Ale Asylum

Ek0nomik

Wisconsin

3.96/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I stopped here with my Dad to try their sampler. Upon walking in I noticed the sign for Ballistic IPA which got my mouth drooling. It wasn't being bottled yet, so I picked up a pint of it on top of the sampler that we grabbed.

The bartender didn't seem to be too cheerful, or he was just having a bad day, not sure. That's fine, I wasn't there to talk with him anyways. We sat down with our samples and started the tasting. Ambergeddon, Hopalicious, both top notch brews.

I didn't have any of their food, although I hear that their food is pretty tasty. I'd like to visit the brewery again sometime when I am on the East side.

11-03-2009 00:11:20 | More by Ek0nomik

DeeMented

Wisconsin

4.03/5  rDev -1.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

I visited for lunch, and found the place busy, but not over-crowded.

The atmosphere is a bit modern, with a brushed stainless-steel bar, a single pool table, and the brewing tanks visible through windows behind the bar and at the back of the seating area.

The menu was light, consisting of pizza, nachos, soups and sandwiches. It seemed, and rightfully so, to focus on the beer.

I ordered chips with salsa, and the beer sampler, which included decent-sized servings of all nine beers on tap, for a grand total of $11.00, plus a tip.

The bar is the center of attention. For lunch, even if you want to sit at a table, all ordering is done at the bar.

The bartender seemed very knowledgeable about the selections, and was very helpful in accompanying me to a table. Once I was seated, however, that was it. There wasn't a single follow-up visit by the wait staff.

The beer sampler had cards that clearly identified each beer on the trays, and included a description of each. Each sample was a generous 4 - 5 ounces.

Overall, a very nice place for a quick lunch. The food was good, and the beer was better. What more can you ask for?

08-07-2009 19:53:41 | More by DeeMented

botham

Illinois

4.53/5  rDev +10.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

Ale Asylum is fantastic. Located at the end suite of a strip mall, one feels like they are entering a dentists office walking up, but inside is truly a brewpub that loves its beer. The décor is semi-hard rock/goth in aesthetics, though this does not take away from the brewpub atmosphere. Upon entering, the bar faces the front door, with restaurant style and lounge seating along the right side, and the brewing facilities behind the bar. There is a decent size outdoor beer garden to the right, with a nice aura for drinking outdoors in pleasant weather.

The beer was excellent and the selection was decent. There were six offerings at the time, all of which pretty standard as far as styles go, but each that this BA had (The Happy Ending Belgian Abbey, The Contorter Porter and the Big Slick Stout Oatmeal Stout) was great to excellent. Very well proportioned, fresh, and supremely composed, the beers at this brewpub are definitely worth the stop, even if it is out of the way.

The food is good. Pizza is the main offering, with some unique combinations and high quality ingredients. The buffalo chicken pizza was very good, and the cookies (bought two for the road) were very good as well.

Service was knowledgeable and seemed to be interested in beer, as well as knowing quite a bit about the operations and upcoming offerings. Food and beer was served promptly, and was poured very well.

Overall, this BA has found a new go-to spot in Madison for beer. The brews are fresh and excellent, the food is great, and the atmosphere is very conducive to drinking great beer. Cheers!

07-03-2009 17:36:02 | More by botham

taylorhamrick

South Carolina

3.98/5  rDev -2.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 3.5 | food: 2.5 | $$$

I came in while in Madison to check this place out. The atmosphere was decent, though I came on a Sunday after a big party from the night before. Not crowded, but it still had darts, pool, and cribbage. The beer was pretty good, poured properly, and everything seemed to be done alright. Some of it might have been poured a little cold, but I was happy with it. The service was great. It may have been because the place wasn't crowded, but the bartender was very helpful, made recommendations allowed everyone to try different beers, and just carried on conversation. I was really impressed. The selection was limited to 6 things while I was there, but there was a good variety of styles, a stout, a pale ale, a brown ale, a scotch ale, a tripel, and an amber ale. The food comes already prepared, and I bet it was much better when it was first made, but since there's not kitchen, you can't expect it to be great. The pizzas might be the better option, but I didn't think it tasted bad, just not good. The prices weren't awful, probably better than average, but still kind of high for brewpub beer and average food. This is an interesting place to visit, but I think I'd rather just come for the beer if I came again in the future.

06-22-2009 15:02:26 | More by taylorhamrick

roadhouse

Florida

3.64/5  rDev -11%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$$

Checked this place out with spointon on 5/10.

The place itself was really modern looking with bright colors on the wall and very dim lighting with candles on the tables. It really looked "too new" and didn't have a cool vibe like many rustic looking places. The service was good at first, the bartender came to our tables and we ordered drinks. He was able to describe the beers and was also later helpful with giving Scott some advice on places in the area to visit. The beer itself was decent, nothing to get excited about. We didn't try food but it looked like they just had pre-made pizzas and an oven to cook them in. I wouldn't really go back here unless there was some really good reason to as it just wasn't that great IMO.

05-20-2009 19:45:27 | More by roadhouse

spointon

Illinois

3.7/5  rDev -9.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 3.5 | $$

I visited this place on 5/10/09 with BA roadhouse (beer trip).

Its easy enough to find albeit a ways out of the center of town. Decent parking just outside the door. The inside is very contemporary and nicely decorated...almost too nice. This is not a comfy old pub by any means, as the furniture and finishes inside are all new and rather lacking in "character".

The beers we tried were made well enough but lacked much in the way of creativity. They had around 8 taps, with a stout a porter a blonde and an ipa, etc. The Belgian ale I tried deserved to be a B rated beer in my opinion. The doppelbock wasn't much better.

Service was good as the bartender was very friendly and even gave suggestions when I asked about local beer stores.

Overall, this wasn't a terrible experience, but it just wasn't anything to write home about either. Would probably skip going back to this place unless I was with someone dying to go...

05-14-2009 02:25:21 | More by spointon

BoitSansSoif

France

3.95/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3.5 | $$

I've been in here a handful of time w/different crowds. The atmosphere is pretty good depending on what part you sit in, and what time you're there. I really liked hanging out back by the pool table area. I haven't taken advantage of the couches but it looks like a cozy place to lounge and drink. Sitting at the tables is okay, but not may favorite place to be...little intimacy when the place starts to fill up. In front of the bar is the liveliest place to be...it's usually full when I go in, but the times I've hung out there were pretty cool.
The beer is very good. I'm fond of most of the styles I've tried from here, and the seasonals are quality brews.
Service was average from the waitstaff, but behind the bar they are very efficient and knowledgeable.
Selection is worthy. They have their old classics on tap, as well as a few seasonals. There's pretty much something for everyone.
I haven't had the sandwiches, but I've ordered pizza twice. It's made somewhere else, frozen, and tossed in the oven on-site, but don't be deceived. It's damn tasty and hits the spot. I would rate this category higher, but there's not a lot of variety in the menu. What they have is very good, but I was surprised by how limited it was.
Prices are reasonable.
I really like this brewery and its beer, except for the location. Going to the nearby DMV usually makes me want to drink, but I'm rarely in the area, so I don't make it out as often as I'd like. Still, every trip is worthwhile.

01-23-2009 20:42:27 | More by BoitSansSoif

hopdog

Pennsylvania

4.13/5  rDev +1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4 | $$

My first stop when I did my Madison Brew Pub Tour. Located in an industrial park type setting. Stoped by at lunch during the week and I think there was no more than 3 other people in here. Ordered a sandwich, which was pretty good. Not that extensive of a menu, but it sure hit the spot. Service was great (then again, they weren't really busy!). I liked one of the beers enought to snag a Growler for later. I'll definitely put this on my list of places to go when and if I ever make it out to Madison area again.

11-13-2008 02:00:53 | More by hopdog

madtowndmb1

Wisconsin

4.4/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 5 | $$

I live here in Madison and this is one of my favorite places to go for a great sandwich or pizza. The beers are top-nothch in my opinion and seem to rotate there seasonals often enough to keep everyone happy. The ingrediants they use for there food is some of the best in town! My only very minor complaint is the location, it's in a kind of industrial park.

But oh well, once your inside you can't tell! There is a pool table in back along with many very nice couches that invites a long stay with you and a bunch of friends.

10-24-2008 17:18:55 | More by madtowndmb1

Ig0r

Virginia

4.44/5  rDev +8.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | $

The outside environment of this place is definitely 'industrial sprawl' but the inside is nice, if a bit small. When I was here, there were six custom brews on tap and I had a sampler (all of the small glasses I was given were quite full).

The bartender really knew a lot about the local (Madison) brewing scene and even some of the other patrons were helpful about pointing out local resteraunts, etc. While I was there in the early evening, there was a pretty steady stream of customers coming in to have growlers filled.

The beers themselves were, though none really stood-out, well crafted and enjoyable. Overall, a nice place to stop in for a drink. The only food that I saw was (frozen) pizza, so I wouldn't bother trying to have a real meal here.

08-02-2008 01:40:02 | More by Ig0r