Madison, Wisc: home of Bucky badger, Lake Mendota and two-story beer bongs on game day.
Beer bongs aside, there are many other elements that make the perfect tailgate party. Hosts say that when it comes to the best tailgating house, it is all about location. Just ask third-year UW-Madison pharmacy student Scott Mueller, whose house on Breese Terrace proved to be the ideal spot.
'You can't beat the location,' he said.
He said tailgating was a major factor when he and his roommates decided to live there.
Corporate Counsel Michael Greiber from Madison Property Management confirmed that many tenants decide where to live based on proximity to the stadium. Houses with big front porches go quicker, Greiber said, because they are more convenient for tailgating.
He also said Madison Property Management has many people asking about the ability to have grills and kegs, which indicates that pre-game partying definitely hangs in the back of their minds.
UW-Madison sophomore Ryan Woodhouse had tailgating in mind when he chose to live close to the stadium. He said location 'definitely played a part' in his decision to live on Randall Avenue.
For the Wisconsin versus Michigan game, Woodhouse's tailgate party was 'packed,' with around 50 people in attendance.
'Half of it is having all these people just coming by on their way to the stadium,' he said, adding that a lot of people come up just to use the bathroom.
To combat the problem of bathroom users wandering through his house, Mueller orders a Port-a-Potty a few days before the game.
In addition to bathroom issues, Mueller said a tailgate involves a lot of planning, including ordering a beer trailer a few days ahead of time and setting up speakers before people arrive.
'Music is an important part,' he said. Woodhouse also felt that music is necessary for a good tailgating party, along with a grill and good people in attendance.
Both hosts thought camaraderie was vital to a successful tailgate. Mueller said the whole experience is about getting up early and being with people who like to drink and have a good time. Having games and other things to do improve a tailgate, he added .
'Mueller's front yard acts like a built-in fence,' he said, where crowd favorites like beer pong and flip cup can be played undisturbed.
At the heart of any party are Badger fans who like to drink. Guaranteed tailgating success means having a premier location, loud music, games and obviously, as Mueller said, 'plenty of beer.'
So grab that mammoth beer bong and drink up, because cheering on the Badgers begins with a great tailgate party.
