Rob Novak, brewmaster at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle, pours samples of Fox Brau, one of four brands of beer being served on tap at Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved to the historic site from Old Ashippun in 2021. The tavern has been renovated and decorated like the 1930s post-Prohibition rural tavern it once was. It will open to the public on Saturday.
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern that was established in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel along Highway 67 a few miles north of Oconomowoc. The building, now at Old World Wisconsin, includes a sign for Lithia, a defunct beer brand that was produced in West Bend and at one time served at Wittnebel’s.
Jim Wittnebel, left, and his wife, Barb, with their niece, Roni Schultz, visit their family’s historic tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin in 2021. The tavern, which closed in 1987 after 81 years of business, includes a replica linoleum floor, the original front and back bars, and the wooden beer cooler. The original 10 bar stools from the bar are in the Brewhouse building next door, where beer is made in kettles over a fire.
The Brewhouse, left, and historic Wittnebel’s Tavern combine to create the $5.5 million Brewing Experience at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle.
Jennifer Young, collections and exhibits coordinator at Old World Wisconsin, shows off the vintage cash register inside Wittnebel’s Tavern, which is now set up to reflect a 1930s rural Wisconsin tavern. Other details include a rack of landjaegers, left, and, on the shelf, a tin container of potato chips, a crock of Kaukauna Cheese, an antique radio and jars of pickled beets and hard boiled eggs.
Mark Scholl spent more than 30 years working at a power plant in Whitewater but is now a bartender at Wittnebel’s Tavern at Old World Wisconsin. The bar, back bar and the wooden beer cooler, at left, are original to the tavern, which was founded in 1906.
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in 2021 in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin. The walls of the tavern include posters promoting the Green Bay Packers, the 1939 premiere of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc and another about International Harvester farm machinery.
Roni Schultz, fourth generation of the family-owned Wittnebel’s Tavern, shows a photo of herself, when she was about 7 years old in the early 1980s, standing in the tavern. The business, established in 1906 was connected to her grandmother’s farmhouse in Old Ashippun.
In May 2021, two of the three sections of Wittnebel’s Tavern in Old Ashippun headed south on Highway 67 near Oconomowoc. The 27-mile move to Old World Wisconsin took about 95 minutes.
Editor's Note: This article previously appeared on the website of the Wisconsin State Journal, madison.com.
Barry Adams covers regional news for the Wisconsin State Journal. Send him ideas for On Wisconsin at 608-252-6148 or by email at badams@madison.com.
Get local news delivered to your inbox!
The historic Wittnebel’s Tavern was moved in pieces in 2021 from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin in Eagle but is reopening this weekend. T…
Rob Novak, brewmaster at Old World Wisconsin near Eagle, pours samples of Fox Brau, one of four brands of beer being served on tap at Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved to the historic site from Old Ashippun in 2021. The tavern has been renovated and decorated like the 1930s post-Prohibition rural tavern it once was. It will open to the public on Saturday.
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern that was established in 1906 by Frank and Fanny Wittnebel along Highway 67 a few miles north of Oconomowoc. The building, now at Old World Wisconsin, includes a sign for Lithia, a defunct beer brand that was produced in West Bend and at one time served at Wittnebel’s.
Jim Wittnebel, left, and his wife, Barb, with their niece, Roni Schultz, visit their family’s historic tavern, which was moved in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin in 2021. The tavern, which closed in 1987 after 81 years of business, includes a replica linoleum floor, the original front and back bars, and the wooden beer cooler. The original 10 bar stools from the bar are in the Brewhouse building next door, where beer is made in kettles over a fire.
Jennifer Young, collections and exhibits coordinator at Old World Wisconsin, shows off the vintage cash register inside Wittnebel’s Tavern, which is now set up to reflect a 1930s rural Wisconsin tavern. Other details include a rack of landjaegers, left, and, on the shelf, a tin container of potato chips, a crock of Kaukauna Cheese, an antique radio and jars of pickled beets and hard boiled eggs.
Mark Scholl spent more than 30 years working at a power plant in Whitewater but is now a bartender at Wittnebel’s Tavern at Old World Wisconsin. The bar, back bar and the wooden beer cooler, at left, are original to the tavern, which was founded in 1906.
Visitors get a look at the remodeled historic Wittnebel’s Tavern, which was moved in 2021 in pieces from Old Ashippun to Old World Wisconsin. The walls of the tavern include posters promoting the Green Bay Packers, the 1939 premiere of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc and another about International Harvester farm machinery.
Roni Schultz, fourth generation of the family-owned Wittnebel’s Tavern, shows a photo of herself, when she was about 7 years old in the early 1980s, standing in the tavern. The business, established in 1906 was connected to her grandmother’s farmhouse in Old Ashippun.
© Copyright 2026 Lake Geneva News, 315 Broad St. Lake Geneva, WI 53147
A Lee Enterprises, Incorporated newspaper. Majority shareholder: David Hoffmann, Hoffmann Media Group.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.
Sorry, an error occurred.
Already Subscribed!
Cancel anytime
Thank you .
Your account has been registered, and you are now logged in.
Check your email for details.
Submitting this form below will send a message to your email with a link to change your password.
An email message containing instructions on how to reset your password has been sent to the email address listed on your account.
No promotional rates found.
Secure & Encrypted
Thank you.
Your gift purchase was successful! Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in.
| Rate: | |
| Begins: | |
| Transaction ID: |
A receipt was sent to your email.
