Wisconsin is home to the first rails-to-trails bike path conversion and has more than a thousand miles of paves bike paths that criss-cross the state. A notoriously bike-friendly state, visitors have been coming to explore and ride our more than 80 converted railroad bike trails for years, but more recently, locals are finding the fun and convenience of traveling discovering our great state on two wheels. Conveniently, Wisconsin is also home to dozens of craft breweries and a handful of those delicious spots are easily accessible from the bike paths. What better way to quench the thirst you work up than relaxing at a local spot. These breweries are bike-friendly, easy to get to and offer up the kind of incentive many of us need to put on some miles before imbibing. Check out these 10 Wisconsin breweries right off the bike trail that are just waiting for you to visit.
1. Lucette Brewery and Woodfire Eatery - Menomonie
This place is practically on the trail itself. Red Cedar Trail is a crushed limestone trail up north that feels like it's never busy. It meets up with the Chippewa State Trail if you want more miles and you could even combine your bike trip with canoeing the Red Cedar River. However you get there, Lucette Brewery will help you refuel with a dozen different brews as well as truly delicious wood-fired pizza. It's the perfect way to wrap up the day.
There are a good number of breweries on bike trails in the Milwaukee area, but you can't go wrong with Good City, which is in the building that was the longtime home of a bike shop. As you can see, these folks are no strangers to hosting bike traffic. The rooftop deck is shaded and gets a nice Lake Michigan breeze. Just off the Oak Leaf Trail, which goes on for 110 miles through the Milwaukee area, this a great place to unwind after a long ride.
Address: 2108 N Farwell Avenue, Milwaukee, WI, 53202.
Even more so than in Milwaukee, pretty much every brewery in the Madison area is proximate to a bike trail. The city is super connected with a ton of options and many of the local breweries offer discounts and deals for those who arrive by bike. But only one brewery has its own bike club. South Fork Trail will get you close and bike lanes will get you the rest of the way there.
The Ahnapee State Trail goes all the way from Sturgeon Bay in Door County down to Kewaunee. The path is nearly 50 miles long and this tasty brewery conveniently sits at about the halfway point. Use it as a pit stop or a nice to place to end your trip and get picked up. Or nab a few beers before turning around to head home. Either way, this cozy little spot is a great place to stop.
The Glacial Drumlin State Trail stretches from just west of Milwaukee to just east of Madison and Tyranena is only a block or so out of your way in Lake Mills. A large facility with a lot of outdoor space where you can stretch out, it's a great option for a trail-side stop. They've got a mug club, which might serve as a great motivation to get out on your bike a bit more often!
As bike-friendly as it is dog-friendly, this brewery in Oshkosh on the Wiouwash State Trail is never without a few bikes out front. You'll often find food trucks and live music to make this a really great option for relaxing. Wiouwash is both urban and rural in places, so requires you to pay attention and know where you're going, but the payoff is worth it.
There is no better place in the state to enjoy a warm-weather day than the hilltop outdoor beer garden at New Glarus. Sip from a wide array of award-winning beers that are only available here in the state. Make sure you have at least one of their fruit beers, which are some of the best you will find anywhere. Just off the Sugar River State Trail, you do have to make the trek up the hill to enjoy the views, but the rewards are definitely worth the work.
Military Ridge State Trail offers a few options for detours, but none of the others offer $1.50 tasters as Grumpy Troll does. This popular trail is a rail-to-trail conversion, meaning you get a relatively flat and smooth ride and this trail runs right through Mount Horeb. Schedule time to wander around this troll town for all kinds of fun before you hop back on the bike.
There's nothing like the camaraderie of a large German-style beer hall and the Lazy Monk delivers both inside and out. A large space that's just off the Chippewa River State Trail, you can stop for a drink before or after crossing the St. Croix River. This traditional spot just feels like the kind of place where you want to spend an afternoon making friends and experiencing Gemuchtlikeit.
Address: 97 West Madison Street, Eau Claire, WI, 54702.
One of the best bike trails in the state, Bearskin State Trail lets you access areas you'd normally only get to via boat. There are a number of trailheads for this long rail trail that crosses numerous lakes for 30 miles between Minocqua and Tomahawk. The Northwoods can feel crowded in the summer, but you'll feel removed from it all on this really amazing trail. Stop for ice cream at the Windmill before ending up at Minocqua Brewing. The giant windows and views of Lake Minocqua make this a great place for some brews after a long day on the bike.
If you’re looking for a new bike path to check out, the Heart of Vilas trail system up north connects a number of Northwoods cities and even takes you right past a beach where you can stop and cool off.
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