Here’s a list of the best breweries in Madison for beer lovers in Wisconsin.
When my friends mention that they’ll travel Wisconsin, I never fail to suggest staying in Madison for at least a day or two.
Apart from this state capital’s rich cultural scene, inspiring bike trails, and iconic natural landmarks, it’s home to some of the best beer brews I’ve ever tried.
Really– breweries in Madison aren’t your typical pubs.
Some of them are creative enough to be science lab-themed, others have hanging vines from the ceiling, and, of course, there are the classic pubs with nostalgia-invoking dark interior designs.
Let me share some of the best breweries to visit when wrapping up your days in Madison!
You, dear reader, support this blog. When you purchase through a link, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Pssst…??!! You can’t get enough Wisconsin posts? Have a look at my other posts:
Table of Contents
Overview: Best Breweries in Madison, Wisconsin
- Delta Beer Lab
- Vintage Brewing Co.
- BarleyPop Tap & Shop
1. Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company is a classic first stop for tourists who want a taste of Madison’s beer culture.
It was built in the mid-90s when breweries weren’t even a thing in the city yet.
Rightfully so, it has grown into one of the most (if not the most) popular destinations for enjoying good beer and food in Madison. Currently, it has four branches in the city alone.
We visited the Downtown branch (AKA the “original”), and I must say that Great Dane is named one of the best Wisconsin breweries for a reason.
First off, the pub’s vibe was very fitting of a brewery. It was perfectly semi-dark and accented with wooden decor and brick walls. Pool tables and dart boards were also available.
If you prefer open spaces, you may also choose to sit outside, where you’ll be surrounded by lush greenery and Downtown energy instead.
The best part of all?
Great Dane’s selection of food and drinks is always impressive.
There are 14 house-brewed taps at any given time, along with seasonal and limited brews that rotate routinely.
The food was also so exceptional that I ordered their cheese curds twice in one sitting and had to reorder their habanero chicken wings several times during my Madison stay. It’s always going to be one of the best breweries in Madison.
Friendly tip: Grab tables downstairs if you prefer quieter beer sessions, as the upstairs can be pretty loud, especially at night.
2. Capital Brewery
With over 240 medals to its name, Capital Brewery is undoubtedly the best brewery near Madison WI.
It’s been serving locals authentic German-style lager beers since the 1980s.
And though it has now branched out to offer American-style ales, its Munich Dark and Special Pilsner are still some of the most popular options in the house.
Honestly, the interior of this pub didn’t leave a lasting impression when it came to the store itself.
But, their Bier Garten (Beer Garden) was an awesome, exceptionally spacious hangout spot (I heard it seats up to 1,000 people).
There’s a mini stage where locals frequently perform live music and other community events.
Plus, you can bring your food or order from food trucks nearby to dine on the outdoor picnic tables!
As the community’s go-to afternoon hangout destination, Capital Brewery allowed us to mingle with locals more than any other brewery.
So, when we stayed in Quietwater Cottage, one of the most romantic cabins in Wisconsin, this brewery was our go-to stop.
3. Karben4 Brewing
Founded to “make great beer whilst never taking it too seriously,” Karben4 Brewing offers unique, playful, and artistic spins to the traditional brewery experience.
If I have one word to describe this pub, it’s none other than quirky. But the good type of quirkiness!
Right off the bat, you’ll realize this pub has that uncommon “warehouse” atmosphere.
Plus, you’ll find tons of colorful artwork on the walls and beer cans!
Check out the art on their Fantasy Factory beer for a good laugh (it tastes good, though, lol).
Karben4 Brewing is a popular indoor and outdoor summer hangout spot. But it’s also a hit during winter in Madison!
When we spent Christmas in Wisconsin, we were able to rent one of their igloos. It wasn’t too fancy, but it was very cozy and a new experience for me and my partner.
4. Vintage Brewing Co.
When we were looking for places to visit in Wisconsin in March, a friend recommended this brewery.
True to its name, Vintage Brewing Co. exudes nostalgic and vintage vibes when you enter the pub.
In addition to the interior featuring retro finishes, you’ll be seated at tables from the 1950s and surrounded by pictures from the 1960s.
It is exactly the vibe I love after a hectic week of hiking in Madison.
They have 6 in-house brews available all year round and 8 rotating selections (their Wooshed is a must-try).
Out of all breweries in Wisconsin, this Madison brew pub also had some of the best food.
Their cheese curds and grilled salmon paired extremely well with beer. We also stopped over at this pub again for a quick lunch so we could enjoy the meals on our own. I highly recommend it!
Wisconsin Classic SweatshirtWanderust Box SignWisconsin HoodieBest Loop Hikes Wisconsin GuideUnder Armour BackpackWisconsin Haunted Travel Guide
5. Working Draft Beer Company
When we were leaving Madison’s McPike Park after sunset, this bright, blue-colored brewery in the nook immediately caught our attention.
At first, we thought it was an art gallery, seeing how colorful and lively it was.
But when we walked closer, it was, in fact, another one of the unique breweries in Madison.
If you pretend the Working Draft Beer Company didn’t sell alcoholic drinks for a second, you’d think it’s every high schooler’s dream hangout spot.
Bright RGB lights illuminate the entire space, the menu is written in various colors, and there are free board games for everyone.
But, of course, beer’s the main selling point of this brewery. It produces world-class European lagers and hoppy ales. Gluten-free options are also available.
I highly recommend visiting during the pub’s Trivia Nights, as it’s super fun! The food is quite limited, though (fitting for snacks only).
Note: This brewery is right along the bike path, and bike parking is available.
6. Young Blood Beer Company
Combining rustic architectural designs with vibrant green plants draping down from the ceiling, this brewery feels like the industrial’s interpretation of a tropical paradise.
As you can likely guess, this pub’s atmosphere and vibe are uniquely inviting.
But the scenery is not even the best thing about this brewery.
If you love sours, Young Blood will be one of the best breweries in Madison. Its selection will be a haven for your taste buds.
I had several rounds of their Pink Lexus and another from their fruit punch series. Both were some of the best sours I’ve tried.
A friend said their IPAs are also great, though I haven’t tried them myself.
One thing to note before visiting is that Young Blood’s food portions are quite small (at least compared to other breweries.)
So, if you’re hungry, it may be best to grab a bigger meal before enjoying this brewery’s beers and snacks.
7. Octopi Brewing
Sometimes, you just want to eat hearty and filling food while enjoying good beer.
During these cravings, Octopi Brewing is one of the best breweries you can hit up while in Madison.
To be precise, this pub is located 20 minutes from the city.
But from experience, that’s a minor inconvenience in exchange for all the good food and fantastic beer brews Octopi offers.
Our table shared burnt pork belly ends, chicken wings, and garden salad. The four of us still needed to finish them despite us skipping lunch beforehand.
Apart from Octopi’s own brews, we got to try brews from Untitled Art and Asahi.
There were also seltzers and non-alcoholic beers (the best ones I’ve tried) available.
We wanted to sit outdoors on the cozy patio, but it was raining when we visited, so we had to sit indoors. It’s still a vibe and one of the best things to do in Madison, though.
8. Delta Beer Lab
If you need more proof that brew pubs in Madison, WI, are just at a whole new level of creativity, visit the Delta Beer Lab.
It’s a science laboratory-inspired brewery that lets you drink flights from little beakers while seated on typical long tables from your high school science class.
Even some of the beers’ names were science-coded!
I loved the N-PTR.01 AKA Nitro Porter and Pi.03 (Caramel Apple Pi). We also ordered two frozen pizzas for the table, which were surprisingly good despite not being fresh.
Food and drinks aside, Delta Beer Lab’s commitment to paying its staff livable wages and supporting local charities is commendable.
All tips are given to non-profit organizations, as the staff earn enough and receive shares of the brewery’s profits.
9. Lucky’s 1313 Brew Pub
Want a great place to enjoy good beer during Wisconsin game nights?
Lucky’s 1313 Brew Pub is a must-visit location.
Apart from its unique interior, which features large garage walls, exposed ceiling beams, and concrete floors from the building’s history as a repair garage center, this brewery’s taps are never to be missed!
When we visited, there were 8 beers on tap and a handful of exclusive brews. I tried 3 brews, and each of them paired really well with the food served (I tried the special of the day).
There weren’t too many people during our stay.
But I heard the crowd can get pretty big during major game nights, so it would’ve been nice to experience that.
Will I revisit this place?
If given the chance, absolutely!
But preferably, this time, over the summer, as I heard they open the garage doors when the weather’s nice.
10. BarleyPop Tap & Shop
I think the best way to end this list of breweries in Madison is to mention BarleyPop Tap & Shop, which combines your classic taproom experience with a diverse bottle shop.
It serves over 40 taps, which is impressive on its own, and offers more than 200 types of bottled beer, perfect for taking home or giving as gifts!
We sat on one of the tables beside the full shelves of bottled beer (mostly hard-to-find ones).
So, I just had to take many pictures for the feed and show off to my friends back home!
No food is served in-store, but you can bring food in from a wide range of restaurants before reaching this shop.
Also, this brewery is dog-friendly, so feel free to let your furry friend tag along.
Wisconsin Classic SweatshirtWanderust Box SignWisconsin HoodieBest Loop Hikes Wisconsin GuideUnder Armour BackpackWisconsin Haunted Travel Guide
My final thoughts on the best breweries in Madison
If you’re an avid fan of breweries Madison, Wisconsin will be a pleasant stop for your journey.
The pubs in this city are where I found some of my now closest friends from the Badger state, so they’ll always have a particular spot in my heart (and itinerary).
Of course, I’m not saying every brewery in Madison Wi will be a hit.
But if you try one of the pubs listed above, at least you’ll never have a miss experience; you might also be willing to visit the best wineries near Madison.
Having a nice, ice-cold beer is part of the wonders of traveling. So don’t rob yourself of the experience of breweries in Madison.
Hola! I’m Paulina, a seasoned travelette who crossed the Atlantic Ocean by Boat HitchHiking. On my blog, find expert insights for an extraordinary holiday through outdoor and sustainable travel like hiking, cycling, and sailing. Let’s embark on unforgettable journeys together! 🌍🚀
