Did you know there are more than 20 breweries in the Madison area alone? That's a lot of beer, and with Madison's ever-growing population and culture, the brewing scene has definitely made it's mark on our city.

The history of Wisconsin brewing began in early statehood, and records suggest that the earliest breweries date back to the 1830s. The Wisconsin tradition was introduced by early German settlers who brought the knowledge of brewing techniques to the state and perfected it over time. By 1890, there were more than 300 breweries operating in our state. After the prohibition of the 20th century, large-scale industrial brewing forever changed the way Wisconsin produced and sold beer.

(Source: Wisconsin Historical Society)

Here's a list of our five favorite breweries in Madison:

Ale Asylum 2002 Pankratz St, Madison

Established in 2005, Ale Asylum has really made a name for themselves in the state of Wisconsin. The brewery currently resides on Madison's north side, but you can find their signature beers like Hopalicious and Bedlam at many restaurants and bars across the Midwest. Make sure to grab a bite to eat after you take a brewery tour; they have a large food menu full of great options.

Karben4 Brewing 3698 Kinsman Blvd, Madison

Karben4 was founded by Appleton natives in 2012. Their elaborate beer menu and fun, colorful labels with graphics of cats riding unicorns and tortoises wearing top hats set them apart from the rest. You can find their popular Fantasy Factory India Pale Ale and Lady Luck Imperial Red Ale in a store near you!

Vintage Brewing Co. Multiple Locations

Looking for a chill atmosphere to grab a beer after work or host a happy hour with business partners? This is the place for you. With multiple locations, a long list of original brews, and a fantastic food menu, what's not to love? Another added bonus - they have exceptional staff members who shower their customers with that Midwestern kindness we all know and love.

Great Dane Pub and Brewing Co. Multiple Locations

The original downtown location of the Great Dane opened in 1994, and it's success led to more pubs opening in the Madison area. Each location offers an extensive beer list with award-winning ales and lagers, as well as a food menu that will exceed your expectations of "pub grub." This is definitely the place to be on a Friday night.

Capital Brewery 7734 Terrace Avenue, Middleton

This brewery was originally founded in 1986 with the goal to produce traditional German style lager beer. Since then, they have expanded their beer list to include American style ales, barrel aged beers, and now brews four distinct IPA’s. Their Beer Garden is open April through October and often hosts live music as well as public and private events.

Here's a list of breweries, bars, and eateries in Greater Madison.

#MadisonArea #ThingstodoinMadison #MadisonWI #MadisonWIEvents #Breweries #MadisonBreweries