Alt Brew – Wisconsin’s Dedicated Gluten-Free Brewer
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Missing beer since starting a gluten free diet? If you find yourself in Madison, Wisconsin, make sure to visit Alt Brew. All their beer is brewed from gluten free grains!
Dedicated Gluten Free Beer in the Midwest
Beer. If there’s one thing that those newly diagnosed with Celiac Disease miss, it’s GOOD gluten-free beer. There’s only a handful of true, dedicated gluten-free breweries in this country. (Stay far away from that gluten-removed beer.) Lucky for us mid-westerners, Alt Brew in Madison, WI brews IPAs, ales and porters that stand up to the task. My husband and I visited Alt Brew on our epic trip to South Dakota.
Who Started Alt Brew and Why?
Trevor Easton, the owner of Alt Brew, had been brewing beer at home for years. It was a love and passion he shared with his wife. When she received a Celiac Disease diagnosis in 2007, it changed everything Easton knew about brewing beer.
At first he tried still brewing regular beer at home, but he realized the issue with cross-contact with gluten was huge. Therefore, he started over, making brews from completely gluten-free grains. He tried batch after batch, admitting to me that he dumped more beer in that first 6 months than ever before.
Does Alt Brew Beer Taste Good?
Fast forward ten years later and Alt Brew beers are winning awards. They always have 8 different beers on tap, as well as seasonal items in bottles. Their most notable brew is their Copperhead Ale. It won a Silver Medal Award at the Great American Beer Festival. You’ll find everything from IPAs, ales and even their Sunset Belgian Tripel made with teff.
As I prefer ciders to beer, my husband ordered one of the tasting flights at Alt Brew. His flight included the Imperial Brown, the Kickback Kolsch, Hollywood Nights IPA, the Rustic Badger Farmhouse Ale and the Copperhead Ale. My husband prefers stouts and porters to a traditional IPA, so the Imperial Brown was high on his list. He says the Rustic Badger is an all-around great beer. Visit the “Taproom” link on their website to see what’s currently on tap.
Don’t like beer? They also now have a line of ciders!
Does Alt Brew Serve Food? **Temporarily Not Serving Food*
Alt Brew offers more than just beer. They also serve a completely gluten-free menu that includes pizza, nachos and more. We ordered the BBQ pizza and the nachos. Usually the BBQ pizza is topped with smoked pork. However, Trevor swapped out chicken for us due to my husband’s pork intolerance. We had spent seven or more hours on the road (driving a Uhaul) and their food was exactly what I was craving. The two dishes easily served two people.
(Alt Brew does allow outside food to be brought in.)
All About Supporting Local
Alt Brew is all about partnering with local businesses. This includes Pasqual’s tortilla chips that are used for the nachos. While it wasn’t on their menu, they also work with local business The Conscious Carnivore. This ethical butcher shop uses Alt Brew’s beer to make one amazing gluten-free beer brat. In addition, they partner with Rusty Dog Coffee, from whom Trevor buys coffee when roasting their Coffee Stout that comes out in the spring.
Love to Play Pinball?
Alt Brew is known far and wide for one more unique feature. Pinball. When they had their soft opening in 2016, Trevor was approached by a local pinball enthusiast. It all started with a suggestion and one pinball machine.
Now there are more than a handful of pinball machines in the rear of Alt Brew, including “Killer Queen.” This unique pinball machine allows for multiple players and is one of ONLY 14 machines in the entire world. This feature quickly made Alt Brew the go-to place for pinball fans, and is now home to monthly pinball tournaments.
Perfect Night Out
Without a doubt, we had a great night at Alt Brew. While we enjoyed the food and beer, I enjoyed Trevor’s company just as much. He has such a welcoming and cordial presence. I felt like I could have sat and talked with him for hours. If you are in the Madison area, I highly recommend making a stop here, because I guarantee you’ll love the place. You can also find their beer in other Wisconsin businesses, like Brennan’s Market and Total Wine/
Other Must-Visit Madison, Wisconsin Businesses
Looking for a bite to eat? A local friend recommends Everly and La Taguara, which both have dedicated gluten free fryers. She stated Imperial Garden and Red Sushi also do a great job with gluten free meals. My friend also said that Otto’s Restaurant and Bar is a hidden gem.
Looking for something sweet? Make sure to visit Madison Chocolate Company, which is a dedicated gluten free bakery. Make sure to visit Ice Cream Social, too. All their ice cream flavors, and their cones, are gluten free.
What’s your favorite style of beer? Have you found a gluten-free beer that you love? Have other Madison dining suggestions? Please share with our readers below!
Alt Brew
1808 Wright St
Madison Wisconsin 53704
608-352-3373
Webpage | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Taproom open for outdoor and indoor seating Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, 1 pm-9 pm.
Order pickup Tues-Wed 10am-4ppm, Thurs-Sat 10a-9p. Closed Sunday and Monday
**While we were not charged for our pizza or nachos, my thoughts and opinions are completely my own. We paid for our beer, which my husband thoroughly enjoyed.**