Sip the Driftless: A Tour of Craft Breweries Around La Crosse
If you're in the La Crosse area and love craft beer, you’re in luck: the Driftless Region and its surroundings are home to a surprising number of breweries and brewpubs waiting to be explored. Below is a brewery tour sorted roughly by distance from La Crosse, starting with those closest, and moving out across western Wisconsin and into southeastern Minnesota. Each entry has a bit of color, what you can expect, and whether food is available (or nearby). Use this as both a local guide or a blog post for Julie’s audience who might be relocating, visiting, or just exploring.
1. 608 Brewing Company (La Crosse / Holmen, WI)
Website: 608 Brewing Company (608brewingcompany.com)
Blurb & Vibe:
608 is an anchor in the local craft beer scene. Their La Crosse taproom (83 Copeland Ave) is lively, with 17 tap lines, two patios, regular events, bar games, and a casual, fun atmosphere. They also opened a Holmen taproom with expanded capacity, outdoor seating, and a lounge upstairs for a more intimate feel.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They brew a broad variety — IPAs, fruited sours, pastry stouts, and classic lagers, with rotating specials. Their “Wiscobold” program even features crowd-submitted photos for beer label art.
Food & Extras:
At the La Crosse site, they offer snacks, frozen pizzas, and host food trucks. The Holmen location includes a full food menu and more robust seating.
Why visit:
It’s your local hub. Great starting point for brewery hopping or giving visitors a taste of the region’s best brews.
2. Turtle Stack Brewery (La Crosse, WI)
Website: Turtle Stack Brewery (turtlestackbrewery.com)
Vibe:
Right downtown, Turtle Stack offers a cozy taproom with street-level windows and an urban walk-in feel. It’s a neat micro brewery to stop by when you’re roaming downtown, close to the La Crosse Center and other city amenities.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They focus on expressive, flavorful brews. Expect options like New England–style IPAs and other contemporary styles.
Food & Extras:
Turtle Stack doesn’t run a full kitchen; they tend to lean on light snacks or partner with food trucks or nearby restaurants.
Why visit:
Great for a mid-day stop or for those staying in the city who don’t want to drive far.
3. Pearl Street Brewing (La Crosse, WI)
Website: Pearl Street Brewing (pearlstreetbrewery.com)
Blurb & Vibe:
Pearl Street sits on La Crosse’s North Side and has a welcoming neighborhood brewery feel. It’s smaller, friendly, and often a hub for locals looking for a casual beer stop without the bustle of busier spots.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They rotate through core ales, lagers, and seasonal brews—with occasional experimental batches. The focus is on drinkability and local appeal.
Food & Extras:
They offer snacks and host occasional food trucks. Because of its local nature, it often partners with nearby restaurants or take-in food options.
Why visit:
A solid third stop for beer lovers who want to explore beyond the “big name” breweries but stay close to La Crosse.
4. Gravity Box Brewing Company (Mauston, Juneau County, WI)
Website: Gravity Box Brewing Company (gravityboxbrewing.com)
Vibe:
Gravity Box is a cozy, hometown brewery in Mauston (134 E State St). The taproom is laidback, intimate, and community oriented — a place for locals and travelers alike to linger.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They brew small batches of ales, lagers, kettle sours, hard seltzers, non-alcoholic beer, and their own soda. Their motto centers on “local people, local beer.”
Food & Extras:
There’s no full kitchen, but you can bring in your own food or order nearby. They run events including trivia, swaps, and more.
Why visit:
A worthy stop when you head further out from La Crosse — offers a more homegrown, low-key experience.
5. Two Fathoms Brewing (Winona, MN)
Website: Two Fathoms Brewing (twofathoms.co)
Vibe:
Housed in Winona’s 1883 freight station, Two Fathoms merges rustic charm with a polished craft brewery environment. The high ceilings and historic woodwork set a cozy yet refined tone.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They specialize in a rotating variety—traditional styles, adventurous experiments, and limited seasonal releases.
Food & Extras:
They don’t have a full kitchen but serve bar snacks and partner with Sammy’s Pizza for food inside the taproom. They also host food trucks, music nights, trivia, and more. The patio is dog-friendly.
Why visit:
Fantastic choice once you cross the river — combines ambiance, local flavor, and great beer.
6. Bog’s Edge Brewing Company (Monroe County, WI)
Website: Bog’s Edge Brewing Company (lacrosselocal.com)
Vibe:
In Warrens, Bog’s Edge carries a rustic, quiet vibe. It’s not flashy, but it’s genuine—ideal for travelers seeking rural charm and a peaceful beer break.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They produce approachable craft beer with attention to local sourcing and consistency.
Food & Extras:
They often team up with pizza or food vendors. Check their event calendar for specifics.
Why visit:
Perfect when you’re traveling through Monroe County and want a low-key brewery stop off the beaten path.
7. Alchemy Brew Pub & Footjoy Farm & Brewing (Monroe County, WI)
Websites: Alchemy Brew Pub (alchemybrewpub.com) & Footjoy Farm & Brewing (local listings)
Vibe:
These are brewpub / farm brewery hybrids. Alchemy in Cashton has comfortable pub seating and local flair; Footjoy leans further rural and agricultural in aesthetic, combining brewing with farm life.
Beer Style & Offerings:
Expect modest but thoughtful batches, seasonal styles, and experimentation tied to local ingredients.
Food & Extras:
Food is a core part of the experience—Footjoy emphasizes “farm to glass” pizza and more.
Why visit:
Great for blending brewery touring with scenic drives, rural vistas, and slower pace exploration.
8. Hillsboro Brewing Company (Vernon County, WI)
Website: Hillsboro Brewing Company (hillsborobrewingcompany.com)
Vibe:
This is a destination brewery in Vernon County. With a full restaurant and robust taproom, Hillsboro offers more than just beer — it’s a day-trip spot.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They maintain a solid core lineup with creative seasonal and specialty releases.
Food & Extras:
Full restaurant service, comfortable seating indoors and out, and the works.
Why visit:
If you have time to head farther, it’s worth it for the full brewery + dining experience.
9. Sand Creek Brewing Co. (Jackson County, WI)
Website: Sand Creek Brewing Co. (sandcreekbrewing.com)
Vibe:
Located in Black River Falls, this is more of a regional brewery with a taproom and a broader production footprint. The vibe is industrial but welcoming.
Beer Style & Offerings:
They make a diverse set of beers, with enough scale to maintain consistency across batches.
Food & Extras:
Light food or partner options in the taproom; check their site for current offerings.
Why visit:
More suited as a stop during a larger brewery or road-trip circuit across western Wisconsin.
10. Northwoods Brewpub (Trempealeau County, WI)
Website: Northwoods Brewpub (northwoodsbrewpub.com)
Vibe:
A small brewpub in Osseo, WI, Northwoods delivers a local, comfortable brewpub experience. Low key, friendly, and ideal for folks traveling through Trempealeau County.
Beer Style & Offerings:
Likely smaller batches geared toward local tastes, with seasonal twists and community influence.
Food & Extras:
As a brewpub, they provide full food service, pairing their beer offerings with pub fare.
Why visit:
Great when your itinerary brings you through Osseo or when exploring more rural brewery options.
Closing
Whether you’re new to the Driftless Region or a lifelong local, there’s no better way to get to know the heart of our communities than by exploring their craft breweries. Each stop—from the bustling taprooms of La Crosse to the small-town charm of Mauston, Hillsboro, and Winona—tells its own story of local pride, creativity, and connection.
So next time you’re out discovering a new favorite brew, raise a glass with Julie Delap! She loves meeting people who share her passion for the Driftless lifestyle—great homes, great neighbors, and yes, great beer. 🍻 Let’s sit down over a pint and talk real estate, your goals, and what makes this region such a wonderful place to call home.
👉 Visit JulieDelapHomes.com to connect, or give Julie a call at 608-386-6003 and start the conversation today.
