Beer Run: The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee

We want to occasionally feature some of the great beer destinations within driving range of Oshkosh and now that the weather is warming, it’s time to get started. Let’s kick things off with Wisconsin’s tap-beer king, The Sugar Maple in Milwaukee.

Here’s what you really want to know: The Sugar Maple has 60 American craft beers on tap. Sixty! Walking in and seeing that long row of tap handles is enough to set any beer lover’s heart racing. But shortly after the initial rush you realize you’ve got a problem. You’re going to need to make a decision. What are you going to drink? You might want to start with their sampler, which gets you 5 oz of any four beers for $10. It’s a start.

Prices here are mostly in the $5 range, about the average for pints around Milwaukee, and the atmosphere is very friendly and relaxed. The servers seem generally well informed about the beer and are more than willing to guide you along if you need help making a choice.  One thing you may want to consider is making your first visit earlier in the afternoon, say 4 pm or so when the crowd is lighter. It’s a large room, but in the evening this place tends to fill up fast, which doesn’t make navigating all that beer any easier.

The Sugar Maple is located on the South East side of Milwaukee, in the Village of Bay View. You can get there from Oshkosh in about an hour and a half and it is definitely worth the trip. At their website you can see their tap list and get directions. How you'll ever find your way back home is something you’ll need to figure out for yourself.