Tour the Iconic Craft Breweries of Southern Wisconsin

Located just a short ten-minute drive from downtown Milwaukee, Sprecher Brewing Co. offers visitors more than just craft beer. The company’s popular sodas – like its beers – are made with local ingredients, including the ginger, ginseng and cranberry infused Ravin’ Red and a honey-based root beer. Beer lovers won’t want to miss the highly decorated Black Bavarian and Oktoberfest. 

Take a brewery tour that includes visits to the brewhouse, aging cellar, bottling line and warehouse. Afterwards, adults can sample four beers chosen from among ten on tap and unlimited samples of soda! 

As you leave Sprecher, you may notice an intoxicating aroma in the air. Just two blocks east, you’ll find Milwaukee’s best known hamburger emporium, Solly’s Grille. A Milwaukee landmark since 1936, Solly's famous "butter burgers," earned a spot on USA Today's "America's Top 10 Best Burgers" list and were featured on the Food Network and the Travel Channel. Stop in for a mouth-watering burger, and be sure to save room to share a chocolate banana malt! 

Next, head south to Milwaukee’s historic Brewer’s Hill neighborhood, where the Milwaukee River winds past the former “Beer Line” railroad bed and leads you to Lakefront Brewery. Housed in a century-old trolley station, this one-of-a-kind brewery is packed with personality — from vintage brewing equipment to the Bernie Brewer chalet, an iconic piece of Milwaukee baseball history. 

Take a tour to see where the magic happens, then raise a pint in a complimentary glass. Come back on a Friday night to enjoy a fish fry as a live polka band plays. 

For a memorable dinner with a little Milwaukee flair, make your way to the Historic Third Ward. Once a bustling warehouse district, this lively neighborhood just south of downtown is now filled with colorful galleries, local shops, theaters, nightlife and tempting places to eat. Wander along the Milwaukee RiverWalk, browse dozens of delicious food vendors inside the Milwaukee Public Market or grab a table on a riverside patio. 

For a stay with serious Milwaukee character, check into the one-of-a-kind Iron Horse Hotel. Just across the river from the Harley-Davidson Museum, this biker-inspired boutique hotel blends bold attitude with polished style inside a beautifully restored former warehouse. Settle into the leather-clad Branded lounge for a nightcap, enjoy fresh air and a firepit on the patio or linger in the ultra-chic lobby and soak up the city vibes. 

Step into a piece of brewing history at Minhas Craft Brewery in Monroe. Founded in 1845 as the Blumer Brewery, this beloved institution is the second-longest continuously operating brewery in America. Once known for its Berghoff and Huber beers, Minhas now crafts a wide variety of brews, including Canadian favorites and Lazy Mutt Farmhouse Ale. Take a daily tour together then stick around to share some barbecue and friendly competition on the golf simulator. 

Make your way to the heart of Monroe, where the beautiful Green County Courthouse anchors the action. Built in 1891, this Romanesque Revival gem is hard to miss, thanks to its distinctive four-faced clock tower. Around the courthouse square, you’ll find local shops and restaurants, colorful murals begging to be photographed and plenty of unique finds to discover as you explore downtown. 

Step inside Baumgartner’s, Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store, and get ready to indulge. Since 1931, this Monroe favorite has been serving up Wisconsin’s finest cheeses alongside imported varieties, specialty foods and hearty sandwiches. For the full local experience, order the legendary limburger on rye — and don’t forget the mint on the side! Craving more cheese history? Stop by Chalet Cheese Co-op on your way out of town to see the nation’s only remaining limburger-producing cheese factory. 

Next, head 30 minutes north to New Glarus, where Wisconsin’s Swiss heritage comes to life in chalet-style buildings, alpine-inspired details and plenty of small-town charm. Then, raise a glass at New Glarus Brewing, home of the legendary Spotted Cow — a Wisconsin-only favorite. Wander through the original Riverside brewery on a free, self-guided tour, then stop by the gift shop to take home a little something to remember your visit.

New Glarus is known for its authentic Swiss specialties, many of which can be found at the Chalet Landhaus Inn. Stop by on a summer Thursday evening for a Swiss cookout on the patio for fondue and Schnitzel, then settle in and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. Afterward, take a dip in the indoor pool, unwind in the hot tub, sauna or steam room before hitting the hay. The inn also sits right along the Sugar River State Trail, making it easy to step outside and explore the rolling hills of the countryside. 

Mineral Point’s story began in the 1830s, when Cornish miners arrived to dig for lead and built limestone homes inspired by those they left behind in Cornwall, England. Today, more than 500 historic structures bring that heritage to life. Wander through Shake Rag Alley, where local legend says miners’ wives once waved rags to signal that supper was ready. Now a national art center, its 2.5-acre grounds invite visitors to stroll garden paths, explore historic buildings and soak up the creative spirit of this one-of-a-kind place. 

It’s not a brewery tour if you don’t make a stop at the Commerce Street Brewery & Hotel, housed in a vintage building dating back to 1854. Originally a warehouse and dry goods store, the building has had quite the life over the years, serving as an agricultural implement store, livestock exchange, barn, veterinary clinic and factory. Today, it’s a lively spot to grab a handcrafted beer, dig into a hearty entrée and settle in for the night. Craving more Cornish flavor? Head to nearby Red Rooster Café for traditional meat-and-potato pasties or an ultra-sweet figgyhobbin, an old fashioned Cornish pastry. 

About an hour from Mineral Point, Capital Brewery in Middleton brings a little German flair to Wisconsin’s craft beer scene. With more than 240 awards, this beloved brewery has plenty to brag about. Take a tour by appointment, then grab a beer and enjoy live music in the Bier Garten on summer weekends. When the snow arrives, cozy up in the indoor Bier Stube or visit for the popular Bockfest. 

End your trip with a stroll down State Street, the lively pedestrian-friendly stretch connecting the University of Wisconsin campus to the Wisconsin State Capitol, and you’ll find plenty to see, taste and explore. Pop into funky shops, listen to street musicians and browse the artisan cheeses at Fromagination before stopping for a pint and a bite at Great Dane Brewpub. Then make your way to Capitol Square, where restaurants, shops and colorful characters keep things interesting. On Saturdays from April through mid-November, don’t miss the Dane County Farmers’ Market, when the entire square comes alive with local vendors and fresh Wisconsin finds.