Brewery

Brewed for the love of beer one barrel at a time. Never distributed and only sold here!

2025 Beer Release Countdown

At our brewery, we may be small, but we never compromise on quality. Our passion for craft beer drives us to constantly refine and upgrade our brewing process, ensuring every pint we pour is among the finest. We proudly offer a core lineup of brews available year-round, but we also embrace the changing seasons with a rotating selection of seasonal and specialty beers. From crisp summer ales to rich winter stouts, there’s always something new to discover. Join us in our taproom, open Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and explore our ever-evolving selection. Here’s what we have on tap:

"Maydin Voyij" Amber Ale - Our flagship brew!

Every brewer takes immense pride in their first creation—ours is no exception. Meet Maydin Voyij, a deep amber ale with a smooth malt backbone, balanced by subtle grassy hop notes. This brew finishes crisp and dry, leaving behind no lingering sweetness—just the perfect excuse for another sip. Naming a beer in today’s crowded craft beer market is no easy task. With countless names already trademarked or copyrighted, originality is key. When it came to our very first release, we knew we had to make it stand out.

That’s how Maydin Voyij was born—a playful twist on the traditional “maiden voyage.” This brew marked the beginning of our journey, and as fate would have it, it quickly became our flagship beer. So, raise a glass and set sail with us. We’re confident that once you embark on this Maydin Voyij, you won’t be in any rush to return to shore. Cheers!

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Bayou American Wheat Ale

For centuries, wheat has been a staple in cultures around the world—nourishing, versatile, and essential. And in the world of brewing, it plays a starring role.

The beer in your hand is packed with a hearty dose of wheat, giving it an incredibly smooth mouthfeel and a creamy, slightly off-white head. The aroma is rich and bready, leading to a touch of natural tartness on the tongue—a signature of quality wheat beers.

But here’s the best part: this wheat beer needs no fruit. No lemon wedges, no orange slices—just pure, crisp refreshment exactly as it’s meant to be. Smooth. Satisfying. Incredibly easy to drink.

Raise a glass to a time-honored classic. 🍻

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“Porterton Pinker” Robust Porter

In 1850, Allen Pinkerton founded the first detective agency in the United States, right in Chicago, Illinois. His agency not only solved some of the toughest cases of the time—it also foiled a plot to kidnap and assassinate Abraham Lincoln, years before John Wilkes Booth’s tragic attack. More than 170 years later, Pinkerton’s legacy of vigilance and resilience still stands strong.

When naming this bold yet smooth, complex yet easy-drinking porter, we wanted something as legendary as Pinkerton himself. Unfortunately, his name was already taken. But, in the spirit of quick thinking and clever twists—much like the detective work he mastered—we present: Porterton Pinker.

Much like the agency it honors, this robust porter stands the test of time. Expect rich, roasted coffee notes upfront, followed by a velvety finish with hints of dark chocolate. It’s smooth, satisfying, and impossible to resist—just like a good mystery.

Raise a glass to history. Savor the legend. Porterton Pinker is waiting for your next case. 🍻

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"Crump’s Hill" Piney IPA

During the American Civil War, a small but fierce skirmish took place just north of New Orleans on a wooded knoll known as “The Piney Knoll.” This battleground sat on the land of the Crump family, inspiring the name for this brew—Crump’s Hill IPA.

This bold yet approachable IPA is the little sister to our Old IP-Abe. Just as the skirmish was a smaller-scale battle, we downsized the Old IP-Abe recipe while keeping its same grain bill and yeast variety. The key differences? A refined hop selection, adjusted IBUs, and a slightly lower ABV—all designed to bring out the beer’s pine-forward character.

What to expect:
🌲 Aromatic pine on the nose and first sip
🍊 A burst of citrus and grapefruit in the middle
🍺 A crisp, clean, and refreshing finish with little to no lingering bitterness

A true salute to history—bold in flavor, smooth in drinkability. Try Crump’s Hill IPA today! 🍻

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“Old IP-Abe” American IPA

Some stories are too powerful to fade, and the tale of Old Abe, Wisconsin’s most legendary bald eagle, is one of them. As the fearless mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, Old Abe soared over more than 40 battles, braving the chaos and smoke, wounded but never defeated. When the 8th was decommissioned, he continued his service with the 12th Wisconsin Infantry, becoming a true symbol of resilience and courage.

After the war, Old Abe found a new home at Wisconsin’s Capitol, where he became a living monument to bravery. But tragedy struck—first, he was lost to smoke inhalation in a fire, and later, in 1904, another devastating fire destroyed his mounted remains. Though he no longer stands in the flesh, his spirit lives on, honored by a replica in the Capitol today and remembered as an icon of Wisconsin’s unbreakable spirit.

To pay tribute to Old Abe, we created a beer as bold as his legacy: Old Abe IPA. This hearty red IPA reflects the battles he witnessed—the deep red hue symbolizes the blood shed, while its high IBUs embody his unwavering strength. Yet, just like Old Abe’s enduring spirit, this brew is balanced—featuring a smooth citrus backbone with minimal hop bitterness, making it approachable for all.

Old Abe’s legend has stood the test of time, and we believe this IPA will too. Raise a glass to a Wisconsin icon—take flight with Old Abe IPA! You just might find it earning a permanent place in your fridge. 🍻

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“Blonde Honey”

English Blonde Ale a different take on a traditional English blonde ours finishes with notes of honey and lemon.

ABV: 4.0%                       IBU: 21

 

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"Bayou Berliner" Sour Ale

Our Berliner gets its sour blast from a healthy dose of lactic acid we give this one more dimension with wild grape and cranberry. 🍻 ABV: 4.5%          IBU: 15

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“Mass 54 Schwarzbier” Black Lager

Subtle roasted coffee notes are followed by a hint of dark chocolate, finishes clean.🍻   ABV: 5.0%                  IBU: 32

 

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A word from our brewmaster

North of the Bayou is a truly special place, not just because we brew great beer but because we’re a hidden gem in the craft brewing world. Many of our first-time visitors are surprised to learn that we brew on-site, and once they do, word of mouth spreads quickly. There are so many craft beer enthusiasts out there searching for unique, off-the-radar spots, and we love being that discovery for them—especially for locals who may not have even realized we brew until they step through our doors.

Our team takes real pride in what we do. The bartenders go the extra mile to understand our beers, often tasting them so they can speak knowledgeably and passionately to customers. If there’s ever a question, I’m usually on hand to fill in. My own brewing journey started back in 1986 with home brewing and winemaking. While my first beer attempt was a failure, I eventually found my way back, refining my craft over time. Brewing is a continuous learning experience—no one ever truly masters it, but that’s part of what makes it exciting.

We started small, with a one-barrel system, and gradually expanded to include multiple fermenters and a bright tank. Now, we’re gearing up to double our batches, which is an exciting milestone. My personal favorite styles to brew are lagers, particularly our Oktoberfest and Schwarzbier, but our flagship Amber Ale holds a special place as the first beer I ever brewed here. What drives me every day is the science behind brewing and, more importantly, the reactions from those who enjoy our beer. Seeing people appreciate what we’ve created makes all the effort worthwhile—it’s what keeps me passionate about brewing at North of the Bayou.

Frank

Brewmaster / North of the Bayou

The Brewing System & Process

Brewing equipment at North of the Bayou Brewery in Madison, WI - Craft beer brewing equipment for local brewery.

At our brewery, we take pride in crafting high-quality craft beers using a well-designed brewing system. Most of our batches are brewed on a one-barrel system, with the ability to scale up to two barrels when needed. Our brewing process is divided into two sides: the hot side, where brewing begins with controlled heating, and the cold side, where fermentation and aging take place. This system allows us to maintain precision and consistency in every batch we create.

On the hot side, we utilize three stainless steel kettles, each serving a specific purpose. The hot liquor tank (HLT) heats water for brewing, while the mash tun is used to soak grains and extract fermentable sugars. The boil kettle then brings the mixture to a rolling boil, where digital controllers regulate temperatures to ensure a perfect brew. Precise temperature control is crucial to developing the right flavors and aromas in our craft beers.

Once the wort is boiled and properly prepared, it moves to the cold side, where fermentation begins. Our ferment vessels, equipped with glycol jackets, maintain optimal temperatures to allow yeast to work its magic. These vessels also include brite tanks, where beers requiring additional conditioning are aged to perfection. This meticulous process ensures that every pint poured is crisp, flavorful, and true to its intended style.

The brewing process starts with key ingredients: water, grain, hops, and yeast. The mash tun is filled with water at the perfect temperature, then grains are added and carefully stirred to extract sugars. Our system includes a sparge arm, which gently rinses the grains, ensuring maximum sugar extraction. Throughout the process, pH levels and starch conversion are carefully monitored to produce the best quality wort before it moves to the boil kettle.

During the boil, hops are added in timed stages to achieve the right balance of bitterness, flavor, and aroma. Once boiling is complete, we use a whirlpool technique to separate unwanted particles before rapidly cooling the wort through a heat exchange system. This prevents chill haze and preserves the clarity and freshness of our beers. The cooled wort is then transferred to the ferment vessel, where it is aerated to support yeast fermentation and alcohol production.

Fermentation unfolds over several days, with an initial active phase followed by a conditioning period. A diacetyl rest ensures that unwanted buttery flavors are reabsorbed by the yeast, and a final cold crash clarifies the beer before it’s transferred to kegs. The carbonation process takes about five days, resulting in perfectly balanced craft beers ready to enjoy. From grain to glass, our brewing process is a blend of science, tradition, and passion—bringing you the best brews our brewery has to offer.