Capital Brewery & Beer Garden

25 Years of Craft Brewing in Middleton, Wisconsin

Capital Brewery is famous for it’s German style beers, and rocking beer garden. Located just outside Madison, it was founded in 1986, at the beginning of America’s craft brewery movement. Twenty-five years on it’s still at the forefront, winning award after award and brewing quality beer right in our backyard

The tour begins with a little bit of history, but then becomes really hands on, you’re encouraged and allowed to touch, prod, poke and peer into the equipment – you can even stick your head inside the beautiful copper kettles – a no-no at most other breweries. You also get to spend some time with the “cold gold” in their refrigerated warehouse.

Beer is booming in Madison, and Capital Brewery’s plans for expansion include a memorabilia museum (highlights include a light up sign that explains how beer is made that was salvaged from the old Pabst brewery) and perhaps their own bottling line. Currently, all the beer is brewed at the facility, and then either kegged or shipped to the Stevens Point Brewery for bottling.  The brewery is an old egg factory, and it’s agricultural roots are still visible – some beer is still fermented in old dairy tanks, and the new kegging machine stands where the eggs were processed in the past.

After the tour, head out into the beer garden and sample the award winning beers. We recommend the Autumnal Fire, the Octoberfest, the APA, and for those who like their beer to taste like bread (which Ryan does), the Supper Club is for you. When you are finished here, consider walking a couple of blocks to the National Mustard Museum for all things mustard.

Know Before You Go:

Make your reservations online beforehand. If the online scheduler doesn’t show open spots, don’t be afraid to call and ask for a spot: 608.836.7100, ext. 6.

Bottom Line:

You can’t beat their beer garden in the summer or fall, and their indoor bar is cozy in the winter. Not to mention – their beer is excellent – and tastes even better at the brewery.

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