*This is the forty-ninth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Wisconsin Brewing Company
1079 American Way
Verona, WI 53593
(608) 848-1079
Visit date: 03/12/16
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
12 on draught, nearly 30 total made.
2) How long operational?
2.5 years.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Owners were all in the brewing business already, but felt they need to work for themselves instead of others. The location is on a “corridor between other breweries”, making WBC an obvious stop for travelers.
4) Distribution?
Wisconsin and Chicago in bottles and kegs.
5) What sets you apart?
Experience level of the owners, local ingredients.
6) How did you get your name?
“Obvious choice.”
Wisconsin Brewing Company in Verona, WI. All photos by Joe Powell.
“If we start big, we’ll only get bigger.” – Carl Nolen, President and CEO
I can’t imagine Wisconsin Brewing Company’s Verona location getting any bigger. Driving up through empty fields, WBC looks like a massive complex. Situated in front is a wonderful outdoor patio space overlooking a large, calm retention pond.
A true Wisconsinite even sits lakeside in their winter coats.
On this unseasonably-warm spring morning there was a small group of people enjoying the view with a beer and their dogs. I can only imagine the crowds in the summer for this picturesque respite.
Adirondacks for days.
Walking inside to the cavernous taproom, the 30-foot high windows looking outside and to the brewing space are immediately striking.
The windows almost reach to heaven, where beer originated.
The sheer physical scale of the operation is only matched by the size of the beer selection on tap. While you can sign up for a short tour of the brewing space (free), we were completely booked with all 12(!) of their brews ($16).
Taps on taps on taps.
Orelia Dry-Hopped Belgian Golden Strong Ale
Orange/lemon tinge; unfiltered.
Yankee Buzzard IPA
True-to-style; satisfying.
Ol’ Reliable Munich Style Lager
Their flagship lager; nutty-nose.
Betray Ale Dry-Hopped Maibock
Solid, heady; less-sweet than a standard Maibock.
Psychops Intense Pale Ale
First train to Hop Town, woo wooo!
Golden Amber Lager
Refreshing; perfect for kicking back at the lake.
Inaugural Red Lager
Tangy; light for a red.
Patron Saint Oktoberfest
Smooth, sweet; easy to drink.
Chocolate Lab Porter
Caramel and coffee, with a slight chocolate aftertaste.
Porter Joe Coffee-Infused Porter
Roasty notes, light coffee taste.
Dark Something Dry-Hopped Dark Ale
Acidic bite; whiskey-warm finish.
Josephine Spiced Espresso Porter
Chocolate front; black licorice tails.
A map of where they get locally-sourced ingredients.
“We pride ourselves on brewing using Wisconsin companies.” – Carl Nolen
The gift shop has plenty of brewing, Wisconsin, and ‘Murica swag.
Wisconsin Brewing Company is a giant operation, but they’re focused on our little local culture. They’re living up to the bold name choice and truly representing brewing statewide.
The Happiest Man at the Wisconsin State Fair and the Powells, with 12 samples-worth of liquid bliss in their bellies.