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AL. Ringling Brewing

3.8 (51 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 8:00 pm

AL. Ringling Brewing Photos

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Greg W.

Love stopping by here whenever we're around Madison. The vibe is pretty unique and, if you go on an off hour, never busy. The bartenders have always been super friendly and they rotate taps pretty regularly. Not to mention free popcorn! They have some pretty unique one-off beers and I don't think I've had anything from there that has been "bad". We finally got the pretzel this time around and it was pretty good. Huge and fluffy as you'd hope for and more than enough for 2 people. They were out of mustard, though which is a huge bummer because they compensated by giving a condiment cup full of icing? That's just weird to me and spicy mustard is the best part of a pretzel. We'll get around to trying their actual food one day and keep stopping in whenever we're in the area. Not necessarily worth a special trip but definitely recommend grabbing a brew if you're nearby.

Al Ringling Brewing, Baraboo
Bruce K.

A nice space where I enjoyed a beer and some wifi. I found a nice seat upstairs in the "mezzanine" area with some privacy. I did try to order some food at the window but as I walked up, the counterperson went into the kitchen and worked on something. After 20 minutes - 10 of which I stood there waiting and 10 I could see from my seat - he did not come back out to the counter. The beer was great but without some food, I did not have a second beer and decided to head on. [Review 20702 overall - 271 in Wisconsin - 1683 of 2023.]

Brew house
Troy S.

The ambiance is really cool. It's connected to a mansion. Whimsical decor in the taproom. The small brew house is inside. You can order Peruvian food at the "pie car" inside. The empanadas are good. There is an outdoor beer garden. The beer is average. Friendly service

Kassie S.

This is a great experience!! Do the tour! Worth every dollar and Kimmy is awesome! Try all the yummy beers and if you're lucky, the owner Joe will give you some fun history!!

Pie Car food ordering window
Nikki B.

Stopped in yesterday, Wednesday...to an empty tap room...just what I prefer so I can chat up the beertender.... and boy did I ever! Beertender Ashley absolutely radiated w kindness. I forget what she said it was but the big organ is not a Wurlitzer; the building used to be the local Elks and where the tap room is used to be the Elks ballroom. There was a bowling alley in the basement which the floorboards of it now make up the tap room tables! Most of the tables and seating are my preferred standard height! So the tap room just oozes originality and history! You really have to sit down and slowly spin around the room to take it all in! Like the little wire type globe w the motorcycles circling in it! Also pay attention when you're walking up to the building... you don't want to miss the fun little mustache hand stamps in the concrete! Then once you enter the building the Ringling history begins!!Build a flight...if not for the chance to try several beers at once... the Ringling trademark mustache makes an appearance again...as the flight paddle! I opted for a flight of #2 Elephant Walk - Belgian Tripel, #7 Barabooberry fruit beer made w the seasonal beer, #8 Hot Summer Night black currant sour & #14 Flying Squadron Maple 10% Russian Imperial Stout. All the beers were delicious but the Flying Squadron Maple and Hot Summer Night walked away my winners! As I told beertender Ashley: the sour had what I look for in a sour.. the tart that makes the back of my neck hair stand up, like wasabi. Then... you just can't go wrong w a RIS on a cold day. I noticed the Pie Car sign on the wall above a food window. I didn't see anyone in it and didn't ask Ashley but I had read on yelp that that is where you can order Peruvian food. Thanks Al Ringling Brewing for exceeding my expectations for what I was expecting from a small town, to me, brewery. I loved how you worked so much fun circus history in to the brewery tap room. Ashley and I laughed when I asked: what time do the lions and tigers come out for petting...and the elephants for rides? Ha. Cheers!

Cool organ
Julie O.

Al Ringling Brewing is an essential stop if you are in the Baraboo/Devi's Lake area; not at all far from the Dells. The brewery is separate from the Circus Museum. Parking is ample and free. The bar is built from reclaimed wood from the old bowling alley - way cool. Most Baraboo kids took bowling as part of PE so it's very much a tangible piece of local history. The decorative organ is beautiful and operable. Beer is good and there is something for most everyone. Staff is helpful and friendly and will help you find something you will enjoy. Live music most weekends and other events are posted on their social media. Food is good, with an emphasis on local tradition like a Friday Fish Fry and a Sunday poutine brunch. Prices are fair. Absolutely worth checking out if you are in the area.

First entryway
Becky L.

Stopped to try some of their beers and it was a busy looking Saturday. We were hoping to sit outside in the beer garden but it was full and there was no seating left though there was standing room. We tried the Ringling original, hefeweizen, IPA (bearded lady) and the red ale. The red ale was probably our favorite, but I'd recommend the IPA too. The food menu looks robust and there is a separate window for ordering. We didn't get to try the food but will next time we stop! The pretzel was HUGE. Plenty to share with friends. Cute stop in Baraboo!

Kids chicken tenders

The brewery is connected to the Al Ringling Mansion. Very neat space. Large variety of beers including one made from a discovered recipe of Al Ringling himself. They offer empanadas, sandwiches, appetizers, and a few kids menu options. We got the empanada platter which came with 3 empanadas of our choice (4 options) and fries. We got the beef, chicken, and shrimp (they were out of the portobello option). The shrimp was my favorite though all 3 were tasty. My son got the sloppy joe, which was actually better than one you make at home. We got a bowl of beer cheese soup which was heavy on beer flavor and light on cheese flavor. The fries were a highlight of the meal. The kids chicken tenders were basic. We did not get any beer this time though all looked great and there were plenty of patrons enjoying them. The staff was not overly friendly nor welcoming. The bartender was sitting at the bar on her phone. Even considering she was doing some work related task, Perception is reality to the guest. This didn't seem appropriate to me. Especially when I approached the bar and she did not look up to help me immediately. You order at a counter and then seat yourself. No table service. Keep in mind that there is a huge beautiful calliope in the dining hall that plays at the end of every mansion tour. I loved it but it is very loud so keep that in mind if you have small children with you. All in all, it was an entertaining and tasty experience. The high mark was the atmosphere. The food was okay, not necessarily something I would go back for. I can't say for the beer. Low mark was the staff. They need to focus more on their customer service.

Delicious empanada platter.

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Good beer, awesome South American themed food. Staff very friendly! Would come here again!

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Review Highlights - AL. Ringling Brewing

Came here with my kids and sister/husband after visiting the circus museum (amazing also).

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Mecan River Brewing Company - Folks at the bar

Mecan River Brewing Company

4.3(11 reviews)
40.4 mi

So the beer here is on the better side of average -- perfectly serviceable but not necessarily…read morestandout representations of their respective styles. As a rule, I tend to rate breweries and brewpubs first and foremost on the the quality of their beer. On that basis a 3.5 star rating would be appropriate. But the ambience and atmosphere here is so inviting and comfortable that it shows just how much these elements can bring to the hospitality experience. That said, I'd rather drink great beer in a barn than terrible beer in a Vanderbilt mansion. But honestly I would come here just to hang out and play board games even if I weren't drinking the beer Speaking of which, a crucial part of that ambiance is NO SCREENS. I'm not averse to catching a college ball game on a Saturday afternoon at a corner pub, but this isn't the place for that. Any uproarious excitement from the clientele will instead be on account of a competitive game of Uno.

Nice surprise while i was out for an out of area Harley ride, great little local place, they are a…read morenano brewery so lots of different rotating types of beers.... I didnt try any beers on tap that i disliked! Pizza looks amazing, heard lots of compliments on it! Located in the small town of Coloma so the patrons are pretty much very nice locals. I'll be back!

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Mecan River Brewing Company - Homemade Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate

Homemade Old Fashioned Hot Chocolate

Mecan River Brewing Company - Charcuterie Tray featuring a full fillet of locally raised and smoked Rainbow Trout

Charcuterie Tray featuring a full fillet of locally raised and smoked Rainbow Trout

Mecan River Brewing Company - Nice place....

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Nice place....

AL. Ringling Brewing - brewpubs - Updated May 2026

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