Frequently Asked Questions
We receive a lot of inquiries and try to respond to them all, individually, as soon as humanly possible. But… sometimes, depending on the season and workload, things can be a bit delayed. So we strongly encourage you to read through our FAQ as answers to many of the common questions we receive can be found right here.
Of course, we do love hearing from fans and always want to know about any issues or concerns, so please do not hesitate to get in touch if the information below does not answer your question!
Our Production Brewery
When is the Brewery open to the public?
The Tasting Room & Beer Garden at the Brewery on Owen Street are open Monday through Sunday, where beer is available for purchase, either to-go or to enjoy on-site. HOURS FOR THE FHARMACY PUBLIC HOUSE DIFFER FROM THE BREWERY.
Brewery Tasting Room & Beer Garden Hours
Monday thru Thursday : 4:30 to 10:00 pm
Friday: 3:00 to 11:00 pm
Saturday: 12 Noon to 11:00 pm
Sunday: 12 Noon to 8:00 pm
2023 Special Hours
New Year’s Day | Sunday, January 1 – CLOSED
Super Bowl Sunday | Sunday, February 12 – 12:00 to 4:00 pm
Easter | Sunday, April 9 – 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Mother’s Day | Sunday, May 14 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Memorial Day | Monday, May 29 – 12:00 to 8:00 pm
Father’s Day | Sunday, June 18 – 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Independence Day | Tuesday, July 4 – 12:00 to 8:00 pm
Labor Day | Monday, September 4 – 12:00 to 8:00 pm
Pre-Thanksgiving | Wednesday, November 22 – 3:00 to 10 pm
Thanksgiving Day | Thursday, November 23 – CLOSED
Black Friday | Friday, November 24 – 12:00 to 11:00 pm
Christmas Eve | Sunday, December 24 – 12:00 to 6:00 pm
Christmas Day | Monday, December 25 – CLOSED
New Year’s Eve | Sunday, December 31 – 12:00 to 6:00 pm
New Year’s Day | Monday, January 1, 2024 – CLOSED
Do you offer tours?
Sorry, at this time, we do not offer regular brewery tours.
Can I schedule a private tour?
Private tours of the Brewery for groups of 5 or more people may be scheduled, however, there is a cost and they are 100% dependent on staff availability and our production schedule.
If you are interested in bringing a larger group for a private tour, please note we do have ample parking at the brewery for buses, etc.
If you are interested in arranging a private tour, please complete and submit the proper request form. Someone will get back to you shortly!
Do you serve food at the Brewery?
We do not serve food at the Brewery. But, since we do not have a kitchen or restaurant at the brewery, you are welcome to bring in food (no carry-in beverages) or even have something delivered to you at the brewery. Actually, we encourage responsible consumption and want you to fill your belly with more than just beer! Bartenders have a binder full of menus for local restaurants behind the bar and will grab it and/or some salty snacks (pretzels or the like) for you if you ask!
Please note, we do not allow carry-in beverages of any kind on our grounds, with or without alcohol. That’s what keeps the doors open!
During the summer months, we may also have licensed food carts selling their wares. Check our Events page for more information!
I don't drink beer... Can I bring my own beverage?
Just as the posted signs indicate, no carry-in beverages are allowed at the brewery. That includes soda, liquor, wine, other beers, water bottles… pretty much any liquid that you might choose to ingest! We don’t charge for much… selling beverages is how we keep the lights on!
We currently have a variety of canned alcoholic items available at the brewery, in addition to our tap beer: cider, seltzer, lemonade, margarita. For non-alcoholic options, we also have soda, root beer, sparkling juice and bottled water. There is literally something available for everyone!
As much as our Beer Garden may seem like a park, it’s not. It’s a retail component of the brewery… which is, of course, a business. We make our money by selling beverages to you. For us, that’s primarily beer, but also soda, malt beverages, etc. We have a lot of costs to cover… costs like employee wages and benefits, taxes, utilities, repairs, licensing fees, payments to bands, lawn care, garden care, rent, and hopefully (one day), a return on investment.
We provide what we think is a pretty nice place to visit, great entertainment, mostly pleasant staff and tasty beverages for you to enjoy in exchange for you paying us money for beverages and that experience. We like to think it is a fair exchange.
Are children allowed at the brewery?
Yes, children are welcome at the brewery provided they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (that’s the law in Wisconsin) and are attended by their parent (or guardian) at all times (that’s common courtesy).
While we strive to provide a family friendly environment we also recognize that not all of our guests visit the brewery for that reason! So, as a parent, we ask for your cooperation and responsibility when choosing to bring your child(ren) along for a visit.
Are dogs allowed at the brewery?
Short answer is YES. But, of course, with contingencies and exceptions… PLEASE check out our page specifically addressing this topic before heading to the brewery with your four-legged friend! http://tyranena.com/dogs
We're planning to bring a large group to the brewery... can we reserve some tables?
Unfortunately, due to space limitations, we do not reserve tables for parties and ask that you do not “hold” tables for friends.
Do you serve any non-alcoholic or gluten-free beverages in your taproom?
We certainly do! We brew and serve our own Tyranena Root Beer Soda in the Tasting Room but we also offer Coke, Diet Coke, 7-Up, Diet 7-Up and bottled water for those patrons looking for a non-alcoholic option. We generally also have at least one or two varieties of NA beer, such as offerings from Athletic Brewing.
While Tyranena does not currently brew a gluten-free beer, we proudly support another local Wisconsin brewery that does! You can find Alt Brew’s Hiking Boots Blonde Ale available at our facility. (And we also have Spindrift Spiked.)
What forms of payment do you accept at the brewery?
In addition to cash, we also accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. (There is no ATM at the brewery.)
Do you have free, public wi-fi?
We do! Guests are welcome to sign onto our “Tyranena” network in the Tasting Room; it is unsecured and no password is required. There is another connection available outdoors in the Beer Garden called “Tyranena Wifi Patio”.
Odds & Ends
Are you hiring?
We are a small brewery… with just a handful of full and part-time staff. If we are hiring (and it doesn’t happen all that often), we will post positions on our EMPLOYMENT page. We will also likely mention postings on our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
How do I go about making "beer" my career?
There are many ways to get into the beer industry: sales, distribution, retail… If you’re interested in becoming a brewer, here is some information on finding a professional brewing education in the United States:
The World Brewing Academy and Siebel Institute of Technology: Based in Chicago and Munich, this institution combines the venerable Siebel Institute with the German brewing school Doemens. Long and short courses on a wide variety of brewing topics.
The UC Davis Extension: Growing out of its program in viticulture the University of California at Davis offers a variety of professional brewing courses.
The American Brewers Guild: Designed by British brewmaster Steve Parkes of Wolavers and Otter Creek Brewing, the American Brewers Guild courses are designed to give a very practical hands-on brewing education. Long-distance courses are available, and all full courses include brewery internships.
What do you do with your used barrels?
Used bourbon barrels (or other varieties such as tequila, wine, rum, etc.) may be available for purchase if the barrels are sitting outdoors, behind the brewery in our parking lot.
We do not reserve barrels. We also do not notify interested persons by phone or email when they become available and we have no waiting list. People can purchase used barrels during regular Tasting Room or Beer Garden hours when they are available. You are more than welcome to call the brewery and ask the bartender if there are barrels available before you drive to Lake Mills but, other than that, it is a bit hit or miss!
Our typical barrels hold 53 gallons, are made of oak and have been charred on the inside. They have metal bands around the outside that are oxidized and rusty. We store used barrels outdoors in the elements (thus they can be quite dirty). We recommend arranging transportation in a pickup bed or on a trailer. Please note that used barrels are no longer sanitary and should not be used for brewing or aging purposes; people who purchase these used barrels are generally planning to make them into furniture, rain barrels or planters.
When available, the barrels are $50 each, first-come, first-served.
What do you do with your spent grain?
Our spent grain is taken to a local dairy farm where it is used as supplemental feed for their non-milking herd. We’ve been working with the Dolphs for about twenty years; we have a great system! And if it ain’t broke, why fix it?
I'm a collector. Can you send me labels, coasters or crowns?
We will send labels, coasters and crowns to collector requesting them, provided we receive a self-addressed stamped envelope with the appropriate postage.
How does someone go about joining the brewery's mug club?
On the first or second Saturday of January (depending on when New Year’s Day falls) we will hold a drawing between 7 to 10 pm for new inductees. We literally cut up the signup sheets, toss them in a huge mug and draw winners, who must be present to be inducted. The number of new members inducted will vary based on space availability… we can only add another member when someone else drops out! If a name is drawn and the person is not present, we draw another name to fill the spot!
The cost of membership for 2024 was $70. It is an annual membership.
Each Mug Clubber gets:
- Approximately a 22oz pour in a hand-made Bruce Johnson Mug Club Mug for the same price of a 12oz or 16oz pour (excludes Anniversary releases)
- $1 off any full pour on Mondays (aka Mug Club Mondays)
- $1 off growler fills, year-round
- A free beer when/if your name is drawn for the Daily Draw (generally at least once per year but, if you’re lucky, more)
- To take home your previous collectible mug at the end of the membership year
- First dibs at signing up for the next year’s mug club
- Other special perks as they come up, like specials or early access to beers, etc.
The Fharmacy Public House
What's with the "Fh"? Why isn't it just The Pharmacy?
We purchased 203 N Main Street, Lake Mills, in January 2018, after the pharmacy housed within it closed the previous fall. Since that time, it has been affectionately known as “The Pharmacy” to Tyranena-folk, employees and friends. When deciding to finally name our new taproom location and proceed with the renovations, calling it “The Pharmacy” seemed a perfect fit!
However, after we announced our plans…. we were told by a follower that there was a law on the books in Wisconsin that forbids anything other than a licensed pharmacy from being called… pharmacy. So, instead, it’s The Fharmacy.
When did The Fharmacy Public House open?
The Fharmacy Public House opened in January 2023, with the kitchen following in August of the same year.
What are The Fharmacy hours?
The Fharmacy Public House & Beer Garden Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5 to 10 pm
Friday: 3 to 11 pm
Saturday: 12 to 11 pm
Sunday: 12 to 8 pm
Monday: CLOSED
Kitchen Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5 to 8 pm
Friday: 3 to 9 pm
Saturday: 12 to 9 pm*
Sunday: 12 to 5 pm
Monday: CLOSED
*From 5 to 9 pm, during music performances on Saturday nights, we will be serving from a slightly reduced “Music Menu”.
Do you serve food at The Fharmacy?
YES! We are current serving food 6 days a week.
Kitchen Hours
Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5 to 8 pm
Friday: 3 to 9 pm
Saturday: 12 to 9 pm*
Sunday: 12 to 5 pm
Monday: CLOSED
*From 5 to 9 pm, during music performances on Saturday nights, we will be serving from a slightly reduced “Music Menu”.
Please note, no outside food or drink is allowed at The Fharmacy.
I don't drink beer... can I bring my own wine or liquor?
No carry-in beverages are allowed at The Fharmacy. That includes soda, liquor, wine, other beers, water bottles… pretty much any liquid that you might choose to ingest! We don’t charge for much… selling beverages is how we keep the lights on!
Breweries and the alcohol beverage industry are highly regulated. Our State Brewers Permit permits us to sell, at retail, non-alcoholic beverages, beer we produce and other malt beverages produced in the State of Wisconsin. State statutes do not permit us to sell (or have on premise) wine or spirits (really, we’d like to have them but cannot). Likewise it is against state statutes for you to bring your own beer or other alcohol to a licensed establishment. Wisconsin State Statute 125.32 6a prohibits patrons from bringing their own alcoholic beverages into a licensed premise for consumption. The fine for violating the law can run as high as $10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 9 months for a first offense.
We do also serve our own house-made Hard Seltzer Cocktails, non-alcoholic beer from Athletic Brewing, soda and Tyranena Root Beer Soda (non-alcoholic) as well as a few other things.
Will you serve any non-alcoholic or gluten-free beverages at The Fharmacy?
Yes! We brew and will serve our own Tyranena Root Beer Soda but we also offer Coke, Diet Coke, 7-Up, Diet 7-Up and bottled water for those patrons looking for a non-alcoholic option. We generally also have at least one or two varieties of NA beer, such as offerings from Athletic Brewing.
While Tyranena does not currently brew a gluten-free beer, we proudly support another local Wisconsin brewery that does! You can find Alt Brew’s Hiking Boots Blonde Ale available. (And we also have Spindrift Spiked.)
Are children welcome at The Fharmacy?
Yes, children are welcome at the Fharmcy provided they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian (that’s the law in Wisconsin) and are attended by their parent (or guardian) at all times (that’s common courtesy).
While we strive to provide a family friendly environment we also recognize that not all of our guests visit for that reason! So, as a parent, we ask for your cooperation and responsibility when choosing to bring your child(ren) along for a visit.
Are dogs allowed at The Fharmacy?
Dogs are only allowed outdoors on the patio at The Fharmacy.
PLEASE check out our page specifically addressing this topic before heading to Tyranena with your four-legged friend! http://tyranena.com/dogs
What forms of payment will you accept at The Fharmacy?
In addition to cash, we also accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover cards. (There is currently no ATM at The Fharmacy.)
Do you have free, public wi-fi?
Yup! Guests are welcome to sign onto our network “Fharmacy Guest”. Ask your friendly bartender for the password!
Special Events
Do you have space available for my special / private event?
The short answer is YES! We’d love to help you have the most amazing party, wedding or other festivity! And, with the addition of The Fharmacy Public House, our new location on Main Street, we now have even more opportunities to help you celebrate whatever occasion!
Facility rental fees for either location are determined per event based on availability, but typically start at $350.00 for 3 to 4 hours. All fees are adjusted based on the number of staff needed, additional length of time or equipment required (such as tents, tables, chairs, etc.) and other special considerations. Please note that rental rates do not include food, beer or other beverages.
If you’re interested in exploring options, please contact stacey@tyranena.com.
I'm planning a charity event; how do I request a donation?
We regularly donate to charitable organizations. To see if we are able to help you, visit our DONATIONS page. If your event or group is eligible, complete and submit the donation request form. Please be aware that donations are limited and distributed on a first-come first-serve basis.
Buying Tyranena Beer
Do you fill growlers?
Yes, we do fill growlers at both the brewery and The Fharmacy! (And howlers as well, which is a 32 oz. version of a growler.) First-time customers may need to purchase a new growler ($5 for the glass jug itself) in addition to the fill (the actual liquid). Every visit thereafter, customers only need pay for the fill!
The price for each growler or howler fill will be dependent on the flavor. Please check the draft listings for each location for availability and pricing.
Make sure to rinse your growler or howler with warm water immediately after use and let dry completely before capping. To maintain the integrity of our beer, bartenders may refuse to fill glassware that is moldy or otherwise unfit!
Growlers and howlers (the glass itself) are non-refundable, non-exchangeable and otherwise non-returnable. All sales are final; thank you for understanding!
Can I buy bottled beer or kegs directly from you?
Customers may purchase bottled beer-to-go (4 or 6-packs, depending on the flavor) at the brewery and at The Fharmacy, when facilities are open (see hours). Pricing varies by flavor.
We do not sell kegs or rent tap equipment directly to customers. Those interested in purchasing a keg for a party or home consumption will need to contact their local liquor store to order; make sure to check if they also rent party pumps!
Can I buy beer from you over the phone or online and have you mail it to me?
Sorry, we do not have the legal ability to ship beer directly to customers.
Where can I find your beer near me?
Our current distribution includes most of Wisconsin and out-state Illinois (not Chicago-land) and the closer you are to Lake Mills, the better the chance you have of finding a good selection!
If you are looking for a particular beer or to find a store that sells our product in a certain metro-area, please email the brewery and we’ll see if we can find what you’re looking for with one of our wholesalers.