I've written about the pre-parties and the preparation for the Great Taste, but I've never really mentioned what this event means to me.  There seem to be two major things that make it one of the highlights of my year each and every year. 

One is just the Festival and all that surrounds it.  The Pre-Parties are top notch.  The Festival itself is the best and most organized I have been to.  The Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild seem to have perfected the art of throwing a beer festival.  Perfect venue.  All of the brewers come to it trying to impress.  Hell, even the port-o-let situation seems to be under control.  I can set camp and feel comfortable during the whole thing.

The other thing I look forward to each year is seeing so many good people that I just don't get to see enough.  I've come to meet so many people that I call friends through beer it's ridiculous.  This is the one event I know I will see people that I haven't seen for a year.  I have some people come stay at my home on Thursday before we drive the next morning.  Then when I get to Madison it's like a class reunion.  So many good people that I haven't seen in too long.

Oh, there's great beer at Great Taste too I guess, but believe it or not, that's not what makes the weekend.