WHO DOESN’T LIKE TO DRINK OUTSIDE?
It doesn’t matter if it’s 90 degrees outside or 20 below. In Wisconsin, we like to drink outside any chance we can! We’re not at all prepared yet for the winter drinking and might still be working off last winter’s beer weight, so we’ll focus on summer drinking here.
We at Pour Another Round love drinking outside as much as anybody, whether on a boat, a beach or a stellar biergarten or brewery patio. We’ve rounded up a list of stops along the Madison On Tap trail where the outside drinking is top notch! From river views to Capitol views, get out and explore and find your favorite spots in Madison, Wisconsin.
Jump to learn more
- Vintage Brewing Co. Sauk Prairie
- Wollersheim Distillery
- Karben4
- Doundrins Distilling
- Wisconsin Brewing Co.
- Capital Brewery
- Working Draft Beer Co.
VINTAGE BREWING COMPANY - SAUK Prairie
The placement of Vintage Brewing Company’s Sauk Prairie location was well thought out! Their expansive patio and beer garden overlooks the Wisconsin River and allows for those river views without the sand stuck between your toes. With plenty of seating, there’s room to bring your furry friends as well. Well-behaved dogs are welcome at Vintage in Sauk City,
Grab a beer (we suggest their award-winning Abbey ‘Extra’ Dubbel, Dedication or one of their seasonal offerings) and take a short stroll down to the river.
WOLLERSHEIM - Prairie Du Sac
The grounds at Wollersheim Winery & Distillery are immaculate and full of history, having been around since the 1840s. Their outdoor patio looks right out at the vineyards. If you’re not into wine, have no fear! Wollersheim has their own distillery on-site too!
On the wine side, Prairie Fumé is a popular one but they have everything from a variety of reds and whites to ice wine to wine in a can.
If spirits are more your style, Wollersheim Distillery is well-known for their brandy but give their two-mile bourbon a try too!
There’s no need to make the trek to Napa Valley when we’ve got Wollersheim in our backyard.
KARBEN4 - MADISON
Close to the airport and near other stops along Madison on Tap, Karben4’s outdoor space is comfy. Fire tables, adirondack chairs, couches and covered seating if you want some shade. You may even spot some gun-toting cats or unicorns…you’ll have to visit to figure that one out!
The mad scientists at K4 take innovation to the next level. You’ve probably heard of their infamous Fantasy Factory IPA, but don’t stop your tasting there. Midwesty is a solid pilsner choice for a hot day, and Karben4 is the new home to the Ale Asylum brands. Hopalicious or Ambergeddon anyone? Also, also! Karben4 is home to Wisco Pop Soda and has a full lineup of hard seltzers (which are delicious!) if someone in your party isn’t that into beer. We won’t hold it against them.
Find the Karben4 story here with this episode of Pour Another Round.
DOUNDRINS DISTILLING - COTTAGE GROVE
Doundrins has its very own cocktail garden, and it’s awesome!
At 11,000 sq. ft., it’s not tiny. There’s some seating, but you’re welcome to bring your own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on the grass if you prefer. The cocktail garden is pet-friendly as long as pets are on a leash. So leash up that iguana! (We don’t actually know if a leashed iguana would be welcome, so maybe call ahead!)
The sheer variety of events hosted at Doundrins makes the experience all the more exciting. Pro wrestling to drag bingo to trivia and plant sales plus the frequent food trucks and live music. Visit their calendar to see what’s coming up.
WISCONSIN BREWING COMPANY / LAKE LOUIE - VERONA
Enjoy a pint (or two) at Wisconsin Brewing Company and Lake Louie’s backyard bar. There’s even an actual ‘Lake Louie’ right there for you to sit by! Located just south of Madison in Verona, there’s two breweries in one here, offering a full lineup of both WBC and Lake Louie beers on tap.
Both kid and dog friendly, the outdoor space has plenty of room for the entire family and an outdoor bar so you can keep soaking up the sun. Sit by the water, or at one of the tables on the patio and watch the sunset as you listen to live music or catch up with friends after a long week.
If you’ve ever talked to Kirby Nelson from WBC, you know that this episode of Pour Another Round is bound to be a hilarious one.
CAPITAL BREWERY - MIDDLETON
Tucked away in Middleton, Capital Brewery has a biergarten so expansive, you barely remember you're in the middle of town. Open May through October, the biergarten hosts live music and is known as “Middleton’s Backyard.” More than 1,500 beer drinkers can be found spending time at Capital Brewery on a Friday night in the summer. Think German beer hall, but outside!
If you’re looking for less of a crowd and something more intimate, Capital has a smaller beer patio as well where you and your posse can grab a table.
WORKING DRAFT BEER COMPANY - MADISON
Working Draft Beer Company has a small outdoor patio right outside the taproom. Located on East Wilson Street near many other breweries and distilleries, WDBC is easy to bike to (or walk to if you plan on having a few). At Working Draft, you’ll find some of the best pilsners around. We promise you won’t be disappointed. (And if you are…I guess we owe you a beer.)
Pour a round and join Pour Another Round in drinking outside, right here in the capital city. Be sure to explore Madison On Tap to earn points and prizes, all while sipping on some delicious beers, ciders, wines and cocktails..
We’ve even got an episode to help you out.