Madison On Tap: The perfect beverage trail to try out this summer

With more than 30 stops and prizes along the way, Madison On Tap is an ideal beverage trail of breweries, distilleries, and wineries to try out.

If there is one thing that Madison’s not short on, it’s places to grab a drink. The state’s capital city, and home to its largest university, is filled with so many breweries, distilleries, and wineries that it might seem like a Herculean feat to stop at all of them.

It’s possible to visit quite a lot, though, with Madison On Tap, a beverage trail and mobile-exclusive pass that provides discounts and prizes the more you travel through Madison’s craft beverage scene.

How does it work?

Users can download Madison On Tap from Visit Madison’s website. After signing up for the free beverage trail, they’ll receive a link to their mobile-exclusive passport sent via email and in a text message. When visiting the destinations included on the trail, users can present their mobile passport to staff members to redeem discounts and earn points.

How many locations are included?

There are more than 30 breweries, cideries, and distillers in Madison and the city’s surrounding area that take part in Madison On Tap. Several of the participating companies have more than one location that is included in the beverage trail.

What do visitors get?

Visitors to locations included in Madison On Tap can check in at each location. When they check in, visitors will receive discounts or deals at a majority of the locations along the beverage trail. From $1 off draft beers to buy-one-get-one deals, businesses have found a variety of ways to reward customers for participating in Madison On Tap.

Additionally, each check-in to a Madison On Tap location earns points for visitors, which can be redeemed for prizes like stickers, hats, drinkware, and entries into a sweepstakes for an overnight craft beer getaway experience in Madison.

Notable stops

Capital Brewery

7734 Terrace Ave., Middleton

Discount: $1 off drafts

When they first began, Capital Brewery’s intention was to make German-style beer, and they did that in authentic copper kettles imported straight from Germany. In the 40 years since the brewing company first opened, they’ve branched out a bit, including ales, barrel-aged beers, hard seltzers, and plenty of IPAs in the brewery’s beer list as well. Capital Brewery’s bier garten is open May through Sept., offering live music along with its tasty brews.

ALT Brew

1808 Wright St., Madison

Discount: $1 off drafts

One of the major hindrances of a gluten-free diet is the inability to enjoy most beers. But, with an increased demand for gluten-free beer, there are more options to choose from, including any of the craft brews at Madison’s ALT Brew. The brewery, which first started selling its beverages in 2014, is entirely gluten-free, from its ingredients to how it processes each batch of brew.

Brewmaster Trevor Easton was inspired to learn about gluten-free brewing after his wife was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, and now ALT Brew offers a diverse range of IPAs, stouts, and ales for everyone to enjoy.

ALT Brew specializes in producing gluten-free beers at its Madison brewery. (ALT Brew)

Starkweather Brewing Company

2439 Atwood Ave., Madison

Starkweather Brewing Company is a relatively new addition to the Madison brewing scene. The brewery first opened its doors in 2021, taking over its Atwood Ave. space from Next Door Brewing. With more than 15 different craft options, from light Belgian blondes to lime-flavored farmhouse ales, Starkweather Brewing Company has a wide-ranging beer list, as well as several cocktails, hard seltzers, and even non-alcoholic pale ale and pilsner options.

Starkweather Brewing Company opened its doors in 2021. (Starkweather Brewing)

Lake Louie Brewing

1079 American Way, Verona

Discount: BOGO

At Lake Louie Brewing, the lake that the company is named for is almost as important as the beer. That’s why, when Lake Louie Brewing partnered with Wisconsin Brewing Company in 2019 and moved its headquarters from Arena, Wisc., to Verona, the lake came with the move, too. Founder Tom Porter purchased the original land on which Lake Louie Brewing was headquartered in Arena from his uncle, Louie (hence the name of the brewery). The Arena brewery was situated on a swimming pond, called Lake Louie, and when the company moved to its new location in Verona, some of the water from Lake Louie was also removed and placed in the pond that now sits beside the new brewery location.

It’s not all about the water, though. Lake Louie Brewing offers ales, IPAs, and lagers, including its award-winning Badger Club, which are perfect to crack open near the water.

Delta Beer Lab

167 East Badger Road, Fitchburg

Discount: $1 off drafts

In math and science, the delta symbol is used to signify change. That’s why Delta Beer Lab thought that it would be an apt name for their brewing company, as they hope to contribute to positive changes throughout the community. Since its founding in 2019, Delta Beer Lab customers have donated more than $220,000 to local organizations, and the brewery has partnered with several local nonprofits, including the Literacy Network of Wisconsin and River Alliance of Wisconsin. The brewery also donates 1% of its revenue to environmental organizations by joining 1% For the Planet, a nonprofit that focuses on environmental donations.

Hop Haus Brewing Company

2975 Sub-Zero Parkway, Fitchburg

Discount: BOGO

Hop Haus Brewing Company was founded with the belief that every community should have a place to gather, and the brewery has set out to prove that by attracting customers through its menus that cater to everyone. It’s creative beer menu features year-round brews like the citrus-infused Magic Dragon, as well as rotational beers, like the Fancy Sweatshirt, a prickly pear sour ale that comes out pink when it’s poured. The brewery also has a mocktail menu, which features fruity drinks like the raspberry spritz and strawberry lemonade, as well as a kids’ menu with slushies, root beer, and milk. Hop Haus Brewing Company also has another location in Verona.

Hop Haus Brewing Company serves beers, cocktails, and mocktails, in addition to its food menu. (Hop Haus Brewing Company)

Octopi Brewing

1131 Uniek Drive, Waunakee

Discount: BOGO on a seven-ounce pour in the taproom

Octopi Brewing has grown a lot since its taproom first opened in 2015. In addition to its seriously large-scale beer production (Octopi Brewing was purchased by the Japanese beverage company Asahi Group and is now undertaking a $35 million expansion), it also has a full-scale restaurant, which can seat up to 100 people indoors. The brewery is also the largest contract beverage facility in the Midwest—with other brands having Octopi Brewing make their beers for them, you know they’re bound to whip up something delicious.

Octopi Brewing was recently acquired by the Japanese beverage holding company Asahi Group. (Octopi Brewing)

Vintage Brewing Company

803 East Washington Ave., Madison

Discount: $1 off drafts

With a location right next to The Sylvee, Vintage Brewing Company makes for an ideal spot to either start a night out or end one. Plus, the brewery has a seriously long beer list, giving customers a plethora of stouts, IPAs, ales, and plenty more options to choose from. Altogether, Vintage Brewing Company has four locations: two in Madison, one in Sauk City, and one in Cross Plains.

Imaginary Factory

1401 Northern Court, Madison

Discount: 10% off tab

To create something brand new, you’ve got to use your imagination, and that’s what they excel at doing at Imaginary Factory, a cocktail bar and distillery on Madison’s east side, when crafting their drink menu. The distillery hosts regular events, and themed cocktails that pair with them, like Paint Your Mouth Pink, a rhubarb sour that was served during the bar’s studio night, where attendees can get creative and show off their art skills.

The Lone Girl Brewing Company

114 East Main St. Suite 101, Waunakee

Discount: BOGO

Kevin Abercrombie and Paul Kozlowski, the founders of The Lone Girl Brewing Company, have been friends for decades, going back to their college years. Before either of them had families of their own, they enjoyed drinking beers together at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. But now they have families, and between the two of them, there are seven kids; just one of them is a girl, hence the brewing company’s name. The two friends opened up the brewing company in 2016, and have more than a dozen brews on tap.

The Lone Girl Brewing Company is no longer alone in its sole location; the brewery has opened up a new taproom in Madison.

Sunshine Brewing Company

121 South Main St., Lake Mills

Discount: BOGO

Sunshine Brewing Company is a true family business, run by father and daughter team Lane and Gracelyn Smith. In 2019, Gracelyn started lending a hand in the kitchen, putting together some of the brewery’s Mexican dishes, inspired by Lane’s Southern California roots, but she took on more responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The duo kept the business alive through the pandemic, and now offer a food menu filled with tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas, as well as a hefty beer list filled with pilsners, blondes, and IPAs.

Old Sugar Distillery

931 East Main St. #8, Madison

Discount: BOGO

After graduating from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Old Sugar Distillery founder Nathan Greenawalt knew he wanted to get into the distilling business. And he knew exactly what kind of still he wanted. Since he brought the still up from Arkansas, Greenawalt and his team have been whipping up several different types of alcohol, from ouzo to the distillery’s flagship honey liqueur.

But producing alcohol isn’t the only thing that the distillery is focused on. They also place a large focus on being as environmentally friendly as possible. The distillery has installed solar panels on its roof, offsetting 13.2 tons of carbon dioxide emissions. They’ve also purchased green power, which generates electricity for the Old Sugar Distillery through wind and solar sources.

Old Sugar Distillery was founded by University of Wisconsin-Madison alum Nathan Greenawalt. (Old Sugar Distillery)

Doundrins Distilling

300 Progress Drive Suite F, Cottage Grove

Discount: BOGO

Doundrins Distillery, in Cottage Grove, places an emphasis on crafting unique liqueurs, and they’ve been successful in that. Currently, their spirits include cherry rum, spicy pepper vodka, and a wide range of liqueur flavors, including maple syrup, cucumber, and elderflower.

While founders Nick and Abby Abramovich both share a Midwestern background, they met while studying abroad in Spain and bonded over their chemical engineering majors. After years of marriage and moves across the United States, they’ve settled in the Madison area, where they can run their own distillery.

Visitors to Doundrins Distilling can get a free drink, with a purchased drink, when using Madison On Tap. (Doundrins Distilling)

Working Draft Beer Company

1129 East Wilson St., Madison

Discount: BOGO

Even though Working Draft Beer Company is located in Madison, they’re dedicated to bringing the best of Europe to their taproom. Co-founder, co-owner, and head brewer Clint Lohman, alongside brewer and facility manager Miranda Ladwig, honor the traditions of classic European breweries in each batch that they brew. That’s reflected in their beers on tap, from the Czech-style pilsner To Those Who Wait to the English-style ESB Elbow Patches. Visiting Working Draft Beer Company’s taproom is like taking a trip all throughout Europe, without ever leaving Wisconsin.

Working Draft Beer Company serves European-inspired brews at its Madison brewery. (Working Draft Beer Company)

Dancing Goat Distillery

909 Vineyard Drive, Cambridge

Discount: 10% off when customers spend $40 or more in the tasting room

Nick Maas, the owner of Dancing Goat Distillery, sees the Cambridge-based distillery as a tribute to his grandfather, Duane Maas, who worked as a plant manager at Fleischmann’s Distillery. His father, Tom Maas, also worked in the alcohol industry, retiring from Jim Beam to start a bottling plant with Duane. When Nick was coming up with plans for Dancing Goat Distillery, his family was heavily involved, including Duane, who consulted on the beginning of the project before passing away in 2016.

The family’s expertise in the alcohol industry has helped Dancing Goat Distillery make some of their most beloved spirits, including Berens Old Fashioned Brandy, a collaboration with Wisconsin native, comedian, and journalist, Charlie Berens.

Dancing Goat Distillery customers who are using Madison On Tap can get 10% off of their bill, when spending $40 or more in the taproom. (Dancing Goat Distillery)

State Line Distillery

1413 Northern Court, Madison

Discount: BOGO

There are a lot of places in Wisconsin that make distilled alcohol, but there aren’t a lot of distilleries that are grain-to-glass, which means they handle the entire alcohol-making process. From sourcing and growing grains, to distilling, aging, and bottling the products, State Line Distillery does it all—and they were the first grain-to-glass distillery in Madison. Sample some of the distillery’s homegrown products, like the State Line coffee liqueur, made with locally roasted cold brew, or its award-winning gin, made with Wisconsin-grown sage, juniper, and citrus.

State Line Distillery is Madison’s first-ever grain-to-glass distillery, which means that they control the entire production process. (State Line Distillery)

Wollersheim Winery & Distillery

7876 WI-188, Prairie du Sac

Wollersheim Winery & Distillery, in Prairie du Sac, is steeped in history, just in case you didn’t notice the dedicated historical marker from the Dane County Historical Society. The winery’s history dates back to the 1840s, when Hungarian nobleman Agoston Haraszthy, the founder of Sauk City, discovered the sloped plot of land that Wollersheim Winery & Distillery now sits on, and planted grape vines. German immigrant Peter Kehl took over the property after Haraszthy and built many of the structures still in use today.

Approximately 180 years later, grapes are still being grown, and plenty of wine and spirits are being produced at the site.

Wollersheim Winery & Distillery’s history dates back approximately 180 years. (Wollersheim Winery & Distillery)

Yahara Bay Distillery

6250 Nesbitt Road #200, Madison

Discount: 20% off retail purchase

There are several distilleries in Madison and its surrounding area now, but that wasn’t the case back in 2006. That year, Yahara Bay Distillery founder Nick Quint decided to open the first one in Madison. In 2007, the distillery opened, and 18 years later, the distillery continues to create a wide range of spirits, including whiskey, Mad Bird rum, and vodka. Yahara Bay Distillery also offers distillery tours on a limited basis.

The 18-year-old distillery was the first one opened in Madison. (Yahara Bay Distillery)