The Land of Beer and Cheese!

Since Craig and I moved to Wisconsin, we have enjoyed craft beers and cheese curds a time or two, but never ventured to a Wisconsin Brewery. 

 When Groupon threw out an opportunity to go to Minhas Brewery, we were all over it! 

Craig and I decided that it would be fun to bike to Monroe, WI, since it was about 40 miles away.  We would leave on Saturday and come home on Sunday.  As we headed out of town on Saturday morning, the sky was looking a bit gloomy, and we hoped the rain would hold out.  After about 45 minutes on the bike, it began to downpour.  We found ourselves soaking wet, surrounded by steep hills and corn fields. 

 Needless to say, we were beyond ready to make it to Monroe!  As we got closer to the town, they sky started to clear.  We made it to our hotel with enough time to eat lunch before our brewery tour. 

 After seeing Baumgartner’s on the Food Network, we knew we needed to go to try their cheese! We went and had a cheese plate that was surprisingly mediocre compared to other Wisconsin cheese.  One cool thing we did get to experience there was the community table.  This was a long table where everyone sat together.  We chatted with locals, people from Iowa, and others from around the states who were visiting this small town. 

 Soon after, we headed over to Minhas Brewery for our tour.  As we walked inside it was PACKED!  The 1pm tour was just ending, and guests wanted to get the most of their “unlimited beer pours” before they were asked to leave.  As people cleared out, Craig and I sampled a Chocolate Bunny Stout and a Double IPA. 

 We watched a video about the “Oldest Brewery in the Midwest” and learned about their packaging and distributing.  We viewed all the bells and whistles of the brewery and headed back for more samples.  We left Minhas each with a 8 beers and 4 root beers!



Sunday's Ride Home!

 After an exhausting day of biking, walking, eating, and drinking, we finished the evening at Pancho and Lefty’s, a small local restaurant known to be the best in town. 

The quaint atmosphere of the town was great, we got up the next morning, and headed back to Madison…this time in the sunshine! 

 I can’t wait to explore more of Wisconsin’s hidden gems.  Next stop, New Glarus Brewery!

 Cheers,

 Samantha