After the group’s park visit and/or recreational outing is the perfect time to tack on a toast at a local purveyor of spirits.
“With a Wisconsin brewing heritage older than the state itself, Madison advances our brewing birthright and lays claim to one of the most thriving craft beer communities in the nation,” said Deb Archer, president and CEO of the Greater Madison CVB, citing Madison-based Alt Brew and Verona-based Wisconsin Brewing Co.
Located equidistant to Madison and Wisconsin Dells is Wollersheim Winery, and Wisconsin Dells Brewing Co. is housed inside the popular Moosejaw Pizza restaurant in Wisconsin Dells.
One of Wisconsin’s first distilleries is the Milwaukee-based Great Lakes Distillery, where groups will find a spacious bar area to sample award-winning vodka, rum, whiskey and more.
Another group option in Milwaukee is Lakefront Brewery.
“Laughs and tasty brews continue over meals of brats, fish fries and cheese curds in the brewery’s beer hall,” said Jeff Baryenbruch, executive director of sales for VISIT Milwaukee. “Groups can dance along to polka music on Friday nights!”
When in Green Bay, groups can enjoy an evening event at Titletown Brewing Co., where the rooftop deck is equipped with fireplaces and lounge chairs.
From Lake Geneva, groups can visit two popular wine purveyors: Studio Winery, which features an art gallery and accommodates private events, and Staller Estate Winery (www.stallerestate.com), which offers wine tasting and group tours.
In the Fox Cities area, Freedom-based Kerrigan Brothers Winery offers tastings, tours and a patio for after-hours rental, while Appleton-based Stone Cellar Brewpub has a private banquet space open for groups and serves locally sourced menu items, handcrafted beer and gourmet soda.
At Door County Distillery, groups can enjoy an afternoon tasting small-batch spirits, and at Island Orchard Cider (www.islandorchardcider.com), also in Door County, groups can sample delicious ciders made with apples picked fresh on nearby Washington Island.
Located in Waukesha, both Raised Grain Brewing Co. and Spring City Wine House opened in 2015.
“Tasting, tours and yoga in the brewery make for a very fun experience,” said Tammy Tritz, executive director at the Waukesha Pewaukee CVB, who added that while tasting at the winery “be sure to learn about and enjoy the cheese and chocolate pairings.”
