Make sure before you visit World of Beer in Middleton that you understand it’s a bar first, restaurant second. Almost all the tables are high-tops and the menu skews toward appetizers.
At least those appetizers, called “Tavern Shares,” are an upgrade from typical bar apps. For example, the Southern Fried Pickles ($7.50) also include peppadews and spicy pickled green beans. I liked the variety as well as the IPA dipping sauce, which resembled a thin aioli. I also poured a little of that sauce on the Street Tacos (two for $7, three for $10). Lightly grilled tortillas and tomato and corn salsa surround your choice of ahi tuna, crispy beer-brined chicken (I thought it was too soggy) and beer-battered shrimp (delicious).
The mac & cheese ($6.50) is a safe bet. It’s got a subtle heat from the pepper jack cheese sauce, and the bacon adds a nice saltiness. One other appetizer I tried was the Artisan Sausage Board ($15). You get a massive board of jalapeno cheddar, cracked black pepper and hickory-smoked sausages, plus peppadews and spicy green beans (I enjoyed the beans so much that this is how I prefer to eat them from now on).
On 
to the rest of the menu. The Guinness Brat Sliders ($9) seemed like they should have been on the Tavern Shares. The pretzel roll was a bit tough, and the Guinness-infused brats tasted like regular, plain brats. The Chimay Burger ($12.50) was much better, with its thick, nicely grilled patty inside a brioche bun.
Other sandwiches include the veggie & hummus wrap ($8.50) and the flat iron steak sandwich ($12). Be sure to choose the tater tots for your side. They are perfectly crunchy and don’t require any sauce (though you can get them topped with beer cheese as an appetizer).
As for drinks, the beer list (taps and bottles) is extensive. Thankfully, there’s an app you can use to help you decide. I was pleasantly surprised to discover a robust cocktail and shot menu as well.
World of Beer is open every day for lunch and dinner.
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See more photos in our World of Beer Flickr album.
Head to a basketball or hockey game at the Kohl Center, and you’ll find something surprising in the concourse outside section 112: a supper club.
Every day of the week has a special–for example, pot roast with mashed potatoes ($8.50) on Tuesdays and fish fry ($9.75) on Fridays. On Wednesday, patrons can try the stuffed shrimp ($8.50), which is filled with Monterey Jack cheese and served over waffle fries. I thought the fried shrimp perfectly combined a crunchy exterior with a soft, gooey interior, and I probably could have eaten at least a dozen of them.
Here’s the lineup:
Although I didn’t eat anything, you should know that Gloria Jean’s also serves food, and the menu that launched last July is more robust than other coffee shops. Breakfast includes egg sandwiches and waffles, while lunch/dinner includes sandwiches such as the GJ Roast Beef and Grilled Triple Cheese. You also can order soups, salads and pastries.
