About AL. Ringling Brewing Co.
AL. Ringling Brewing Co. pours its beer inside the downtown Baraboo mansion that once belonged to Al Ringling, one of the brothers who started the Ringling circus. Co-owners Joe Colossa and Donald Horowitz opened the brewery in September 2020. During the mansion's restoration, workers found a wooden box hidden under a floorboard with a folded beer recipe inside, and that recipe became the house beer, The Ringling Family Original. Brewmaster Drew Morden has run the brewhouse since 2021.
The tap list leans on circus names: Flying Circus imperial stout, Buckin Ford cream ale, Cocoa Caliente porter, King Pole Kölsch, Humbug New England IPA, the Baraboobian IPA and fruited sours such as the Mango Pie Car. Most beers come in 5-ounce pours, which makes it easy to try a few, and some limited releases have been non-alcoholic. The mansion is also a bed and breakfast, and guided tours of the house run during business hours.
The kitchen serves beer cheese soup, handmade Paraguayan-style empanadas, the Circus Burger, Onion Ringlings, cheese curds, a Bavarian pretzel and wings, plus a Friday fish fry of walleye, bluegill or cod after 4 p.m. A kids menu offers chicken tenders, mac and cheese, hot dogs and grilled cheese. Holiday events in 2026 include a Halloween party on October 31 with costumes encouraged and a Thanksgiving feast on November 26, and the mansion hosts private parties and weddings.
New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm sits just off the Highway 12 bypass on the edge of Baraboo, about a 10-minute drive. Its 2026 season has ended, so look for its summer dates for 2027.
What to do
- Taste The Ringling Family Original, brewed from a recipe found in the mansion
- Try several beers in 5-ounce pours
- Take a guided tour of the Al Ringling Mansion during business hours
- Order the Friday fish fry of walleye, bluegill or cod after 4 p.m.
- Come in costume for the Halloween party, October 31, 2026
- Book an overnight stay in the mansion's bed and breakfast
Season, hours and prices
- Season
- Open year-round; holiday events October through December
- Hours
- Posted on their website (October 2026): Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–7 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
Good to know
- Age
- 21 or older to taste or drink alcohol
Tips for your visit
- Friday fish fry starts at 4 p.m.
- A kids menu is available, with $9 meals served with fries
- Ask about mansion tours when you arrive; they run during business hours
- Plan a designated driver before you head out
Pair it with a lavender farm
New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm · about 10 minutes away
New Life Lavender & Cherry Farm is about 10 minutes away off the Highway 12 bypass; in its summer season, pair a lavender wagon tour with dinner downtown.
Getting there
Questions
Is the brewery really in the Ringling Mansion?
Yes. It operates inside Al Ringling's former home on Broadway in downtown Baraboo, which also offers tours and bed-and-breakfast rooms.
Is there a kids menu?
Yes. Kids can order chicken tenders, mac and cheese, a hot dog or grilled cheese, each served with fries.
Does it have a Friday fish fry?
Yes. Walleye, bluegill and cod are served on Fridays after 4 p.m.
🗺️ Part of the guide Things to Do Near the Lavender Farms of Baraboo & Devil's Lake, Wisconsin
Checked in October 2026 against the business’s own website and local tourism pages. Hours and seasons change, so check with them before you go. How we check listings · Is this your business? Claim it free
