Top 12 Wisconsin Bike Trails Near Breweries
Cyclists are drawn to Wisconsin trails, and outstanding independent breweries have popped up to serve them. In addition to tap rooms with craft beer, many local breweries offer tours, food, and entertainment. Some breweries are located just off the trail. Cyclists don’t have to trek far for a growler or cold glass of beer from these Wisconsin microbreweries!
#1 Red Cedar State Trail: Menomonie to Downsville
This portion of the Red Cedar State Trail is in northwestern Wisconsin. For 7.8 miles, the trail follows the Red Cedar River south from Menomonie to Downsville.
Adjacent to the Menomonie trailhead, and within walking distance is Lucette Brewing Company. The brewery is named after Paul Bunyan’s sweetheart, Lucette. They produce a variety of beers, including several IPAs. Their menu features homemade Neapolitan-style pizzas. The bruschetta sticks are also highly recommended.
#2 Hillsboro State Trail
This short trail runs from Union Center to Hillsboro in west central Wisconsin. Cyclists often start in Hillsboro, bike to Union Center, and return to visit Hillsboro Brewing Company.
The brewery is found in a restored 28,000 square-foot Carnation Milk plant, built in 1914. Today, they produce over 30 different craft beers. Hillsboro Brewing Company has a full menu of food, including appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, wings, pizzas, and fish specials.
#3 Badger State Trail: Madison to Belleville
Just a mile south of the start of the Badger State Trail in Fitchburg is Hop Haus Brewing Company. It is east 450 feet of the trail on Sub-Zero Parkway. This local brewery site offers at least 5 of their brews year round, and over a dozen beers seasonally rotated. A variety of styles are offered, with IPAs being their specialty. A full menu offers a range of foods, from appetizers and homemade soup, to ribeye and vegetarian curry dishes.
#4 Mountain Bay State Trail: Shawano to Pulaski
When biking the Mountain Bay State Trail in northeastern Wisconsin, cyclists may want to visit Stubborn Brothers Brewery. It’s on Main Street in Shawano, just 0.4 mile north of the old depot trailhead. Housed in a beautifully renovated movie theater, the brewery offers a range of craft beers, full food menu, and live music.
This is a small-batch, experimental brewery, so the beer selection changes frequently. Menu items are typical pub fare. Their appetizers are especially delicious, including fried brussel sprouts and cheese curds. Stubborn Brothers also offers a non-alcoholic house cream soda and Sundrop, a popular vintage soda made and bottled only a few miles from the brewery.
#5 Military Ridge State Trail: Blue Mounds to Riley
Traveling 11 miles in southwest Wisconsin, this section of the Military Ridge State Trail passes through Mount Horeb. One block north of the trailhead is the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub. It features a large selection of award-winning, handcrafted microbrews made on-site. They offer a full food menu that is locally sourced and made from scratch. The deep-fried Muenster cheese curds are popular, as are the pretzels and brats, all Wisconsin delicacies.
#6 Military Ridge State Trail: Riley to Madison
Before this trail enters Madison, it passes through Verona. The Main Street trailhead at Hometown Junction Park puts cyclists in downtown Verona, and across the street from Hop Haus Brewing Company. This is a popular place with cyclists, and it’s not unusual to see groups gathered on the patio or inside the brewery. A variety of beer styles are available, with IPAs being the main feature. Appetizers and light food baskets are also served.
#7 Eisenbahn State Trail: Kewaskum to West Bend
The paved section of the Eisenbahn State Trail runs through the city of West Bend in east central Wisconsin. Located on the Milwaukee River in the downtown area is Riverside Brewery and Restaurant. It features a mix of seasonal and signature handcrafted beers, including an English bitters beer. The restaurant serves a variety of delicious dishes, from sandwiches to seafood and steaks. But don’t forget the beer cheese soup! Riverside Brewery and Restaurant is only 0.2 mile off the trail and is a popular stop for cyclists.
#8 Wiouwash State Trail (South): Larsen to Oshkosh
On the edge of Oshkosh in northeast Wisconsin, Bare Bones Brewery sits next to the Wiouwash State Trail. It sits across from a trailhead on the corner of W. Sunnyview Road and County Highway S. The brewery opened in 2015, and serves 15+ beer styles, some of which are uniquely historic. Bare Bones brews a Kentucky common beer (also called steam beer). It’s a 19th century American invention. Almost 100 years old, their Old Derby Ale was first developed in 1933 at Ripon Brewing Company.
#9 Great Sauk State Trail
Vintage Brewing Company is 0.3 mile off this southwestern Wisconsin trail in Sauk City. The brewery offers a beautiful view of the Wisconsin River in any season. It features a broad selection of craft beers with 40 different taps. Several of their brews are award-winners. The menu includes specialty appetizers, hearty salads, creative burgers, flatbreads, and entrees. Their cheese curds, BBQ macaroni and cheese, and fish dinners are perennial favorites.
#10 Tomorrow River State Trail: Plover to Amherst Junction
Near the start of this central Wisconsin trail in Plover is O’so Brewing Company. Located in the Artist & Fare shopping mall, 30 beers are served in their taproom, and canned beer is for sale. Try “The Big O”, 2015 Gold Medal winner at the Great American Beer Festival Award. O’so Brewing Company uses Wisconsin products including grain, case boxes, and labels. They also strive to help the local community. All tour proceeds go to local charities.
#11 Beloit Riverside Corridor Trails
Located a short distance off Beloit’s network of trails in the downtown area is Cheezhead Brewery. Locally-owned and operated, the brewery has set up shop in a historic building. They sell their own craft beers and also pour taps from other Wisconsin craft breweries. Cheezhead serves wine and spirits too. The bewery has a spacious taproom, comfortable outdoor beer garden, and features over ten of their own beer varieties. Food is also served, with appetizers, flatbreads pizza, and sandwiches on the menu.
#12 Fox River State Trail: Greenleaf to De Pere
Gnarly Cedar Brewery is located at LedgeStone Vineyards and Winery in northeastern Wisconsin. It is next to the trail north of Greenleaf. The name honors the oldest tree in Wisconsin, a red cedar that’s over 1300 years old and sits near the property. The brewery advertises classic styles of beer. The outside seating area is a perfect place to view the Niagara Escarpment, enjoy a cool pint, and dine on delectables from their specialty menu.