Wisconsin breweries heritage is the stuff of legends. Records of the state’s earliest breweries date back to the 1830s when German immigrants brought their knowledge of brewing techniques to the state. The titans of beer – think family names including Pabst, Miller and Schlitz – helped Milwaukee earn the unofficial title as “the beer capital of the world.”

The wine landscape is nothing to sniff at either, unless you’re taking in the aroma of a fine Wisconsin wine made with cold-hardy grapes before enjoying a sip. Would you be surprised to learn there are 100+ Wisconsin wineries?

We mustn’t leave out distilled spirits either, as the craft cocktail craze is only gaining in popularity in Wisconsin and across the country. Let's take a look at just a small sample of the many local breweries, wineries, and distilleries across the state.

 

Valley Springs Farm B&B, Reedsburg

We'll start in Sauk County, which boasts several family-owned wineries and distilleries. Baraboo Bluff Winery & Driftless Glen Distillery are both located in Baraboo with Narrows Creek Winery located in Loganville. After visiting, make an experience out of it at Valley Springs Farm B&B in nearby Reedsburg, where you can escape to enjoy the tranquility of the farm.

 

Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn, Belleville

Cameo Rose Victorian County Inn in Belleville is centrally located to many microbreweries, distilleries and wineries. New Glarus Brewing Company, Bailey's Run Vineyard, and Hawk's Mill Winehaus are 15 minutes south in New Glarus; Wisconsin Brewing Company and Fisher King Winery are 7 minutes north. These are only a handful of the many wineries, breweries, and distilleries around the area. Let the innkeepers of Cameo Rose Victorian Country Inn help you with suggestions and directions. Once your travels are done for the day, relax with beverages and sweet treats in this beautiful Inn.

 

Inn On Lake Wissota, Chippewa Falls

Inn on Lake Wissota in Chippewa Falls is fortunate to be located within 5 miles of Leinenkugel's Brewery. They have been brewing beer for over 150 years. Take a tour and enjoy some of their seasonal beers in the lodge. Jim and Kurt, the founders of Chippewa River Distillery and Brewster Bros. Brewing Co., boast a friendship of 25 years. Jim and Kurt merged their professional experience and entrepreneurial spirit and successfully opened Chippewa River Distillery and Brewster Bros. Brewing Co. in downtown Chippewa Falls. That deserves a toast! River Bend Vineyard & Distillery, whether you like sweet, dry, red or white, River Bend is confident you'll love their award winning wines. Their debut line of Craftsman spirits are hand-made in small batches in a "grain-to-glass" distillery. Each step in the process is carefully controlled. From milling and mashing to fermenting, distilling and bottling... producing truly authentic spirits of the highest quality.

 

Lake Ripley Lodge, Cambridge

Finally, there's Lake Ripley Lodge in Cambridge. Tyranena Brewery in Lake Mills is just minutes away from the B&B. There, you can enjoy their award winning brews at the brewery tasting room and bring a "growler" back to the lodge and enjoy a fresh brew! Capital Brewery in Middleton would be on the short list of stops to make on a brewery tour of the area. Lake Ripley Lodge is just a short Distance to Northleaf Winery and Lewis Station Winery. For those that want to stick close to the B&B, you can always check out Cambridge Winery and Dancing Goat Distillery right in Cambridge. 

We could go on and on about all the many breweries, wineries, and distilleries in Wisconsin! We've given you just a few examples of WBBA member inns that are on the Wine, Beer, & Distilleries Trail but there's plenty more. You can find a complete list of member inns on the trail on our website under the "Area Experiences" tab.

 

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?

  Here in Wisconsin, we love all four seasons, and that includes the frosty offerings of winter. Candlelight cross-country ski events are a peaceful way to embrace the snow, while fat biking on frozen lakes produces a more adrenaline-spiking high.

As antidote to the hustle and the bustle of the season, try a candlelight cross-country ski in Wisconsin. The Department of Natural Resources maintains a master list of those events going on around the state into March: http://dnr.wi.gov/calendar/events/parks/index.asp?caudience=Candlelight.

Let’s take a quick look at January gatherings: [caption id="attachment_2184" align="alignleft" width="271"] Bowman's Oak Hill Garden Cottage Bed[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2190" align="alignright" width="300"] Country Comfort at Valley Springs Farm[/caption]                 The Jan. 6 ski, hike and snowshoe at Mirror Lake State Park near Wisconsin Dells is sure to be serene just like the setting itself. Spend the night at Bowman’s Oak Hill B&B or Valley Springs Farm B&B to continue the quiet vibe. [caption id="attachment_1621" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Getaway at the Honeybee Inn[/caption] On Jan. 20 there’s a candlelight hike at the Horicon Marsh in Horicon, a natural treasure in the state. There will be candlelit trails, a roaring bonfire, owl talks, and crafts. Reserve a suite at the Honeybee Inn B&B and be enveloped in luxury. The breakfasts are phenomenal too. [caption id="attachment_2188" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An Evening at the Stewart Inn[/caption] Then, on Jan. 27, Rib Mountain State Park in Wausau hosts a candlelight snowshoe hike. After being inspired by the natural beauty of the park, you’ll be inspired by the stunning workmanship of the Stewart Inn arts & crafts mansion. Now, if you’re into biking in the warm weather months and looking for a way to extend your season, give fat tire biking a whirl. Cruise on soft snowy terrain or take to frozen lakes for a twist on two-wheeling. [caption id="attachment_2111" align="alignright" width="284"] Fat Tire Winter Biking[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2186" align="alignleft" width="285"] Snowshoe Group with Bay Point Inn[/caption]                 In Newport State Park on the Door County peninsula, the two-mile bike trail loop provides scenery and a workout. Relax after your ride at Bay Point Inn in Egg Harbor, where the accommodations will remind you of a European vacation villa on the water. [caption id="attachment_2192" align="aligncenter" width="371"] Crystal River Inn Winter Night[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2191" align="alignright" width="291"] Winter Lights with Green Fountain Inn[/caption] [caption id="attachment_2182" align="alignleft" width="300"] Apple Tree Lane B&B Through the Snow-Covered Trees[/caption]                   The third annual Fat Tire Bike Race in Waupaca is set for January 27, coinciding with their annual Pond Hockey Classic tournament which runs all weekend. Whether a rider or spectator, there’s a room waiting for you at Crystal River Inn B&B, an 1853 farmstead set on the banks of the Crystal River that is Travel Green Wisconsin certified. Nearby inns also include Apple Tree Lane B&B, where the elegant parlor's cozy wood stove invites you to sit a spell around her warmth, and the Green Fountain Inn, with decor and furnishings reminiscent of the grandeur of the 1920s.  

Are you ready to Seek the Unique?