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jedivader Sep 14th, 2010 11:11 AM

Wisconsin Trip report
 
Did a loop trip from Milwaukee, up to Green Bay, down to Madison, and back to Milwaukee. Visited 22 breweries/brewpubs (will list at the end with comments).

Walked along Lake Michigan in Sheboygan and visited the Sheboygan Breakwater Lighthouse. Toured Lambeau Field and visited the actual Green Bay. Went to Mousehouse Cheesehaus (very roadside junk type stuff with cheese). Saw the University of Wisconsin football stadium. Walked around Governor Dodge State Park. Walked around Milwaukee. Visited The Fonz statue. Visited Milwaukee Brewers ballmark. Maybe some things here and there I missed. We had a good time but the Wisonsin people were not as friendly and welcoming as we thought they'd be.

Brew Visits:
Miller/Coors Brewing Company (Milwaukee) = decent tour, nothing great
Milwaukee Ale House (Milwaukee) = does not brew onsite, great beer and service
Rock Bottom Brewery & Restaurant (Milwaukee) = average beer, decent service
Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee) = below average beer and bad service
Water Street Brewery (Milwaukee) = great service and good beer
Stonefly Brewing Company (Milwaukee) = excellent service and great beer
Riverside Brewery & Restaurant (West Bend) = great service and good beer
Port Washington Brewing/Hops Haven Brew Haus (Sheboygan) = good service, horrible beer
Hinterland Brewery Restaurant (Green Bay) = horrible service, great beer
Titletown Brewing Company (Green Bay) = good beer, good service
Legends Brewhouse & Eatery (Green Bay) = great service, average beer
Fox River Brewing/Fratellos Waterfront Restaurant (Oshkosh) = horrible service, below average beer
Ale Asylum (Madison) = good service, great beer
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Madison – Downtown) = good service, good beer
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Madison – Hilldale) = great service, great beer
The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company (Fitchburg) = so-so service, good beer
The Brewery Creek Inn & Brewpub (Mineral Point) = decent service, average beer
Gray’s Tied House (Verona) = good service, crappy beer
The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub (Mt. Horeb) = fantastic service, good beer
Tyranena Brewing Company (Lake Mills) = good service, awesome beer
St. Francis Brewery & Restaurant (St. Francis) = great service, average beer
Silver Creek Brewing Company (Cedarburg) = so-so service, good beer

SusanM Sep 14th, 2010 11:44 AM

Native Wisconsinite here (transplanted to Chicago for the last 23 yrs) -- sorry to hear you missed out on the Wisconsin hospitality. I'm a little surprised!

Not being a beer drinker, I can't comment on your brew pub experiences, though I understand Capital Brewery in Middleton is pretty good. Add it to your list if you ever go back. (I'm surprised they didn't kick me out of Wisconsin long before I left: Don't drink beer, don't like brats.)

barbrn Sep 14th, 2010 12:46 PM

This is a good trip report. I've done the same loop as you several times....without all the breweries. My trips have been great...good scenery...good food...lovely Lake Michigan. However your trip sounds like more fun!! Liked your beer and service comparisons. The establishments should see these....especially how you're rating the service. Been to Miller Park a few times when the Brewers play the Cubs, great games with great rivals. I used to live in Milwaukee...where's the Fonz statue?? Can't remember if I've seen it (I've seen a lot of statues in my travels).

mdwest Sep 14th, 2010 04:59 PM

That's a lot of beer.

jedivader Sep 15th, 2010 06:02 AM

The Fonz is on the Riverwalk, across from Rock Bottom Brewery. There are also a bunch of duck statues along the Riverwalk.

jedivader Sep 15th, 2010 06:05 AM

Yes, lots of beer.......but responsible.

We are trying to hit the 200 mark on our brew visit list before 2011. Wisconsin put us over 190, looks like a sure thing.

PamT Sep 15th, 2010 09:13 AM

Another Wisconsinite here - so sorry you didn't receive that warm midwest welcome! Come back again sometime and give us another chance:)!!

Haven't visited every brewery you've listed but have visited some so thanks for your list and impressions. We may have to check out some more of those!

We love Green Bay, Milwaukee and Madsion areas and although we've lived here in the northwest part of the state all our lives we are still visiting some places for the first time as well!! Just went to our first Brewers game this summer at the new Miller Park - great experience! AND we saw the Fonzie statue for the first time this summer as well.

Come back sometime - Wisconsin is a great place to visit - and live of course:)) PamT

jedivader Sep 15th, 2010 12:10 PM

We plan to fly into Minneapolis at some point and do that area plus drive to Chippewa Falls.

jedivader Sep 16th, 2010 04:17 AM

Oh, also did the Jelly Belly Warehouse Tour. It was ok, more for children, and that might be stretching it.


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