Style Pilsner
When You Say Wisconsin… – a Wisconsin-Style Kringle-Inspired Soft Sour with Cherry, Cranberry, Bavarian Cream and Cheesecake Flavoring
Lola’s will also be pouring bottles of One Hit Wonders Vol. 7, an Imperial Stout Aged for 21 Months in a Superstition Black Berry White Mead Barrel.
The Mikerphone crew will onsite handing out swag and high fives.
Let’s rock on Wisconsin!
New Glarus Brewing Co. Presents… Pre-Taste on the Pitch
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm Baer Balcony, overlooking Historic Breese Stevens Field - Madison
World famous (yet only in Wisconsin) New Glarus Brewing Co. will be hosting their pre-party to The Great Taste of the Midwest – Pre-Taste on the Pitch – on Friday, August 7th from 4 PM – 8 PM in the Baer Balcony, overlooking Historic Breese Stevens Field.
Join us a we welcome New Glarus Brewing Co. and sample some of the finest libations the great lands of Wisconsin have to offer.
This event is FREE and open to the public*.
Play yard games, converse with the experts, WIN TICKETS, and enjoy a beautiful night overlooking the pitch as Breese Stevens Field.
GIVEAWAYS:
All attendees will have a chance to win a pair of tickets to the upcoming Alabama Shakes show at Breese Stevens Field on August 30th, 2025 or one of THREE pairs of tickets to The Great Taste of the Midwest on August 8th.
*Must be 21+ years of age to comsume alcohol.
Party with Potosi at Genna's
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Genna’s Cocktail Lounge - Madison
Potosi is taking over the taps at Genna’s. The Potosi Team will be on site with a tap lineup featuring new and limited releases along with your favorite standbys. There will be plenty of giveaways and Genna’s famous happy hour from 4:30pm-6:30pm.
Revolution Pre Great Taste Party at Essen Haus
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Essen Haus - Madison
Join us for a Revolution Party at Essen Haus! Great Beer! Games! Giveaways! Party starts at 4 PM on Friday 8/7. See you there!
🍻 Great Taste Eve Showcase at Cask & Ale! 🍻
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 1:00 am Cask & Ale - Madison
One brewery? That’s too easy.
This Great Taste Eve, we’re bringing together some of the Midwest’s best breweries for one massive draft showcase featuring 24 taps loaded with rare releases, festival exclusives, barrel-aged beers, crowd favorites, and plenty of surprises.
📍 Cask & Ale – Madison
🗓️ Friday, August 7
⏰ 4:00 PM – CloseRepresenting some of the region’s finest breweries, including:
🍺 3 Sheeps Brewing
🍺 Third Space Brewing
🍺 Lion’s Tail Brewing
🍺 Half Acre Beer Co.
🍺 Surly Brewing
🍺 Founders Brewing
…and more!🔥 Don’t miss some of our featured specialty pours:
• Surly Double Barrel Darkness – one of Surly’s legendary barrel-aged imperial stouts
• Half Acre Fresh Frost – Great Taste exclusive American IPA
• Lion’s Tail All Along the Watchtower – Double Dry-Hopped IPA
• Lion’s Tail Kula Wheat – Pineapple American Wheat Ale
• Third Space It Was All a Dream – Limited specialty release
• Lion’s Tail Decades – Cellared barrel-aged releasePlus, an incredible mix of fresh IPAs, crisp lagers, classic amber ales, fruited sours, ciders, wheat beers, hazy favorites, and more spread across 24 draft lines.
😁 Brewery representatives from several featured breweries will be hanging out throughout the evening, pouring beers, talking all things craft, handing out swag, and helping kick off Great Taste weekend the right way.
Whether you’re in town for Great Taste of the Midwest or just looking for one of the best tap lists you’ll see all year, this is the place to be.
Cheers to Great Taste weekend—we’ll see you at Cask & Ale! 🍻
🦖 Toppling the Cardinal Bar 🦖
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 11:59 pm The Cardinal Bar - Madison
Join Toppling Goliath at The Cardinal Bar for our annual Madison pre-party and kick off one of the best beer weekends of the year with the TG crew. Brewers, team members, and fellow craft beer lovers will be gathering for an evening packed with exclusive pours, rare releases, and plenty of dino-sized fun before the festivities begin on Saturday.
We’re rolling in with a tap list that includes:
Pseudo Sue
Hazy Day Sue
Citrus Sue
Joy Top Pilsner
Oktoberfest
Barrel-Aged Amber Pear
Available in cans:
DDH King Sue
Lil’ Strawb (Drekker Collab)PLUS: We’ll have a very limited number of bottles for onsite consumption of our coveted barrel-aged stout Assassin 2026. This beast doesn’t come out often — don’t miss your chance to snag one!
Expect dino-themed fun, killer brews, and a chance to hang with the TG team before the big weekend. Let’s make Madison roar!
🍍- 8th Annual Fair State GTMW Eve ~ Pre-Party at the Robin Room – 🍍
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm The Robin Room - Madison
Let’s Do It Again!
Cocktails, Beers, Friends, Fried Chicken and Hugs
Fair State Brewing – The Robin Room – Roost Fried Chicken Cart
SPECIALTY DRINKS
BOILERMAKER – Shorty of Side Pull and a shot of J . Henery RRSB
FOAM-BERG – Foamers Line with a Frozen Blueberry Margarita FloatDRAFTS:
FOAMERS LIME – Lager with Lime Puree
SIDE PULL – Czech-Style Lager
HAZY FOR THE PEOPLE
NEW ZEALAND COLD IPA
HOP WATER
🌼🍺 Great Taste Eve at Muskellounge with Half Acre Brewing! 🍺🌼
August 7, 2026 @ 4:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Muskellounge - Madison
Join us Friday, August 7th as Half Acre Brewing takes over all 12 draft lines at Muskellounge for an evening packed with Chicago craft beer favorites, limited releases, barrel-aged rarities, and a brand-new Great Taste exclusive IPA.
📍 Muskellounge
🗓️ Friday, August 7
⏰ 4:00 PM – 9:00 PMWhether you’re a longtime Half Acre fan or looking to discover one of the Midwest’s most celebrated breweries, this is a lineup you won’t want to miss.
🔥 Featured Limited & Specialty Releases
• Fresh Frost – Great Taste of the Midwest Exclusive American IPA
• Before Land Shook – Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
• Benthic 2×4 – Barrel-aged Imperial Stout
• Gone Away IPA🍺 Hop-Forward Favorites
• Daisy Cutter
• Bodem
• Vallejo
• Reef Knot
• WayBird
• Slow Melt🍻 Crisp & Easy Drinkers
• Pony Pilsner
• Lager TownKick off Great Taste weekend with an unforgettable lineup of beers you won’t find together very often. Whether you’re chasing fresh-hop IPAs, world-class lagers, or rare barrel-aged releases, there’s something waiting for you on tap. Grab a pint, bring your friends, and we’ll see you at Muskellounge! 🍻🎣
Badger State Brewing Great Taste Preparty at the Moxy Hotel Madison Downtown
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm Moxy Madison Downtown - Madison
Join Badger State Brewing Company at the Moxy Friday for live music and great beer! Purchase any Badger State Brewing beer and get entered to win two tickets the the Great Taste of the Midwest. Winner to be drawn at 7pm must be present to win.
Big Grove Brewery's Inagural Great Taste Pre-Party at Nattspil!
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 1:00 am Nattspil - Madison
Join us for our first ever Great Taste Eve Pre – Party! Nattspil will be dedicating six draft lines to us filled with your favorites and some brands that have not quite made it into distribution in Wisconsin yet.
We will also be pairing up with Clean Lakes Alliance all weekend to fundraise for them, featuring “Wade Wisely”, our Oatmeal Stout. Every purchase will raise money for to improve and protect lakes, streams and wetlands in the Yahara River Watershed.
Founders 8th Annual Great Taste Pre-Party with TROY @ Echo Tap
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 12:00 am The Echo Tap - Madison
Come hang out with Team Founders, enjoy delicious beers and win swag as we celebrate our favorite weekend of the year for our 8th Annual Great Taste Pre-party at Echo Tap & Grill with Troy! We will have a great line up of beers including a keg of our taproom exclusive Imperial Centennial IPA.
Drink Founders, Keep the Pint! We can’t wait to see you there, cheers!
Goodworks Brewing Company and Northside Lounge
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Northside Lounge - Madison
Join Northside Lounge for a Pre-taste Eve event on the Northside with Goodworks Brewing Company! Meet the team, get some swag, drink some damn good beer. See you on the Northside!
Great Taste Eve Tap Takeover
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Vintage Brewing Co. Capitol East - Madison
The best way to warm up for Great Taste? Beer.
Join us Friday, August 7 from 5 to 8 PM at Vintage Brewing Co. Capitol East as we welcome Nick from Dead Bird Brewing and Trevor from Inventors Brewpub for a casual Great Taste Eve tap takeover.
We’ll be pouring three beers you won’t want to miss:
🍺 Shoreline Table Beer from Dead Bird Brewing
🍺 Laminar Flow Pilsner from Inventors Brewpub x Badger Beer Report.
🍺 Monchito Piña Colada Milkshake IPA from Inventors Brewpub.Nick and Trevor will be hanging around all evening, so if you’ve ever wanted to ask a brewer why a beer tastes the way it does, how it’s made, or just talk beer with the people behind the pint, this is your chance.
It’s free to stop by. The conversations are free. The beer is not.
See you Friday. 🍻
Great Taste of Madison
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Delta Beer Lab - Madison
Get to know Madison’s robust and diverse craft beverage scene right down the road from the Great Taste of the Midwest festival grounds! Delta Beer Lab will be hosting guest beers from 16 Madison-area breweries, cideries, and distilleries representing a broad range of styles and flavors for the discerning craft beverage enthusiast. Meet representatives from the guest makers, learn more about their products, and buy a flight for a chance to win brewery swag!
Every year, Madison plays host to the Great Taste of the Midwest, drawing top breweries from the Midwest and craft beer lovers from around the country. We love our brewery friends from out of town, but we decided it was time to give our visitors a chance to really get to know the host city for this top-tier festival. Featuring some makers that won’t be at the festival on Saturday, this pre-Great Taste event concentrates on the Great Taste of Madison that we’re all so proud of. As the brewery closest to the Great Taste festival grounds, Delta Beer Lab is proud to be the perfect taproom to host our local friends for the night.
Hillsboro Brewing Company Tap Takeover and Put Put Party
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Brass Ring - Madison
Rumspringa – BA Imperial Stout – 1/6 bbl 14.3% 4 IBU
A blend of three different beers from three different bourbon barrels (Wollersheim, Driftless Glenn, Northern Waters). Tastes of sweet chocolate, cherry, oak, and wafers. One of our favorite barrel aged beers yet.Subzero – Eisbock – 1/6 bbl 12.7% 11IBU
We through this beer outside in -40 degree weather for three days! This concentrated the alcohol content and flavor compounds. We pulled off the remaining beer that was not frozen and got a malty sweet and fruity plum beer.Notorious POG – Passion Fruit, Orange, Guava Radler – 1/2 bbl 3.9% 11 IBU
Passion fruit, orange, and guava Radler! It’s seasonal and sweet! A perfect beer for a summer day.Sour Patch Kids – Candy Sour – 1/2 bbl 3.9% 11 IBU
This beer was made by actually blending Sour Patch Kids into the beer! A sour and tasty beer that is extremely exclusive!Smooth 85 – Hazy IPA – 1/6 bbl 6.3% 40 IBU
Named after a viral video of our owner Snapper Verbsky. Dry hopped with Citra, Nectaron, and Waimea hops. This hazy IPA is dank, resinous, and bursting with tropical flavors. This brew breaths pineapple and citrus juice! Orange zest and juicy peach dance in a beautiful rhythm that won’t disappoint your taste buds. Our proudest Hazy IPA to date.Cowboys VS Aliens – DDH IPA – 8.0% 40 IBU *Collaboration with 608 Brewery*
A collaboration brew with 608 Brewing Co., this hazy DDH IPA is loaded with a ridiculous amount of INCOGNITO Hop Oil, Citra, and Galaxy hops. The aroma bursts with notes of Juicy Fruit bubble gum and fresh pineapple, while flavors of intense lime citrus, ripe mango, and passion fruit dominate the palate. Bold, juicy, and packed with hop character, this beer does not disappoint.Jorts – Guava Hefeweizen – 4.7% 12 IBU
Tropical, fruity, and lip smacking good. This guava infused wheat beer will have you throwing on your jean shorts and heading to the beach.Pups – Light Lager – 3.9% 11 IBU
A traditional lager brewed with Noble German hops and fermented with German Lager yeast. This beer is light and crushable.
Leinenkugel's at State Street Brats
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm State Street Brats - Madison
Leinenkugel’s tap takeover at State Street Brats with various Leinenkugel’s giveaways!
Sketchbook Pre-Great Taste Party at Tiny's Taphouse
August 7, 2026 @ 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tiny's Tap House - Madison
Come and enjoy 4 special Sketchbook beers, get some swag and get a chance to race minnows!
Great Taste Wisco Pre-Party
August 7, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm The Wisco - Madison, WI
Start your Great Taste of the Midwest weekend at The Wisco Bar with an evening full of great beer, games, and awesome prizes!
📅 Friday, August 7
🕕 6:00–9:00 PM
📍 The Wisco Bar🍻 Purchase a pint to play Plinko for your chance to win Great Taste of the Midwest tickets!
🎶 Plus, enter to win a Dogfish Head × Grateful Dead Record Player while enjoying featured brews from Dogfish Head, Samuel Adams, and Angry Orchard, including:
🍺 Samuel Adams Boston Lager
🎃 Samuel Adams OctoberFest
🍏 Angry Orchard Crisp Apple
🐟 Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA
💀 Dogfish Head Juicy Pale AleCome celebrate one of the biggest beer weekends of the year with great pours, fun games, and incredible prizes. We can’t wait to see you there! 🍻
Schell's Paradise Party! Minnesota's Oldest Craft Brewery and one of the Oldest Bars in Madison are teaming up for an Epic Pre Taste Party
August 7, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 1:00 am Paradise Lounge - Madison
Join the Schell’s Brew Crew at the Paradise Lounge as we Party at the Dice! Exclusive Beer releases including Schell’s Spiked Pink Lemonade and Mad Butcher IPA along with favorites of Oktoberfest, Deer Brand, and Grain Belt Premium.
Titletown/I/O Bar: 30 Year Anniversary and Beat the Brewer Challenge
August 7, 2026 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm I/O Arcade Bar - Madison
Come celebrate Titletown Brewery’s 30th Anniversary at the I/O Bar in Downtown Madison. We will have Johnny Blood Red (Irish Red), 400 Honey (Blonde Ale) Bent Tuba and Flying Pig (ESB) on tap. Plus, challenge one of our brewery staff to a video game and win a beer on us!
Mason Lounge & Revolution Late Night Party
August 7, 2026 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Mason Lounge - Madison
Close out your Pre Great Taste Parties at Mason Lounge! Enjoy: West Coast IPA, Super Massive Cafe Berry Deth Barrel Aged Stout & Watermelon Mint Sour. Great pairings as well! Party starts at 7 PM. See you then!
Post Great Taste Brunch and Meat Raffle with Big Grove Brewery!
August 9, 2026 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Jordan's Big 10 Pub - Madison
What better way to cure those Great Taste hangovers than with all day brunch, a meat raffle and raising money for Clean Lakes Alliance?
We will be featuring three drafts:
Easy Eddy – our award winning Hazy IPA
Citrus Surfer – our citrus American wheat made with all natural blood orange, lemon peel and coriander.
2021 Richard the Whale – Our classic Imperial Stout from 2021.Chef Trevor will be curating a menu that pairs well with these drafts. Meat Raffle will include meat from Jenifer Street as well as Big Grove Brewery merch. Proceeds from the meat raffle will be donated to Clean Lakes Alliance to help improve the lakes, streams and wetlands in the Yahara River Watershed.