Wisconsin Dells

[JJ]

Might have to stop next weekend!

[emerge]

Might have to stop next weekend!

Update?

[JJ]

Might have to stop next weekend!

Update?

Ended up not getting to that area.

[emerge]

Might have to stop next weekend!

Update?

Ended up not getting to that area.

Anything good in the Dells this time around?

We went to Broadway Diner in Baraboo last time, it was great.

[JJ]

Might have to stop next weekend!

Update?

Ended up not getting to that area.

Anything good in the Dells this time around?
We went to Broadway Diner in Baraboo last time, it was great.

We weren't in the Dells. We were in Prarie du Sac and possibly going through Baraboo but took a different route.

[emerge]

Might have to stop next weekend!

Update?

Ended up not getting to that area.

Anything good in the Dells this time around?
We went to Broadway Diner in Baraboo last time, it was great.

We weren't in the Dells. We were in Prarie du Sac and possibly going through Baraboo but took a different route.

Gotcha. Thought you meant the Devil's Lake area.

Heard good things about Green Acres in Prarie du Sac, old school place. I heard it's Dr. Evermor's fav dining out spot.

[emerge]

Uh oh, not Cruisin’ Chubbys!

[emerge]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

For me, this thread has always been about exploring the surrounding area. I think there are a couple newer breweries in Baraboo now: Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock. I wonder if The Barn has any plans to reopen elsewhere or rebuild.

Always wanted to check out the Museum of Historic Torture Devices...

JJ> any new intel?

[flyingbison]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

You know there is no masking in WI, right? 

[Initiative]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

You know there is no masking in WI, right? 

It's so weird leaving Dane county and seeing masks just disappear in an instant.

[emerge]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

You know there is no masking in WI, right? 

It's so weird leaving Dane county and seeing masks just disappear in an instant.

That will take getting used to, but i'll be fully vaxxed so not too worried. Won't be cramming in any SRO bars however.

Downstate IL seems pretty similar on mask-wearing, at least in the more rural parts.

[smellysell]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

You know there is no masking in WI, right? 

It's so weird leaving Dane county and seeing masks just disappear in an instant.

That will take getting used to, but i'll be fully vaxxed so not too worried. Won't be cramming in any SRO bars however.

Downstate IL seems pretty similar on mask-wearing, at least in the more rural parts.

Think it's pretty much rural areas anywhere.

[stoney]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

For me, this thread has always been about exploring the surrounding area. I think there are a couple newer breweries in Baraboo now: Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock. I wonder if The Barn has any plans to reopen elsewhere or rebuild.

Always wanted to check out the Museum of Historic Torture Devices...

JJ> any new intel?

You wanna have some real memorable fun while at Wisconsin Dells go to the local grocery store up there and buy some chicken livers and some frozen smelt.

Not to eat you dummy, but to glob on a hook and fwang out there into the Wisconsin River.

80-100 pound sturgeon and / or 50-60 pound flathead catfish. Plenty of 10-20 pound channel catfish too.

Better than sitting in some stinky old bar and far less risk of COVID too.

I know some spots.................

[emerge]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

For me, this thread has always been about exploring the surrounding area. I think there are a couple newer breweries in Baraboo now: Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock. I wonder if The Barn has any plans to reopen elsewhere or rebuild.

Always wanted to check out the Museum of Historic Torture Devices...

JJ> any new intel?

You wanna have some real memorable fun while at Wisconsin Dells go to the local grocery store up there and buy some chicken livers and some frozen smelt.

Not to eat you dummy, but to glob on a hook and fwang out there into the Wisconsin River.

80-100 pound sturgeon and / or 50-60 pound flathead catfish. Plenty of 10-20 pound channel catfish too.

Better than sitting in some stinky old bar and far less risk of COVID too.

I know some spots.................

I've been on the river up there a few times with my FIL, just to cruise around. Sadly no WI fishing license.

[JJ]

Welp, guess the family trip with the inlaws is back on this summer. woohoo

You know there is no masking in WI, right? 

It's so weird leaving Dane county and seeing masks just disappear in an instant.

You ain't lyin'.  We were in the Dells Saturday night.
Went into the hotel to check in and saw no fewer than 3 dozen people standing around shoulder to shoulder maskless for a wedding. The restaurant was packed with no table distancing and a packed bar.

[emerge]

It's almost that time...

When we go to the Dells, and I try to spend the least amount of time possible in the Dells proper. Planning to hit the new pub in Roxbury for lunch on the way up, and maybe get the kids (not mine) to Dr. Evermor's. The new breweries in Baraboo are on my radar too, Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock.

Anything else new and worthwhile?

[flyingbison]

Anything else new and worthwhile?

Should be plenty of delta variant floating around.   

[emerge]

Anything else new and worthwhile?

Should be plenty of delta variant floating around.   

The only crowds I anticipate will be outdoors. We rarely go out to eat with a big group.

Welp, looks like the only halfway decent brewery in town shut down. Port Huron

Huh, they closed *before* covid.
https://www.wiscnews.com/wisconsindellsevents/business/wisconsin-dells-port-huron-brewing-company-announces-closure/article_a70d1770-31dc-5baf-80a1-67c2a08d7471.html

Moosejaw/Dells Brewery sucks, not to mention a few years back the brewmaster called the cops on a charity homebrew competition at The Barn in Baraboo. So, fuck them.

[JJ]

It's almost that time...

When we go to the Dells, and I try to spend the least amount of time possible in the Dells proper. Planning to hit the new pub in Roxbury for lunch on the way up, and maybe get the kids (not mine) to Dr. Evermor's. The new breweries in Baraboo are on my radar too, Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock.

Anything else new and worthwhile?

I was there a few weeks ago (daughter's dance competition) and I'll be there the last week of the month (vacation). Nothing new as far as restaurants but, like everywhere else, they are short staffed. Places are closing earlier than usual. We finally hit Grateful Shed which was a cool place with a decent selection.

I've never been out to Baraboo but I may when we go. We were asked to cater a wedding there next year and I'd like to check the place out. Maybe hit the places you mentioned.

[emerge]

It's almost that time...

When we go to the Dells, and I try to spend the least amount of time possible in the Dells proper. Planning to hit the new pub in Roxbury for lunch on the way up, and maybe get the kids (not mine) to Dr. Evermor's. The new breweries in Baraboo are on my radar too, Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock.

Anything else new and worthwhile?

I was there a few weeks ago (daughter's dance competition) and I'll be there the last week of the month (vacation). Nothing new as far as restaurants but, like everywhere else, they are short staffed. Places are closing earlier than usual. We finally hit Grateful Shed which was a cool place with a decent selection.

I've never been out to Baraboo but I may when we go. We were asked to cater a wedding there next year and I'd like to check the place out. Maybe hit the places you mentioned.

I like Baraboo, there's a few things to do and it's not teeming with tourists like the Dells.

Will try to check out the antiques barn on highway 12 on the way up.

Edit: Huh, it looks like they sell nazi candle holders.
https://goo.gl/maps/S9iXJqAF1KUxdFYKA

[emerge]

"Man Mound Park"

Located outside of Baraboo, this is an effigy mound over 1000 years old. It's one of only 10 preserved effigy mounds in the US, and the only surviving monumental earthen anthropomorphic effigy in North America.

Pretty unusual, and a free attraction off the beaten path. A little far from the Dells, but if in Baraboo, it's only 5 min. outside of town.

https://goo.gl/maps/3sBye2cdX7urHTX97

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/man-mound

[JJ]

It's almost that time...

When we go to the Dells, and I try to spend the least amount of time possible in the Dells proper. Planning to hit the new pub in Roxbury for lunch on the way up, and maybe get the kids (not mine) to Dr. Evermor's. The new breweries in Baraboo are on my radar too, Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock.

Anything else new and worthwhile?

I was there a few weeks ago (daughter's dance competition) and I'll be there the last week of the month (vacation). Nothing new as far as restaurants but, like everywhere else, they are short staffed. Places are closing earlier than usual. We finally hit Grateful Shed which was a cool place with a decent selection.

I've never been out to Baraboo but I may when we go. We were asked to cater a wedding there next year and I'd like to check the place out. Maybe hit the places you mentioned.

I like Baraboo, there's a few things to do and it's not teeming with tourists like the Dells.

Will try to check out the antiques barn on highway 12 on the way up.

Edit: Huh, it looks like they sell nazi candle holders.
https://goo.gl/maps/S9iXJqAF1KUxdFYKA

I love that place. I usually stop and pick up some vintage Star Wars stuff and Brewers bobbleheads.

And, yeah. As soon as you walk in there is a case of Nazi goodies and a few other cases. There's actually a lot of WWII stuff for sale. I was eyeing up the patches looking for anything my grandpa had. Maybe a purple heart.

[Initiative]

Tumbled Rock, has a really cool space but it is definitely aimed at the tourist crowd. The beers I had was their were unremarkable. Driftless Glen in Baraboo has some decent single barrel ryes normally and maybe if you are lucky a finished rye that are usually interesting if that trips your trigger. Showboat saloon in the dells has basically become a Central waters/Toppling Goliath taproom it feels like. Natural Bridge is a cool often forgotten state park not too far from Baraboo kind of out in the way of Dr. Evermor's that we have hiked during the pandemic.

[emerge]

It's almost that time...

When we go to the Dells, and I try to spend the least amount of time possible in the Dells proper. Planning to hit the new pub in Roxbury for lunch on the way up, and maybe get the kids (not mine) to Dr. Evermor's. The new breweries in Baraboo are on my radar too, Al. Ringling and Tumbled Rock.

Anything else new and worthwhile?

I was there a few weeks ago (daughter's dance competition) and I'll be there the last week of the month (vacation). Nothing new as far as restaurants but, like everywhere else, they are short staffed. Places are closing earlier than usual. We finally hit Grateful Shed which was a cool place with a decent selection.

I've never been out to Baraboo but I may when we go. We were asked to cater a wedding there next year and I'd like to check the place out. Maybe hit the places you mentioned.

I like Baraboo, there's a few things to do and it's not teeming with tourists like the Dells.

Will try to check out the antiques barn on highway 12 on the way up.

Edit: Huh, it looks like they sell nazi candle holders.
https://goo.gl/maps/S9iXJqAF1KUxdFYKA

I love that place. I usually stop and pick up some vintage Star Wars stuff and Brewers bobbleheads.

And, yeah. As soon as you walk in there is a case of Nazi goodies and a few other cases. There's actually a lot of WWII stuff for sale. I was eyeing up the patches looking for anything my grandpa had. Maybe a purple heart.

There used to be a great antique mall in the Dells a block off Main St. that closed a few years ago. They're fun to browse for sure.

It just struck me as odd that's one of the first business photos on google maps. I know they're antiques brought back by WWII soldiers, but racist nuts also that collect that stuff to jerk off to, unfortunately.

My great uncle had a purple heart, bronze star, and a few other medals. Got a shrapnel wound that messed his leg up. Sadly he died before I could meet him.

Tumbled Rock, has a really cool space but it is definitely aimed at the tourist crowd. The beers I had was their were unremarkable. Driftless Glen in Baraboo has some decent single barrel ryes normally and maybe if you are lucky a finished rye that are usually interesting if that trips your trigger. Showboat saloon in the dells has basically become a Central waters/Toppling Goliath taproom it feels like. Natural Bridge is a cool often forgotten state park not too far from Baraboo kind of out in the way of Dr. Evermor's that we have hiked during the pandemic.

Natural Bridge is cool, we hiked it a few years back too. Good tip on Driftless Glen Did you eat anything at Tumbled Rock?

Edit: Near Natural Bridge is Sprecher's Bar: https://goo.gl/maps/F9YXpby29hQnBtpY7

[emerge]

Tumbled Rock, has a really cool space but it is definitely aimed at the tourist crowd.

I'll still pop in here and Ringling to check them out. This place looked way more promising than Ringling though.

[emerge]

Thinking about another side trip up to Mauston (25 min.), there's a new brewery there called Gravity Box. They make a "50 Sheds of Hay" farmhouse ale

Jackson Clinic is kinda sorta on the way back, maybe do a 1-2 stop trip.

[emerge]

Sprecher’s Bar in Leland was a trip and a half. A little too 2nd amendmenty for me but an experience all the same. (They sell firearms and ammo from the bar)

Ringlings in Baraboo was kinda whatever. Cool space, dull beer.

[JJ]

Trip summary:
Monk's (Wilderness): Seems to have fewer noteworthy beer selections but they are present. CLOSED TUESDAYS
Grateful Shed: Cool place with good tap selection. Live music
House of Embers: A few local micros (had Mobcraft Batshit Crazy) CLOSED TUESDAY
Moosejaw: Had an 8-beer flight. The Imperial Vanilla Cream Ale and Belgian Chardonnay were really good. Pear Seltzer was, dare I say, excellent. Red Ale tasted like band-aids
River Walk Pub: Standard selection
Brat House Grill: We've driven past this place a hundred times and never thought about stopping. Finally did it for lunch. Walked past a couple ladies completely wasted and stumbling around at 12:30PM. Hooray Wisconsin! Some Micros. Had a McLovin Red Ale from Vintage with a Freakin' Hot Polish.
Del-Bar: More focused on cocktails so beer was basic. A couple of micro options but nothing to report back on.
Sprecher Brewpub: CLOSED is now Lake City Social. Did not go.
Overall: Places are playing it safe with selections. Staffing sucks and a lot are adjusting hours and warning people ahead of time they are short-staffed. River Walk staff had T-Shirts with "Please be patient. There are, like, 3 of us working" on the back. Call ahead and make sure the place is open before you go and not closing early. Noah's Ark was closed Wednesday and Flash Flood was shut down Tuesday.

[emerge]

 

Brat House sounds promising. My inlaws brought enough food to feed 20 people for the weekend.

Going to try for Tumbled Rock later, went to Gravity Box in Mauston which was a worthwhile detour. Hit Jackson Clinic and Viking Liquor in Reedsburg on the way back. The store had a remodel and the beer was more spaced out, lots more seltzer, very few imports. Some regional stuff from Oliphant and Pitchfork out of Hudson.

[JJ]

Brat House sounds promising. My inlaws brought enough food to feed 20 people for the weekend.

Going to try for Tumbled Rock later, went to Gravity Box in Mauston which was a worthwhile detour. Hit Jackson Clinic and Viking Liquor in Reedsburg on the way back. The store had a remodel and the beer was more spaced out, lots more seltzer, very few imports. Some regional stuff from Oliphant and Pitchfork out of Hudson.

Yeah, overall this is starting to eclipse microbrews in some locations.

[emerge]

Brat House sounds promising. My inlaws brought enough food to feed 20 people for the weekend.

Going to try for Tumbled Rock later, went to Gravity Box in Mauston which was a worthwhile detour. Hit Jackson Clinic and Viking Liquor in Reedsburg on the way back. The store had a remodel and the beer was more spaced out, lots more seltzer, very few imports. Some regional stuff from Oliphant and Pitchfork out of Hudson.

Yeah, overall this is starting to eclipse microbrews in some locations.

That store is huge too, used to be a full wall of beer up front, now it’s all seltzer and mixers. They spread out the beer across the whole back of the store in cooler aisles, so the majority is cold. A little too spread out though, you have to walk down every aisle to see what they have.

[emerge]

Didn’t make it to Tumbled Rock, they “stopped seating at 5:45 for a private event”. We went to B-Lux and got stuck there for 3 hours, due to their no res policy, our large group, and staffing issues. An hour to get seated, an hour to get the food, the rest was waiting to order and eating.

PseudoSue on tap, not bad. I had a “KY Brainfreeze”, a milkshake with Makers, caramel, and peanut butter, and an “Emerald Thyme” with Hendricks, cucumber, and thyme I think. Food was better than a lot in the Dells but still kind of average.