MADISON (WKOW) — The Great Taste of the Midwest returns to Madison this weekend. A new state law now requires out-of-state breweries to pay a $1,000 permit fee to serve in Wisconsin, which could affect participation.

"If you're not planning on distributing in state, then the $1,250 is roughly what it costs to do so for one day. It shut a lot of them down unfortunately," says Doug Randall, chairman of the festival.

Despite the fee, Randall expects the festival to be a success. While 60 out-of-state breweries dropped out, 40 others have stepped in to fill the gap, bringing the total to more than 160 breweries.

"Everybody's been very supportive of the effort that we make, that we made this year, and I think the patrons are gonna be very happy," Randall says.

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