From the outside, the Malt House isn't much to look at, but a treasure trove of beer and whiskey await you inside. Cozy, great music playing a level you can talk over without shouting, and the most extensive beer menu I think I've ever seen.
The menu is well-organized by beer and liquor type, which is great if you know what you do and don't like. Most of their selection is in bottles, but they have about fifteen or so beers on tap as well. The bartender was polite, knowledgeable, and had a good pour.
Bonus points for plenty of seating and a clean ladies' room, and for featuring the oldest bar in Madison (Civil War-era, apparently).