Wisconsin's Best Beers: A Local's Must-Buy Guide

Wisconsin is home to a plethora of breweries, with a wide range of beers to choose from. If you're looking for the best beers that Wisconsin has to offer, here's a list of must-buy beers from the Badger State. New Glarus Brewing Company is a well-known brewery in Wisconsin, and their Spotted Cow farmhouse ale is a local favourite. In addition to Spotted Cow, New Glarus offers a diverse range of beers, including Moon Man, Staghorn, and Two Women. Another popular brewery in the state is Lakefront Brewery, known for its Riverwest Stein and Hazy Rabbit IPA. Central Waters Brewing Co. is also a notable brewery, specialising in bourbon-barrel stouts such as Black Gold and Toppling Waters. Wisconsin is also home to 3 Sheeps Brewing Company, which produces a variety of beers, including The Wolf, an American Imperial Stout. For those who enjoy fruity beers, New Glarus Brewing Company offers a range of fruit and field beers, such as Wisconsin Belgian Red, Raspberry Tart, and Strawberry Rhubarb. Funk Factory Geuzeria is another brewery that specialises in fruity beers, with options like Frampaars Fruit Lambic and Door Kriek Fruit Lambic. Lastly, for those who enjoy a good imperial porter, Tyranena Brewing Company's Who's Your Daddy? is a bourbon barrel-aged option that's highly regarded.

Characteristics	Values
ABV	4.00% - 20.00%
Style	American Imperial Stout, Fruit Lambic, Fruit and Field Beer, American Barleywine, Imperial IPA, Doppelbock, Russian Imperial Stout, Scotch Ale/Wee Heavy, American Lager, New England/Hazy IPA, Pale Ale, Shandy, Farmhouse Ale, American Amber/Red Lager, American Light Lager, German Pilsner, Berliner Weisse, New England IPA, American Stout, Dubbel, Quadrupel, Gueuze, Wild Ale, Weizenbock, Flanders Oud Bruin, Fruited Kettle Sour, English Barleywine, Sweet/Milk Stout
Brewery	New Glarus Brewing Company, Funk Factory Geuzeria, Central Waters Brewing Co., 3 Sheeps Brewing Company, Untitled Art, Tyranena Brewing Company, Lakefront Brewery, Inc., Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Miller Brewing Company, Anheuser-Busch, Pabst Brewing Company, Octopi Brewing, Eagle Park Brewing, The Brewing Projekt, Humble Forager Brewery, Raised Grain Brewing Company, Third Space Brewing, Rhinelander Brewing, Broken Bat Brewing Co., Chippewa River Distillery & Brewster Brothers Brewing Company, Rebellion Brewing, 608 Brewing Company, MobCraft Beer, Sand Creek Brewery, South Shore Brewery, Turtle Stack Brewery, Topsy Turvy Brewery, Badger State Brewing Company, Stevens Point Brewery, Door County Brewing Co., Minhas Craft Brewery, Sprecher Brewing Co., Wisconsin Brewing Company, Hinterland, Giant Jones, Working Draft, Youngblood, Grumpy Troll, Karben4 Brewing, Ale Asylum, Good City Brewing, One Barrel, Great Dane, Two Women, Hubbard's Cave, 1840, Hopalicious, Hop Haus, Full Mile, Hinterland, Octopi, Hubbard's Cave

Wisconsin's Best Beers

Wisconsin is known for its beer, and there are plenty of options to choose from. Here is a list of some of Wisconsin's best beers:

Spotted Cow

Spotted Cow is a farmhouse ale by New Glarus Brewing Company. It is well-known and loved in Wisconsin, and you can only get it in this state. It is a non-offensive beer that tends to be a favourite of those who usually drink Miller but want to try something more adventurous. It is the perfect neutral beer to bring to a get-together.

Moon Man

Moon Man is another beer by New Glarus Brewing Company. It is an American pale ale and is considered by some to be the real Spotted Cow.

Lakefront Brewery's Riverwest Stein

This American amber/red lager by Lakefront Brewery is considered by some to be the most popular craft beer in Milwaukee.

Central Waters' Black Gold

Central Waters Brewing Co. is known for its bourbon-barrel stouts, and Black Gold is one of its best. It is an American Imperial Stout with a high alcohol content of 13%.

New Glarus Brewing Company's Fruit Beers

New Glarus Brewing Company makes a range of fruit beers, including the Wisconsin Belgian Red, Serendipity, Raspberry Tart, and Strawberry Rhubarb. These beers are made in a classic fashion and can only be found in Wisconsin.

Untitled Art's Imperial Stouts

Untitled Art makes a range of Imperial Stouts, including the Barrel-Aged Hazelnut Imperial Stout, the Double Chocolate Fudgy Brownie Stout, and the Caramel Coconut Cookie Pastry Stout. They also make excellent hard seltzers.

3 Sheeps Brewing Company's The Wolf

The Wolf is an American Imperial Stout by 3 Sheeps Brewing Company. It has a high alcohol content of 13.5%.

Founders Brewing Company's KBS

Founders Brewing Company makes a range of beers, including the KBS Chocolate Cherry, KBS Chocolate Espresso, and KBS Spicy Chocolate.

Tyranena Brewing Company's Who's Your Daddy?

Who's Your Daddy? is a bourbon barrel-aged imperial porter by Tyranena Brewing Company. It has an alcohol content of 7.5%.

Other Honourable Mentions

AleSmith Speedway Stout - Hawaiian by AleSmith Brewing Company
Revolution Deth's Tar by Revolution Brewing Company
Stone IPA (India Pale Ale) by Stone Brewing
Summer Shandy by Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company
Hazy Rabbit (New England/Hazy IPA) by Lakefront Brewery
Chaos Pattern (New England/Hazy IPA) by 3 Sheeps Brewing Company

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Wisconsin's Best Breweries

Wisconsin is known for its many breweries, from small craft microbreweries to big names. Here are some of the best breweries in Wisconsin:

Lakefront Brewery

Lakefront Brewery is located on the Milwaukee River and was voted Best Brewery in Milwaukee for five consecutive years from 2007 to 2011. In 2010, TripAdvisor named it the fourth-best Brewery Tour in the country. Its beers have been well-received internationally, with several winning medals at the Australian International Beer Awards and the 2013 Brussels Beer Challenge.

New Glarus Brewing Company

New Glarus Brewing Company was founded in 1993 by Wisconsinite Deb Carey, making her the first female founder of a brewery in the United States. The brewery has been named one of the World's Ten Best Breweries at the World Brewery Championship and has been listed as one of Inc. Magazine's 5,000 fastest-growing companies every year since 2007. Its signature beer, Spotted Cow, has been one of the state's best-selling beers for years, despite never being advertised.

3 Sheeps Brewing Company

Founded in 2011, 3 Sheeps Brewing Company was inspired by the legacy of owner Grant Pauly's ancestors, who ran a brewery that survived the Prohibition. Just a year after its launch, the brewery won the RateBeer.com Award for Best New Brewery in Wisconsin. Its year-round brews include "Really Cool Waterslides", an herbal IPA, and "Baaad Boy", a chocolatey black wheat ale.

Central Waters Brewing Company

Central Waters Brewing Company stands out for its commitment to environmental sustainability. Its bottles and packaging are made from recycled sources, and it uses solar-heated water to fuel its facility and brewing process. It was the first brewery to be granted membership in Wisconsin's Green Tier program for environmentally responsible businesses. Its beers have won several awards, including a Gold Medal at the 2008 Great American Beer Festival.

O'So Brewing Company

O'So Brewing Company was founded in 2007 by Wisconsin natives Marc and Katina Buttera, who turned their passion for home-brewing into a business. The brewery emphasises 'freestyle brewing', an experimental style of beer-making. Its year-round brews include "The Big O", a wheat ale with a twist of orange, and "Night Train", a caramel-oatmeal porter voted one of the best in the state.

Potosi Brewing Company

Built in 1852, Potosi Brewing Company is one of the oldest operating breweries in Wisconsin. In addition to its impressive restored facilities, it also houses the world-class National Brewery Museum, showcasing an eclectic collection of breweriana.

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Wisconsin's Most Popular Beers

Wisconsin is home to a plethora of breweries, and its beer consumers are checking in plenty of beer. The state's top-rated beers include a variety of styles, from IPAs to stouts and fruit beers. Here is a list of some of Wisconsin's most popular beers:

Spotted Cow (Farmhouse Ale)

This beer from the New Glarus Brewing Company is the most checked-in beer in Wisconsin over the past ninety days. It is well-known in the industry that New Glarus proudly only distributes within its home state, and they have conquered their home market with this flagship ale.

Miller Lite (Lager-American)

Miller Brewing Company's Miller Lite is one of Wisconsin's top beers. The company offers brewery tours with generous samples, making it a popular destination for beer enthusiasts.

Moon Man (Pale Ale-American)

Moon Man is another popular beer from the New Glarus Brewing Company. It is described as a non-offensive beer that tends to be a favourite among those who usually drink larger brands but want to try something more "adventurous."

Summer Shandy (Shandy/Radler)

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company's Summer Shandy is a top choice for Wisconsin beer drinkers. The brewery, located right on the Milwaukee River, offers an amazing riverfront patio with a lovely view on bright, sunny days.

High Life (Lager-American)

High Life, another offering from the Miller Brewing Company, is one of Wisconsin's most popular beers.

Hazy Rabbit (New England/Hazy IPA)

Lakefront Brewery's Hazy Rabbit is a highly-rated hazy IPA. The brewery, located in Milwaukee, is known for its riverfront patio and beautiful views.

Other Notable Beers

In addition to the beers mentioned above, Wisconsin is home to many other popular brews, including Central Waters Brewing Company's extensive selection of stouts and bourbon-barrel-aged beers, New Glarus Brewing Company's fruit beers such as the Wisconsin Belgian Red and Raspberry Tart, and 3 Sheeps Brewing Company's Chaos Pattern (New England/Hazy IPA).

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Wisconsin's Top-Rated Beers

Wisconsin is known for its beer, with 266 craft breweries in the state—that's six breweries per capita! So, if you're looking to sample some of Wisconsin's top-rated beers, here's a list of must-buys to get you started:

Spotted Cow

Spotted Cow is a farmhouse ale by New Glarus Brewing Company. It's so well-known and popular in Wisconsin that it's considered a must-try for beer enthusiasts. It's described as a "non-offensive beer" that's a favourite among those who usually drink Miller but want to try something more "adventurous".

Moon Man

Another popular beer by New Glarus Brewing Company is Moon Man, an American pale ale. It's described as being "drinkable" and a good alternative to Spotted Cow.

Lakefront Brewery's Imperial Pumpkin

If you're visiting in the autumn, Lakefront Brewery's Imperial Pumpkin beer is a seasonal favourite. Lakefront Brewery is also known for its riverfront location and amazing patio with lovely views.

Central Waters' Black Gold

Central Waters Brewing Co. is known for its bourbon-barrel stouts, and Black Gold is one of its top-rated beers. It's an American Imperial Stout with a strong alcohol content of 13%.

New Glarus Brewing Company's Fruit Beers

New Glarus Brewing Company also produces a range of fruit beers, including the Wisconsin Belgian Red, Serendipity, Raspberry Tart, and Strawberry Rhubarb. These beers are made in the traditional way and can only be found in Wisconsin.

Funk Factory Frampaars

For something a little different, try the Funk Factory Frampaars, a fruit lambic beer with a lower alcohol content of 6%.

Tyranena BGW Who's Your Daddy? Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Porter

This strong imperial porter by Tyranena Brewing Company has an alcohol content of 7.5% and is highly rated by beer enthusiasts.

Untitled Art Double Chocolate Fudgy Brownie Stout

With a name like that, this beer is sure to satisfy any sweet tooth. It's an American Imperial Stout with an alcohol content of 11.7%.

3 Sheeps Brewing Company's The Wolf

Another highly-rated American Imperial Stout is The Wolf, by 3 Sheeps Brewing Company. With an alcohol content of 13.5%, this beer packs a punch.

Central Waters Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Scotch Ale

This scotch ale by Central Waters Brewing Co. is aged in bourbon barrels, giving it a unique flavour.

Miller Lite

Of course, when in Wisconsin, you can't go wrong with a classic Miller Lite. It's one of the top-checked-in beers in the state and is widely available.

So, there you have it—a list of Wisconsin's top-rated beers to get you started on your beer adventure in the Badger State!

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Wisconsin's Best Beers by Style

Wisconsin is home to a wide variety of beers, from IPAs to stouts and everything in between. Here is a list of some of the best beers Wisconsin has to offer, organised by style:

Imperial Stouts

Imperial stouts are known for their intense, roasted flavours and high alcohol content. Wisconsin offers a wide range of options in this style, including:

Black Gold by Central Waters Brewing Co.
Toppling Waters by Central Waters Brewing Co.
Brewer's Reserve Bourbon Barrel Cassian Sunset by Central Waters Brewing Co.
Barrel-Aged Hazelnut Imperial Stout by Untitled Art.

Fruit and Field Beers

Fruit and field beers are known for their light and refreshing flavours, often featuring fruit notes. Some of the best options from Wisconsin include:

Wisconsin Belgian Red by New Glarus Brewing Company.
Raspberry Tart by New Glarus Brewing Company.
Serendipity by New Glarus Brewing Company.
Strawberry Rhubarb by New Glarus Brewing Company.

Imperial IPAs

Imperial IPAs are known for their strong, bitter flavours and high alcohol content. Wisconsin offers a range of options in this style, such as:

Thumbprint Scream IIPA by New Glarus Brewing Company.
Idiot Farm by Karben4 Brewing.
Reward by Good City Brewing.

Pale Ales

Pale ales are known for their balanced flavours and moderate alcohol content. Some excellent options from Wisconsin include:

Moon Man by New Glarus Brewing Company.
Riverwest Stein by Lakefront Brewery.

Farmhouse Ales

Farmhouse ales are known for their rustic, earthy flavours and moderate alcohol content. A great example of this style from Wisconsin is:

Spotted Cow by New Glarus Brewing Company.

These are just a few examples of the diverse range of beers that Wisconsin has to offer. Whether you're a fan of light and fruity beers or strong, dark stouts, Wisconsin has something to satisfy your taste buds.