24 Best Wisconsin Breweries

© Wisconsin Brewing Company

Anybody who loves beer knows that it’s part of Wisconsin’s cultural DNA. Not only does beer make up a huge part of Wisconsin’s history, it’s also a huge part of the state’s heritage (and daily diet, for that matter). The Wisconsin Brewing Company aims to build on that heritage and legacy 12 ounces at a time with their stellar line up of craft beers and their hard-working team. While the top draw of the brewery is, without a doubt, their draft beers, one of the most awesome things to do at the Wisconsin Brewing Company is to take a tour of their facilities. The tour allows guests and fellow beer lovers to get a first-hand look at how the Wisconsin Brewing Company does what they do and the amount of love and care that goes into it.

1079 American Way, Verona, Wisconsin 53593, Phone: 608-848-1079

© Badger State Brewing Company

Located in the blossoming entertainment driven neighborhood known as the “Stadium District”, the Badger State Brewing Company gives beer lovers access to an award-winning destination in Wisconsin. A craft brewery, beer garden, taproom and upscale event hall rolled into one, the Badger State Brewing Company offers 24 beers on tap, each of which originate from within the state and 6 of which are crafted by them. Some of Badger State’s year-round offerings include the Peninsula Pils, the Bunyan Badger and the Green Chop Session IPA. Seasonal offerings and experimental brews also frequently make an appearance on tap while 7 guest taps are also available year-round.

990 Tony Canadeo Run, Green Bay, Wisconsin 54304, Phone: 920-634-5687

© Mob Craft Brewery and Taproom

Arguably one of the most popular taprooms in Milwaukee, Mob Craft Brewery and Taproom has taken the beer-loving community by storm despite having started only a few years ago. Visitors to the taproom are welcome to sample their flagship craft beers, crowdsourced beers, brews rom their Wild and Sour Program, and even limited-edition varieties that can only be sampled at the taproom. Tours of the Mob Craft Brewery are also available wherein the staff will walk you through how they brew their beer, what makes their crowdsourced model unique, and their history. Each tour also comes with a complimentary pint of Mob Craft Beer as well as a branded pint glass.

505 S 5th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Phone: 414-488-2019

© Biloba Brewing Company

No matter what kind of brew you prefer, the Biloba Brewing Company is bound to have something that put a smile on your beer-loving face. Family owned and family run, the Biloba Brewing Company operates out of their home town of Brookfield and has incredibly strong ties to the local community. Day in and day out, their Biloba’s focus is to craft unique beers using pure and simple ingredients to deliver fantastic flavor in every sip. The brewery currently has 11 original brews on tap such as their the Smokin Gramma, a full bodied dark brown beer aged in a Bullet Bourbon barrel, and Siaison on Oak, a peppery and berry flavored beer that is aged for a year in a Pinot Noir French oak.

2970 N. Brookfield Road, Brookfield, Wisconsin 53045, Phone: 262-309-5820

© Courtesy of valalolo - Fotolia.com

A historic brewery in nestled in Cross Plains, Esser’s finds its humble beginnings way back in 1852 when a German immigrant named George Esser found himself settling down in Madison, Wisconsin. With only the clothes on his back, a career in masonry and a love for delicious and traditional German beer, Esser later bought 2.5 acres of land in Cross Plains to start his own brewery. Fast forward to today, Esser’s Best Cross Plains is still one of the best beers available in Wisconsin. Sample of their many home brews on tap and make sure to pay a visit to the brewery to tour the facilities and see artifacts from when the brewery first started.

2109 Hickory Street, Cross Plains, Wisconsin 53528, Phone: 608-798-3911

© Grumpy Troll Brew Pub

Brewing the most unique beers under the sun, the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub is beloved in Wisconsin and boasts of a silver medal at the 2016 World Beer Cup. The brewery is led by Mark Knoebl, a longtime home and commercial brewer with a penchant for beer-ific experimentation and a diploma from the Siebel Institute of Technology. With 12 ales and lagers available on tap, the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub invites patrons to try their sample tray first, so you can figure out which one of their brews you like the best. Enjoy your pint with a slice of specialty and classic style gourmet pizza from the pizzeria on the second floor to get the best out of your Grumpy Troll experience.

105 S. 2nd Street, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin 53572, Phone: 608-437-2739

© Karben4 Brewing

Founded in 2012 by three eccentric buddies with a taste for craft beer, Karben4 Brew started as a small operation with their beer available on tap straight out of their taproom. Since then, the brewery has been pumping out one amazing brew after another and continues to grow in scale to this day. Karben4 currently has 14 brews being bottled, 12 of which are available on draft at their brewpub. The brewery also expects to release 7 new brews in the near future much to the delight of their growing fanbase. If you plan to visit their taproom, make sure to come hungry as Karben4 offers a hearty menu with most ingredients made in house.

3698 Kinsman Boulevard, Madison, Wisconsin 53704, Phone: 608-241-4812

© Lazy Monk Brewing LLC

Featuring modern artisan beers inspired by tradition, Lazy Monk Brewing is a European craft brewery with a love for traditional Bohemian and German style beers. Each of their brews are hand-crafted and feature the use of only the best imported grains and hops that their crew can get their hands on. Regulars rave about Lazy Monk’s two flagship beers - the Bohemian Pilsner and the Bohemian Dark Lager. Just because they focus on Bohemian and German beers doesn’t mean that they don’t do anything else though. Lazy Monk also does a heck of a job when it comes to ales and IPAs. Their pub currently has 12 rotating seasonal taps and invites guests to come enjoy them along with their flagships at their family friendly Bier Hall and Garden.

97 West Madison Street, Eau Claire, Wisconsin 54702, Phone: 712-271-0848

© Milwaukee Brewing Company

When the Milwaukee Brewing Company was first founded, their dream was to brew top quality beers that weren’t just unique, but also committed to sustainability, business ethics and the passion driven art of brewing. From the time that their first beer was produced in October of 1997, it became clear that their dream became a reality. Today, the Milwaukee Brewing Company features year-round and seasonal releases to tempt even the choosiest of beer drinkers. They continue to source only the best that local ingredients have to offer while remaining committed to their non-conformist and passionate attitude towards beer crafting and creating.

1128 N 9th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233, Phone: 414-226-2337

© Minhas Craft Brewery

Undoubtedly one of the top breweries in the country, Minhas Craft Brewery is owned and led by the husband and couple tandem of Ravinder and Manjit Minhas. Minhas now brews over a dozen different kinds of beer with premium brews like the Clear Creek Ice, Boxer Lager, and Huber Premium, Craft Brews like the Lazy Mutt Farmhouse Ale and 1845 Pils, and even Malt Liquors like Axehead. In addition to their tasty beer brews, Minhas Craft Brewery also produces a range of flavored malt beverages for those who want a taste of something different and several kinds of sodas for your kids to enjoy.

1208 14th Avenue, Monroe, Wisconsin 53566, Phone: 800-233-7205

© Rustic Road Brewing Company

Wisconsin is a popular destination in the United States because of its distinct artisan qualities. It’s these qualities that make food and drinks in the state so varied and delicious, but it’s also what makes the beer culture so diverse and the beer community so passionate. At Rustic Road, the beer is all about paying tribute to these beloved artisan qualities. Brews are made in small batches, which gives the brew masters the freedom to play around with different ideas and craft unique and never-before-seen beers. Beer tasting is held in their intimate tap room, which emulates the atmosphere of creativity and spontaneity that the Rustic Road Brewing Company so lovingly preserves.

5706 Sixth Avenue, Kenosha, Wisconsin 53140, Phone: 262-320-7623

© Northwoods Brewpub

If there’s one thing that Northwoods Brewpub does well, it’s handcrafted brews. All of Northwoods’ beers are brewed within the premises, which means that each pint is always fresh and unpasteurized. Aside from their regular brews straight from the tank, Northwoods Brewpub also offers seasonal and limited-edition offerings much to the delight of their regulars. Sample their fresh traditional brews including the Mouthy Muskie Light, Kelly’s Stout, the Floppin’ Crappie, and the Prickly Pike’s Pilsner. For folks that can’t get enough of their great tasting brews, 6-packs, Growlers, and kegs are also available and will be all packed up and ready to go when you are.

50819 West Street, Osseo, Wisconsin 54758, Phone: 715-597-1828

© One Barrel Brewing Company

With a history that is rooted in the brewing lore of old, the One Barrel Brewing Company was established at the 377th meeting of the Gentleman’s Brewing and Distilling Society. At this brewery, every aspect of the beer making process is clearly on display in order for visitors to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the work that goes into a single pint of your favorite brew. Apart from their flagships and regular beers, all of which are proudly on display in their taproom, the One Barrel Brewing Company also offers a small but well curated selection of wines, canned beer, canned cider and even gluten free beers.

2001 Atwood Avenue, Madison, Wisconsin, Phone: 608-630-9286

© Pitchfork Brewing

Get a fresh and local taste of beer in Hudson, Wisconsin at the Pitchfork Brewing Company. This small batch nano-brewery offers ten tap lines to patrons, two of which are dedicated to the best craft breweries that Wisconsin has to offer. As a nano-brewery, there’s always something new at Pitchfork and their on-tap offers are ever changing. Not only does this keep the brew master on his toes, but also perfectly showcases the dedication and passion that Pitchfork Brewing Company has for their craft. Their beers are made in the classic style of just one whole cone of hops, while the rest of the ingredients in the brews are sourced locally.

745 Ryan Dr, Hudson, WI 54016, Phone: 715-245-3675

© Rocky Reef Brewing Company

If you’re looking for a fun and relaxed place to meet new friends, play some board games and taste incredible craft beers, then look no further than the Rocky Reef Brewing Company. Located in Woodruff, the Rocky Reef Brewing Company started as a labor of love and passion from within a regular home kitchen. Today, the crew behind Rocky Reef celebrates their unbridled excitement for beer from within their taproom, which offers several kinds hand-crafted seasonal beers on tap. Sip on ales, porters, stouts straight from the brewery’s ½ barrel system or fill up a growler or two to enjoy your beer to go.

11001 1st Avenue, Woodruff, Wisconsin, Phone: 262-339-1230

© Sand Creek Brewing Company

Arguably one of the largest microbreweries in Wisconsin, the Sand Creek Brewing Company boasts of three gold medals at the World Beer Cup and is committed to brewing ales and lagers in proud Wisconsin traditions. Sand Creek pours a lot of care into each brew, batch and bottle. The quality is apparent in the color of your beer alone, elevated in the aroma of the draft, and proven by the flavor. Tours of the brewery are available on Fridays and are free of charge. They take visitors through the historic brewery building and end at the tap room for a tasting of their many fine selections. Try the Badger Porter or the Bugler Brown Ale for starters.

320 Pierce Street, Black River Falls, Wisconsin 54615, Phone: 715-284-7553

© Shipwrecked Brew Pub

With a history of serving lumberjacks, sailors and travelers since 1882, Shipwrecked Brew Pub is a popular restaurant, brewery and inn that enamors visitors with their fantastic pub fare, incredible ales brewed in the pub, and welcoming guest rooms. Shipwrecked Brew Pub offers five beers on tap like their Bayside Blonde Ale, the Captain’s Copper Ale, the Door County Cherry Wheat and the India Pale Ale. Menu offerings pair well with their craft beers and will leave your taste buds tingling with excitement and a desire for more. Pair your favorite draft with mouthwatering dishes like the Fried Cheese Curds or Smoked Chicken Drummies among other awesome menu items.

7791 Highway 42, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin 54209, Phone: 920-868-2767

© Thirsty Pagan Brewing

If you’re a fan of the pizza-beer combo, then we implore you to pay a visit to Thirsty Pagan Brewing. This joint has been dishing up delectable pizzas and stand out beers for the better part of 10 years under the guidance and leadership of owners Susan and Steve Knauss. Thirsty Pagan Brewing offers 5 different kinds of house beers on tap like the North Coast Amber and Burntwood Black. Meanwhile, the brewery also serves 2 seasonal beers and 3 guest taps year to make sure that there’s always a beer to everyone’s liking available. Enjoy your beer with a 10, 13 or 16-inch pizza to make your Thirsty Pagan experience as awesome as possible.

1615 Winter St, Superior, WI 54880, Phone: 715-294-2500

© Tribute Brewing

Friendly, relaxed and completely inviting, Tribute Brewing is located in a large metal warehouse at Eagle River. The brewery intrigues many people who pass by and hooks them with their friendly staff and a great selection of craft beers. With a fun little taproom, Tribute Brewing offers complimentary popcorn and peanuts with their brews, which range from classic to out-of-this-world. If you’re a fan of bold and creative brews, you can try the Barefoot Charlie IPA, while beer drinkers looking for a slightly toasted malt flavor and a hoppy finish can try the Ghost Lights Amber Lager. Other offerings to try are the Old Eagle Porter and the Blueberry Train Wheat Ale.

1106 Bluebird Road, Eagle River, Wisconsin 54521, Phone: 715-480-2337

© Tyranena Brewing Company

Legend and history meet at the Tyranena Brewing Company. Founded in 1998, the Tyranena Brewing Company operates out of a 6-vessel, 30-barrel Springkman brewhouse that has an impressive production capacity of 45,000 barrels. The brewing company offers 5 outstanding brews year-round, namely the Three Beaches Honey Blonde, the Headless Man Amber Alt, the Bitter Woman IPA, Rocky’s Revenge, and the Chief Blackhawk Porter. Tyranena also has four seasonal brews that come on tap for a few months out of the year like the Down N’ Dirty Chocolate Oatmeal Stout, the Scurvy India Pale Ale, and the Sheep Shagger Scotch Ale.

1025 Owen Street, Lake Mills, Wisconsin 53551

© Urban Harvest Brewing Company

A friendly neighborhood brewery in Milwaukee, the Urban Harvest Brewing Company specializes in small-batch handcrafted ales, which they brew fresh several times a week. Urban Harvest is committed to making sure that each visitor finds that one beer that they can’t get enough of and serves it fresh, as close to the source as possible. Some of the fresh, handcrafted beers that Urban Harvest offers include the 414 Golden Ale, the Black Puppy Pale Ale and the Old Towne Amber. Other recommendations from Urban Harvest’s regulars include the Radar de Stout, the Nookie Nookie, the Corkscrew IPA and the HC IPA.

1024 South 5th Street, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, Phone: 414-249-4074

© Valkyrie Brewing Company

Established in 1994 by Randy and Ann Lee, the Valkyrie Brewing Company is a small family owned and operated microbrewery and the first of its kind in Northwest Wisconsin. Originally named Viking, the brewing company changed its name in 2010 and chooses to operate out of Dallas, Wisconsin because of the amazing beer that their soft water produces. The Valkyrie Tap Room is open on Fridays and Saturdays and offers free tours of their facilities on Saturdays. Grab any one of their beers on draft in the Tap Room, have a growler filled to go, or pick up a 6 or 9 pack to enjoy at home.

234 West Dallas Street, Dallas, Wisconsin 54733, Phone: 715-837-1824

© ALT Brew

The folks behind ALT Brew have one very simple goal in mind when it comes to their brewing: to make gluten-free beer that’ll make your taste buds tingle with excitement. They believe that the quality and flavor of beer should never be sacrificed, regardless of the demands of the body. Whether you live a gluten-free lifestyle or not, however, there’s no denying that beer at ALT Brew is awesome. There are 4 flagships that ALT Brew offers year-round including the Copperhead, a GABF Silver Medal Winner with an eye-catching copper color. Seasonal and limited-edition brews are also available for those who want a taste.

1808 Wright Street, Madison, Wisconsin 53704, Phone: 608-215-7809

© Appleton Beer Factory

There is one obvious and tasty priority at Appleton, and that’s beer. Aiming to “build beer better”, the Appleton Beer Factory makes it their sole mission to put a stand out brew in every patron’s glass amidst a fun, inclusive and friendly atmosphere. Beers at Appleton are crafted to delivery balance, which was achieved through a lengthy process of experimenting, ingredient sourcing and knowledge building. With each brew clearly showcasing a labor of love, the Appleton Beer Factory offers 9 variations on tap. Crowlers are also available weekly for those who want to take some of Appleton’s delicious brew home.

603 W. College Avenue, Appleton, Wisconsin 54911, Phone: 920-364-9931