Beer, Brats, and Cheese

As the latest season of Top Chef reveals, Wisconsin foodways contain much more than beer, brats, and cheese. Yet these remain at the pinnacle of the states fameand rightly so. If you live in Wisconsinor have simply visitedyou know its hard to imagine tailgating, graduating, or celebrating without the Big Three. In 2022, Heather Kerrigan undertook a twenty-six-hundred-mile road trip crisscrossing the Badger State, seeking the hidden gems that locals frequent. She visited Wisconsins best restaurants, creameries, breweries, butcher shops, and cheesemongers. In Beer, Brats, and Cheese, Kerrigan highlights the innovative flavors and unexpected delights found in these spots, while revealing why these three foods enjoy a place of honor in the states culinary culture. Great beer isnt made only in Milwaukee, Sheboygan doesnt have a lock on the best bratwurst, and excellent cheeses dont just come from Monroe County. In fact, there are towns large and small, from the far north to the Illinois border, from Door County to the Mississippi River, that produce amazing culinary experiences. Whether youre planning a turn-by-turn day trip or simply looking for a great place to eat or drink nearby, this guide has you covered.