Brief history lesson. I came to Hawk's with my dad when we visited Madison. He used to hang out at campus places sometimes with my mom before I was born. When they had me, they lived in Sun Prairie (nearby). I never really understood how cool "Madtown" was until they took me there as an adult.
I got in here using my fake ID (I was 20 at the time). They had a pretty decent selection of beers and there were a lot of people. Although, I have to say if I went back now, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't stop here. Living in Chicago for a spell will make your bar preferences change.