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Tucked into the heart of downtown Madison, The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company offers a distinct alternative in eating and drinking establishments. Diversity is the key to The Great Dane's special appeal. Business people appreciate the quality and value of our lunches, as well as the speed and the friendly manner in which they are served. Others prefer to linger in our secluded garden, quietly enjoying the afternoon and forgetting the busy world. Still others come to The Great Dane to sample unique beers at our mahogany bar, while watching the brewers at work! We offer a wide selection of ales and lagers, with a seasonal specialty brew always on tap to please the "stoutest" of beer enthusiasts. Our bar also offers an extensive list of top shelf scotches, brandies and cordials. In the evening sit and relax over a meal of hearty pub fare, unwind with a pint of fresh beer, meet friends after work, or enjoy a dinner before local cultural events. With the Majestic Cinema just around the corner, this is the perfect place to meet before or after the film. And with our late-night menu served until 1:00 a.m., you'll never go home hungry.
We invite you to The Great Dane Pub & Brewing Company to enjoy our unique charm.
MADISON'S NEW HOUSE OF BREWS
The Great Dane's revitalization of the Madison brewing industry also marked a new beginning in the fascinating history of the Fess Hotel Property. In the 1850's George and Anna Fess opened a hotel, livery and eatery on Doty Street (then called Clymer Street), a business that was to stay in family hands for over one hundred years. The Victorian cream brick half of the building was erected in 1883, while the Queen Anne pressed brick side, originally built in the 1850's, was remodeled to its present appearance in 1901. Both portions of the structure are among the finest examples of their architectural styles in Madison.
In 1973 an ambitious renovation of the property began; hotel rooms were converted into office suites, the Fess Restaurant began its twenty year run of fine dining and the building was listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. In June 1994 the Fess Restaurant ended operations, the property was sold and Madison's first operating brewery since 1966 had found its home.
The 1994 remodeling established a new but classic look for the Fess Hotel Building's interior space; the main bar room with a great view of the brewing process, the dining room with restored brickwork, the rathskellar bar with original stone walls and the secluded garden are all unique spaces to enjoy The Great Dane's hand-crafted beers and fresh, hearty pub fare. We invite you to sit back, take a sip, and drink in the history as we write a new chapter in the continuing story of this extraordinary structure.
President: Eliot Butler
Vice President: Rob LoBreglio
Director of Operations: Ted Peterson
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