Wisconsin
Best Door County Breweries to Visit + Cool Pubs & Taverns
Door County, WI is known for its supper clubs, wineries, and cherries. But, there are many excellent breweries in Door County WI as well! After all, it’s Wisconsin- where you’ll find just as many bars as churches in every small town. This is no different in Door County, the small eastern peninsula that juts out into Lake Michigan. In fact, you’ll be shocked that there are so many places to find great beer in such a small county.
Perfect for travelers hoping to find the local taste of Wisconsin, try one of these Door County breweries, pubs and taverns during your next trip.
Table of Contents
The Best Door County Breweries to Visit
1. One Barrel Brewing Company Door County
The first brewery Door County on our list is One Barrel Brewing. One Barrel is located in Egg Harbor, WI, but there is a second taproom in the state’s capitol, Madison. Like many Door County restaurants and activities, One Barrel has limited hours during the Fall and Winter seasons. During these times, One Barrel is open Friday and Saturday from noon to 9:00 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 7:00 p.m.
At One Barrel, you will find both beers and ciders. Their Core Brands, available in the taproom year-round, include a classic Kolsch-style ale, the Penguin Pale Ale, and Up North Wisconsin lager. Up North is our favorite, perfect for bringing along on the pontoon or sipping at a beach picnic.
2. Door County Brewing Co. Taproom, DCBC Eats & Music Hall
The next on our list of breweries in Door County is Door County Brewing Company. This brewery is located in Baileys Harbor, WI. It’s worth noting that there are actually TWO Baileys Harbors in Door County, one on the Eastern edge of the peninsula and one on the Western side. However, the Eastern Bailey’s Harbor, nestled in over 6,000 acres of wild public lands, is the more popular tourist destination of the two.
Thus, it’s the perfect place for a rocking good Music Hall and Brewery to set up shop. This tasting room doubles as a huge game room and has a huge stage for live music. Outside, you’ll find an outdoor bar area with another stage, many places to sit, and areas to have a bonfire. A food truck-esque tiny house produces great snacks to keep the party going.
Door County Brewing Co. is closed Monday through Wednesday. It’s open Thursday noon to 8:00 p.m., Friday noon to 9:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Live music is every Saturday 2:00- 5:00 p.m. As always, these hours change as the seasons do.
3. Shipwrecked Brew Pub
Egg Harbor is home to Shipwrecked Brew Pub as well. Shipwrecked is Wisconsin’s first microbrewery. It was built in 1882 as a saloon and grew into an inn, where the rooms were $0.20 a night (and included a meal). During the 1920s, the inn played a role in Al Capone’s life, leading to many legends of ghosts on the premises that (supposedly) can be seen and heard today. 1997 brought along the owners that would turn it into what it is today- after being rebuilt after a fire.
Besides this fascinating history, Shipwrecked delivers only 100% hand-crafted Door County beer. We absolutely love this, because drinking local on vacation makes any experience even more immersive. Be sure to try Pirate’s Pale Ale and Door County Cherry Wheat.
4. Bridge Up Brewing Company
Back into Sturgeon Bay to Bridge Up Brewing Company, this small brewery sits right across from the lift bridge, and on the docks of a busy pier in the summertime. Also, it’s on the first floor of Sonny’s Pizzeria, meaning you can pair your delicious beer with yummy pizza after a day on the water.
We love their apple lager (rimmed with cinnamon sugar), and their #1 best-selling Escarpment, which is named after the 1,000-mile-long slab of limestone that Door County shares with Niagara Falls itself.
5. Ahnapee Brewery, Algoma
Algoma is not exactly in Door County, but it is right beneath it, which leads us to include this awesome spot on our list of Door County breweries. Ahnapee Brewery is old, founded in 1868. Now, it operates in a cool, garage-turned-taproom venue two doors down from the original location. Here, you can sip your beer while overlooking the Ahnapee River and Lake Michigan. Make sure you try the gluten-free cherry mechanic Cherry Ale.
Ahnapee opens at noon every day. Monday through Thursday they close at 7:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, they are open until 10:00 p.m. Sunday, they close at 6:00 p.m.
6. Peach Barn Farm House & Brewery
The next on our list of Door County breweries is a new up and comer. Peach Barn is located in Sister Bay, and is this small town’s very first dedicated brewery. At Peach Barn, you’ll be able to sample craft beers and fresh peaches, brought in from the western slope of Colorado in August and September. Their Gypsy-Mermaid Mango Margarita Hard Seltzer is our favorite perfect summer sipper.
This brewery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
7. Badger State Brewing Company
Another brewery located just south of Door County, Badger State Brewing Company is in Green Bay. Badger State is always coming up with new flavors, like the Espresso Rye Chocolate Chip Cookie Porter or Variants of the Whiskey Business series. Their regular beers include delicious offerings like the Cran-Delusion Tart Fruit Ale and the Peninsula Pils Craft Lager.
This brewery takes Mondays off but is open Tuesdays through Sundays. Note that hours vary on holidays and during Packer home games.
8. Hinterland Brewery
Another Green Bay stop in the town of Ashwaubenon, Hinterland Brewery has some great brews and delicious food. You can also take tours of the brewery itself. They are inspired to create new beers and encourage beer drinkers to take the leap from mainstream brews to more unique craft brew choices.
We love the Packerland Pilsner, the WisCranSin, and Door County Cherry Wheat, but Grand Cru 22 is our absolute favorite. The best part? Hinterland is on tap at the Whistling Swan restaurant, back up in Fish Creek, WI.
9. Hacienda Beer
Hacienda Beer has two tasting rooms. One is in Milwaukee, and the other shares space with Door County Brewing Co. in Baileys Harbor. That’s right, when you visit the Music Hall, you’ll be able to try beers from two local breweries. Hacienda makes all of their beer in the Door County location, so this is the place you can try it at its freshest. Also, most of their beers are only made once or twice a year, making them fairly rare and fun to seek out.
10. Starboard Brewing Company
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Head over to Sturgeon Bay for another great place for craft beer. Starboard Brewing Company harkens to the big freighters of the Great Lakes with its nautical theme, right in the heart of downtown. Their hours are 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, noon to 9:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays.
Starboard is a nano-brewery, which is even smaller than a microbrewery. This means it produces very small batches of beer. So, you’ll enjoy a unique, high-quality taste no matter when you visit.
11. Thumb Knuckle Brewing Company
Aptly named for its location in Luxemburg, WI, Thumb Knuckle Brewing Company is on the “knuckle” of Door County’s thumb. Their tasting room is cozy, with exposed wood ceilings and dark lighting. Enjoy your beer with a snack or pizza, or bring your laptop and finish up some work here with free wifi available. Thumb Knuckle is closed Monday and Tuesday but is open Wednesday through Friday from 4:00 pm. to 8:00 p.m. They’re also open on Saturdays from noon to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 4:00 p.m.
When you visit, make sure to sample the Lazy River Lime Lager, and the Black and Tan Farmer’s Tan.
Door County’s Must-Visit Pubs & Taverns
As you can see, there are many Door county breweries. But of course, there are many places throughout Door County to enjoy beer. Here are seven more places you can go to enjoy the peninsula’s lagers.
1. Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub
Baileys Harbor Cornerstone Pub is the perfect place to go for dinner and drinks before a night on the town. On tap, you’ll find all kinds of classic Wisconsin beers, from Miller, to Pabst, to New Glarus. Pair these beers with pizza, sandwiches, or a Friday Fish Fry. You can order perch, walleye, whitefish, haddock, and salmon any day of the week, too.
The pub has an interesting history from its founding in 1886 as a hardware store. After the hardware store moved out, the location became a funeral parlor, and the became a bar in the 1920s. In the 1940’s it was turned into “Paul’s Glass Bar”, and featured a large, colorful glass bar inside. Paul was from the Salm region of Germany, where the current pub’s logo came from. This logo was the flag for this region in the 1300s.
The Cornerstone Pub is open Sunday-Thursday 11:00 a.m to 8:00 p.m. and Friday- Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
2. Peninsula Pub
Peninsula Pub has a Baileys Harbor address, but it’s well away from the downtown. This unassuming restaurant has been voted to have the best fish fry, and the best burger, in all of Door County. During their fish fry, you can order perch, fried shrimp, walleye, or locally caught Door County whitefish- which we definitely recommend.
This pub is open Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
3. Bad Moravian
Looking for a little something a little artsier while you’re in the small towns of Door County? This beer hall- meets- art gallery, Bad Moravian, is the perfect place for you to try. They serve unique craft beers from around the nation and bring in different chefs to serve new foods. For example, one night they may serve homemade crunch wraps and quesadillas, and other nights might be mac and cheese. They will also host events for the artists whose works adorn their walls.
This laid-back venue is open Wednesday to Saturday from 4:00 p.m. to “9 ish” and Monday from 4:00 p.m. to “8 ish”. And, it’s within walking distance of Hillside Waterfront Resort.
4. Husby’s Food & Spirits
Husby’s Food and Spirits is located in downtown Sister Bay. And, it’s open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. During the cooler months, this is a typical pub. But, in the summer, the Garage at Husby’s opens up. This is an outdoor grill that serves Mexican and American cuisine. Their whitefish tacos are amazing, and another great way to try locally caught faire.
This outdoor grill also becomes a live music venue, late into the night. Beer drafts include Wisconsin favorites like Spotted Cow, New Glarus Moon Man, and a Leinenkugel’s Seasonal offering.
5. Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar
Cherry Lanes Arcade Bar is one of Wisconsin’s oldest bowling alleys turned cool arcade. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday from late afternoon to late into the night. Most nights, you can drink and play until 1:00 a.m. or 2:00 a.m. Enjoy delicious beers and cocktails here, and live music events. Sometimes, other businesses will “take over” the venue, allowing you to try out other local delights. Follow them on Instagram.
6. Stabbur Beer Garden at Al Jackson’s
Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant and Butik, in Sister Bay, is only open in warmer months. This makes sense, as a beer garden is traditionally outdoors. The Stabbur is on a green lawn next to Al Johnson’s restaurant. You can order classic bar food from the window here between rounds of cornhole, as well as cocktails, chilled shots, local wines, and of course- beer.
Beers on draft here span the county, the state, and the world. You can order a Wisconsin Pilsner, or a Carlsberg from Denmark. Other beers from Germany are on draft too. Or, enjoy the only- in- Wisconsin classic, New Glarus Spotted Cow.
It’s hard to visit Wisconsin without trying the beer. So, when you’re in Packerland, make sure to visit one of these Door County breweries.
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About the Author: Erin Stob
Erin grew up and currently lives in the woods of Wisconsin. She is passionate about holistic, outdoor living, and strives to share her travel experiences through her writing.