The Grumpy Troll, Mt Horeb WI

18 September 2025

The Grumpy Troll doesn’t look like much from the outside but its sign gives you an idea of the offbeat nature of the place and the pleasures awaiting you within.

I love the guy sitting just inside the door! The interior shot only shows part of the place — there are a lot more tables out of sight. They weren’t busy when I arrived (hint: don’t go on a weekend like I did the last time!) so I grabbed a table at the window. There wasn’t much going on in town on a Thursday afternoon, but I did get to do a little bit of people watching.

Because I’d been here before and tried all of their beers, I knew what I liked so didn’t do a flight (which they offer as any number of 4oz samples you want at $2/each). Pints are only $6.50 (and $1 off during Happy Hour, which I was too early for) and here’s my first:

Sunflower – Farmhouse Ale, 4.9% – “Powered by the sun.” Their version of a farmhouse ale isn’t as funky as some yet still very enjoyable — local honey is added at the finish to give it a bit of sweetness.

My meal was the Reuben and I decided to try the Grump Fries as a side this time, and it was a good choice. They are thick-cut chips with spiced parmesan and a dipping sauce. I had the tater tots the last time; if I return, it will be tough to choose between those two so I might have to order the waffle fries the next time. The corned beef looks stringy but was actually melt-in-your-mouth tender.

There’s always room for one more beer:

Liberty Pole – Pale Ale, 6.4% – This is a very nice pale ale featuring Cascade, Cashmere, and Idaho 7 hops. It’s so drinkable that I took two bombers (22oz bottles) of it with me to enjoy at my hotel (I’m staying two nights in Rockford IL). There’s just a slight bite of bitterness at the end of this one, but that’s not objectionable and just makes it a real, honest pale ale.

The Troll did not disappoint on this visit either, and if I’m back in the vicinity of Madison WI on a future adventure, I’ll probably be back here as well.