The Hop Garden taproom in Belleville comes with vibes and views

The Hop Garden is known for growing its own hops and its lively taproom on the banks of the Sugar River in Paoli. In June, owner Rich Joseph opened his third taproom, in downtown Belleville, with great views and a beer garden that’s also on the Sugar River. An Evansville location opened in 2023.

The Belleville taproom at 107 West Main St. is in a 1917 building built for one of Dane County’s first Buick car dealerships. It had been vacant since 2019; when Joseph saw it he could not pass it up. “Sometimes you can’t turn down opportunities, and this one fell in our lap,” he says. The building underwent more than a year of renovations.

Inside is a long main bar, dining room seating, a stage, and a private party room. The stage hosts a steady stream of live music. The convivial vibe continues outdoors in the beer garden overlooking the river’s dam and waterfall. Sitting there on a warm fall afternoon, any beer style is the perfect pint.

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