Madison Food Guide: The best breweries

There’s just something magical about a cold beer in a city that really knows how to brew it — whether it’s the golden bubbles of a farmhouse ale or the bold, chocolatey warmth of a winter porter. So we asked you, our hometown hop-heads, lager lovers, and sour smashers, to vote on your favorite breweries in and around Madison. And you served up your foamy favorites straight from the tap.

Let’s raise a glass to the best breweries in Madison, Wisconsin, according to your votes. We’ve got small-town legends, brewpub pioneers, and more on your list of bubbly favorites in 2025.

Courtesy of Working Draft Beer Company

4. Working Draft Beer Company

1129 E Wilson St. Madison, WI 53703

Working Draft is the newest brewery on this list. Since opening its doors in 2018, Working Draft has become a go-to for beer nerds, creative types, and anyone who appreciates a well-balanced haze bomb. This ultra-modern taproom is known for its hazy IPAs, small-batch creativity, and brewery yoga.

If you haven’t tried their beers yet, we have some suggestions. The Soft IPA is their signature hazy IPA. It’s juicy, smooth, and just a touch bitter. Or, especially on a warm day, you could try the Dad Bod, a crushable pale ale that’s neither bland nor fussy. If you like something a bit more fruity, the Wheatwave is the way to go. It’s a dry-hopped wheat beer that’s citrusy, floral, and funky.

This place is chill to its core. The taproom feels like a cross between a café and an art gallery with high ceilings, bright lighting, and communal tables. There’s usually a food cart outside, a community event happening, and a record player spinning something low-key and cool.

Working Draft also hosts writers’ groups, art shows, and yoga classes. They also collaborate with local artists, donate to causes like Second Harvest Foodbank, and partner with other small businesses for events and pop-ups. It’s a hub for creativity, diversity, and intentional living.

3. Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company

Multiple locations

The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company is the OG of Madison’s brewpub scene. Since 1994, they’ve been serving up pints, pub grub, and good times in a stunning historic building just off the Capitol Square. Now, there are several local locations including Downtown Madison, Hilldale, East Side, and Fitchburg.

Named after Wisconsin’s state dog (a nod to their local pride), The Great Dane was one of the first brewpubs in the state and helped pave the way for the craft movement. It’s named after the statue of a Great Dane that used to sit outside Madison’s old police station. Today, it represents loyalty, strength, and, of course, beer.

Speaking of beer, there are several on tap at Great Dane that brew lovers must try, including the Crop Circle Wheat, a cloudy hefeweizen that’s perfect for summer; the Devil’s Lake Red Lager, a smooth and tasty amber; Peck’s Pilsner, which is refreshing and light, and simply made for patio weather; and the Black Earth Porter which is rich, toasty, and surprisingly light for a porter. 

While the beer is great, many locals hit up Great Dane for the atmosphere. Each location has its own personality, from the original downtown brewpub with billiards and brick walls to the cozy Hilldale location that feels like your neighborhood clubhouse.

The food is ridiculously good, too, if you dig global comfort food favorites with a local twist. They serve up poutine, banh mi sandwiches, fish tacos, and some of the best burgers in town.

From sponsoring local arts programs to caring for kids to raising money for abandoned pets, The Great Dane puts their money (and beer) where their heart is. Community safety is also key to their operation.

Courtesy of Captial Brewery

2. Capital Brewery

7734 Terrace Ave. Middleton, WI 53562

Capital Brewery has been holding it down for over 40 years, long before the current craft beer explosion. Located in Middleton, this brewery was one of the early torchbearers for craft beer in Wisconsin, with a strong German backbone and a serious love for lagers.

Capital isn’t chasing trends. They’re still doing what they’ve always done best: brewing German-style lagers and Wisconsin favorites, inviting visitors to enjoy the outdoor biergarten, and hosting legendary summer events.

What are the best beers at Capital Brewery? Aside from their yearly Oktoberfest, which is amazing if you haven’t tried it during the autumn season, the Captial Amber is a go-to for locals. It’s smooth and balanced, if not a little toasty. It’s the beer that put Capital Brewing on the map. Folks also dig the Supper Club, a light and crisp beer that pairs perfectly with a Friday night fish fry. And the Wisconsin Amber, which is hoppier than the name suggests, pairs well with a burger and a ballgame and is totally satisfying.

Yes, the beers are tasty, but Capital is renowned for its biergarten parties. Capital’s massive outdoor space is the spot for everything from summer concerts to Oktoberfest blowouts. There’s live music, lawn games, and steins the size of your head. It’s a community staple and the perfect place to sip a cold one in the sun.

Since it opened in 1984, Capital has been partnering with local nonprofits, schools, and sports teams. They host charity events, bike nights, and even support veterans’ causes through beer-themed fundraisers. And yes, their awesome Bike Club is also worth a mention. These folks ride hard, drink, and repeat. Good times!

And if you didn’t know: Capital Brewery has been named one of the Top Ten Breweries in the World by the Beverage Testing Institute. Not bad for a brewery that still feels like your cool uncle’s backyard.

Courtesy of New Glarus

1. New Glarus Brewing Company

218 Hoesly Dr. New Glarus, WI, 53574

Famous for its Spotted Cow (you already knew that), Wisconsin-only distribution, and fiercely independent spirit, this hilltop brewery looks like a Swiss chalet and offers breathtaking views of the countryside. The self-guided tours are free, the gift shop is adorable, and there’s a beer garden that’s straight out of a Bavarian dream.

Yes, your favorite place for Wisconsin brews (and mine) is New Glarus Brewing Company. You know it, you love it, and apparently, you voted it #1 — even though technically it’s a short drive out of Madison. 

That’s the magic of Deb Carey’s dream. New Glarus’ co-founder was the first woman in the U.S. to establish and operate a brewery, back in 1993, no less. Deb, along with her husband, brewmaster Dan Carey, opened New Glarus in a former warehouse with one goal: to brew world-class beer.

What are the best beers at New Glarus? That might come down to a second vote. But what we gather is that Spotted Cow is the crown jewel. This cask-conditioned farmhouse ale is fruity, slightly sweet, and so crushable it should come with a lawn chair. Only available in Wisconsin — and worth the trip (for those of us who don’t live there).

Moon Man is another fan favorite. It’s a no-coast pale ale that’s hoppy but balanced. Bright, citrusy, and great with fried cheese curds. Beer lovers also dig the Two Women Lager – a crisp, clean, European-style lager with a nod to awesome female brewers everywhere.

Another reason we love New Glarus is for their support of numerous local initiatives, charities, and environmental sustainability efforts. They’ve donated land for public use and support Wisconsin agriculture.

New Glarus refuses to distribute outside Wisconsin, by choice. And not for a lack of ambition. Sometimes, the local things are the best things for a reason. And why shouldn’t a brewery also be a tourist destination? 

READ MORE: The best bar food in Madison, according to our readers