Door County Breweries: The Essential Guide
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Are you on the hunt for the best Door County breweries to quench your thirst on your next trip? Wisconsin is a well-known drinking state, so it should be no surprise that there are many breweries in Door County.
Visitors will find multiple microbreweries in Door County that focus on homebrewing small batches of specialty and seasonal beers. One highlight of these breweries is their use of locally sourced ingredients. Grains and cherries grown within Door County are commonly used in many of locally brewed beers. Tasty brews aside, many of the breweries in Door County also offer a super cool atmosphere. In Wisconsin, we like to drink, and we like to have fun doing it. From farmhouse taprooms with live music to park-like courtyards, a Door County brewery is likely cooler than your average spot. After all, if there’s one thing Wisconsin does well, it’s beer with a great atmosphere.
Check out our list of favorite breweries in Door County. We’ve also included a few additional bonus spots where visitors can grab a great drink. Thirsty yet? We thought so. So, let’s start by exploring Door County Brewing!
Let’s kick off this list with our personal favorite: Door County Brewing Company. Located on the main drag in Bailey’s Harbor (our most beloved part of Door County), Door County Brewing has a wide selection of brews. This superb spot is sister brewery to the popular Hacienda Beer Company in Milwaukee. The brewery has an awesome collection of Belgian, French and American beers on tap, to suit just about any taste.
Located in a wooden rustic taproom, Door County Brewing has a charming, old barn feel. In back, there is a patio with a firepit, games and a stage for live music. At night, the brewery transforms into a loud, lively music hall. Bring a date, have several beers and a wild time when the classic rock starts playing. In addition, the brewery is connected to DCBC eats, which offers casual food. Honestly, the eats are pretty forgettable, but they do the job if you need something to soak up the awesome beer.
My husband has a tradition of purchasing swag from his favorite spots around the country. He’s very discerning about the businesses he reps, but two Door County spots recently earned spots in his closet. One of those spots went to Door County Brewing Company. We’re fans for sure.
Recommended for: the best quality beer in Door County and most fun atmosphere
Drawbacks: DCBC Eats aren’t anything special
One Barrel Brewing has two locations in Wisconsin. Their first location was in Madison, and their second is in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin. One Barrel is best enjoyed in the summer, when the weather is pleasant. The sprawling patio with bags (the game also known as cornhole) and firepits is the perfect outdoor spot for enjoying a brew. Oh, and bring your appetite. The brewery partners with Pizza Bros which serves up pretty stellar quality pizza. So bring your dogs and kids, order a spicy Sicilian pizza and enjoy an afternoon on the patio.
When the weather cools, snag a spot next to the firepits, or head inside to their spacious taproom. The strong lineup of beers includes their own line of seltzers and ciders, if beer isn’t your jam. We really enjoyed the Door County Trolley Red Cherry and Up North Wisconsin Lager.
Recommended for: Super solid eats and beers, nice doggo-friendly patio
Drawbacks: Better enjoyed outdoors as the taproom isn’t super interesting
If you like your beer with a robust menu of food, then Shipwrecked is the brewery for you. Shipwrecked is actually the first microbrewery in all of Wisconsin, dating back to the 1880s. Rumor has it that the modern-day site was once home to active tunnels running underneath the building and around Egg Harbor. Supposedly, in the 1920s, those tunnels were a hideaway for Chief Tecumsel of the Ottawa Indians, and later for Al Capone. Whether any of that is actually true, I cannot confirm nor deny. There are also rumors that Shipwrecked is haunted, but those could be from the locals enjoying the homebrews a bit too much.
After undergoing multiple name changes, and a fire in 2017, the establishment re-opened in 2018 as Shipwrecked. The two-story pub is located in the heart of Egg Harbor right across from Harbor View Park. Try to grab a table with a view of Harbor View Park if you can. The interior definitely has a more family-friendly pub feel with nautical themed décor and a less raucous energy. Shipwrecked is also within walking distance of one of Door County’s best sunset watching spots, and nearby shops.
Shipwrecked handcrafts all its beers and produces a whopping 34,000+ gallons of beer each year. The Summer Wheat is a local favorite, and their brews are widely available at the pub and at Door County markets.
Recommended for: family friendly environment that doesn’t feel like a brewery, extensive food menu, great location within walking distance of area attractions
Drawbacks: More limited beer selection
Bridge Up Brewing is a quirky, small-batch craft brewery started by a guy brewing out of his garage. The origin of the brewery is as cool as the interior of the super fun and wacky taproom. Oh, how I love a brewery that looks like a hodgepodge of random stuff from a Sconnie’s basement rec room! Bridge Up was born when the Sonny’s Pizza owner thought it would be cool to start a brewery on site. He offered the job to a guy named Trent, who was brewing beer in coolers on his porch, and the rest is history!
The original location is in Sturgeon Bay next to the steel bridge after which the brewery is named. Enjoy a flight of beers in the throwback retro digs, followed by delicious Italian food upstairs at Sonny’s. If you like a pale ale, the Escarpment is a local favorite. Bring the kids along for games and popcorn, and try to explain to them what a vinyl record is. Check out their website for their live music lineup, and catch a weekend show by the bridge.
Bridge Up also recently opened a second location at Cherry Hut in Fish Creek (open seasonally). The second location has a similar funky, fun feel with walls decked out in old traffic signs and cassette tapes. Bridge Up wins if you like to drink beer in a tackily decorated frat house. Random is the name of their game, and we’re all in.
Recommended for: randomness, hodgepodge vintage décor, waterfront views, beers that pay homage to Door County history
Drawbacks: Sturgeon Bay location is a little tight on indoor space, limited food menu but the Sturgeon Bay location is downstairs from Sonny’s which counts, right?
Peaches and beer, you say? Well, why not. For the classier drinking crowd, enter Peach Barn Brewery and Farmhouse. Peach Barn is a new brewery on the block, and the first microbrewery in Sister Bay. Peach Barn was started by a husband and wife duo who swear by the unique sweetness of Colorado peaches. Their beers include a variety of summery options including – you guessed it – some peach-infused options.
As breweries go, Peach Barn could almost be described as elegant, with its gorgeous farmhouse style taproom. And yet, the brewery feels very approachable, like hanging out in your neighbor’s pretty and spacious backyard. Grab a beer flight while watching your kids climb into and lounge in the many hammocks. The peaceful park-like setting makes this a guilt-free spot where parents can bring the kids to play games and run free. Not that we ever feel guilty, because this is Wisconsin, after all. Seriously, just leave me to waste an afternoon lounging at Peach Barn.
Beer lovers will find the flavors at Peach Barn to be a change from the norm for sure. The beers at Peach Barn run a little lighter, with several refreshing, summery options that are perfect for a flight. Fans of non-traditional flavors and sour beers should give peach barn a try. If you like unique flavors, a tranquil setting or an Insta-pretty brewery, Peach Barn may be the one for you.
Recommended for: hipster beer drinkers, those seeking a side of tranquility with their beer, hammock lovers
Drawbacks: beers can run a little unconventional and sour if that’s not your thing and no substantial eats
If you like super small batch, handcrafted beers and experimental flavors, Starboard Brewing might be your best bet. What makes Starboard special is that they produce their beers in 1 barrel batches. No mass production or regular rotation here. At Starboard, Door County’s first nano-brewery, you’re probably more likely to find beers you won’t find elsewhere. Starboard is a great stop for the true beer aficionado, as you never know what they’re brewing.
Starboard Brewing is located in the heart of downtown Sturgeon Bay, within walking distance of other areas businesses. It’s a perfect place to take a drink break after exploring the shops on 3rd Avenue.
Visitors should know that the menu at Starboard is limited to mainly salmon and Wisconsin cheese. If you prefer to wash down your beer with hearty apps, this likely isn’t the place for you. The ambiance is a little underwhelming compared to other Door County breweries, but they do have bumper pool for the kids.
Recommended for: serious beer lovers who appreciate uber small batch brewing, adventurous drinkers willing to try whatever new stuff is on the menu, perfect spot for people exploring downtown Sturgeon Bay
Drawbacks: underwhelming on the aesthetics
Still thirsty? Read on!
Bonus Stops! (We’re not done drinking yet, my friends…)
While not technically Door County breweries, here are a few additional spots for you to grab a drink in Door County.
If you prefer cider to beer, look no further than Island Orchard Cider. Island Orchard Cider is a hard cider company located at the top of Door County in Ellison Bay. The cidery handpicks apples, pears and hazelnuts directly from Washington Island. The island is located just north of the Bay, so uber fresh fruit is used in their award-winning ciders.
The cider offerings at Island Orchard are fantastic, making this one of Door County’s most loved watering holes. The Apple Lavender was a favorite, although the ciders weren’t as sweet as expected, overall. The ambience isn’t super memorable, but there’s a cottage vibe to the taproom and small outdoor patio. I would not recommend coming hungry as the menu is limited to charcuterie type snacks only. Overall, the ciders were extremely tasty, and it’s a great excuse to check out the northern end of Door County.
Recommended for: those seeking a drink in the northern peninsula, non-beer lovers and our gluten-free friends
Drawbacks: Limited eats, no live music or party ambiance like some of the others on this list
OK, ok so Stabbur Beer Garden isn’t a brewery. It is, however, one of the most scenic and fun spots to drink in Door County. Stabbur Beer Garden is the brainchild of the Johnson Family, owners of the infamous Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant and Butik. The beer garden is an extension of the brand. The Stabbur (or “storehouse”) was created from leftover logs by the Norwegian architect who built the main building. The Stabbur building chills beer while visitors cozy up to the long wooden bar and expansive greenspace in the garden.
Stabbur Beer Garden offers a laid-back spot for families to enjoy lawn games while enjoying a beverage. And yes, it comes with killer views of the most famous Door County residents: Al Johnson’s goats on the roof. The drink menu has great variety, including local and European beers, cocktails and non-alcoholic offerings. In addition, patrons can nosh on sides like meatballs and cheese curds while lounging in the garden. The cheery, bright greenspace is an ideal spot for watching people stroll along Sister Bay. They also have an awesome lineup of live music offered days and nights over the summer weekends.
Wondering how the rooftop goat tradition got started at Al’s? Learn the fascinating history here and follow the restaurant’s goat cams for fun!
Recommended for: Just about everyone. While not technically a Door County brewery, it’s one of the most fun places to go for a drink. Stabbur does all the drinks. And food. And it’s people and goat watching perfection. No drawbacks, so let’s go to #9!
Still thirsty? For a different spin, consider a trip to Hatch Distilling Co. in Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.
Hatch is the only Door County distillery. It was started with the idea to distill spirits from raw Wisconsin honey. Hatch products use honey from bees housed on their property as well as grain from area farms just minutes away. Come try one of their vodkas made using honey, or their Apple Brandy made with locally grown Honeycrisp apples. With deep roots in the local farming community, Hatch is a business you can feel good about supporting.
Recommended for: Spirit lovers and those who want to support local stuff.
Drawbacks: Don’t come expecting food or live music. The drinks hit hard so packs some carbs to soak up the booze.
Where to Stay near Door County Breweries
Before you go, while us Wisconsites love to drink, it’s super important we do so carefully. Please, please, please don’t ever drink and drive. Don’t have hours to let the alcohol wear off? Don’t want to worry about drinking and driving? Consider staying somewhere within walking distance of an awesome brewery! Here are some of our favorite places to stay in Door County, within a quick walk of the best drinking spots:
Low-Budget and Moderate Hotel & Resorts
These budget and mid-range hotels are within walking distance of excellent breweries and are great lower cost lodging options!
- The Coachlight Inn. A more value-priced getaway just outside the main drag of Sister Bay. Roughly a 20 minute, 1 mile walk to the Stabbur Beer Garden.
- Hillside Inn. Nestled in the northern woods of Ellison Bay, this no-frills lodge is located just an 11 minute, half-mile walk to Island Orchard Cider.
- Parkside Inn. A budget-friendly motel on a park-like lot off Hwy 42 in Ellison Bay just a 9 minute walk to Island Orchard Cider.
- Holiday Music Motel, Sturgeon Bay. Highly rated vintage music-inspired motel in just a quick 5 minute walk to downtown Sturgeon Bay. A short 5 minute walk to Starboard Brewing and just a half mile walk to Bridge Up Brewing.
Higher End Hotels and Resorts
Are you looking to splurge on lodging? Here are some of the more luxury resorts within walking distance of several breweries in Door County:
- Beachfront Inn, Bailey’s Harbor. One of our favorite places to stay in all of Door County and just a 4 minute walk just .2 miles to Door County Brewing Company.
- Landing Resort, Egg Harbor. A family friendly resort less than a 5 minute walk just .2 miles from One Barrel Brewing, Shipwrecked Brew Pub and Hatch Distilling, in the heart of Egg Harbor.
- Newport Resort. A slightly more upscale family resort just a 10 minute walk from Door County breweries and the distillery roughly a .4 mile walk away.
- Country House Resort. An adults-only refuge on the outskirts of Sister Bay in Door County. A 20 minute walk from downtown Sister Bay, including the Stabbur Beer Garden, and just an 8 minute walk to Peach Barn Farmhouse and Brewery.
- White Lace Inn. An intimate, charming inn with a Bed & Breakfast type feel just a 5 minute walk to downtown Sturgeon Bay and Starboard Brewing Company.
Alright friends, that concludes my list of Door County breweries and nearby hotels. Have you visited any of these local watering holes along the peninsula? Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite Door County brewery and what you love about it!