Capital Brewery

Capital Brewery
Location	Middleton, Wisconsin United States
Active beers
Name Type Wisconsin Amber American Amber/Red lager Brown Ale English brown ale Capital 1900 American all-malt lager Munich Dark Munich dunkel lager Bavarian Lager Munich helles lager Special Pilsner German pilsner Kloster Weizen Hefe weizen Island Wheat American pale wheat ale Supper Club American lager
Seasonal beers
Name Type Maibock Maibock Fest Märzen/Octoberfest Oktoberfest Märzen/Octoberfest Winter Skâl American Amber/Red lager
Other beers
Name Type Limited Release beers Blonde Doppelbock Doppelbock Weizen Doppelbock Weizenbock Autumnal Fire Doppelbock Dark Doppelbock Doppelbock Eisphyre Eisbock

Capital Brewery is a brewery located in Middleton, Wisconsin. Founded on March 14, 1984, by Madison, Wisconsin entrepreneur Ed Janus, it is in a former egg processing plant. The company first began production in spring, 1986, and now produces 22,000 barrels of beer annually. It produces 16 distinct beers, of which eight are annuals, four are seasonals, and four are limited release. Most are made using the strict Reinheitsgebot guidelines.

The company's brews have won individual awards at a number of competitions, including the Great American Beer Festival, and The Great Taste of the Midwest. The brewery was awarded the distinction of Madison's Favorite Local/Regional Beer from 1998 to 2004 in the The Capital Times/Wisconsin State Journal Reader's Choice Awards.

Capital Brewery was named "America's #1 Rated Brewery" by the Beverage Testing Institute's World Beer Championships in 1998. The brewery was also rated #7 in the world at this time.

Capital Brewery’s beers are currently distributed in six Midwestern States: Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Ohio, and Missouri.

Capital Brewery has a large beer garden that is host to events throughout the year. One of the more popular is Bockfest, held on the last Saturday in February. Bockfest celebrates and ushers in the annual release of Capital Blonde Doppelbock, Capital's most highly decorated brew. Blonde Doppelbock has been awarded platinum three times in the past eight years at the World Beer Championships.

Current Beer Lineup

Annual

These beers are available year 'round

Supper Club - "Harking back to an era where Supper Clubs were In Vogue and Wisconsin had numerous regional breweries making their version of American Style Lagers. You know, back when these types of beers exhibited regional soul. And many of these beers were enjoyed during an evening spent at a local Supper Club, visiting with friends and family and having a good dinner. Supper Club is an eminently drinkable version of a true American Lager. Featuring a greater depth of refreshing malt character than the mass marketed versions of the style, Supper Club is clean yet satisfying. Classic Wisconsin Lager at it's finest."

Capital Pilsner - An authentic German style pilsner. A superbly balanced beer, with a firm maltiness alongside hearty hop bittering and flavor notes. AWARDS

• 1989 Chicago Beer Society (Silver)
• 1992 Great American Beer Festival (Silver)
• 1995 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (Silver)
• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (88 - Silver)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (82 - Bronze)
• 1999 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (88 - Silver)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 - Gold)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2004 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (91-Gold)
• 2008 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2009 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92-Gold)

Wisconsin Amber - Loosely based on Vienna style, Wisconsin Amber is a rich, malty lager balanced out with mild hop bittering and enticing hop flavor. Very fulfilling. Very drinkable.

AWARDS

• 1995 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (85 - Silver)
• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (85 - Silver)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (87 - Silver)
• 1999 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92 - Gold)
• 2004 - World Beer Cup - Bronze
• 2004 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92-Gold)
• 2009 North American Brewers Assocation (Silver)
• 2009 Canfest - Gold

Capital Dark - Without a doubt the finest dark beer brewed in the United States. Styled after a traditional Munchener-Dunkel, Munich Dark is a rich, delicious beer combined with excellent drinkability, a rare combination.

AWARDS

• 1987 Great American Beer Festival (Bronze)
• 1987 Great Taste of the Midwest (Best of Show)
• 1988 Great American Beer Festival (Gold)
• 1990 Great American Beer Festival (Gold)
• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (85 - Silver)
• 1997 Great American Beer Festival (Bronze)
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (89 - Silver)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (88 - Silver)
• 2002 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2003 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2005 Great American Beer Festival (Gold)
• 2006 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (91 - Gold)
• 2008 North American Brewers Assocation (Silver)
• 2009 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90-Gold)

Island Wheat - Capital's Island Wheat Ale is classified as an American Wheat Ale style brew. Island Wheat captures all of the classical elements of this style, while adding its own twist to the mix. Wheat used in this brew is grown on Wisconsin's own Washington Island (off the tip of famous Door County). Lake Michigan creates a maritime climate on the Island, giving the wheat crop very unique characteristics that carry through to the personality of the beer. When you enjoy your first Island Wheat, you will notice that it has a hazy, golden hue and a dense, rocky head. This beer is one of those rare brews that a wide variety of beer drinkers will enjoy. Those that find lighter beer appealing will find the refreshing mildness to their liking. While those that enjoy a more robust brew will find the complexity of the wheats used more than satisfying.

AWARDS

• 2007 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (83-Bronze)

Pale Ale - This is an American pale ale defined by the assertive, but not overwhelming, use of American Cascade hops. Exhibiting an inviting golden hue, U.S. Pale Ale is a zesty choice fo those who believe that hops are "hip". Refreshing and clean with medium bodied flavor and an easy, dry, and memorable finish. Hops with an American accent. Disarmingly drinkable.

Rustic Ale - This is an American Amber Ale. Cloudy from the yeast, this moderately rich ale is just bitter enough to balance the sweetness of the malt. Grain from Washington Island is used in this brew, but it is not the dominating malt.

Seasonal

Maibock - A bock beer with a beautiful, deep golden hue. Very smooth, this beer has great depth of character, and is an excellent beer to celebrate the end of winter and beginning of spring. Available March - April

AWARDS

• 1991 Chicago Beer Society (Gold)
• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (85 - Silver)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 - Gold)
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (88 - Silver)
• 2000 World Beer Cup (Silver)
• 2002 World Beer Cup (Gold)
• 2002 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2003 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 - Gold)
• 2003 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2005 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92 - Gold)
• 2007 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93 - Gold)

Fest - This wonderful beer has a deep golden hue and a smooth malty flavor with a clean pleasant finish. Imported German malts are used to create the flavor of this festive beer. Available May - July

AWARDS

• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 - Gold)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (89 - Silver)
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (86 - Silver)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (89 - Silver)
• 2002 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2003 North American Brewers Association (Honorable Mention)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Bronze)
• 2005 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93 - Gold)

Oktoberfest - This traditional marzen beer shows off a gorgeous, fiery amber color. The flavor emphasizes a rich, almost "toasted" flavor from the malt. A classic style beer. Available August - October

AWARDS

• 1989 Great Taste of the Midwest (Bronze)
• 1989 Great American Beer Festival (Silver)
• 1995 Great American Beer Festival (Silver)
• 1996 Great American Beer Festival (Silver)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 -Gold)
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (89 - Silver)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 - Gold)
• 2004 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90-Gold)
• 2004 U.S. Beer Tasting Championship Grand Champion in Vienna/Marzen
• 2009 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92-Gold)

Winter Skal - A pleasingly warming beer with its amber hue showing off its rich malt heritage. Mildly bittered with a smooth hop flavor complementing the malt. Winter Skål makes a person welcome the onslaught of the cold. Available November - January

AWARDS

• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (83 - Bronze)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (81- Bronze)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (94 - Gold)
• 2003 North American Brewers Association (Bronze)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2007 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (86-Silver)

Limited Release

Blonde Dopplebock - A deep golden color leads one to an extremely flavorful, yet very drinkable beer of great character. Treat this malt monster with respect!

AWARDS

• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (85 - Silver)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (91 - Gold)
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (97 - PLATINUM)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (96 - Platinum)
• 2002 World Beer Cup (Gold)
• 2003 North American Brewers Association (Bronze)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2004 USBTC Grand Champion in the catagory of Bock/Doppelbock
• 2005 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (96 - Platinum)
• 2006 World Beer Cup (Bronze)
• 2007 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (98 - Platinum)
• 2008 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2009 North American Brewers Association (Bronze)

Autumnal Fire - A blazing rich beer, this is a doppelbock based on an Octoberfest personality. Warm and intriguing, the perfect "Brandy Snifter" beer.

AWARDS

• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93 - Gold)
• 1997 Chicago Beer Society International Tasting - Award of Merit
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93 - Gold)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92 - Gold)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2004 Great American Beer Festival (Gold)
• 2004 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93-Gold)
• 2006 Great American Beer Festival (Gold)
• 2006 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93 - Gold)
• 2008 Great American Beer Festival (Gold)
• 2009 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (93-Gold)

Beers in Hibernation

Bavarian Lager - A golden, pleasantly smooth beer. Based on the Munich "Helles" style. Nice, mellow malt flavor and a unique and mild hop flavor.

AWARDS

• 1995 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (92 - Gold)
• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (82 - Bronze)
• 1996 Great American Beer Festival (Bronze)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (87 - Silver)
• 2000 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (94 - Gold)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (90 - Gold)
• 2002 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2004 North American Brewers Association (Silver)
• 2008 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2009 Great American Beer Festival (Bronze)

Brown Ale - An ale with a deep brown tone, this is our version of a traditional British style, balanced toward the malt (three of the varieties used are imported), this ale exhibits classic ale smoothness. This brew went in to hibernation in the Spring of 2009.

AWARDS

• 2002 Beverage Testing Institute (89 - Silver)
• 2004 World Beer Cup - Bronze
• 2007 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (85 - Silver)

Capital 1900 - After researching brewing styles from the turn of the last century, Capital has created an outstanding, mild, American-style beer. This pilsner beer comes from an old Wisconsin recipe, circa 1900, and has a smoothness that the big beer companies will envy. Hibernating since 2006.

AWARDS

• 2000 Beverage Testing Institute (84 - Silver)
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute (88 - Silver)

Dark Doppelbock - Loaded with a great depth of malt complexity. Huge and rich as can be, yet exhibiting a great smoothness on the palate.

AWARDS

• 1995 Great American Beer Festival (Bronze)
• 1996 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (88 - Silver)
• 1997 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (87 - Silver)
• 1998 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (89 - Silver)
• 2000 U.S. Beer Tasting Championships - Best of the Midwest in Bock Beer
• 2001 Beverage Testing Institute World Beer Championships (91 - Gold)
• 2002 North American Brewers Association (Gold)
• 2002 U.S. Beer Tasting Champioships - Best of the Midwest
• 2003 North American Brewers Association (Bronze)
• 2006 World Beer Cup (Gold)

External links

• Capital Brewery website

• Pictures from Bockfest 2007