An early concept for Near & Far Brewing in Cottage Grove.
The Madison area is slated to get two new breweries in 2026 (three, if you think Beaver Dam counts as “the Madison area”). They’re all in the ’burbs, and aimed to be family- and often pet- friendly.
“The industry may be volatile, but we think the market is adjusting rather than dying,” says Near and Far Brewing co-owner Ed Wreh. Near and Far is headed for the corner of Limerick Drive and Cottage Grove Road in Cottage Grove, with plans for a late fall opening. The 2,000-square-foot, $4 million project is being led by Wreh, Melissa Ratcliff and Garrett Shaw, who are all heavily involved in the community. Wreh is a former village of McFarland trustee. Ratcliff is a state senator and former Dane County supervisor and Cottage Grove Village Board member. Shaw, a longtime homebrewer, signed on to handle brewing. The group has purchased the land, a five-barrel brewing system, and is evaluating bids for construction…