*This is the one-hundred and eighth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Viking Brewpub
211 E Main St
Stoughton, WI 53589
(608) 719-5041
Visit date: 04/28/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
10 on tap.
2) How long operational?
Pub opened in August 2014, brewing started in-house in October 2015.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Local owners were big beer drinkers, felt Stoughton needed its own brewery.
4) Distribution?
In-house only.
5) What sets you apart?
Norwegian heritage and food.
6) How did you get your name?
Owner’s name is Vik, which went well with the viking theme and local history.
Viking Brewpub in Stoughton, WI. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
An off-hand comment while on a beer trip spurred a local couple to open up Stoughton’s only brewery, but Viking Brewpub is more than just a beer-factory. Walking in on a Friday evening, we were greeted by a raucous crowd of locals and travelers alike.
The bustling restaurant and brewery takes their theme seriously, with a heavy emphasis on Scandinavian culture and icons (though thankfully no Minnesota Viking paraphernalia).
You can pull up a chair along either side of the hand-made viking’s ship / bar, and drink under the watchful gaze of fire-breathing Hilda the dragon. We tried their ten house beers.
Winter Wonderland Warmer Doppelbock
Immediate warmth, late nuttiness. Perfect for early winter fires.
Viking Sjokalade Porter
Coffee front and caramel back, sitting on all the chocolate smokiness imaginable.
Nordic Blonde
Brusque, dry, light: and all-day drinker.
Midnight Sun Cream Ale
Creamy mouthfeel. A light-colored but filling beer. Ends with an unexpected lingering spice.
Land Ahoy APA
Buttery, malty, hoppy; a true crowd pleaser.
Great Heathen Wit
A go-to; banana and clove, even keeled.
Viking Ironside IPA
Subtler than most IPAs. Leans Old English Ale in style. Musty.
Rewired Squirrel Irish Ale
If you like Irish Ales, you’ll want to get Rewired. All-night for me.
Soot In My Eye Rye Ale
Rye-time. Very bold flavors; like a light-bodied whisky.
Sigurd The Mighty Strong Scotch Ale
Fruity, slightly boozy: a gateway Scotch.
Besides being the only brewery in Stoughton, Viking Brewpub is also one of the only restaurants in Dane County that serves traditional Scandinavian dishes.
We partook in more American pub grub, pairing our beers with a pork chili burrito and a pulled pork sandwich with fresh-fried cheese curds.
There’s no denying the effort that Viking Brewpub’s owners have put into the design of their space, and that dedication to excellence is only matched by their execution in the brewhouse and the kitchen. Stop in to Stoughton for a Scandinavian treat unlike any other this side of Norway.
