Wisconsin craft beer passport encourages participants to support Madison area bars and breweries

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) -A taste of the weekend on a Monday. The 2023 Pub Pass is officially on sale, offering Wisconsinites a way to navigate the Madison brew scene.

The Pub Pass is essentially a craft beer passport. For $25, you get a free pint of beer at 26 participating Madison area bars, breweries, distilleries and cideries.

“It’s been well received,” laughed Dave Olson, Pub Pass city curator. “Wisconsinites, Madisonians love craft beer, we have an amazing craft beer scene here and Pub Pass is a great way to explore it.”

Karben4 Brewing on the east side is one of those participating breweries on the route, and January marks 10 years in business for the mainstay.

Zak Koga, Karben4 Brewing co-owner said the program is a great way to help amplify the brand and location, which is important for any craft beverage company. “It’s really really important that people come to our taproom, that they meet us in person, that they have our beer right here so that when they go out into the world…they’ve had some of that connection with us locally, to help sell it.”

“To get their attention and to be asked to be on their list is a great honor, we never take it for granted that people want to work with us,” said Koga.

To get your 2023 Pub Pass, see here. The Pub Pass is also available on your smartphone. If you choose to go paperless, participants get a BOGO beer and after 30 days, it reloads and people can return again.

“We’re helping people find their way to a place like Karben4 and yes they’re being gracious and giving away a pint of beer, but really with the hope and expectation that they can win over a new customer,” said Olson.

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