BELLEVILLE — Hop Garden Brewing, renowned for its locally grown craft beers, recently announced a May grand opening of its third Hop Garden location in downtown Belleville. This new venue will bring signature brews, mouthwatering smoked BBQ, and vibrant live music scene to the heart of Belleville. The newest location blends local flavors, great entertainment, and a strong community spirit, making it the ultimate destination for beer.
Located in the historic 1917 Garage at 107 West Main Street, downtown Belleville, the fully renovated restaurant and brewery will have seating for up to 170 indoors, a private function room, and an outdoor patio with seating for up to 200, and stage overlooking Lake Belle View and the Sugar River.
In addition to their freshly brewed beers, including favorites such as Farmtastic and Paddlers Pursuit American Pale Ale, Sunset Imperial Amber, Joe Staudt Stout, Fuzzy Goat Hazy IPA and others, the newest Hop Garden will feature an extensive menu of smoked meats, including brisket, pork, chicken, and burnt ends, inspired by the offerings at their Evansville location. Music lovers will be delighted with the live music scene featuring local musicians, providing the perfect atmosphere to gather with friends, relax, and enjoy a cold beer.
Rich and Michele Joseph, the founders of Hop Garden Brewing, started their venture in 2014 to showcase Wisconsin-grown hops from their 16-acre Hop Farm located just outside Belleville. They opened their first Hop Garden taproom in 2015 in the back of The Mill — Paoli. Built in 1846, the Mill building is set in a beautiful park-like setting along the Sugar River, and Hop Garden taproom and their live music scene are often credited as one of the key elements in jump-starting Paoli’s renaissance.
In 2023, the Josephs opened a second Hop Garden in Evansville in a historic 1907 post office. The Evansville Hop Garden features a BBQ restaurant, a beer garden with live music stage, and is set to open an additional 60-seat expansion later this month.
“It’s exciting to be opening our third location,” said Rich Joseph. “We’re incredibly thankful for the loyal customers who have supported us with each visit. This year is extra special as we celebrate the 10-year anniversary of our Paoli taproom, and we’re planning an unforgettable celebration on the farm this July to mark the occasion.”
Hop Garden — Belleville is being meticulously crafted with the expertise of several leading firms. Angus-Young Associates, Inc. serves as the project’s architect. Findorff, a renowned general contractor, is overseeing the construction process, ensuring the project is completed with the highest standards of quality and efficiency. Return Consulting is acting as the Owner’s Representative, providing strategic guidance and ensuring the project aligns Hop Garden Brewing’s goals and vision. Additionally, 1901 is responsible for the plumbing, fire protection, electrical, and HVAC systems, bringing their specialized expertise to ensure a fully functional and sustainable infrastructure. Together, these firms are collaborating to create a vibrant and lasting addition to the community.
Just south of Belleville on a small family farm, Rich and Michele Joseph cultivate beer. Their journey began when they met during a summer agronomy internship in a cornfield, and years later, they moved their initial two-acre hop crop from Michele’s father’s (Joe Staudt) land to their own 16-acre farm. Over time, they expanded their hop production to include seven varieties: Cascade, Vista, Centennial, Nugget, Cashmere, Santiam, and Comet. As co-founders of the Wisconsin Hop Exchange, their hops are used by several award-winning Wisconsin brewers and were even featured in 2024 on the hit TV show Top Chef.
In 2014, the couple launched Hop Garden Brewing, focusing on small-batch, signature, and seasonal craft beers. The following year, they opened Hop Garden — a modest taproom inside the Mill Paoli. In 2023, they expanded with a second Hop Garden and restaurant in Evansville, and in 2025, they will open their third location in downtown Belleville. Together with their “Brew Crew,” the Josephs invite the public to relax and enjoy a cold, locally crafted, farm-to-pint beer.
