*This is the fifty-first post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Grumpy Troll Brew Pub
105 S 2nd St
Mount Horeb, WI 53572
(608) 437-2739
Visit date: 03/12/16
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
12 on tap.
2) How long operational?
2000
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Current owners took over when previous owners were selling in order to keep it local.
4) Distribution?
Retail bottles in-house; growlers to go.
5) What sets you apart?
Great staff and management. Pizzeria. Active Mug Club.
6) How did you get your name?
A product of the Scandinavian folklore popular in Mount Horeb.
Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in Mount Horeb. All photos by Joe Powell.
Mount Horeb is a quaint small town just outside of Madison with a Scandinavian history that runs deep – nearly every shop we passed had a name hearkening back to the homeland. Just off the main drag lies a century-old warehouse converted in 2000 into the restaurant and brewery Grumpy Troll Brew Pub.
The first floor was rowdy for a Saturday afternoon, and packed to the brim with hungry patrons. Though the brewing equipment and a small bar was visible here, the focus was more on the restaurant portion of the business.
Upstairs we found more space with a large bar and miscellaneous games that gave off more of the brewing/pub vibe we expected. This must be where their Mug Club meets, as an entire table here was dedicated to last-year’s mugs (new ones are handmade each year).
On to the beer!
Captain Fred Classic American Lager
Cloudy, fresh, light.
Sklö Norwegian-style Malt Lager
Earthy-tone; inviting, like a table-beer.
Over N Under Pale Ale
True-to-style.
Both the beer and the brewmaster are award-winning.
Maibock
Nosey, calming; Spring-y.
Trailside Wheat
Banana and clove front, heady tail.
Sunflower Farmhouse Ale
Tailgating beer.
Erik the Red Amber Ale
Malty, obvious barley notes.
Hoppa Loppa
For you hop heads out there.
Maggie IPA
Flowery, approachable.
We were lucky enough to come in when they were featuring a flight of four perfectly-paired beers and cheeses.
Spetznaz Stout
Nuttier than expected.
Norski Nut Brown
Malty, tasty, warming.
Amnesia Porter
Very tasty; a perfect cold-weather beer.
You won’t be as grumpy after trying their beer.
Besides the long list of brews available, Grumpy Troll has a full line of memorabilia to remember your visit. They also focus on local artists to adorn their walls, and support numerous local organizations and charities.
The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub offered plenty of great beer options to go along with their full menu, extensive line of memorabilia, and just-kitschy-enough theme and atmosphere. Though they may be grumpy, this brewery is successful because they make their patrons the opposite.
