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With locally grown foods, top-tier restaurants, and high regard for art and music, Madison, Wisconsin, is an excellent place for outstanding food experiences and amazing festivities. Anyone can seek the corners of the earth, but it is only in Madison where people and the environment coexist.
Beyond the vibrant cultural sceneries, cheery festival, and captivating museums and art galleries, Madison is also home to critically acclaimed craft breweries that entice you with some of their individual uniqueness. So, step right up as we walk through these fascinating craft breweries that are worthy of a visit.
1. Vintage Brewing Company
A place of good eats and great beers, Vintage Brewery’s restaurant embodies friendly Midwestern hospitality and mirrors a classic Wisconsin tavern culture. Vintage Brewing Company started in 2002 as Vintage Spirits and Grill, strategically located in downtown Madison. It was in the year 2010 that they appreciated the beer brewing process. It branched out to be one of Madison breweries with food options and an inviting place where people can get together.
VBC takes pride in its beers which are known for their great quality, variety, and unconventional tastes. You can experience their patio dining or rent their event spaces for larger gatherings. Check out their “Nightly Specials” and their “Happy Hour” to complete your VBC experience.
- Crowd Favorite: Scaredy Cat. A pitch-black stout that is perfect for dark beer lovers. Loaded with rich flavors of caramel, chocolate, molasses, and espresso with 6.6% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: McLovin
- Hop-py Note: Handicapped accessible. Child-friendly. Offers a variety of vegan options. Private vehicle and bike parking.
Hours: Open Mon–Fri 11am–12am, Sat & Sun 10am–12am.
Address: 674 S Whitney Way, Madison, WI 53711
Contact: (608) 204-2739 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Working Draft Beer Company
A celebration of art, community, and beer is the reason that keeps WDBC thriving. Established in 2018, Working Draft continues cultivating fresh art and music and appreciates the beauty of the brewing process. Located on the east side of Madison, their taproom has gained popularity as a place where like-minded people converge and art & music are relished. WDBC presents its top-tier production manifested in its 7-barrel brewhouse and pays high regard to its home-brewing roots.
WDBC gives back to the people as they sponsor an Artist-in-Residence (AiRs) program, helping artists to thrive by dedicating a space in their taproom where people can express themselves through music, poetry, and visual arts.
- Crowd Favorite: Pulp Culture Hazy IPA – Chapter 4. A New England IPA packed with pineapple and grapefruit for boosted haze and enhanced fruitiness with 6.2% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Close Enough To Perfect
- Hop-py Note: Child-friendly. Handicapped accessible. Vehicle and bike parking is available. Accepts takeout orders and offers vegetarian options.
Hours: Open Mon–Thur 3pm–9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm-7pm.
Address: 1129 E Wilson St, Madison, WI 53703
Contact: (608) 709-5600 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company embodies the reality that no great things are built overnight as they went through all the hardships as a start-up company until they became a Wisconsin staple for nearly 30 years. As Madison’s original brewpub, The Great Dane is known to be straightforward, affordable, and home to the best ales, beers, and lagers.
The pub has received various awards and distinctions since it was founded by college comrades Eliot Butler and Rob LoBreglio in 1994. Most prominently, they were voted the best brewpub in the Midwest by the National Brewpub Conference.
- Crowd Favorite: Stone of Scone Scotch Ale. An authentic Scottish-style ale rich in malty sweetness and hints of chocolate and caramel. Full-bodied ale with 6.6% ABV
- Highly Recommended: Crop Circle Wheat
- Hop-py Note: Dogs are allowed. Accessible for handicapped. Covered outdoor seating. Offers a variety of vegetarian options. Perfect for group gatherings. Provides street and garage parking spaces.
Hours: Open Sun–Thur 11am–11pm, Fri & Sat 11am–1am.
Address: 123 E Doty St, Madison, WI 53703
Contact: (608) 284-0000 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Karben⁴ Brewing
Karben⁴ brewery is an out-of-this-world experience known for its specialty, English-style malt bombs. Initially started in December of 2012, Zak and Ryan Koga, together with their best friend, Alex Evans, envisioned producing beer with the ultimate goal of delivering authentic and original products. Little did they know, K⁴ would become one of Wisconsin’s staples and flourish in the beer brewing industry.
- Crowd Favorite: Fantasy Factory. An American IPA with a remarkable citrus aroma and flavors with soft bready notes from malted barley. The holy grail of Indian Pale Ales with 6.3% ABV.
- Highly Recommended: Lady Luck
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly. Heated outdoor seating. Accepts takeout and delivery orders. Handicapped accessible. Provides private lot parking spaces. Offers various vegan options.
Hours: Open Mon–Thur 2pm–9pm, Fri & Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 12pm-7pm.
Address: 3698 Kinsman Blvd, Madison, WI 53704
Contact: (608) 241-4812 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
5. Delta Beer Lab
Delta Beer Lab is a great space for inclusion that brings the community together and breaks the invisible barriers like age, race, and sexuality that have separated the people for decades. Founded in February of 2019, Pio, the founder, strives to echo his passion and commitment through DBL.
DBL values you, as their customer, as much as they value their employees and the quality of products they produce and ensure to give you a pint of your favorite drink fresh from the tap.
- Crowd Favorite: BRN.01 (Coffee-infused Brown Ale). A Creamy Brown Ale that is infused with the rich taste of roasted coffee packed with 5.2% ABV
- Highly Recommended: PTR.01 (Porter)
- Hop-py Note: Offers various vegetarian options. Accepts takeout orders. Partners with non-profit organizations.
Hours: Open Mon & Tue 2pm-8pm, Wed–Fri 2pm–9:30pm, Sat 12pm–9:30pm, Sun 12pm-6pm.
Address: 167 E Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713
Contact: (608) 640-4500 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
6. O’so Brewing Madhouse
O’so Brewing Madhouse is sure to be one of the fastest-growing craft breweries in the state. It features their remote taproom where they curate its most prized possessions– IPAs, Sours, barrel-aged, Special Releases, and Year Rounds.
Awarded as the second fastest brewery in 2013, this brewing madhouse surpasses boundaries and hears out what the people want. Founded in 2007, it continues its ascent while receiving many awards like the Great American Festival Award in 2015 for “The Big O,” one of its year-round beers.
With their towering success, O’so gives back to local charities and the community that need extra pair of hands.
- Crowd Favorite: Night Rain. An intricately brewed oatmeal porter with Munich malts for a smoother, richer, creamier experience. Awarded as the best porters in the state with 6.8% ABV
- Highly Recommended: Hopdinger
- Hop-py Note: Child Friendly. Offers outdoor seating for group gatherings. Garage and street parking spaces for vehicles and bikes. Free wifi. Wheelchair accessible. Inclusive, gender-neutral restrooms. Accepts takeout orders.
Hours: Open Wed 3pm-9pm, Thur & Fri 3pm–10pm, Sat 12pm–10pm, Sun 1pm-7pm, Mon & Tue Closed.
Address: 1817 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53704
Contact: (608) 467-8329 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
7. ALT Brew
Situated in the east of Madison, Wisconsin, ALT is a nano-brewery that highlights its unconventional way of making beers. Every single brewery can show up, invite people for brewery tours, and advertise what’s best there is in the taphouse, but the thing that sets ALT brew apart from other breweries is its gluten-free beverages that are perfect for weight-conscious individuals.
Founded on 2014, The people behind ALT continue to pave their way to reaching multitudes of beer connoisseurs as they reap awards from prestigious beer competitions such as the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival.
- Crowd Favorite: Hollywood Nights. An American IPA with a 7.2% ABV. Brewed with a balanced hop profile with citrus notes that balances the distinct bitterness and a smooth herbal flavor.
- Highly Recommended: Rustic Badger
- Hop-py Note: Adopts a gluten-free production process. Outdoor seating. Handicapped accessible. Dogs are allowed. Accepts takeout orders. Promotes inclusivity with gender-neutral bathrooms.
Hours: Open Thur-Sat 1pm–9pm, Sun-Wed Closed.
Address: 1808 Wright St, Madison, WI 53704
Contact: (608) 352-3373 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. Wisconsin Brewing Company
Wisconsin Brewing Company is just around a 20-minute drive from other breweries in downtown Madison, and their beverages are worth the gas and the scapes you encounter along the way. It offers its patrons a cozy taproom and a spacious backyard bar for you to enjoy a pint or two of your all-time favorites.
As it was established in 2012, Kirby, the owner, believes that beers are meant to improve the enjoyment of life and make good times great and great times better.
- Crowd Favorite: Chocolate Lab.An American porter with 5.2%ABV with notes of caramel and roasted chocolate. A full-bodied beer that is light on the palate.
- Highly Recommended: Badger Club
- Hop-py Note: Outdoor seating. Dog-friendly. Street and private lot parking spaces. Family-friendly taprooms.
Hours: Open Tue-Fri 3pm–9pm, Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 12pm-6pm, Mon Closed.
Address: 1079 American Way, Verona, WI 53593
Contact: Facebook | Instagram | Website
9. Giant Jones Brewing Company
Giant Jones Brewing Company is fully owned by strong independent women, Erika and Jesicca Jones. With their tagline, “big beers for everyone,” the founders seek to satisfy the people’s cravings while addressing serious social issues, one bottle at a time.
As part of their initiative, Giant Jones donate a portion of its retail sales to Freedom, Inc., a non-profit organization that pushes for social transformation.
- Crowd Favorite: IIPA. Double International Pale Ale comes with a floral citrus profile and hints of spice with 8.3% ABV. Dry-hopped with New Zealand Taiheke hops.
- Highly Recommended: Grand Porter
- Hop-py Note: Dog-friendly. Provide street parking spaces for brewery patrons. Several vegetarian options. Gender inclusive restrooms
Hours: Open Wed 5pm–8pm, Thur 4pm-9pm, Fri & Sat 4pm-10pm, Sun-Tue Closed.
Address: 931 East Main Street Entrance on, S Brearly St Suite 9, Madison, WI 53703
Contact: (608) 620-5172 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
10. Funk Factory Geuzeria
Funk Factory Geuzeria is famous for its neat place and relaxed atmosphere where you can mingle with friends and experience great-tasting beers. Unlike other craft breweries, funk factory goes to the extremes as they try you bring you their modern interpretations of traditional lambic beers that involve intricate processes that are different from your typical craft beers.
Apart from beers, FFG brings their customer closer to the culture of the city through apparel, art pieces, and other knick-knacks they sell.
- Crowd Favorite: Cherry Meerts. A modern interpretation of a traditional drink with 4.5% ABV. Earthy, herbal, mildly sweet, with hints of spice and honey.
- Highly Recommended: Meerts
- Hop-py Note: Offers street and private lot parking spaces. Numerous vegetarian options. Child-friendly. Gender-neutral rooms.
Hours: Open Wed & Thur 4pm–9pm, Fri 3pm-9pm, Sat 12pm-9pm, Sun 12pm-7pm, Mon & Tue Closed.
Address: 1602 Gilson St, Madison, WI 53715
Contact: (608) 571-4344 | Facebook | Instagram | Website
