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 state’s fame—and rightly so. If you live in Wisconsin—or have simply visited—you know it’s 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 Wisconsin’s 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 state’s culinary culture. Great beer isn’t made only in Milwaukee, Sheboygan doesn’t have a lock on the best bratwurst, and excellent cheeses don’t 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 you’re planning a turn-by-turn day trip or simply looking for a great place to eat or drink nearby, this guide has you covered.