Who’s Got the Greatest Beer in America?

Capital Brewery in Middleton, of course

It’s no secret that Wisconsin is home to some of the best breweries on the planet. It should be also added that Wisconsin is home to some of the world’s best beer drinkers. The reasons for this can be traced to the German immigrants who settled the Badger State and brought with them centuries of beery tradition. Once upon a time, Wisconsin boasted hundreds of breweries. Today, there’s only a few dozen. But the breweries that remain are regarded as some of the best in the nation. At the top of the list is Middleton’s Capital Brewery.

An array of excellence
Capital Brewery produces fifteen varieties of beer, each carefully developed by the world-renowned brewmaster, Kirby Nelson. Many these beer varieties have won numerous platinum awards at the Great American Beer Festival and other top-tier competitions. All this brewing excellence has not gone unnoticed: year after year, various rankings have rated Capital Brewery the #1 brewery in America. If you don’t like these beers, you should get demoted down to wine coolers.

What makes Capital Brewery special?
Beer aficionados who taste one of Capital Brewery’s ales or lagers often comment on how closely each beer holds to the standards of its variety. This comes from the brewmaster’s mastery of age-old brewering principals and close adherence to classic brewing standards. The result is easy to taste. The Special Pilsner is perfectly balanced, firm and crisp. The Capital Dark is rich, yet remarkably smooth. And the Oktoberfest is renowned in beer circles as being as good as any on earth. Just try not to fall in love with these beers

Take the tour
If you love beer, then you have to tour the Capital Brewery. Tours are available on Friday at 3:30pm and on Saturdays at 1:30pm and 3:30pm. You’ll have the have the opportunity to see where brewing masterpieces are born. You’ll also have a chance to visit the Brew Haus, Bier Stube and Gift Haus. Tours are only $3 per person — one of the best bargains anywhere. No one under 21 is allowed on a tour unless accompanied by their parent or legal guardian. The brewery is located at 7734 Terrace Avenue at the western end of Middleton’s beautiful downtown area.

Flying fish and bock beer
Each year, on the last Saturday in February, brewmaster Kirby Nelson invites beer-lovers to celebrate the brewery’s annual release of Blonde Doppelbock at Bockfest. This year’s Bockfest will be February 26 and will include the famous fish throw, in which the brewmaster climbs up to the brewery roof and throws a smoked chub into the waiting crowd below. It’s a tradition that draws a crowd every year.

Don’t forget the mustard
The perfect pairing for a Capital Brewery tour is a visit to the National Mustard Museum. Located just a few blocks from the brewery, the museum has a lot of mustard — in fact, more than five thousand jars, bottles and tubes from all 50 states and 60 countries.