The wife, baby, and I are heading to WI to spend this weekend in the town of New Glarus, visit the brewery on Saturday. I've visited Madison once briefly a few years ago, but I'm otherwise unfamiliar with the area. We may make the trip back to Madison, not positive. What advice do you guys have for first-timers out here? Best bottle shops nearby? Best bottle shop on the way b/t NG and Chicago? Other nearby breweries to check out? Other things to do nearby? Since we'll have a baby in tow, don't expect to hit too many bars or restaurants. Although family-friendly bars open during the day could work...
family friendly brew pub relatively close by thats pretty great and overlooked - grumpy troll. en route places to stop off - pig minds slightly outside rockford. Vegan brew pub, speaks to my hippy heart. wife & child - beer aside, new glarus is a pretty amazing town. Cool little downtown area with good european homestyle foods, bakeries and little antique shops. I'll let all the cheeseheads chime in with madison and bottle shops. But the woodmans en route have always had everything I was looking for. There's a couple great bottle shops in madison but I cant remember names, someone else will chime in.
House on the Rock. It's... an experience. Edit: Spring Green (where House on the Rock is located) is about an hour away, so not quite right in the area. But, fairly close. Also of note: Cave of the Mounds, if you're into that kinda thing.
Great suggestions so far guys, thanks! Any suggestions for bottle shops in WI (I'm a beer buyer at Whole Foods, so getting IL-available stuff is no problem). I understand the NG brewery charges more than standard local retail for their bottles.
Go to karben4 brewing if you are in to supper hoppy deliciousness (also good food) and go to Riley's fine wines for your bottle shop stop
Any woodmans in Madison has a decent selection with good prices. Riley's Wines of the World is a good specialty shop. Right next door to Rileys is Brickhouse BBQ which has good food and a good taplist. Both of those places are downtown, though, and I don't know how far downtown you will want to go. Steve's in Verona is also a good place. Grumpy Troll is pretty cool but it is in Mt. Horeb which would be out of your way. You would have to weigh that one out, I guess. EDIT: I also agree with Ale Asylum, but it's on the North Side of town. Have to weigh that one out, too.
The Steve's in Fitchburg is on your way in to Madison from New Glarus. Any Woodman's will offer you a nice selection, especially if your just looking for quantity New Glarus. Star Liquor on Willy is good too. Lots to do in Madison. Alchemy (cash only), Malt House (no food), and Brasserie V should be on your radar for beer/food. Wisconsin Brewing Co, Karben4, One Barrel, & Next Door brewing are all fairly new breweries to the Madison scene.
Personally I like Puempel's tavern in New Glarus. Everybody else says Glarner Stube. Can't go wrong with either.
Love Puempel's, definitely a cool place to check out. Plus if you have a sampler or pint at the brewery they'll give you a coupon book which should be good for a free beer at Puempel's. Also, make sure to hit the bakery just up the block and around the corner from Puempel's, you'll thank me later. I would skip Grumpy Troll. Out of the way, mediocre food, and worse beer.
I wouldn't say worse beer, I think they make some good ones. But yes, their food is not the best. Once or twice I enjoyed their meals but the rest no. However their Uf-Da pretzel was awesome. As for family friendly places to eat, I'd pick the Great Dane. May not be world class beer (but still good - try Black Earth Porter) and great food for family and kids.
