By Brenda

Tim and I have visited about 135 Wisconsin breweries so far. That’s roughly half(!) of all the breweries in Wisconsin, so we have a ways to go. During our travels we have been to great breweries, questionable breweries, just ok breweries, brewpubs that barely count as breweries, and everything in between. Even though our Wisconsin Brewery Adventures have only just begun, I want to take a minute and talk about just a few breweries that are worth going out of your way for.

Torzala, Milwaukee

I could not write a post about our favorite breweries and not include Torzala. We stumbled upon them in the Lincoln Warehouse when we were looking for Component. We saw a sign that said “brewery this way” and obviously we followed it into the unknown. Now you know how to kidnap us. Torzala is the coming together of Mexican and Polish culture – which have way more in common than you may think – and is owned by two sisters, Trish and Renee, whose husbands also work at the brewery together. Between the two of us, Tim and I have tried every beer they have brewed, and not a single one of them has been less than excellent. This is probably the only brewery we’ve been to which we can say that about. Not only is their beer excellent, but Trish and Renee, along with their husbands Jeff and Jake, are just an absolute pleasure to be around. They chatted us up that first time we visited and have remembered us ever since. And I know we are not the only ones. Walking into their brewery feels like walking into a friend’s house, which is why we’ll often make the trip just to spend the day there.

PetSkull, Manitowoc

I also couldn’t make a list of our favorite breweries without including PetSkull. Manitowoc is a bit off the beaten path, but a trip to this punk-rock paradise is worth making. During the summer they have great live music on their patio, and the place is always full of friendly locals. The beer at PetSkull is great, but you absolutely have to order the Schnitzky. Just trust me on this one. The staff at PetSkull are boisterous and welcoming, creating a lively atmosphere that never disappoints. PetSkull was the first brewery that Tim and I Kringled (more on that another time) and it’s definitely one that we build time in to visit every chance we get.

Low Daily, Burlington

When we think about our favorite breweries, we think about the ones where we always have a good time, no matter when we visit. Low Daily definitely lands in this category. While not one that we were instantly blown away with, Low Daily quickly rose through the ranks as one of our most visited. I hate to use the phrase “hidden gem”, but I will just this once because of their back patio. Low Daily is in downtown Burlington, and walking up to their storefront you would expect it to be no bigger than a coffee shop or small restaurant. The inside definitely has that sort of chill vibe, but their back patio feels like a literal oasis. This is a place you go to relax. It doesn’t hurt that their beer is great – especially the Cowboy Cowboy (which I happen to be drinking at this very moment). And bonus, if you visit Low Daily, you can also pop in to the Liar’s Club just a few doors down, which happens to be a fantastic cocktail lounge run by the same family!

Sawmill, Merrill

This is another place that has risen up the ranks of our favorite breweries. Merrill is not far from our family cabin, and as such, we will often stop there on our way up to fill some growlers for the weekend. Perhaps the fact that we go there when we’re on vacation is what has made our hearts warm to it so, but if you’re looking for a Northwoods atmosphere, this is where you will find it. Sawmill certainly earns its name, as it’s tucked away in the middle of a forest. I can’t say for sure if the building itself is a log cabin or if it just feels that way, but the inside is a cozy dreamland of Wisconsin Up Northness.

AL. Ringling, Baraboo

This brewery is an absolute delight. Tim and I built a trip up to Wisconsin Dells just because I wanted to go here. It’s based on the AL. Ringling of circus fame, and whatever expectations you may have about that are probably true. They have a calliope in their brewery. The bartender does magic card tricks. Circus boops and bops are tucked away in every corner of the shelves. Visiting here felt more like going to an attraction than it did visiting a brewery, AND, they brew a prohibition beer using a recipe they found in the floorboards that belonged to AL. Ringling himself. What more could you possibly want?!

Of the 135+ breweries Tim and I have visited we have great things to say about a whole lot of them, this is just a few. As we embark on a new year we’re excited about the new breweries we’ll visit, and are already making plans to return to our favorite gems. Prost!