The Great Taste of the Midwest
The Great Taste of the Midwest is our major event every year. As the second oldest beer festival in the US, we are justifiably proud of this event. It is a massive undertaking. As a member there are a few things you need to know about it.
Being a member does not mean you get in the GT for free or afford special treatment when purchasing tickets. It does, however, give you a higher priority for volunteer positions, but nothing is guaranteed, especially for those that have recently joined the club. There are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer for the GT, either on the weekend of the event or throughout the year.
Every year we examine the expenses from the previous year, try to anticipate any increases and arrive at a new budget, and possibly a new ticket price. Most of the process is performed by the executives and the board of directors, with the club voting to accept the budget.
The Great Taste of the Midwest always takes place on the second Saturday in August.
Apfel Fest/Cider Pressing
It is open to all members and their families. We own a cider press and members can either purchase apples through the club or on their own. It’s a club-sponsored event in which you can include your whole family. This event usually takes place in late September.
The Big & Huge Homebrew Competition
The Big & Huge is a homebrew competition, which specializes in high gravity/alcohol beers. MHTG has many certified judges who spend the day judging home-brewed beer from all over the country.
The Big & Huge usually takes place in spring.
Holiday Party
Our Holiday party is usually held on the first or second Saturday in December. Plenty of home-brewed and craft-brewed beer, as well as a huge array of specialty cheese to sample are on hand. We have a gift beer exchange where everyone brings a large gift wrapped bottle or six pack of homebrew (or special beer) and leaves with a different bottle or six-pack.
Goodwill Trip
The club organizes a bus trip in which we rent a tour bus and spend a long weekend (Fri-Sun) on the road, stopping to visit breweries and brewpubs, which are out of range of a third Wednesday club trip and that come to the Great Taste. Past trips have included places like Northern Illinois, St. Louis, the Twin cities, Green Bay, Upper Peninsula Michigan, Michigan, etc. Most meals and lodging are paid for by the individuals, but on occasion the club might pick up some of the meal expenses. The club has covered the cost of the bus rental and driver in the past, and will probably continue to do so. This club trip is intended for organizers of the Great Taste and other club members who are very active in the club.
Franco-Belgian Challenge Cup Homebrew Competition
The Franco-Belgian Challenge Cup is a homebrew competition, which only allows French and Belgian beer styles. MHTG has many certified judges who spend the day judging home-brewed beer from all over the country.
Oktoberfest
We hold an Oktoberfest celebration each year in late September or early October. This is a family oriented event that is located at one of Madison’s many parks.
Barleywine Festival
This is a yearly event that is hosted on a rotating basis by our local breweries and brewpubs. Area brewers bring their barleywines or their biggest beer to be sampled by all. The price of admission for club members is two bottles of barleywine and something made of chocolate to be share by all.
Brew-Ins
Periodically members of the club will host a brew in, where several people get together to help, teach, or just enjoy each other’s company. Groups can be as small as two people or as large as 30 or more. These are very informal and a great way to learn how to brew your own.
Scotch, Rum & Other Beverage Tastings
While not official club events, club members do get together periodically during the year for tastings of things other than beer.
BJCP and Other Classes
We typically run Beer Judge Certification Program (BJCP) classes every other year with the goal of improving our beer knowledge and increasing the number of certified judges.