From Beer Capital of the World to Craft Beer Incubator
Only one city can claim to be "The Beer Capital of the World” and that city is Milwaukee. Once home to Miller, Schlitz, Pabst and Blatz breweries (to name a few), Milwaukee is now a leader in the ever-evolving art of craft brewing. Whether you opt for a tasting tour, relax at one of the area’s many beer gardens (be sure to visit “Milwaukee’s Original Biergarten” at Old Heidelberg Park!); hop on the Beer Titans History bus tour(hopheadtours.com); ride on the East Troy Beer Tasting Train; brew your own beer (check out beerbarons.org); imbibe in non-alcoholic and gluten-removed or gluten-friendly craft beers now offered at many local breweries such as Lakefront Brewery, Good City Brewing, Eagle Park Brewing & Explorium Brewpub; join in the froth frenzy of Oktoberfest celebrations; take a class at Third Space Brewing’s popular Beer School (thirdspacebrewing.com); or simply grab a cold pick-six to share at a tailgate or BBQ, Brew City is sure to serve up a “hoppy” experience!
The region has so much to offer, we recommend you check out online guides like beeradvocate.com tosee what’s on tap!
The Beer Baron Legacy
Beer is embedded deep in Milwaukee’s history, architecture and culture. Captain Frederick Pabst built the ornate Pabst Theater, which has been heralded as the city’s most elegant performance venue. The former Pabst brewing grounds have been transformed into a restaurant, boutique hotel, offices and residential space, while his former home, the Pabst Mansion(pabstmansion.com), now serves as a house museum, showcasing the home’s craftsmanship, original furnishings, and fine arts collection. Holiday tours are especially memorable. Many of the city’s beer barons – Frederick Pabst, Joseph Schlitz, Jacob Best and Valentin Blatz – were laid to rest at historic Forest Home Cemetery on the city’s south side.
Brewery Tours
Some brewery tours worth knowing about:
- MolsonCoors:One-hour walking tour allows guests to experience an up-close look at the brewhouse, packaging center and historic caves. Tours conclude at the historic Miller Inn or outdoor beer garden, where adult guests can enjoy frosty samples. 4251 W. State St., Milwaukee. Telephone: (414) 931-BEER.millercoors.com
- Lakefront Brewery: Award-winning food and engaging 45-minute tours through a historic landmark alongside the Milwaukee River. Check the website for daily tour times. Private tours and catering available for large groups. 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee. Virtual tour available. Telephone: (414) 372-8800.lakefrontbrewery.com
- Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery: Experience old world charm and Gemütlichkeit while learning the intriguing history of how the Best and Pabst families grew the brewery to become America's largest by 1874. After battling to retain its market share, the iconic brewery eventually closed in 1996, but its contributions to Milwaukee continue to be celebrated in this highly acclaimed tour. 917 W. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee. Telephone: (414) 223-4709.bestplacemilwaukee.com/tours
- Sprecher Brewing Company:Milwaukee’s original craft brewery, known locally for its selection of beers and nationally for its root beer. 45-minute tours offered Thurs-Sun. with four samples and unlimited soda. 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Telephone: (414) 964-BREW.
sprecherbrewery.com
Craft Brew Events
- Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival: Bayshore, Glendale (June)
- Firkin Fest: Cathedral Square Park, Downtown Milwaukee (July)
- Milwaukee Brewfest:McKinley Park, Milwaukee Lakefront (July)
- Mitten Fest: Burnhearts Bar, Bay View (February)
Distilleries & Wineries
Beer may dominate Milwaukee’s history, but the region is also home to many established wineries and up-and-coming craft distilleries.
Spirited Options
- Central Standard Craft Distillery: Milwaukee (Downtown); thecentralstandard.com
- Great Lakes Distillery: Milwaukee (Walker’s Point); greatlakesdistillery.com
- Lost Valley Cider Company: Milwaukee (Walker’s Point); lostvalley.com
- Twisted Path Distillery: Milwaukee (Bay View); twistedpathdistillery.com
For The Love of Wine
- Apple Barn Orchard & Winery: Elkhorn; applebarnorchardandwinery.com
- Apple Works Winery at Behnke Estates: Germantown; appleworkswinery.com
- Cedar Creek Winery: Cedarburg; cedarcreekwinery.com
- Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard: Waukesha; pieperporchwines.com
- Spirits of Norway Vineyard: Franksville; spiritsofnorwayvineyard.com
- Wollersheim Winery: Prairie du Sac; wollersheim.com
