Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. - Eastside (Craft Beer & Brewery in Madison WI)

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co. – Eastside in Madison, Wisconsin, has been serving up beer and food for more than three decades, proving that longevity and imagination can coexist without turning stale. The place is a veritable laboratory of flavours: classic pub staples sit side‑by‑side with globally inspired dishes, from a surprisingly addictive curry‑squash soup to steak frites that could make a French bistro blush. The menu’s crowning glory is the cheese‑curd ranch sauce – a condiment so good it almost steals the limelight from the brews themselves.

The brewery’s beer programme is equally daring. 4‑oz flight glasses let you sample the rotating lineup of inventive ales, while the Dane Rewards scheme hands out points for every pint, encouraging regulars to keep coming back (the founders, who had been tinkering together for years, decided a loyalty program was the obvious next step). Pretzel trays arrive with an arsenal of dips, and the burgers are consistently delicious, rounding off a experience that feels less like a visit and more like slipping into a familiar, slightly boozy reunion. Events and private gatherings are a regular feature, cementing the pub’s reputation as a community hub where quality and camaraderie are poured in equal measure.

Why we love this brewery

What visitors love

Customers enjoyed a pleasant atmosphere with beautiful views, particularly from the upstairs seating area. Beer options and small plates, such as the Wisconsin Pretzel Board, received high praise. Food quality varied, with some dishes consistently excellent and others merely fair.