TTP Episode 51 - Great Taste of the Midwest Event

For Brewers and Fest-Attendees alike, the Great Taste of the Midwest feels like coming home, thanks, in large part, to the amazing volunteers and organizers who have performed the herculean effort of putting on this event for the past 32 years. This week on the Tap Takeover Podcast, we present our "Love Letter" to the Great Taste. Featured on this week's episode are a number of world class brewers discussing their beers, their breweries, and their reasons for returning to Madison, WI year after year. Surprises, breaking news, laughter and tears; Episode 51 is loaded with perfectly-timed experiences, and cogent moments! So grab a pint of something rare and delicious, and join us for the fun. Cheers!

Breweries Featured:

Wisconsin - Eagle Park, Raised Grain, Lakefront, Working Draft, Miller Valley, Shipwrecked

Midwest - Toppling Goliath, Forager, Livery, Dangerous Man

Breaking News - Mikerphone, Mobcraft, Central Waters

Illinois - Hailstorm, 5 Rabbit, Cruz Blanca, Goose Island, Revolution, Off Color

Fred's Corner - Red Eye, Blind Pig, Schlafly

01:21:39 8/30/2018

Past Episodes

TTP Episode 88 - Great Taste of the Midwest 2022 Preview

Jim and Alex visit beautiful downtown Oconomowoc for our annual sit-down with the gracious organizers of the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison WI! Fred Swanson and Jason Walters describe the efforts of the Madison Homebrewers and Tasters Guild in ushering in the 35th Anniversary of everyone's favorite Midwest beer extravaganza. We'll be talking about the return of a number of popular events from years past, the introduction of the largest group of rookies ever invited to the festival, as well as a huge new change for the layout of the festival grounds for the 2022 event! This is our favorite day of the entire calendar year, and we hope to see everyone out in Olin-Turville Park on Aug 13th. Grab a pint of your favorite garlic beer, and join us for the fun. Cheers! ??

01:11:00 8/5/2022

TTP Episode 87 - Ope! Brewing

Jim and Jesus sit down with the newest brewery opening on the west side of Milwaukee. Located in West Allis and started by names that are familiar to those in the Milwaukee beer scene, Ope! Brewing Co. is looking to do things differently. We sit down with co-founders Kyle, Adam and John and talk about all the work that goes into starting a brewery from scratch and what will make them a must-visit location. We try the wide array of styles that they'll have available for their opening including some delicious hard seltzers! Grab your favorite Framboise and join us for some laughs! Cheers!

00:47:23 5/25/2022

TTP Episode 86 - The 420 Episode

The boys from the Tap Takeover Podcast join Kelly's Greens at Ray's Growler Gallery to celebrate 420 in the best way possible! We've worked with Rob and the crew from Ray's to cultivate the ul;timate stoner-beer collection - munchie inspired, and nothing under 8% ABV! Join us as we discuss some fun upcoming events with a few of our favorite industry insiders including Spencer and Grae from Ray's, Billy from Young Blood Brewing in Madison, Marty from 1840 Brewing in Bayview, Milwaukee beer legend Kathy Flanigan, Ray's bartender Lisa's Dad Mike, fan favorite Dale from Toppling Goliath, and Erin Kelly from Kelly's Greens! Grab a joint of your favorite strain and a Joint IPA from 1840 or Eagle Park to enhance your listening experience. And happy 4/20! Cheers ??

00:49:00 5/4/2022

TTP Episode 85 - 420 Ray's & Kelly's Greens

Jim, Jesus and Alex sit down with Rob Zellermayer, Spencer McCoy and Grae Duerkop from Ray's Wine and Spirits and Erin Kelly from Kelly's Greens Handcrafted CBD Treats to preview a very special 4/20 Tap Takeover Podcast event at Ray's Growler Gallery next week! This is the first opportunity for the boys from the podcast to cultivate a beer list for a Tap Takeover event, and boy did we put together some can't-miss taps for our fans to enjoy. And Erin Kelly will be providing a wide variety of her famous edibles for sale to help enhance the good vibes. And the Tap Takeover Podcast fellas will be recording a special episode in the Growler Gallery with special industry guests, as well as all of our fans who care to tip back a pint with us to celebrate this year's stoner holiday! Get all of the amazing details right here. Hope to see you at Ray's Growler Gallery starting at 4pm on Wednesday 4/20/22 for a pour of some of our favorite rare beers! Cheers! ??

00:35:00 4/15/2022

TTP Episode 84 - Mobcraft Advent Calendar

Jim sits down with MobCraft Brewing co-founder Henry Schwartz for a special Beer News episode as they talk about the return of the Solid NonFail Stout. Available only in the new Advent Beer Calendar, it's one of 24 beers specially brewed just for the calendar. They also discuss MobCraft's massive expansion into Denver, CO, Waterford, WI and Woodstock, IL with 3 new breweries. To fund the capital needed for the expansion, MobCraft has opened up Crowdsourcing based investment; where you as a listener and lover of beer can invest in a growing brewery. Grab your favorite coffee beer and tune in to hear all the exciting news. Cheers!

00:31:37 11/16/2021

TTP Episode 83 - Central Waters Milwaukee

Central Waters Brewing from Amherst, WI is coming to Milwaukee and we've got all the amazing details on the new pilot house and a special beer news segment detailing the amazing tap list for the grand opening on Saturday October 16th! Black Gold fans, you'd better pay attention! On this episode of the Tap Takeover Podcast, the boys sits down with Anello Mollica co-owner of Central Waters brewery, Eric Gutbrod tap house manager, and Brendan Williamson head brewer to discuss the glorious history of Central Waters Brewing and the transition into a new and exciting chapter of that story taking place right here in Milwaukee. What's in store and on tap for the new crew in the old Pabst building? Grab a pint of your favorite barrel-aged concoction from Central Waters and give a listen. Cheers! ??

01:27:00 10/13/2021

TTP Episode 82 - Brewfinity

Have you ever dreamed of dumping your boring job and jumping into the role of brewery owner? On this episode of the Tap Takeover Podcast, Jim sits down with Chad Ostram of Brewfinity Brewing Co. and discusses his story of how he came to own an already established brewery in Oconomowoc, WI. Hear about all the pros and cons of purchasing a brewery versus starting from scratch, how he survived the pandemic and as always, what beers he would put on our taps. A brewer of traditional styles, Chad tells is how his sales manager took on the job of experimental brewer; bringing interesting twists to the beers on tap.

00:34:50 9/10/2021

TTP Episode 81 - Season 4 Episode 1 - 2021 Great Taste of the Midwest Preview

It's time for the Great Taste of the Midwest 2021! And this year's annual preview episode also ushers in the triumphant return of the Tap Takeover Podcast for a surprise 4th Season! We sit down to share a few pints and a few stories with organizers of the event, Fred Swanson and Jason Walters. We'll discuss the new format of the festival for a smaller crowd, what went on during the Covid-postponed 2020 season to keep the event alive for 2021, and we present some hot topic listener questions. Sit back and grab a pint of your favorite fest beer from years past and enjoy Episode 1 of the Tap Takeover Podcast season 4! Cheers!

01:03:49 8/8/2021

TTP Episode 80 - 1840 Brewing Co - USA Today Top 10 Beer News

In this special edition of Beer News, Jim sits down with Kyle Vetter of 1840 Brewing Co to discuss his nomination to the USA Today's Top 10 New Breweries. They discuss how he was nominated, what it would be to him and MKE to win and why you should vote for him. Grab your favorite beer and listen in. Than grab every internet device to go vote for 1840 Brewing, link is below. Vote Early, Vote Often! https://www.10best.com/awards/travel/best-new-brewery/1840-brewing-company-milwaukee/

00:00:00 3/4/2020

TTP Episode 79 - 2019 Lakefront Black Friday

The fellas at the Tap Takeover Podcast pay our annual visit to Lakefront Brewery to visit with owner Russ Klisch to discuss details of the long awaited Black Friday Beer Release! We'll be drinking some of Russ and the gang's newest Kwiek experiment, the newest Barrel-Aged Cacao Stout, three versions of the Black Friday Stout. And the treat of all treats...The Black Friday V! The very first Black Friday imperial stout from 2014 continuously aged for 5 years in a single bourbon barrel. I'm drooling just writing this... Is it worth $100 a bottle? Tune in to find out! Cheers!

00:48:47 11/25/2019

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