Bowler Hat Brewing Company and Farm + Feed
7429 Highway 72 W
Madison, Alabama 35758
256-325-3928
Website
If you frequently make the traffic-filled trek on Highway 72 between Huntsville and Madison, this is the perfect location for you to stop and kick back with good brews, friendly folks, and tasty grub. You walk by comfortable patio furniture and corn hole boards into an intimate, old world setting indoors. The dark walls, dim lighting, antique photos in gold frames, and plush vintage furniture in the parlor create the ultimate relaxing atmosphere. And then there are the owners walking around to check on everyone, bartenders making sure your glass is never empty, and friendly patrons striking up conversations – they truly make you feel at home.
Brews
Bowler Hat is considered a microbrewery rotating a combination of German and American style beers on tap. I am talking about the good stuff, ryes, pilsners, and ales. They release small batch beers frequently, and they had a Fig Brown Ale available on our visit. It was a rich, caramel flavor with an herbal hop character and dried fruit component that presents itself just enough to balance out the sweetness. Oh, and did I mention they took top honors as the best beer at Toyota Field’s 2020 Beer and Wine Festival?! They received majority votes of over 800 participants, thanks to their Vanilla Cream Ale and Blood Orange IPA (personal favorite).
Food
Farm + Feed pride themselves in creating a farm to table experience and utilizing local and sustainable ingredients. Madison desperately needs more mom-and-pop restaurants offering homemade, affordable options, and this is a great addition! They also offer catering for your special events, as well as meeting space options. Check out their menu.
I am a die-hard appetizer fanatic. I want to try as many menu items as I possibly can in one sitting, it is an expensive problem to have. We tried three different starter options. The Fried Green Tomatoes are sliced thin and fried twice, offering a nice crispy texture. CALLING ALL RANCH CONNOISSEURS – the tomatoes are served with their homemade ranch, and it is thick, dilly goodness. Our favorite, the Stuffed Mushrooms are to die for. Large button mushrooms filled with parmesan cheese, panko breadcrumbs, bacon (um, yum) and topped with a remoulade type sauce. Delicious. I was a tad disappointed that the Drunken Queso and Guac came with store bought chips as opposed to the “hand cut and homemade” chips mentioned on the menu, but I digress because the guacamole would have tasted amazing on any type of chip. Super flavorful with big chunks of avocado and red onion and a hint of lime. The Ordinary Backyard Burger is exactly what you would expect from your typical southern summer barbeque. The patty had just the right amount of seasoning, and the ¼ lb. patty allows you to enjoy the toppings and rich brioche bun. Skinny fries, for the win!
Farm + Feed is open for dinner (4:00 – 9:00 p.m.) on Monday – Saturday.
Fun
As for fun, they have Comedy Night on Mondays and Trivia Night on Tuesdays. Plus, you will find darts, a shuffleboard table, board games, a piano, and TV’s for this year’s much anticipated football season. Follow their Facebook and Instagram for their weekend live music announcements.
Seasonal spotlight: All of you eagerly anticipating pumpkin season, get a head start here! Try their flavorful Pumpkin Ale rimmed with brown sugar and cinnamon. Their version of this autumn beverage is a perfect mix of subtle and earthy, so it is great for the folks who cannot stomach sweet drinks.
With its convenient location, rotating beer menu, many entertainment options, and the new addition of scrumptious fare, give the Bowler Hat Brewery family a visit today!
