Best Beer Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin is home to an assortment of lively beer gardens akin to the classic German tradition. The beer garden has quickly become a popular venue for celebrations, and to just sit and sip some of Wisconsin’s most-loved traditions in the outdoors. Wisconsin Badger fans celebrate and gather at multiple bars in the area for tailgating and post-game events, but the beer garden experience is a noteworthy, one-of-a-kind Madison tradition. Wisconsin’s most popular microbreweries with outdoor beer gardens include the Capital Brewery and the Great Dane Brew Pub. Both offer a traditional setting aspiring to their German roots, transplanted from nearby Milwaukee.

Milwaukee is historically Wisconsin’s ‘hub’ and startup point for the brewing industry; according to the Wisconsin Historical Society, Owens’ Brewery in Milwaukee opened in 1840 and triggered the opening of twelve additional breweries between 1848 and 1849. Names like Sprecher, Schliztz, and Pabst are Milwaukee originals, and the companies continue to prosper in today’s competitive beer industry The Prohibition era played a significant role in the opening of microbreweries, and patrons quickly frolicked to locally owned saloons and ‘secret’ bars. Interestingly enough, Prohibition restrictions also spurred an increase in Wisconsin cheese making and dairy production; Wisconsin has become the nation’s dairy state but remains the home of original, German-influenced beer making!

Beer gardens themselves are a direct result of laws and imposing restrictions. Munich, Germany is home to the original Biergarten; its existence was a result of banning of beer in the summer, since it was considered a highly risky venture in medieval times. To counteract the restrictions, brew pubs and restaurants began stocking beer in refrigerators over the winter months and ‘unleashing’ them at parties during the summer. Beer garden activities soon proliferated, and became a part of German culture. Frequenting beer gardens is a German tradition rooted in the idea of community-gatherings, light-hearted fun, and time to relax in a convivial setting. This same theme is replicated at hundreds of beer gardens across the world.

Madison, Wisconsin is no ‘newbie’ to beer garden territory. Microbreweries across the city each offer their unique dining menus, homemade brew specialties, and attract hundreds of visitors each year:

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company
123 E. Doty Street, Madison /2980 Cahill Main, Fitchburg
This is one of Madison’s most frequented destinations with a full restaurant and bar menu, live music, and homemade beer on tap. The Great Dane offers an outdoor seating area akin to a traditional beer garden. The downtown atmosphere is consistently lively, often full of Badger fans, and also a great place for lunch or appetizers. The assortment of beer on tap gives this microbrewery top votes by many fans. The Fitchburg location also offers outdoor seating and a similar atmosphere.

Capital Brewery
7734 Terrace Ave, Middleton
Capital brewery makes and distributes their beer, private-labeled and available at a variety of distribution locations around Wisconsin. The Wisconsin Amber and Brown Ale are just two of their award-winning flavors, and the full line is complete with over 15 varieites. The Bier Garten is available for booking private parties, and is open during the summer and fall October-April ‘off-season’. Live music make this a great destination to relax and enjoy, and the garden is probably the most authentic replication available in Wisconsin. The Capital Brewery also offers beer tours year round.

Essen Haus
514 E. Wilson St.
The Essen Haus is open at two locations, one in Madison, and one in Wisconsin Dells. The Madison location offers a small outdoor seating area that might be termed a ‘mini beer garden’ while the Wisconsin Dells location offers the full-fledged beer garden experience. The Essen Haus is also a popular venue for Oktoberfest each fall.