Madison, Wisconsin, is keeping with a long heritage of beer history with the many craft breweries that call the city home. There are many breweries in town to explore, but if you’re looking for somewhere to start, you can’t go wrong with these staples:
Ale Asylum
No list of Madison craft breweries would be complete with a nod to Ale Asylum. The funky-fresh interior, complete with leather couches and pinball machines, lends itself very well to enhance your enjoyment of the top-notch brews that Ale Asylum creates. For starters, get a glass of their Ambergeddon amber ale, the accessible Hopalicious American pale ale, or the Ballistic IPA. Ale Asylum’s taproom has an impressive variety to choose from, so you’re sure to find something to satisfy your palate at this local-favorite brewery.
Working Draft Beer Company
Working Draft Beer Company’s minimalist and hip style offers a great experience for those exploring Madison’s brewery scene. Working Draft prides itself in its sense of community, and you’ll find local artists’ works, live acoustic music, and poetry readings in the taproom. You’ll also find a great selection of brews, from the Pulp Culture hazy IPA to the European Vacay Munich Dunkel. This brewery takes itself just seriously enough that beer pros will stay interested and newcomers to the craft beer world will feel welcome.
Karben4
The strange-yet-tasty Karben4 Brewing is a great place to spend an hour or two with friends. In addition to delicious craft brews, their taproom also offers great artisan-inspired food to pair with your favorite beer. As far as beer varietals go, Karben4 has the usual suspects and then some: IPAs, chocolate oatmeal stouts, imperial red ales, English-style ales, pale ales, and more. Once you’ve found your favorite Karben4 brew, be sure to take a six-pack of it home.
ALT Brew
ALT Brew has all your gluten-free beer needs covered with their creations. None of their beers are made with gluten, which means that everyone can have a great time at this brewery. ALT Brew doesn’t need gluten to make some of Madison’s most interesting Kolsch, blondes, farmhouse ales, porters, IPAs, and more. Be sure to come back to ALT Brew every season to try their four special releases throughout the year.
Funk Factory Geuzeria
Funk Factory Geuzeria is one of the most highly rated breweries in Madison, and for good reason. The beers this brewery produces are some of the most interesting and experimental in Madison. You’ll find quite a few barrel-aged beers at this brewery, some mixed with wine grapes and berries. If you’re a fan of lambics, Funk Factory is where you need to be. You’ll also find a great selection of wild ales and farmhouse ales to choose from at this one-of-a-kind brewery.
From the most hop-infused brewery critic to the casual craft beer drinker just looking for their next favorite, these Madison breweries are sure to satisfy. Explore what each has to offer and then expand your tour of the Madison brewery world to find your next go-to haunt.
Image by Tibor Janosi Mozes from Pixabay
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