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Viking Brewpub
The Viking Brewpub is a Nordic-themed brewpub in Stoughton, Wisconsin. It opened in August of 2014 and is considered the first brewpub to be opened in Stoughton, Wisconsin. The brewpub is known as a manifestation of Scandinavian-American identity and culture in Stoughton, a city known for its Norwegian heritage. The centerpiece of the brewpub is a wooden ship-shaped bar with a dragon head prow. The Nordic-inspired menu consists of Wisconsin craft brews, in-house beer selections, and a full-service kitchen. The restaurant's specials include a Friday night fish fry and a Norwegian meatball special on Saturdays.

The 4,300-square-foot Viking Brewpub was opened by former Air-Force pilot Vik Malling and is located on East Main Street in Stoughton, Wisconsin. The brewpub is located in an centuries old Tobacco Junction Warehouse building, which was "once a center of a thriving economy based on tobacco," and has been redesigned as a traditional looking tavern.

Origin
Despite having nearly no experience in the restaurant or dining industry, Vik Malling and his wife, decided to open the Viking Brewpub. Vik and his friends had made frequent visits to the Madison area’s brewpubs and brewery tap rooms, and had the idea to open one of his own brewpub with an emphasis on local food vendors as well as Wisconsin craft brews. Malling is of primarily Danish descent.

Malling "cashed in his Air Force retirement plan", developed a business plan and secured the necessary city approvals in order to open Stoughton's first brewpub. The neighborhood the brewpub is located has undergone a "renaissance of [new businesses] of late with... new farm-to-table restaurants, a coffee shop, and the continued success of the Stoughton Opera House." Malling is also in the process of hiring a brewmaster, which would make the Viking Brewpub the first brewery in Stoughton. The brewpub's Nordic theme is inspired by Vik Malling's Danish descent as well as the strong Norwegian descent of the city of Stoughton.

Dragon
A dragon head rises 12 feet from the prow of the wooden ship-shaped bar in the center of the Viking Brewpub. The dragon head shoots water vapor (designed to imitate smoke) out of the nostrils of the dragon. This occurs on special occasions, which can range from a touchdown, home run or just to "impress passersby". The Viking-style ship tis the center of the brewpub and was crafted by Lori Malling's brother Mitchell Brickson.

Nordic Theme / Menu
The brewpub has a distinct Nordic influence to it that ranges beyond the large dragon at the bar. "Norwegian coats of arms hang in windows, while Scandinavian and local Stoughton artifacts emblazoned with rosemaling decorate the space." The space features lots of blonde wood, bold Nordic logs in addition to the massive hand-carved Viking dragon ship bar.

The Nordic theme also presents itself in the menu choices Malling has provided. Three Nordic-inspired beers are brewed in-house. While Soot, Midnite Sun and Nordic Blonde are brewed by the Viking Brewpub under contract from the House of Brews. They’re brewed by Page Buchanan, who serves as the owner and brewmaster of House of Brews in Madison, Wisconsin. These in-house beers can only be found at the Viking Brewpub. Viking has three of their signature beers on tap. They’re brewed by Page Buchanan, owner and brewmaster of House of Brews in Madison.

Another beer brewed at the Viking Brewpub is Soot in My Eye, a black India pale ale. The name is a riff on Vik Malling's difficulty pronouncing Syttende Mai (SOOT-en-deh MY), with the first syllable like "soot," not "suit"). Syttende Mai is the Norwegian constitution holiday that inspires an annual celebration in Stoughton.