Brewery Profile

Sawmill Brewing Co

For visitors sorting out Merrill’s beer options, this is the local-production stop: a brewery taproom where Head Brewer Ben Osness oversees beers made for the house taps. The setting is part of the visit. Sawmill Brewing Co. operates in Merrill’s former 1940s DNR Headquarters, a building that went through a two-year renovation with help from local artists and craftspeople. Inside, guests find lounge areas rather than a bare tasting counter, and the preserved historic conference room gives the space a civic-building character that sets it apart from a standard barroom. Outside open space adds another place to gather when weather allows.

Travelers in this part of Wisconsin often look for places that feel tied to the region rather than interchangeable stops along the highway. Sawmill fits that pattern through its use of locally sourced ingredients and its mix of in-house beer with other Wisconsin craft selections. The brewery maintains sixteen taps featuring its own beers, while also rotating in beer from elsewhere in the state. Because the specific lineup can change, the appeal is less about chasing a single flagship and more about seeing what is currently being poured. Non-beer drinkers are not left out of the visit, with options such as kombucha, sodas, and nitro coffee available alongside the tap list.

Food and event logistics are straightforward but worth checking before arrival. Snacks such as charcuterie boards and Sam’s Pizza of Wausau can be purchased directly from the bar, while food truck service rotates and is announced through the brewery’s social media channels. The historic conference room is used for public and private events, so visitors interested in that part of the building may want to confirm access or availability. For the most accurate beer information, the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours, including both Sawmill’s own beers and any guest Wisconsin craft brews. The combination of indoor lounge seating, outdoor open space, non-alcoholic choices, and rotating food options makes the brewery usable for different kinds of groups, from travelers making a short stop in Merrill to locals meeting for an evening.

Head Brewer Ben Osness oversees the production for Sawmill Brewing Co., maintaining sixteen taps that feature the brewery's own beers crafted with locally-sourced ingredients. The brewery operates out of the former 1940s DNR Headquarters in Merrill, Wisconsin, a structure that underwent a two-year renovation utilizing local artists and craftspeople to create the current facility. This location includes comfortable lounge areas, outdoor open space, and a preserved historic conference room used for various public and private events. While focusing on its own unique beer selection, Sawmill also offers a rotating variety of other Wisconsin craft brews, as well as non-alcoholic options like kombucha, sodas, and nitro coffee. Patrons can purchase snacks such as charcuterie boards and Sam's Pizza of Wausau directly from the bar, with rotating food truck service announced via social media channels.

Website available

1110 E 10th St, Merrill, Wisconsin, 54452-1221

Phone: (715) 722-0230

Website: http://www.sawmillbrewing.net

Hours: Monday: 3:00 – 8:00 pm Tuesday: 3:00 – 8:00 pm Wednesday: 3:00 pm – 9:00 pm Thursday: 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm Friday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm Saturday: 2:00 pm – 10:00 pm Sunday: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm