lakeside brewery tour

Lakefront Brewery – Everything you need to know before you visit

By: Author Hannah

Posted on Last updated: March 16, 2022

One of the original craft breweries in Milwaukee Lakefront Brewery has been brewing long before it was the cool thing to do. With 18 great beers on tap, a fun brewery tour, and some excellent traditional Milwaukee foods – you need to put this place on your list if you are visiting from out of town.

The History of Lake Front Brewery

This brewery has been around since 1987, it is a Milwaukee landmark with humble beginnings. The brewery was started by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch. They started brewing for family and friends, then were encouraged to set up a location which led to a lot of success. The current building is filled to the brim with Milwaukee history having been a government building that housed the cities coal power plant in the early 1900s.

The Beer and Service

The Lakefront Brewery has a huge selection of beer available every day. They also have fun seasonal options. What is really great are the organic and gluten-free options available. Finally, they offer limited releases of very special beers. Some of their most popular beers on tap include the Lakefront Fuel Cafe, an organic coffee stout. The Lakefront IPA, which is an India pale ale that is delicious.  There are also the Lakefront Pils, a German Pils which is a favorite.

The Famous Lakefront Brewery Tour

The tour at the Lakefront is unique compared to other tours and they come packed with freebies and a great time. The tour currently comes with a free pint glass, and 2 – 16 oz pint pours. In the past, there was more beer, but too many people had too much fun – and they’ve had to scale it back a bit with the beer. However, the jokes and fun are still very much a part of the experience and this tour is still one of the best brewery tours in Milwaukee .

First, this brewery is family-friendly but if you choose to bring anyone under 21 you’ll have to be their legal guardian. This means that brothers and sisters, as well as aunts, uncles, or grandparents, do not count. So plan ahead if you are bringing kids.

For those under 21, they have ways for you to participate too. They have their very own house-made Maple Root Beer and sodas like Coke and Sprite as well.

The tour will last about 45 minutes. This length may not be suitable for smaller children. It is geared to adults even though families are welcome. A great benefit is that kids 12 and younger will not be required to have tickets

Buy Tickets for the tour online

If you are going to go, definitely buy the tickets online. They presell 45 tickets online and will only take 15 people as walk-ups for every tour. If you don’t pre-buy your tickets you’ll risk not being able to go on the tour.

If you do walk up for tickets know that everyone has to do so. They won’t issue tickets unless there is a person for every ticket. Consider your plans when buying tickets because they don’t offer refunds.  You can call early to see if they have tickets available and for when so you’ll only have to take one trip.

The tours from Monday through Thursday are only $11. This would be the best time for kids. That’s because the tour will be briefer due to the production of beers and drinks that happen in the brewery. The price is a bit cheaper as well as the smaller crowds will make it easier to do with a smaller crowd.

Mini Tour (currently not running)

Another option is their 8 dollar mini-tours on Saturdays that happen 5 minutes after every hour. They have the same free items but its brief and does not include a full tour of the brewery, instead, you can look through large windows as your guides explain. These tours aren’t always offered, just when the regular tours are full. However, if you have the chance it can be a great option.

The weekend are $12 and are going to be busier. If you are going on the weekend it is even more important to buy your tickets online. Otherwise, you’ll have to come really early to get those walk-up tickets.

Something really unique to the lakefront tours is that they give full tours in Spanish. They do have to be arranged in advance, but that is a really great option.

Technical Tour (not currently running)

The technical tour is a newer option on Saturdays at 11:00 AM, however since covid this has been suspended indefinitely. This is for the homebrewers or those really enthusiastic beer drinkers wanting to learn more. You will learn the actual process of beer making. This tour has a special tasting that pairs food like especially meats cheeses, fruit, and chocolate with the beers. It is a small tour that has tickets that must be purchased in advance online.

If you are going on this tour make sure to wear closed-toe shoes! If you have a group of 20 or 50 you can arrange a private tour.

Lakefront Brewery Food

The food options at the Lakefront are what most would consider to be upscale bar food. They have pretzels, chicken strips, chili cheese fries, mac and cheese that can come in several ways.

On Fridays, they fry up a lot of fish putting on one of the best fish fries in Milwaukee . For both lunch and dinner, you can grab a basket of freshly fried cod. If you happen to visit on a day other than Friday, you can still get a beer-battered fried fish taco, while not the same – it’s still pretty darn good.

In our humble opinion, Lakefront has some of the best cheese curds in Milwaukee. Fresh, gooey white cheese in a thin crispy batter.

They also have tacos, sandwiches, sausages, and salads of all kinds. Their vegetarian options are great too.  Oh and ice cream sundaes made with beer caramel and candied pecans!

See The Current Menu Here

Lakefront Brewery Hours of Operation

• Monday – Thursday:  4:00-9:00pm
• Friday & Saturday 11:00am-9:00pm.
• Sunday’s 11:00am- 5:00pm.
• 1872 N. Commerce Street

The space inside the brewery is large enough for any big group to feel comfortable. Their beer hall is lively and fun.  Even with the larger crowds, it’s family-friendly.  Lakefront Brewery a perfect place to have a couple of beers with some great snacks. The parking is fairly abundant.

ROBERT W SLACK

Wednesday 18th of October 2023

For many months, I enjoyed your New Grist Gluten Free Beer. When I needed to go Gluten Free it was the only such beer that I found to my liking.

Unfortunately, the canned product that I can now find is not the same.

I will not be buying more of the canned New Grist unless it returns to the very likeable nature of the bottled product.

I live in Orangeville, Ontario, Canada.

Winter is here! Check out the winter wonderlands at these 5 amazing winter destinations in Montana

• Travel Guide
• Food Travel

Lakefront Brewery: One Of The Best Brewery Tours In Milwaukee

Published: September 10, 2023

Modified: December 27, 2023

by Ethel Roach

• Plan Your Trip
• Travel Tips

Introduction

Welcome to Lakefront Brewery, one of the best brewery tours in Milwaukee! If you’re a fan of beer, breweries, and exploring the vibrant food and beverage scene of a city, then this is an experience you don’t want to miss. Lakefront Brewery offers a unique and engaging tour that not only immerses you in the art of craft beer making but also gives you a taste of Milwaukee’s rich brewing heritage.

Located in the heart of Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery stands as a testament to the city’s long-standing tradition of brewing exceptional beers. With its commitment to quality, craftsmanship, and innovation, Lakefront Brewery has established itself as a premier destination for beer enthusiasts and travelers alike.

But what sets Lakefront Brewery apart from other breweries is its renowned brewery tour. Led by knowledgeable and passionate guides, the tour takes you on a behind-the-scenes journey through the brewing process, allowing you to witness the magic that goes into creating their delicious range of beers.

During your visit, you’ll not only learn about the history of the brewery but also gain insight into the brewing techniques and ingredients used. From the malting process to fermentation and packaging, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of the entire beer-making process.

However, the brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery is more than just an educational experience. It’s an interactive and entertaining adventure that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The guides at Lakefront Brewery are known for their charismatic personalities and humorous anecdotes, ensuring that you have an enjoyable and memorable time.

As you explore each stage of the brewery, you’ll also have the opportunity to sample a variety of their award-winning beers. From crisp lagers to hoppy IPAs and rich stouts, there’s a beer to suit every palate. And what better way to appreciate the craftsmanship and artistry than by indulging in a tasting session.

Whether you’re a seasoned beer connoisseur or someone new to the world of craft brewing, the brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery offers something for everyone. You’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the beer-making process, a newfound knowledge of Milwaukee’s brewing history, and perhaps a few new favorite brews to savor.

In the following sections, we’ll delve deeper into the history of Lakefront Brewery, the brewery tour experience, the brewing process, beer tastings, and the unique features that make Lakefront Brewery a must-visit destination for beer lovers.

History of Lakefront Brewery

The story of Lakefront Brewery dates back to 1987 when brothers Russ and Jim Klisch embarked on a mission to bring craft beer to the shores of Milwaukee. Inspired by their passion for brewing and a desire to revive the brewing traditions of the city, they opened Lakefront Brewery in a small riverfront location.

What started as a humble operation with a handful of beer styles quickly gained popularity among locals and beer enthusiasts. Lakefront Brewery’s dedication to quality, innovation, and community involvement propelled its growth, allowing it to expand its production and reach a wider audience.

Throughout the years, Lakefront Brewery has cemented its position as a leading craft brewery in Milwaukee and beyond by consistently producing exceptional beers. They have received numerous accolades and awards for their brews, solidifying their reputation within the industry.

But Lakefront Brewery is more than just a brewery. It is a place that honors the history and heritage of Milwaukee’s brewing traditions. The founders, Russ and Jim, understood the importance of preserving and celebrating the city’s brewing culture, and it is evident in everything they do.

One notable aspect of Lakefront Brewery’s history is its pioneering role in introducing organic beer to the market. In 1996, they became the first certified organic brewery in the United States, demonstrating their commitment to sustainability and using high-quality ingredients.

Over the years, Lakefront Brewery has also actively engaged with the community, participating in local events, hosting fundraisers, and supporting charitable causes. They take pride in being a part of the vibrant culture of Milwaukee and giving back to the community that has embraced them.

Today, Lakefront Brewery stands as a beacon of brewing excellence, offering a wide range of beers that showcase the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovative spirit of its founders and the brewing team. From classic styles to experimental brews, there’s always something new and exciting to discover at Lakefront Brewery.

As you embark on a tour of Lakefront Brewery, you’ll not only learn about its rich history but also witness firsthand the passion and dedication that goes into crafting each pint. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the legacy of Milwaukee’s brewing traditions and the role Lakefront Brewery plays in keeping those traditions alive.

In the next section, we’ll delve into the immersive brewery tour experience that awaits you at Lakefront Brewery.

Brewery Tour Experience

The brewery tour experience at Lakefront Brewery is unlike any other. From the moment you step inside, you’ll be greeted by a lively and vibrant atmosphere that sets the stage for an engaging and informative journey through the world of craft beer.

Led by charismatic and knowledgeable guides, the brewery tour takes you behind the scenes to explore every step of the brewing process. You’ll learn about the ingredients, the equipment, and the techniques that go into making Lakefront Brewery’s signature brews.

The interactive nature of the tour ensures that you’re not just a passive observer but an active participant in the experience. You’ll have the opportunity to touch, smell, and taste the raw ingredients that make up the foundation of their delicious beers. Whether it’s the aroma of the hops or the sweetness of the malt, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the artistry and science behind each pint.

As you make your way through the brewery, the guides will regale you with fascinating stories about the brewery’s history, the challenges they’ve faced, and the triumphs they’ve achieved. Their passion for brewing and their witty charm make the tour both educational and entertaining.

One highlight of the brewery tour is the chance to see the iconic Lakefront Brewery beer hall, where the magic happens. You’ll witness the massive brew kettles, the fermentation tanks, and the packaging area, all working in harmony to bring their brews to life.

But the tour doesn’t stop at just the brewing process. Lakefront Brewery takes pride in its sustainability efforts, and you’ll learn about their commitment to reducing their environmental impact. From recycling initiatives to utilizing renewable energy, Lakefront Brewery aligns their values with their practices, making the tour an opportunity to appreciate their dedication to being a responsible brewery.

Of course, no brewery tour would be complete without tastings, and Lakefront Brewery doesn’t disappoint. At various points during the tour, you’ll have the chance to sample a diverse selection of their beers, from their flagship brews to seasonal specialties. Whether you’re a fan of crisp and refreshing lagers or bold and hoppy ales, there’s something to delight every palate.

As you savor each sip, the guides will walk you through the flavors, aromas, and unique characteristics of each beer, helping you discover new favorites and expand your beer knowledge. It’s an excellent opportunity to taste different styles, learn about food pairings, and sharpen your beer appreciation skills.

Whether you’re a beer aficionado or someone curious about the brewing process, the brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery offers an unforgettable experience. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the world of craft beer, learn from passionate experts, and indulge in the delightful flavors that have made Lakefront Brewery a staple in the Milwaukee beer scene.

In the next section, we’ll take a closer look at the step-by-step brewing process that Lakefront Brewery follows to create their exceptional beers.

Brewing Process

The brewing process at Lakefront Brewery is a finely tuned combination of art and science. From selecting the finest ingredients to carefully controlling fermentation, each step is crucial in creating the exceptional flavors that Lakefront Brewery is known for.

It all begins with the selection of quality ingredients. Lakefront Brewery takes pride in using only the finest malts, hops, yeast, and water in their recipes. They source their ingredients from trusted suppliers who share their commitment to excellence and sustainability.

The brewing process kicks off with milling the malt, which involves crushing the grains to expose the starches inside. This allows the enzymes to break down the starches into fermentable sugars. The milled malt is then mixed with hot water in a process known as mashing, which creates a sweet liquid called the wort.

Once the wort is prepared, it goes through the lautering and sparging process, where the liquid is separated from the solid grains. The liquid, now free from the grain particles, is transferred to the brew kettle for boiling.

During the boil, hops and other flavorings are added to the wort. Hops not only contribute bitterness to balance the sweetness of the malt but also add aroma and flavor to the final beer. Depending on the style, different hops are used at specific times during the boil to achieve the desired characteristics.

After the boil, the wort is rapidly cooled to facilitate the next step – fermentation. Lakefront Brewery uses a specific strain of yeast for each beer style, carefully selected to enhance the flavors and aromas of the beer. The yeast converts the sugars in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide through the process of fermentation.

Once fermentation is complete, the beer is transferred to storage tanks for conditioning. This allows for the flavors to develop and the beer to mature. Conditioning times vary depending on the style and the desired characteristics of the beer.

Once the beer has reached its optimal flavor profile, it goes through the packaging stage. Lakefront Brewery offers a variety of packaging options, including cans, bottles, and draft kegs. The beer is carefully packaged to preserve its quality and ensure that customers can enjoy a fresh and satisfying pint.

The brewing process at Lakefront Brewery is a meticulous and precise endeavor, requiring attention to detail and an understanding of the science behind the craft. Each step is carefully monitored and fine-tuned to create the consistent and exceptional beers that Lakefront Brewery is renowned for.

In the next section, we’ll explore the exciting part of the brewery tour – the beer tastings.

Beer Tastings

One of the highlights of the brewery tour at Lakefront Brewery is the opportunity to indulge in a variety of beer tastings. As you explore the brewery and learn about the brewing process, you’ll also have the chance to experience the flavors and aromas of Lakefront Brewery’s exceptional brews.

During the tour, you’ll be treated to a guided tasting session led by knowledgeable and passionate staff members. They will walk you through a selection of beers, providing insights into the unique characteristics of each brew and helping you develop a deeper appreciation for the art of craft beer.

At Lakefront Brewery, you’ll have the chance to sample a wide range of brews, including their flagship beers, seasonal offerings, and specialty creations. From crisp and refreshing lagers to hop-forward IPAs, rich stouts, and unique experimental brews, there’s something to suit every taste preference.

As you delve into the tasting experience, you’ll be encouraged to engage your senses – sight, smell, and of course, taste. You’ll observe the color and clarity of the beer, inhale the enticing aromas of hops, malt, and other flavorings, and savor the complex flavors that dance on your palate.

The beer tastings at Lakefront Brewery are not just about drinking beer; they’re an opportunity to learn about the intricacies of different beer styles, understand the flavor profiles, and discover your personal preferences. The guides will educate you on the ingredients used, the brewing techniques employed, and the factors that contribute to the unique characteristics of each beer.

Throughout the tasting, you’ll be encouraged to ask questions, share your thoughts, and engage in discussions with fellow participants. It’s a chance to connect with other beer enthusiasts, exchange recommendations, and gain a deeper understanding of the world of craft beer.

Depending on the tour package you choose, you may also have the opportunity to sample limited-edition or experimental brews that are not typically available to the public. These exclusive experiences allow you to taste unique and rare creations that showcase the brewery’s innovation and creativity.

Whether you’re a novice beer drinker or a seasoned beer aficionado, the beer tastings at Lakefront Brewery offer a delightful and educational experience. It’s a chance to expand your palate, discover new flavors, and gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship and skill that goes into creating each pint.

As you conclude the beer tastings and continue your brewery tour, you’ll carry with you a newfound knowledge, a greater appreciation for beer, and perhaps a few new favorite brews to enjoy.

In the next section, we’ll explore some of the unique features that set Lakefront Brewery apart from other breweries in Milwaukee.

Unique Features of Lakefront Brewery

Lakefront Brewery stands out among other breweries in Milwaukee due to its unique features and offerings. From its commitment to sustainability to its community engagement, Lakefront Brewery has carved a niche for itself in the craft beer scene.

One of the notable aspects of Lakefront Brewery is its dedication to sustainability. The brewery takes significant steps to minimize its environmental impact by implementing eco-friendly practices. They prioritize recycling, water conservation, and energy efficiency throughout their operations, showcasing their commitment to being a responsible and sustainable brewery.

Another unique feature of Lakefront Brewery is their organic beer offerings. In 1996, Lakefront Brewery became the first certified organic brewery in the United States. The use of organic ingredients ensures that the beers are made without synthetic pesticides and additives, reinforcing their commitment to quality and producing beers that are both flavorful and environmentally friendly.

Lakefront Brewery also takes pride in its community engagement. They actively participate in local events, support charitable causes, and give back to the community that has embraced them. Whether it’s hosting fundraisers or partnering with local organizations, Lakefront Brewery is deeply rooted in the fabric of the Milwaukee community.

One key component of Lakefront Brewery’s community engagement is their commitment to showcasing local talent. They regularly feature live music and host artists’ exhibitions, creating a vibrant and creative space for locals and visitors to enjoy. This dedication to supporting the arts further strengthens Lakefront Brewery’s connection to the community.

In addition to their sustainable practices and community involvement, Lakefront Brewery also features a stunning beer hall, offering visitors a unique and memorable setting to enjoy their brews. The spacious and welcoming beer hall welcomes patrons with its industrial-chic décor, comfortable seating, and a lively atmosphere. It’s a perfect gathering place to share a pint with friends or enjoy a meal paired with their exceptional beers.

Lakefront Brewery is also known for its creativity and innovation. They regularly release limited-edition and experimental brews that push the boundaries of traditional beer styles. These unique offerings provide beer enthusiasts an opportunity to taste new flavors, explore unconventional combinations, and experience the cutting edge of the craft beer world.

Furthermore, Lakefront Brewery’s commitment to offering engaging and entertaining brewery tours sets it apart from other breweries. The guides at Lakefront Brewery are charismatic and knowledgeable, infusing the tour with humor and interesting stories. The interactive and educational nature of the tour ensures that visitors have an immersive experience, gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for the brewing process.

Overall, Lakefront Brewery’s combination of sustainability, community engagement, creativity, and exceptional brewery tours make it an outstanding destination for beer lovers. It’s a place where innovative brews, community spirit, and a commitment to the environment come together to create a truly unique and memorable experience.

In the final section, we’ll wrap up our exploration of Lakefront Brewery and conclude our journey through the world of food travel in Milwaukee.

Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee offers a truly unforgettable food travel experience for beer enthusiasts and travelers alike. From its rich history rooted in the city’s brewing tradition to its commitment to sustainable practices, Lakefront Brewery has established itself as one of the best brewery tours in Milwaukee.

Throughout the brewery tour, visitors are treated to an immersive and informative journey through the brewing process. Led by passionate guides, guests learn about the ingredients, techniques, and artistry involved in creating Lakefront Brewery’s exceptional range of beers.

The tastings during the tour allow visitors to savor the flavors and aromas of Lakefront Brewery’s diverse beer offerings. Whether you’re a fan of classic styles or experimental brews, there’s something to please every palate.

What sets Lakefront Brewery apart from other breweries is its dedication to sustainability and community involvement. They are pioneers of organic brewing in the United States and actively engage in giving back to the local community.

Adding to the experience is Lakefront Brewery’s vibrant beer hall, where visitors can enjoy their brews in a welcoming and lively atmosphere. The venue showcases local talent and creates a gathering space for beer lovers to connect and enjoy the local culture.

In conclusion, a visit to Lakefront Brewery is not just a brewery tour; it’s an opportunity to delve into the world of craft beer, learn about Milwaukee’s brewing heritage, and appreciate the artistry and innovation behind each pint. With its unique features, commitment to sustainability, and engaging brewery tour, Lakefront Brewery truly offers a remarkable food travel experience. So, if you find yourself in Milwaukee, make sure to visit Lakefront Brewery and indulge in the flavors and stories that make it one of the best brewery tours in the city.

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Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee, WI

Thanks for choosing the famous Lakefront Brewery Tour! All tour tickets are currently ONLINE ONLY and NON-REFUNDABLE. All patrons on premise must be 21+ with valid, unexpired ID. Anyone under 21 must always be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Our brewery tours last approximately 45 minutes and are geared towards adults. Kids and families are welcome on the tour but at their own discretion. Kids 12 and under do not require a ticket but must remain next to their family at all tour stops. Each tour will be limited to 35 people. Tour patrons will receive a total of 32 oz. of beer. You will also receive a souvenir pint glass to take home at the end of the tour.    Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour, tours leave promptly on time. End of Tour Information At the end of the tour, patrons will have some time to finish their beer and mingle with the tour guide. From there, tour goers are welcome to do the following: 1. Go out to our patio, weather permitting. (our patio is all walk-up, first come, first served seating with counter/bar service) 2. Head upstairs to get a table inside our restaurant. (first come, first served seating) 3. Move on to their next Milwaukee stop. *Please note the difference between the weekday and weekend tours as we cannot go through the whole brewery while we are in production during the week, Monday through Thursday . Any additional questions or concerns, please call our main line at 414-372-8800.

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Private Tours

Join us for a private brewery tour.

During the week (Mon – Thurs), Lakefront offers private tours of the brewery for a minimum of 20 people (or the cost of 20 tickets) and a maximum of 40. The cost of the tour is $12 per person during the week. On weekends (Fri – Sun), groups are welcome to purchase all 35 available online tickets for a public tour to make it private for you and up to 34 others. The cost of the tour is $15 per person on the weekends. (we cannot give out extra sample tokens for unused tickets)

Private tour timing depends on business needs but we will do our best to accommodate the needs of each private tour group. All attendees must be 21 or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.

Private tours include:

• Four 6oz. beer samples
• Souvenir pint glass
• Coupon for a Lakefront beer at a local bar
• Entertaining guide all to yourself

Book a Private Tour

Lakefront Brewery

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No Home Just Roam

We're on an 8 year, 50 state road trip... and beyond

Lakefront Brewery Tour: The Best Beer Tour Ever

June 14, 2018 By stephen 4 Comments

I can’t believe it took me so long to work it out.

Despite being from the UK, I’ve been into baseball since 1998. I’ve seen the Milwaukee Brewers play on TV several times but hadn’t ever thought much about why they were called that.

Well, the Milwaukee part is obvious, but until visiting the city on our 50 state road trip , I hadn’t realized there was such a huge brewing industry there.

We’d had a couple of people recommend that we go on a Lakefront Brewery tour while in the city. It seemed to be highly rated online and I’ve enjoyed going on brewery tours before, so off we went.

Shae did a bit of research online beforehand and saw that the founder and owner – Russ Klisch – was due to give a tour that day. Even though there were a dozen tours that day, his was a little more special.

Not just because of him being the founder and owner, but because he only gives a tour once a week and part of it includes an environmental aspect.

The tour itself cost $11 which was a bargain. Not only do we get an interesting tour, but also a souvenir pint glass, four 6oz pours of beer at the brewery and a free beer at one of a number of other bars.

To get beer on the tour, you’re given four tokens that you can use for nearly any of the beers on their menu.

You start the tour with a “plastic” cup which you get filled before setting off. The tour’s thirsty work, so you need something to keep you hydrated along the way. As part of Lakefront Brewery’s commitment to the environment, the cups are made of corn and get recycled and composted.

The tour starts at one side of the beer hall, next to a giant beer mug. The mug was originally from the old Milwaukee Brewers stadium; Lakefront Brewery bought this and some other stuff when the team moved stadiums.

The tour began upstairs, with Russ giving us some general information about the tour. Before heading downstairs, those of us with now-empty glasses were able to use another token to get them refilled.

Once downstairs, Russ shared more of the history of the brewery – from when they started making their own beer in 1981 through their growth over the years to the increased success they’ve had in recent years.

Lakefront Brewery was the first brewery in the US to launch a certified organic beer in 1995. Not only do they have organic brews, but they’re also certified by Travel Green Wisconsin – part of the reason they give an environmental tour. They use renewable energy, their used hops and grain are composted and they make other efforts to be environmentally-friendly.

After more than a decade, they outgrew their old brewery. In 1998, they moved into their current building which used to be a power plant.

Seeing as their beer is so popular, they need a lot of brewing equipment. And not just regular-sized equipment – here’s a photo of Shae to give you an idea of how big some of it is.

About halfway through the tour, Russ pointed out the chalet sitting above us. This was Bernie Brewer’s Chalet at the old Milwaukee Brewers stadium – their mascot would slide down from the chalet and land in the giant beer mug that’s now in the beer hall which you see at the beginning of the tour.

Every Valentine’s Day, Lakefront Brewery brings in ordained ministers and offers free weddings in the chalet.

Once the tour’s over, you can take a look inside the chalet.

There are beer stops throughout the tour, so I got another fill-up at this point. Shae’s not a beer fan, so I got to use a couple of her tokens as well.

The tour moved on to a different part of the brewery where we got to see some of the kegs that they use nowadays.

One of the most popular features of the Lakefront Brewery tour is when you get to the bottling room. In here, you get to sing along to the Laverne & Shirley theme tune.

In the TV show, Laverne & Shirley worked at the Milwaukee-based (fictional) Shotz Brewery. Russ set the bottling machine going, picked someone from the tour and she got to place the glove on top of a bottle while we sang along.

In case you need to jog your memory, here’s how the intro of Laverne & Shirley went:

And here’s a video of our version:

I know – the similarity is uncanny 😉

Shortly after that, the Lakefront Brewery tour was over, but the fun didn’t end there. For starters, we got to chat to Russ for a minute or two and got a selfie with the founder and owner.

Russ also gave us the inside scoop that there might be a few bottles of Golden Maple Root Beer hanging around. Shae managed to track one down and so was able to exchange a couple of her tokens for a bottle so she could enjoy a bottle of (root) beer at a brewery.

I still had a couple of tokens left and Shae was interested in getting a snack, so we made our way to the beer hall. This is a huge room with a ton of tables. It was a Friday night, so they were set up for their weekly fish fry.

I ordered a couple more beers, while Shae ordered some beer-battered cheese curds which came with a side of garlic ranch dip.

Friday’s definitely a great day to visit Lakefront Brewery. Not only do they have a fish fry, but they also have the Brewhaus Polka Kings playing who were a lot of fun.

While eating and drinking, we got chatting to a really nice family who had an awesome daughter with a unicorn headpiece (Hi Dan & Amy!). Norm and Sara at the brewery also helped Shae with some shenanigans in order to get some root beer for Dan & Amy’s daughter.

Despite me being somewhat tipsy by this stage, the drinking didn’t end there. The Lakefront Brewery tour comes with a coupon for a free Lakefront Brewery beer from one of several nearby pubs serving their brews.

Shae and I hopped in the car and made our way to Nomad World Pub. (n.b. One of the best parts of going on a brewery tour with someone who doesn’t like beer is that you have a designated driver 😉 )

Nomad World Pub had a couple of Lakefront Brewery beers – River West Stein and an IPA. I tried both and think I preferred the IPA out of the two.

In terms of beers I tried on the tour, my favorite was one that tasted like a mild Hefeweizen. I’d thought it’s their beer called Rendezvous, but the notes I made on the tour became gradually more non-existent the more beers I consumed, so I’m not certain that’s which one it was. Their stout was very good too.

Final Thoughts

If you like beer, the Lakefront Brewery tour in Milwaukee WI is something you need in your life. It’s fun, great value and – most importantly – has delicious beer. All of the staff we came into contact with were all incredibly friendly, so Russ  and his team have done a great job hiring the right people at the brewery.

Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee, WI 53212

Reader Interactions

June 15, 2018 at 5:58 am

Super good info!! Lucky you !!!

June 16, 2018 at 6:47 am

Great write up!!! Gotta love us beer guys. I especially like the Laverne and Shirley part!! Stay safe, guys.

June 16, 2018 at 11:07 am

[…] city that’s made even more beautiful by being on Lake Michigan. I had so much fun going on a tour of Lakefront Brewery, while there was a great dog park called Warnimont Dog Park. It was a five acre fenced-in area with […]

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Milwaukee, Wisconsin : Brewery Tour Laverne and Shirley Tribute

Lakefront Brewery showers praise on Milwaukee icons Laverne and Shirley during its brewery tours.

Lakefront Brewery

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Visitor Tips and News About Brewery Tour Laverne and Shirley Tribute

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Sad news: the brewery is removing bottles and going to cans only. Meaning the Laverne and Shirley bottling line will soon be lost to history, just like the Shotz Brewery.

As far as the tour is concerned, the Brewery president reassured a local news station that "we're still going to have Laverne and Shirley there, we'll still have the glove, we'll still sing the song, and it'll still be fun."

We did the Lakefront Brewery Tour in June 2021. They didn't mention Lavern and Shirley at all, even though a picture of them hangs in the first room we were in. It's still a fun tour. Be sure to book ahead.

The placing of a glove on an assembly line bottle -- as seen in the opening credits of the 1970s sitcom -- is still promoted as part of the brewery tour.

The original bottling line used in the opening credits was in the Schlitz Brewery. After it closed, the bottling line was purchased by the owners of Lakefront Brewery. It is used daily and can be seen during the tour.

The tour includes a rendition of the theme song from the 1970s TV show, and guests are invited to drop gloves over the moving bottles just like Milwaukee icons Laverne and Shirley did in the opening credits. Nov. 2020: Photo added.

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Best Milwaukee Brewery Tours – Local Favorites for Visitors

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

Featured Image Courtesy of Lakefront Brewing .

Welcome to Milwaukee, also known as “Brew City,” – where the beer flows like the Milwaukee River (only drinkable 🙂)

With Milwaukee’s rich brewing history that includes big names like Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz, it’s no wonder Milwaukee has earned its reputation as a beer lover’s paradise. 

But it’s not just the big names that make Milwaukee special. Over 25 craft breweries call Milwaukee home, each with a unique style and flavor.

And what better way to experience all this deliciousness than with a brewery tour? Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or simply like to enjoy a cold one a brewery tour is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee .

Over the years, we’ve been on quite a few brewery tours. Sometimes just for fun. And sometimes to show visiting friends and family how amazing the city of Milwaukee is. 

Unfortunately, since Covid, the number of brewery tours available has decreased. But don’t worry, the best ones are still around. 

So, here is a list of our favorite brewery tours in Milwaukee for you to explore. We’ll also include a list of available brewery tours, a few beer history tours, and tours where you’ll be guided through the city, stopping at multiple breweries.

Let’s grab a pint or two and dive in!

Related Post: Best Milwaukee Tours: Top Picks for Visitors

List of Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

Best brewery tours in milwaukee, lakefront brewery.

Length: 45 min

# of Tastings: 4 – 8oz pours

If you can take only one brewery tour while in Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery is what you are looking for. 

Lakefront Brewery has been a Milwaukee staple since 1987. Founded by two beer-loving brothers, Russ and Jim Klisch, Lakefront Brewery has been bringing joy to Milwaukee with their delicious brews and fun atmosphere.

Not only do they have something for everyone (even those avoiding gluten), but their flagship beer, Riverwest Stein , is so popular it’s in almost every bar in Milwaukee. 

But let’s be real. The best part of Lakefront Brewery is the tour. It’s like a 45-minute party, complete with fun facts, jokes, and of course, beer. You’ll get to sample four- 8oz pours of their finest brews and even take home a souvenir pint glass.

And if you ask most beer-loving Milwaukeans, they’ll tell you they’ve been on the Lakefront Brewery tour several times. It’s perfect for entertaining visitors. And even without visitors, the tour is simply a good old time shared with beer-loving friends. 

Before or after the tour, don’t forget to hit up their beer hall for some delicious grub. And if you are lucky enough to be there on a Friday, their fish fry is one of the best in town. 

If you aren’t hungry, take some time to bask in the beauty of their outdoor patio along the Milwaukee Riverfront. 

The Lakefront Brewery Tour is a must-do for any Milwaukee resident or visitor. 

Related Post: Best Craft Breweries in Milwaukee: As Rated by a Local Beer-lover

Miller Brewing

Length: 1 hour

# of Tastings: 3 tastings

Touring a small craft brewery is fun, but seeing the enormous scale of a major brewery like Miller Brewing is an experience you won’t want to miss. 

Walking through Miller Valley is like taking a stroll through beer heaven. From the old-school charm of the Miller Inn to the high-tech brewing facilities, you’ll see it all on this guided walking tour.

And of course, it’s not a Milwaukee tour without a beer in hand, so you’ll start with a cold one. Hey, it’s Wisconsin, what did you expect?

But the real highlight of the tour is the underground Miller caves. These things are so cool they’ll give you chills (literally). Plus, you’ll get to see the historic Bavarian-style Miller Inn and the ginormous modern operations of the Brew House, Packaging, and Distribution Centers.

All in all, the Miller Brewery Tour is a must-do for any beer lover visiting Milwaukee. It’ll leave you with a newfound appreciation for Milwaukee’s rich beer history. 

One-day in Milwaukee: Itinerary Suggestions From a Local

Beer History Tours

Best place beer history tour.

Length: 1 – 1.5 hours

# of Tastings: 1 pint

If you’re a history buff who loves a good brew, the Best Place Beer History Tour is the bee’s knees . Trust us, it’s not your typical snooze-fest.

To kick things off, you’ll get a refreshing beer or soda. Then, get ready for a quick video on the history of Best Brewery, which later became the iconic Pabst Brewery.

The tour takes you through some of the remaining buildings that once made up the Pabst Brewery complex, and let me tell you, the folks at Best Place have done an amazing job restoring them. It’s like stepping back in time, but with better beer.

And don’t miss your chance to sit at Captain Pabst’s desk in the main wedding hall. You might just feel like a captain yourself (no judgment here).

But let’s be real, the show’s real stars are the tour guides. They’re witty, funny, and know their stuff when it comes to the story of Pabst beer. You’ll learn all about how it rose to fame, fell from grace, and then made a triumphant comeback to become the beloved brand it is today.

So, come for the beer, stay for the history, and soak up the friendly Gemütlichkeit. This tour is a must-do for anyone looking for an entertaining and educational experience. Prost!

Where to Stay in Milwaukee – A Locally Curated Guide

Pabst Mansion Length: 1 hour

If you’re looking for a true taste of German Milwaukee , look no further than the Pabst Mansion. It’s the real deal, y’all.

This preserved 1890s Gilded Age Mansion is a must-visit for anyone who loves history and beer (which, let’s be honest, is basically everyone in Milwaukee).

Once home to Captain Pabst, his wife, and a whopping 10 children (though only 5 made it to adulthood), this place is steeped in history. And we’re not talking about the boring kind of history you snoozed through in school. We’re talking juicy details that will make you feel like you’re part of the Pabst family.

Now, you can do a self-guided tour, but we highly recommend the guided tour. Why? Because the tour guides are passionate about the history, and they’ll give you all the deets you wouldn’t get on a self-guided tour.

The guided tour takes you through the first through third floors of the mansion and shares everything you could want to know about the Pabst Mansion, the Pabst family, and the incredible architecture and furnishings of the home. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this.

So, come get your history and beer fix all in one place at the Pabst Mansion. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the German Milwaukee experience.

Multiple Brewery Tours

Fun beer tours.

Length of Tour: 2.5 – 3 hours

Alright, beer-loving friends, I’ve got the inside scoop on one of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets : Fun Beer Tours. These tours are truly a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Fun Beer Tours keeps its prices low by letting you choose your own drinks and snacks. That way, you can customize your experience and try all the beers your heart desires. And for all the non-drinkers out there, you won’t have to pay for someone else’s suds.

And can we talk about the options? Fun Beer Tours has tours that cater to every interest. Whether you’re all about the beer or want to learn some Milwaukee history too, they’ve got you covered.

Choose from the “Beer is Famous Tour” or the “Beer + Everything Else Tour” and prepare to have a blast. You can even ask them to create a specialized tour for a group outing like a bachelor or bachelorette party. 

But the real star of the show is your guide, Paul. He’s not just a beer history buff, he’s a craft brewery co-founder, collector of historic brewery artifacts, and a 30-year history teacher. Let’s just say he knows his stuff.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and unique way to experience Milwaukee’s beer culture, Fun Beer Tours is the way to go. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Milwaukee Food and City Tours: Craft Brewery and Distillery Tour

Length of Tour: 3.5-4 hours

The Craft Brewery and Distillery Tour is all about discovering new craft brews and spirits before they hit the mainstream. So if you want to hit multiple establishments in the comfort of a bus, this tour is for you.

The tour lasts between 3.5 to 4 hours, with 4-5 stops at some of Milwaukee’s finest breweries and distilleries. It’s the perfect way to explore the local scene and support our city’s up-and-coming stars. While learning a bit along the way.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and authentic way to experience Milwaukee’s craft brewery and distillery scene, Milwaukee Food and City Tours is another way to go.

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Because life's too short to stay home …, mad about brew, in the town that worships beer, brewery tours draw legions of fans..

© Beth Gauper

For people who love beer, there's no better place to drink it than in a brewery.

In 1880s, beer-loving Milwaukee had more than 80 of them. Three became national giants, giving Milwaukee the nicknames Beer Town and Suds City, but only one survived.

That's Miller, acquired in 1969 by Philip Morris and now part of Molson Coors. Schlitz closed in 1981, and Pabst in 1997.

Enter the first upstarts.

In 1985, Sprecher became the first brewery to start up in Milwaukee since Prohibition. Against Miller's Lite, it put up beers with so much heft you could have them for lunch: Black Bavarian, Russian imperial stout, Doppelbock.

Lakefront brewed its first beer in 1987, after Russ Klisch bought his brother Jim a home-brewing kit and soon found himself competing to see who could make the best beer.

The brothers brewed fast and furiously-the first fruit beer since Prohibition, the first certified organic beer, the first gluten-free beer, a spicy pumpkin lager. With Sprecher, they put the love back into the beer.

All three breweries offer tours, all different but all popular: You get to drink the beer.

And when you're done with those, visit the new upstarts: the dozens of craft breweries popping up around the city. Many of them offer tours .

Lakefront Brewery

It's safe to say that Lakefront's is the most fun. I got there an hour early, riding my bike from downtown past the old Schlitz brewery and through the rejuvenated Beerline B neighborhood. Already, 15 people were in line for the 1 p.m. tour.

At 12:35 p.m., we showed our IDs and were ushered inside a cavernous hall, where we got a plastic glass, four coupons for beer and a voucher for a free beer that afternoon at one of 13 restaurants.

I could see that some serious drinking lay ahead, so I bought a slice of Meglio's pizza to have with a glass of the Rendezvous Ale, a French country ale that was light but more substantial than New Glarus' popular Spotted Cow, a Wisconsin farmhouse ale.

That went down pretty easily, so I followed it with a glass of Wheat Monkey, which our guide, Joe, said was "flying off the shelves."

Standing in front of three fermentation tanks painted with the images of the Three Stooges, Joe told us the only rule at Lakefront is to have a good time.

"There's always someone who's been here as many times as I have, and the reason is what we have in our hand, it's the beer," he said. "Okay, who's been here 25 times? 35 times? More than 100?"

He told us about the home-brewing kit that started it all and claimed that the city sold the current brewery, an old power plant, to the Klisch brothers in return for "free beer for life."

The brewing process is basically the same everywhere: In the mash tun, grain is steeped in hot water. After the grain is strained out, the resulting wort is boiled and hops are added. It's cooled and sent to fermenting tanks, where yeast is added.

But at Lakefront, Joe explained what the yeast does after it devours the sugars in the wort: "It does what we do when we eat too much. The yeast is going to poop-poop out alcohol and carbon dioxide, which creates carbonation. Then it reproduces with itself and parties."

The used-up grain, he said, is fed to worms, whose waste becomes organic fertilizer. For good measure, he added that the cups from which we were drinking were made from old plastic bags and diapers and also will be composted.

Yum! But no one stopped drinking.

Then Joe showed us the original Bernie Brewer's Chalet from the old County Stadium, which the Klisches bought as a souvenir. He pointed to its famous slide.

"Bernie would only slide down it when the Brewers hit a home run, so of course it's in perfect shape," he cracked.

In the bottling room, Joe made us sing "Making Our Dreams Come True," the theme song from "Laverne and Shirley," the TV sitcom that was based in the fictional Schotz Brewery in Milwaukee and ran from 1975 to 1983: "Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated!"

"If you don't sing, we'll send you out that exit door, and that way there's no more beers," he warned.

But I made it onto the sunny riverside patio where tour guests can spend as much time as they want, using up their coupons and watching the Brew City Queen II tour boat chug up and down the river between Lakefront and two brewpubs, the Milwaukee Ale House and Rock Bottom Brewery.

I only had room for one more beer, so I tried the Riverwest Stein amber lager, which Joe said was the brewery's most popular.

"People think it's too dark, but then they taste it," he said. I could see why the brewery is so popular. Its beers are deceptively mild, pleasing to most palates yet packed with flavor.

© Milwaukee Parks

Sprecher Brewery

At Sprecher, the beers are as chewy as a slice of multigrain bread. Started in 1985 by Randal Sprecher, a former Pabst supervisor, it takes the Belgian view that beer is the bread of life.

And sure enough, on the tour, we got up close and personal with the ingredients, smelling hops pellets and tasting barley-malt grains -- yum, just like a bowl of Grape-Nuts.

Brewmasters can tinker with the beer at many points. Corn, rice or wheat can be used as grains along with various barley malts, which, when roasted, give beer color and flavor-of coffee, caramel or chocolate, for example.

The type of hops used gives it aroma, and its bitterness balances the sweetness of the malt. Like Lakefront, one of Sprecher's bestsellers is a Viennese-style lager, the Special Amber.

Its flavors span the globe-in addition to its German-style Black Bavarian and Hefe Weiss, it also produces the Belgian Abbey Triple, Irish Stout and Austrian-style Radlers.

Ironically, for the first Milwaukee brewery to open since Prohibition, Sprecher is just as well known for its delectable sodas, which are ubiquitous in gourmet delis.

On this brewery tour, you're likely to drink just as much of its root beer and cream soda, and it makes seven other soft drinks, including Orange Dream, Grape and Cherry Cola.

MolsonCoors

And then there's the MolsonCoors brewery tour. It's just as popular as the other two, because more people still drink Miller Lite than craft beers.

When I went, it was only 11 a.m. on a chilly Saturday, and already 94 people were gunning for a taste of High Life.

"Now, you all signed the Enthusiasm Clause before going on the tour," shouted a peppy young guide named Ryan. "So I'll be assessing your enthusiasm to see if you get the free samples."

We had gathered in Miller Valley, along the Menomonee River, to hear the story of Frederick Miller, a royal brewmaster in Germany who had New World-size ambitions.

One day, he packed up his yeast and decamped to America, where, in 1855, he bought a small brewery in Milwaukee. Miller not only knew how to make beer, he knew how to make people want to drink beer.

Over the years, he and his sons gave social cachet to a workingman's beverage. They opened a beer garden and used catchy slogans — for High Life, it was "the Champagne of Bottle Beers," winner of a 1903 contest — and symbols, such as the Girl in the Moon, a coy damsel perched on a crescent.

Thus Miller beers became part of the fabric of Milwaukee, and the city's beautiful new ball park bears its name.

The nice family success story grinds to a halt in 1969, when Miller was acquired by tobacco giant Philip Morris. In 2002, South African Brewing bought it, and in 2008, it merged with Coors. In 2016, the Belgian multinational InBev acquired SABMiller, which then sold its stake in MillerCoors to Molson Coors.

Today, it's a little hard to work up much enthusiasm for a global conglomerate that's best known for making Miller Lite and 30 other brands of American-style pilsener.

The tour include a flashy video, but it's as insubstantial as the beer. We looked through a glassed-in balcony at a room full of machinery and got a dizzying 30-second explanation of brewing as we looked at a row of kettles.

However, the Caves Museum and wood-paneled Miller Inn pub, where we drank our samples, were quite atmospheric.

They should be, considering the brewery's age and history. Even if a tour guide's explanation of the brewing process makes your eyes glaze over, the story behind the beer always is interesting.

For more on breweries in southern Wisconsin, see Road trip: Breweries of southern Wisconsin .

For a list of beer festivals, see Best brew fests .

Trip Tips: Milwaukee brewery tours

Be sure to bring photo identification; otherwise, you might end up drinking root beer.

Events: Milwaukee Beer Week , with sampling and other events across town.

Riverwalk Boat Tours : On Saturdays, the Brew City Queen II or Milwaukee Maiden pontoon boats offer a 3 Pub cruise.

Lakefront Brewery : On the Milwaukee River just north of downtown, Lakefront Brewery's daily tour is very popular. Tour hours vary. All Saturday tickets are sold online; for other days, 15 tickets are first-come, first-served.

Cost is $8-$11, including a pint glass, four 6-ounce pours and a free beer at local restaurants, good only until 6 p.m. that day.

Sprecher Brewing Co. : In the suburb of Glendale, Sprecher brews artisan beers and sodas. Tour hours vary, but generally there are at least two tours on weekday afternoons and more from Friday through Sunday; check the schedule.

Cost is $8, $5 for people under 21, and includes a tasting glass and four samples. Reserve online or call 414-964-2739.

Milwaukee Brewing Co. : Now with two breweries, one in the Walker's Point neighborhood and one in part of the old Pabst Brewery complex, it supplies the beer for the Milwaukee Ale House in the Third Ward.

Both breweries offer tours, Saturdays at the original 2nd Street Brewery in Walker's Point and Fridays through Sundays at the 9th Street Brewery near Fiserv Forum. Cost of $12 includes a pint glass, samples and a token for a beer at a later time.

Miller Brewery (MolsonCoors): One-hour tours are given daily in summer and Monday through Saturday the rest of the year. It's no longer free; cost is $10, $5 for Wisconsin residents with state-issued ID.

Walk in or reserve in advance, 414-931-2337 or 800-944-5483. Saturday is busiest, though visitors won't see production that day. The plant is along the Menomonee River, west of downtown and just south of Washington Park.

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery : This event center offers Beer History Tours that include a 16-ounce Pabst or Schlitz, $10.

For more about sightseeing, festivals and lodgings, see Milwaukee stories .

Where to drink beer

Great bars and brewpubs are legion. But one of the most popular places to drink in the summer is Estabrook Beer Garden in Estabrook Park, on the Milwaukee River and Oak Leaf Trail north of downtown.

Modeled on beer gardens in modern-day Munich, it features German beer served in half- and full-liter glass mugs, shared tables, polka music and fresh-baked German pretzels and wurst.

People also can bring their own food, and dogs are allowed. In the park, there's a dog park, disc golf and a riverfront boardwalk.

There are also beer gardens in Humboldt, Hoyt and South Shore parks. Others parks are served by a traveling beer truck from Sprecher Brewing. There's live music at each of the stops from Wednesday through Saturday.

In Glendale, the Bavarian Bier Haus has a large beer garden. On the four weekends after Labor Day, it hosts the annual Oktoberfest in adjoining Old Heidelberg Park.

Where to stay

The 90-suite Brewhouse Inn & Suites now occupies parts of the 1877 Pabst Brewery. It's built of Cream City brick and is the centerpiece of the new Brewery neighborhood around the 20-acre complex.

Getting around

It's easiest by bike. Not far from Schlitz Park, the paved, 3.7-mile Beerline Trail heads north on the west side of the Milwaukee River, passing Lakefront Brewery. The trail is lined with murals and public art.

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Lakefront Brewery Tour

I’m conflicted with what I’m about to say: The Lakefront Brewery (1872 N. Commerce St.) tour is not that cool on the weekend. My hesitation stems from my undying love for this brewery’s products, owners and humble success story. We arrived at the brewery a couple minutes late for the 1 p.m. tour. There were three wristbands left and three of us – destiny. But we asked to wait for the next tour in hopes that there would be fewer people. The young man assured us, however, that each group fills up with 60 boozehounds. So, I let him slap…

I’m conflicted with what I’m about to say: The Lakefront Brewery (1872 N. Commerce St.) tour is not that cool on the weekend. My hesitation stems from my undying love for this brewery’s products, owners and humble success story.

We arrived at the brewery a couple minutes late for the 1 p.m. tour. There were three wristbands left and three of us – destiny. But we asked to wait for the next tour in hopes that there would be fewer people. The young man assured us, however, that each group fills up with 60 boozehounds.

So, I let him slap the band back on my wrist, and we each turned over a token for a Snake Chaser Irish Style Stout. For $6, you get a small plastic cup (redeemable for a Lakefront pint glass or $2 off any item in the gift shop), four beer tokens and a coupon for a free beer at participating bars after the tour.

We sat at a long banquet table, and before we could put a dent in our cup, a shouting blonde firmly suggested we get another beer and meet her at the top of the stairs. She carried an abrasive tone throughout the tour and cracked jokes – some laughable, others not so much. Her beer-in-hand irreverence carried well with the cracked, wet floors and used brewing equipment. She would skip over facts, though, or brush off a visual supplement if she couldn’t locate it. Another brewery worker on the tour actually gained a sort of renegade following, as he tended to expand on or disagree with some of our guide’s assertions. For example, during the packaging part of the tour, our guide couldn’t reach the light to show off the room where the beer bottling takes place. As this final section came to a close, the rebel reached over the assembly line, flipped the switch and explained to us few deserters a bit more about the packaging process.

With the next tour creeping in behind us, we made our way back upstairs to the large Cream City brick hall and ordered our final beers at the bar. I dropped two tokens for the Holiday Spice Lager. I was told the batch gets better with age, and the spices are more noticeable later in the season. I enjoyed the brew just as it was though.

We escorted ourselves to the other end of the hall and down the stairs to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful day. Three white plastic chairs were facing the river, under the Holton Bridge. Again, we meet with destiny. We finished up our drinks and decided, “Today is a good day to be in Milwaukee.”

I love the Lakefront Brewery Tour, but I love it more during the week when you’re privileged with the company of either Russ or Jim Klisch. The owner/brother duo makes for hilarious guides and tends to work with slightly more intimate crowds. They let you taste the toasted malts and are a bit more liberal with their tap pours. So, if you know what’s good for you, make your first time a weekday.

And try Wolski’s (1836 N. Pulaski St.) for your post-tour, free-beer stop. They have a great pool table and metal dartboards to finish out the afternoon.

Special Event: We’ve all heard of the backward-robe phenomenon otherwise known as Snuggies, but do you know about Snug N’ Chug? This Saturday, Nov. 28, from 4-9 p.m. join the Snuggie-wearing bar crawl with nine participating bars in support of the Hunger Task Force. Bars include: Charlie’s, Fanatics, Fire on Water, The Irish Pub, MJ’s, MOCT, Stir, The Swingin’ Door and The Wicked Hop. The evening drink specials are $2 Lakefront beers and $3 Rehorst cocktails. For more details, visit thewickedhop.com. Apartment 720 720 N. Milwaukee St. Wednesday, Nov. 25 Looking for something to do before for you head home to fill your bellies? Go to the Thanksgiving Eve Bash, of course. Enjoy complimentary Ketel One vodka cocktails from 10 p.m.-midnight.

Cactus Club 2496 S. Wentworth Ave. Friday, Nov. 27 10 p.m. Group of the Altos , Cages , Helen Money with Jon Mueller

Stonefly Brewery 735 E. Center St. Friday, Nov. 27 7 p.m. Check out the Relative Theory CD Release Party with special guests.

Benno’s Genuine Bar & Grill 7413 W. Greenfield Ave. Mondays $1 off all taps, and three sliders for $3.

Rustico Pizzeria 223 N. Water St. Mondays I’m excited about this one. From 9 p.m.-close, take advantage of $1 slice night.

Blackbird 3007 S. Kinnickinnic Ave. Tuesdays Blackbird offers one of my new favorite Happy Hour specials: Free tacos from Hector’s, 4-8 p.m., or until supplies last. Also, $4 margaritas and $2 Pacifico and Corona.

Polish Falcon’s Nest 725 801 E. Clarke St. Wednesdays Open Bowl on the oldest lanes in town. And it only costs $3.25 a game plus $1 for shoes.

Decibel 1905 North Ave. Thursdays Hey ladies! Free drinks until midnight. Everyone else pays $3 for Stoli drinks. Not bad. No cover.

Hi Hat Lounge & Garage 1701 N. Arlington Pl. Thursdays Ladies Night: DJs Kid Cut Up and Steve Marxx. Two complimentary drinks for the ladies.

Kenadee’s Ultra Pub 718 N. Milwaukee St. Fridays Bitch Pleeze Fridays: Ladies drink free mixers every Friday from 10 p.m.-midnight. Kenny Perez provides the music. No cover. No dress code.

Brocach Irish Pub and Restaurant 1850 N. Water St. Monday-Friday From 3:30 to 6 p.m., try happy hour: half off all top-shelf Irish and scotch whiskies. 20 oz. pint of Guinness and shot of Powers for $6.25. $5 wines by the glass.

Café Lulu 2265 S. Howell Ave. Monday-Friday Join the Lulu crew and watch Cash Cab from 4-5 p.m. Enjoy $1 off all rail drinks, tap beer and wine.

Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge 1579 S. 9th St. Tuesday-Friday Old-Fashioned Cocktail Hour from 5-9 p.m. Half-price Depression-era cocktails, including the signature Old-Fashioned.

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Brewing Excellence on Milwaukee’s Waterfront: A Dive into the World of Lakefront Brewery

Laura Williams

Updated on: December 23, 2023

Welcome to the vibrant world of Lakefront Brewery, an iconic establishment gracing the picturesque waterfront of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Steeped in rich history and founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch, Lakefront Brewery has evolved into a beacon of craft beer excellence. From its humble origins, nestled in the remnants of a coal yard, the brewery has flourished into a must-visit destination for locals and beer enthusiasts alike.

At the heart of Lakefront Brewery’s allure lies a commitment to brewing that transcends the ordinary. As we embark on this exploration, we’ll uncover the brewery’s fascinating journey, navigating the challenges faced by its founders and witnessing the passion that propelled them forward. The story unfolds against the backdrop of Milwaukee’s brewing landscape, showcasing how Lakefront Brewery has become a dynamic force within Wisconsin’s rich beer culture.

What sets Lakefront Brewery apart is not just its compelling history but the distinctive range of beers that beckon visitors to indulge in a sensory experience. From classic lagers to daring experimental ales, each brew is a testament to the brewery’s dedication to quality ingredients and innovative brewing techniques. Join us as we delve into the artistry behind these carefully crafted beverages, understanding what makes Lakefront Brewery a beacon of creativity and taste in the craft beer scene.

Beyond the brews, Lakefront Brewery invites patrons to embark on immersive brewery tours, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the beer-making process. These tours are more than just informative; they are a lively blend of humor, history, and of course, plenty of beer tasting. As we navigate the brewery’s riverside location, we’ll explore the unique atmosphere that defines Lakefront Brewery and sets it apart as a destination where beer enthusiasts can savor the essence of Milwaukee’s brewing heritage.

To learn about previous visitors experience check TripAdvisor here (Affiliate Link) If you are looking for a tour, check Viator’s Sip of Milwaukee Guided Brewery Tour with Snack (Affiliate Link)

Table of Contents

History and roots.

Lakefront Brewery’s compelling narrative is deeply rooted in the history and entrepreneurial spirit of its founders, Russ and Jim Klisch. In 1987, these visionary brothers transformed a dilapidated Milwaukee coal yard into the foundation of what would become a craft beer empire. Fueled by a passion for brewing and a desire to contribute to the city’s brewing legacy, the Klisch brothers embarked on a journey that would redefine Milwaukee’s beer landscape.

The brewery’s early days were not without challenges. From navigating the intricacies of brewing to transforming an industrial space into a haven for beer enthusiasts, the Klisch brothers faced numerous hurdles. However, their determination and commitment to quality paved the way for success. Today, Lakefront Brewery stands as a testament to the Klisch brothers’ audacious endeavor, a triumph that has left an indelible mark on the city’s brewing culture.

As we delve into Lakefront Brewery’s history, it becomes evident that its roots are intertwined with the broader narrative of Milwaukee’s brewing heritage. The brewery pays homage to tradition while embracing innovation, creating a dynamic fusion that resonates with both seasoned beer aficionados and newcomers to the craft beer scene. The story of Lakefront Brewery is not merely a tale of beer; it’s a testament to the resilience of visionaries who, against the odds, transformed a forgotten space into a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s cultural and culinary identity.

Distinctive Brews

Lakefront Brewery stands as a bastion of brewing excellence, and its allure is undeniably anchored in its diverse and distinctive range of brews. The brewery’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of flavor and style is palpable in every sip, making it a haven for those seeking an unparalleled beer experience.

At the heart of Lakefront Brewery’s offerings are its meticulously crafted beers, ranging from timeless classics to avant-garde creations. The brewery’s flagship and seasonal selections showcase a masterful blend of tradition and innovation. Whether you’re a fan of crisp and refreshing lagers or inclined towards bold and experimental ales, Lakefront Brewery has something to tantalize every palate.

The brewmasters at Lakefront Brewery are artisans, weaving a tapestry of flavors using only the finest ingredients. Each beer is a labor of love, a testament to the brewery’s dedication to quality and its relentless pursuit of perfection. Dive into the world of Lakefront Brewery, and you’ll encounter a symphony of tastes – from the balanced notes of their traditional brews to the bold and unexpected flavors found in their limited-edition releases.

The brewery’s commitment to diversity goes beyond the confines of conventional brewing. It’s an invitation to explore, to savor, and to appreciate the nuanced artistry that defines Lakefront Brewery. As you embark on a tasting journey, you’ll discover that Lakefront Brewery isn’t just a place to enjoy a beer; it’s a destination where each glass tells a story, a story of craftsmanship, creativity, and an unyielding passion for the art of brewing.

Brewery Tours and Experiences

Lakefront Brewery doesn’t just offer beer; it provides an immersive experience that goes beyond the pint glass. One of the brewery’s standout features is its captivating brewery tours, inviting visitors to step behind the scenes and witness the magic of beer-making in action.

These tours are not your typical brewery walkthroughs; they are lively, entertaining journeys filled with humor, history, and, of course, ample opportunities for beer tasting. Led by passionate guides, the tours at Lakefront Brewery offer a unique blend of education and entertainment, making them accessible and enjoyable for both seasoned beer enthusiasts and casual visitors.

Participants get a firsthand look at the brewing process, from the selection of quality ingredients to the intricate steps of crafting each batch. The tour seamlessly weaves in the brewery’s rich history, providing context to the evolving beer culture in Milwaukee. Engaging anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories add a personal touch, making the experience not just informative but also entertaining.

The brewery’s riverside location further enhances the tour experience. The scenic backdrop contributes to the overall ambiance, creating an atmosphere that resonates with the essence of the city. Visitors can soak in the views as they sample a variety of Lakefront’s finest brews, creating memories that extend beyond the tasting room.

For those seeking a deeper connection to the brewing process, Lakefront Brewery offers VIP experiences and private tours. These personalized encounters provide a more intimate exploration of the brewery, allowing participants to interact with the brewmasters, ask questions, and gain a deeper appreciation for the craftsmanship behind each brew.

In essence, Lakefront Brewery’s tours and experiences embody the brewery’s commitment to not just sharing their beer but creating lasting memories for all who venture through their doors. It’s an invitation to savor the story behind the brews, enjoy the camaraderie of fellow beer enthusiasts, and immerse oneself in the vibrant world of craft beer on Milwaukee’s waterfront.

Community Engagement

Beyond the artistry of brewing, Lakefront Brewery stands as a steadfast pillar in Milwaukee’s community, actively engaging with and contributing to the city’s social fabric. At the core of the brewery’s philosophy is a commitment to fostering meaningful connections, not just within the craft beer scene but also within the broader community.

Lakefront Brewery’s dedication to community engagement is evident through its involvement in local initiatives and partnerships with neighboring businesses. The brewery serves as a catalyst for collaboration, working hand-in-hand with the community to support and uplift the city that has been integral to its own story. Whether it’s participating in neighborhood events, supporting local charities, or collaborating with nearby artisans, Lakefront Brewery takes pride in being an active contributor to the vibrancy of Milwaukee.

Sustainability is a key focus of Lakefront Brewery’s community-driven initiatives. The brewery strives to minimize its environmental impact, implementing eco-friendly practices and championing responsible brewing. This commitment extends beyond the brewing process to various aspects of the business, showcasing a holistic approach to sustainability that resonates with environmentally conscious consumers.

Moreover, Lakefront Brewery serves as a gathering place, a hub where locals and visitors converge to share stories, laughter, and, of course, great beer. The brewery’s riverside location adds an extra layer to its community appeal, providing a scenic backdrop for events and creating a welcoming atmosphere for patrons to connect and build lasting memories.

In essence, Lakefront Brewery’s community engagement efforts go beyond the transactional nature of business. It’s a demonstration of the brewery’s belief in the power of community, emphasizing that the joy of craft beer is not only found in the brews themselves but also in the shared experiences and connections forged within the vibrant tapestry of Milwaukee’s diverse and dynamic community.

Nearby Attractions

Nestled along the scenic waterfront of Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery not only offers a captivating beer experience but also provides visitors with convenient access to a plethora of nearby attractions. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of this dynamic city by exploring the diverse range of activities and landmarks that await just a stone’s throw away from the brewery.

• Milwaukee Art Museum: Just a short stroll from Lakefront Brewery, the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum beckons art enthusiasts with its striking architecture and impressive collection, featuring works that span centuries and continents.
• Discovery World: Dive into the wonders of science, technology, and freshwater ecosystems at Discovery World, an interactive science museum located nearby. Perfect for families and curious minds, this attraction promises a day of educational fun.
• Historic Third Ward: Experience the charm of the Historic Third Ward, a bustling neighborhood filled with boutique shops, art galleries, and a vibrant culinary scene. Stroll along cobbled streets and discover the unique character of this revitalized historic district.
• Milwaukee Public Market: Indulge your taste buds at the Milwaukee Public Market, a culinary haven featuring local vendors offering an array of fresh produce, artisanal goods, and international cuisine. A feast for the senses awaits just a short drive from the brewery.
• Pabst Theater: For those with a penchant for the performing arts, the historic Pabst Theater is a cultural gem hosting a variety of live performances, including concerts, plays, and comedy shows. Check the schedule for an enriching evening of entertainment.
• Harley-Davidson Museum: Motorcycle enthusiasts will find paradise at the Harley-Davidson Museum , a short drive from Lakefront Brewery. Immerse yourself in the history of this iconic American brand through exhibits, interactive displays, and a collection of legendary motorcycles.
• Milwaukee Riverwalk: Take a leisurely stroll along the Milwaukee Riverwalk, offering picturesque views, charming bridges, and a plethora of cafes and shops. This scenic urban trail provides a delightful way to explore the city’s waterfront and unwind after a brewery visit.

As we draw the curtains on our exploration of Lakefront Brewery, it becomes evident that this Milwaukee gem is more than just a place to savor exceptional craft beer. It’s a testament to the resilience of visionaries, the artistry of brewing, and the vibrant spirit of community. The brewery’s roots, firmly embedded in the city’s history, have grown into a dynamic establishment that not only brews outstanding beers but also fosters connections and memories that linger far beyond the last sip.

Lakefront Brewery invites visitors to embark on a journey – one that spans from the riveting tales of its founders to the distinctive brews that beckon adventurous palates. The immersive brewery tours, filled with humor and history, provide a deeper understanding of the craft, while the brewery’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement cements its role as a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s cultural identity. Whether you’re a seasoned beer enthusiast, a curious traveler, or a local looking for a vibrant escape, Lakefront Brewery stands as a testament to the art, passion, and camaraderie that define the world of craft brewing. So, come raise a glass along the waterfront, where each sip tells a story and every visit leaves an indelible mark on the tapestry of Milwaukee’s brewing heritage.

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Best Experience Ever

"It was a birthday gift to remember. Awesome choices, plenty of time to explore and enjoy the other options available. Our guide was very knowledgeable and I have made changes in what we look for in beers as well as how we drink it - always in a glass. Fun and cool"

Excellent Time Had By All

"The tour was great from beginning to end. Mark was an awesome guide. Perfect man for our group. We really enjoyed his knowledge of beer and history. All the brewery stops were good, but Bantam Cider was my favorite. Will definitely be back!"

History Meets Beer

"This tour was a great way to experience the city of Boston and see what various types of beer it has to offer. The tour guide was very informative and made the overall experience fun and enjoyable. Plus, who doesn't like to sample 15-18 beers in under 6 hours? Will definitely recommend this tour to friends!"

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Milwaukee craft beer journey.

Welcome to City Brew Tours Milwaukee – your best way to enjoy Milwaukee’s growing craft beer scene. Our tours will visit 3-4 breweries where you will enjoy award-winning craft beer, learn about the history of beer and Milwaukee’s place in that history, and have a great time along the way!

learn about the

Breweries we visit.

We’ve forged relationships with some of the best craft breweries in Milwaukee and the surrounding area in order to give our guests an unforgettable experience. Our breweries have won awards at the Great American Beer Festival and the World Beer Cup, and are at the forefront of Milwaukee’s craft beer scene.

what you get

With your brew tour.

Our public tours include 3-4 stops, with up to 16 samples of beer, a snack or meal depending on the tour chosen. In addition, guests will receive transportation to all brewery locations, and a Beer Guide who will take you through the history of the beer making process and give you behind the scenes access to the facilities of our brewery partners.

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Guide to Milwaukee Brewery Tours – Drink Like a Local

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: 20 June, 2024

Around the turn of the century, the city of Milwaukee produced more beer than any other city in the entire world –  Beer pretty much built the city of Milwaukee! While some of the big names have closed their doors, the brewing tradition in Milwaukee is still alive and strong.

Well before the microbrewery trend swept across the country, Milwaukee has always been home to some great breweries. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or just looking for something to do in Milwaukee on a Saturday afternoon, here’s a list of all the best breweries in Milwaukee and the best brewery tours.

Jump to info on Milwaukee Breweries:

• List of all Brewery Tours in Milwaukee – Rated
• Top 2 Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

Guided Milwaukee Brewery Tours

• Boat tours of Milwaukee Breweries
• All Craft Breweries in Milwaukee

Best Guided Milwaukee Brewery Tour with Transportation

If you want to visit several breweries, we suggest this guided brewery tour , which includes transportation to four different breweries, 16 beer tastings, and lunch or dinner.

Best Milwaukee Brewery Tours: Rated

The best brewery tours combine great beer with a fun and inviting atmosphere, and a few of Milwaukee’s breweries do it better than others. Here are our picks for the best Milwaukee brewery tours.

We have personally been on each and every one of them and have taken friends, family, and even bachelor parties to most of them. Trust us, we’ve done our “research”!

Top 3 Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

Related Article: Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

1. Lakefront Brewery

At least for locals, Lakefront Brewery needs no introduction. As one of the first microbreweries on the scene, Lakefront has a downtown location and one of the coolest brewery spaces in the city.

The beer is great, the beer hall to drink it in is worth a visit alone, and the food is perfectly crafted to make you thirsty for another beer or two. Lakefront Brewery has the best cheese curds in Milwaukee ; order some and wash them down with a beer.

Lakefront also boasts one of the most popular Friday fish fries in the city. Lakefront’s beers can now be found all across the country, so why not check out where the whole thing got started by visiting Lakefront Brewery the next time you are in town.

The tours at Lakefront are designed to be one-part informative and one-part entertaining. Along with beer samples and glass, you can also expect to learn at least a little bit about the history of Lakefront Brewery and the brewing process, along with getting some good laughs along the way.

Plan on booking ahead since the tour is one of the most popular in the city. When you book, make sure to leave enough time beforehand for beer samples and some bar snacks to get you prepared for the tour.

About the Brewery tour: A local favorite and probably the best Milwaukee brewery tour, Lakefront Brewery serves up lots of laughs along with the beers. Lakefront tours are fun if it’s your first tour or tenth. While they don’t take the tours too seriously, their beer is another story.

One of Milwaukee’s oldest microbreweries, their beer is some of the best in the city. Along with a good time, you’ll get 4 samples of Lakefront Brewery’s best beer and even some stuff you can’t find in the stores.

For the brewery tour, enter the large doors on N. Commerce Street and purchase your tour ticket, which comes with a souvenir glass and 4 samples. Tours start every hour on the hour except Saturdays, which run every half hour. On weekdays you can still tour the brewery, but it’s best to check the current schedule for times.

• Lakefront Brewery Tour Address: 1872 N. Commerce St.
• Tour Hours: Times vary, typically every hour or half-hour from Noon-7:00pm or 8:00 pm. Check online for availability.
• Book Tickets Online Here

2. Miller-Coors

Miller-Coors is one of the largest beer makers in the world, and part of its history and current operations are located right here in Milwaukee. While many cities have a micro-brewery for tourists to visit, few cities have a premier large-scale brewery operation where visitors can see firsthand how beer is produced on a massive scale.

The history of Miller and its relationship to the city is also on full display for visitors to the brewery, and the entire brewery is centrally located, making it an easy trip from downtown. To learn more about one of the biggest breweries in the country, stop over to Miller-Coors for a quick and inexpensive tour.

The tour at Miller-Coors was just recently revamped. Though now it costs a little bit of money, visitors can expect a higher quality tour with a few more perks as well. Visitors can still expect to watch a short documentary about the brewery’s history and to get a behind-the-scenes look at parts of the brewing operation, but now there are a few more perks.

These include souvenirs, tokens for area bars, and the chance to try some experimental beers only available on-site. The best part of the tour is getting to see some of the historic sites, like the caves where beer used to be stored. After the tour, you will certainly gain a better appreciation of some of America’s favorite beer options.

• Miller Brewery Tour Address: 4251 W. State St.
• Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST (every half-hour)
• Miller Coors Tour Info Here

Related Article: Best Burgers in Milwaukee

If you have a group or plan on sampling a lot of great Milwaukee beer, then you might want to jump on a multi-brewery tour. These tours are a great way to get a taste of many of Milwaukee’s best breweries all in one day – while being safe and responsible.

Our Top Pick: 4 Brewery Tour with 16 beer tastings and lunch or dinner. This tour pays a visit to some of Milwaukee’s classic breweries and some up-and-coming ones.

• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Check Availability

Milwaukee Boat Brewery Tours

One of the best things to do in the Summer in Milwaukee is to take a brewery tour by boat. Float down the river from one brewery to the next, sampling all along the way. Here are our two favorite ways to tour Milwaukee’s Breweries by boat!

Milwaukee River Boat – 3 Pub Cruise – On evenings and weekends you can take a boat tour stopping at several pubs and some breweries along Milwaukee Riverfront. Grab a group of friends or join one of the main public tours.

• Duration: 4 Hours
• Check Tours

Self Powered Pedal Tavern – One of the most fun ways to explore Milwaukee is by pedaling your way down the river aboard the pedal tavern, which is powered by you! Burn off the beer calories (or just kick back) by pushing the bike pedals that drive a big paddlewheel, propelling you down the river and to more beer.

It’s a super fun way to see the city and try some great beers along the way. Some tours are BYOB, or they have other options for groups and private tours as well.

More Craft & Microbreweries in Milwaukee with Brewery Tours

Milwaukee has always been known as the “Brew City” since it has a history of housing large-scale breweries and because of the city’s German heritage. It comes as no surprise then that the city has a thriving micro-brewery scene.

Starting in the 1980s, microbreweries began to pop up in the city, but it wasn’t until more recently that there’s been an explosion of options when it comes to microbreweries and taprooms. Nearly every neighborhood in the city has at least one micro-brewery, making coming up with a list of the best in the city extremely difficult. Read below to learn about some of the best breweries Milwaukee has to offer.

• Good City Brewing

Good City Brewing opened just a few years ago, but it has quickly developed into one of the top breweries in Milwaukee. For starters, the location in the middle of the trendy East Side couldn’t be more convenient, and if that wasn’t enough, the brewery plans on opening a second location downtown right near the new Fiserv Forum.

Besides making really quality beer, Good City Brewing also hosts a truly destination-worthy restaurant, and the space is ideal for getting together with friends. Not many other breweries can boast of having an incredible rooftop bar area for sipping micro beers outside on a warm Milwaukee day.

The tours at Good City Brewing enable you to get a look at the behind-the-scenes operations and to sample some of the brewery’s numerous beers on tap. Like most tours, you get some samples and a souvenir, but more importantly, the tour gives you an excuse to stop by the brewery on a Saturday afternoon and to stay for some more beer paired with excellent food.

Be sure to check out the beers currently on tap list and the restaurant’s updated menu online before planning your next Saturday brewery tour.

• Address: 2108 N. Farwell Ave.
• Tour Times: Saturdays 1:00pm and 2:00pm
• Tour Cost: $10

• MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom

MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom recently opened a Milwaukee location by setting up shop right on the edge of Walkers Point near the popular Mexican restaurant Conejitos, the well-liked Iron Horse Hotel, and Great Lakes Distillery—in other words, the location offers plenty of convenient things to do. The brewery itself is top-notch and is located in a trendy space.

What makes MobCraft really unique is that they crowdsource beer flavor ideas, pick a winner every month, and after brewing it up, offer it to the public in their tasting room. You can check online to see current and past winners, and if you are feeling creative, you can even suggest an idea yourself.

There are two types of tours to choose from at MobCraft: the regular tour and the technical tour. For fans of brewing who don’t need all the technical details, the regular tour offers a great way to sample a few of the beers, see the behind-the-scenes brewing operations, and meet some of the charismatic brewery employees.

MobCraft offers a selection of sour beers, which require a unique brewing process, so the tour can also provide insight into how sour beers are made. The taproom itself offers a comfortable and fun place to hang out before or after the tour, and given its location, there is no shortage of options for places to eat or drink to keep the night going.

• Address: 505 S. 5th St.
• Tour Times: Fridays and Saturdays times vary, and technical tours every last Friday of the month
• Tour Cost: $13

Sprecher Brewing Company

About Sprecher Brewery in Milwaukee: FounderRandal Sprecher got his taste for craft beer while in Europe and fell in love with German-style beers and couldn’t quench his thirst for what was available at the time beer in Milwaukee, so he started to make his own.

Sprecher Brewing Company prides itself on being one of the first microbreweries in the area. Since its humble beginning, Sprecher has grown to include numerous taprooms and restaurants and a host of beer, cider, and sodas to choose from, which are available in numerous bars and around the region in liquor stores.

Sprecher brews an extensive list of beers and ciders and is somewhat unique in also offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic sodas. In other words, it’s pretty impossible for someone not to find at least one Sprecher product that pleases their taste buds. For the main brewery, head north of Milwaukee to Glendale, or if this isn’t possible, head down to Walkers Point to check out their new tasting room.

About the Sprecher Brewery Tour:   There are numerous tour options at Sprecher Brewing. From regular tours available throughout the week to private tours and private tastings, there are options available for anyone looking for a quick activity on the weekend to more well-planned social or business events.

Regardless of which type of tour you go with, you can expect to see the brewing operations, learn about the history of Sprecher Brewing, and have the opportunity to sample numerous Sprecher products—there are so many you will almost certainly want to purchase some to take home for later. Options like beer tastings also come with cheese pairings, which can be a really unique experience even for experienced microbrewery tourists.

• Address: 701 W. Glendale Ave.
• Tour Times:  Weekdays at 4:00pm, Weekends at 12:00pm, 12:45pm, 1:15pm, 2:00pm, 2:45pm, 3:15pm, and 4:00pm
• Tour Cost:  Prices vary

Related Article: Best Pizza in Milwaukee

• Third Space Brewing

Third Space Brewing is only a few years old but entered the scene with award-winning beer and an awesome space located minutes from downtown and the Marquette University campus.

Housed in what appears to be a large warehouse, Third Space Brewing features a cozy and spacious interior with board games scatted around, as well as a large beer garden area behind the brewery where you can usually expect at least one food truck to set up shop.

In other words, you are sure to find a comfy spot for a drink regardless of the weather when you visit the brewery. Though they have a vast list of rotating tap beers, be sure to try at least one of their award-winning beers, like the Unite the Clans Scotch Ale.

Though it may be tempting to forego the tour given how nice Third Space’s tasting room is, you may still want to consider it on a Saturday afternoon. Not only will you get a souvenir glass and samples, but you also get an enjoyable and informative tour. The tour groups are usually pretty small, making it easy to ask questions and learn about the brewery operations and how Third Space Brewing got its start.

Plan accordingly so you can hang out after and enjoy some of the beers that you just learned about.

• Address:  1505 W. St. Paul Ave.
• Tour Times:  Saturdays at 2:00 pm

Large Scale Milwaukee Breweries

Miller brewing – millercoors.

The last big brewery standing in Milwaukee is MillerCoors, as it is known today. However, the history of this brewery dates back to 1855, when Frank Miller first started brewing beer in what is now the western part of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee was a good choice for a brewery because of the excellent water source, Lake Michigan. The water is naturally good quality and well suited for beer making. The water is what drew most brewers here, and the long German heritage of the city likely played a part too.

Leinenkugel’s Brewery Milwaukee

While you may have seen the big Leinenkugel’s Brewery sign from the freeway in Milwaukee, the actual brewery is in Chippewa Falls is about hours from Milwaukee. However, you can, at times, get a taste of this Wisconsin born beer while at the MillerCoors Brewery Tour. Leinenkugel’s does not have brewery tours in Milwaukee, but it does have a taproom to sample some of its brews.

Related Article: 3 Days in Milwaukee Guide

Complete List of Breweries in Milwaukee

• 1840 Brewing Company
• Amorphic Beer
• Bavarian Bierhaus
• Big Head Brewing Company
• Biloba Brewing Company
• Black Husky Brewing
• Brewery Works Inc
• Broken Bat Brewing Co.
• City Lights Brewing Co.
• Company Brewing
• Dead Bird Brewing
• Eagle Park Brewing
• Enlightened Brewing Company
• Explorioum Brewpub
• Falkandia Brewing
• Gathering Place Brewing Company
• Hacienda Beer Co.
• Indeed Brewing Company
• Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company’s Tenth Street Brewery
• Lakefront Brewery
• Miller Brewing Company
• Milwaukee Ale House
• New Barons Brewing Coop
• Ope! Brewing Co.
• Perspective Brewing Company
• Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom
• Raised Grain Brewery
• Sprecher Brewing Co., Inc.
• Urban Harvest Brewing Company
• Water Street Brewery
• Vennture Brew Co.
• Wizard Works Brewing

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Lakefront Brewery Tour

Lakefront Brewery

Origins of lakefront brewery, from a homebrew to an established brewery, expansions and milestones, inside the brewing process, a nod to sports culture, transitioning to modern times, community engagement, legacy of lakefront brewery.

1 hour guided tour Lakefront Brewery, 1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212

Our evening kicked off at 7 pm, with a tour of Lakefront Brewery, a Milwaukee landmark that is as famous for its beers as it is for its rich history. Leading us through this exploration was Justin, an engaging guide whose knowledge and passion for brewing were as clear as a well-poured pint.

The story of Lakefront Brewery dates back to the early 1980s, with two brothers at the heart of it – Russell J. Klisch and Jim Klisch, the latter who now serves as the CEO. The seeds of this brewing empire were sown in 1981 when Jim bought Russ a homebrewing kit as a birthday gift. Little did they know at the time, this modest gift would evolve into one of Milwaukee’s most beloved breweries.

After years of home brewing and perfecting their craft, the Klisch brothers officially founded Lakefront Brewery on December 2, 1987. The location they selected for their enterprise was an old bakery, a quirky choice that would soon become a core part of the brewery’s identity.

The brewery’s growth over the years has been nothing short of impressive. In 1996, they purchased a second building, an old coal-fired plant, for a mere $10,000. This unexpected bargain would prove instrumental in the expansion of the brewery’s operations and its capacity to produce more of its iconic beers.

Today, Lakefront Brewery produces an impressive 45,000 barrels of beer each year. From traditional lagers to innovative craft brews, the brewery continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in a pint glass.

As part of the tour, we had a brief look at the equipment that forms the backbone of the brewing process, offering a glimpse into the world of craft brewing. This peek behind the scenes was complemented by a mid-tour beer-pouring demonstration.

A distinctive element of Lakefront Brewery is the authentic Bernie Brewer’s Chalet, which integrates seamlessly into the brewery’s layout and can be prominently seen during the tour. Presently, it acts as a delightful symbol of the brewery’s ties to the local sports scene.

As we transitioned to the packaging area, our curiosity about the brewery’s operations deepened. We were introduced to the art of tapping a keg, and although the machinery lay dormant during our visit, the shift from bottles to cans was unmistakable.

Lakefront Brewery is embracing a new chapter with the installation of a modern canning line. Throughout our journey, we encountered cans featuring whimsical labels, showcasing the brewery’s playful spirit through humorous pokes at rivals and various personalities. This blend of tradition and innovation encapsulates the brewery’s unique charm, weaving the past with the present in a narrative that’s as engaging as it is refreshing.

Our exploration was shared with over 30 enthusiastic visitors, each drawn by the allure of Lakefront Brewery’s storied history and its acclaimed beers. The tour, lasting 45 minutes, offered a deep dive into the heart of this brewing titan, enriching our understanding of both the brewing process and Lakefront Brewery’s rich heritage.

From a simple home brewing kit to a renowned brewery, the journey of Lakefront Brewery is one of resilience, creativity, and a strong passion for brewing. The careful restoration of the bakery and the old coal-fired plant are testament to the Klisch brothers’ commitment to preserving the past while building a future. Their efforts have resulted in a brewery that is not just a production facility, but a living testament to Milwaukee’s brewing heritage.

Keep in mind, this isn’t your conventional factory tour focused on the detailed workings of equipment and the manufacturing process. Rather, it’s a lively, celebratory experience crafted to set the tone for festive beer enjoyment. If you’re searching for an in-depth technical overview, this might not be the tour for you.

Cruise Port:  Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Tour Name:  Lakefront Brewery Tour

Tour Operator:  Lakefront Brewery

© OceansAfoot

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This guide to Milwaukee-area brewery tours will remind you why it's called Brew City

After a decade of robust brewery growth, we're likely all up to speed on the ingredients that go into beer: water, hops, yeast and barley. 

But there's so much more to a brewery tour than learning ingredients or smelling hops from a jar. Sometimes it's a chance to meet the head brewer (brewers are the new rock stars). On nearly every occasion, it's the chance to bring home some swag. 

And sometimes, it's the best thing to do in a place called Brew City. Here's a guide to where and when tours are available in the Milwaukee area.  

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

917 W. Juneau Ave.; bestplacemilwaukee.com

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

A Pabst beer history tour explores the roots of the Pabst Brewing Co. in Milwaukee brewing history, and how the brewery became America’s largest by 1874.

Tours are given Thursday through Monday and each tour has a capacity of 50 people. Tours are one hour and include one Pabst or soda. The cost is $12 for adults; $10 for seniors (60+), military and students with identification; and admission is free for children 12 and under. Purchase tour tickets online.

Black Husky Brewing 

909 E. Locust St.;  blackhuskybrewing.com  

The Northwoods-themed brewery offers tours by request that cost $10. Contact co-owner Toni Eichinger to schedule a tour using the contact page  on their website.

Brewfinity Brewing Co. 

N58-W39800 Industrial Road, Suite D, Oconomowoc; brewfinitybrewing.com  

Brewfinity claims it's Oconomowoc's only craft brewery and the community supports that. It helps that the beers are solid.

Tours are given by request. Call (262) 456-2843 or email [email protected].

The Explorium Brewpub 

5300 S. 76th St., Greendale;  exploriumbrew.com   

Eat up. Drink up. The food menu is larger than the beer menu but not by much. This place is always brewing. If the weather agrees, sit outside on the comfortable (and seasonally heated) patio.

Small group and technical tours are available Friday and Saturday andby appointment. 

Small group tours are limited to eight people, take about an hour and cost $10 each. They include a look through the brewery, samples and a keepsake glass. Tours can be held any day of the week but typically are scheduled for 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday. 

Technical tours take just over two hours and require an appointment. They're given by the owner or head brewer to groups of up to six people and explore the technical details of the brewing process. The cost is $30 and includes samples of beers and ingredients used in the brewing process. Participants leave with a keepsake glass. Call (414) 423-1365.

The brewery opened a second location in 2020 in the Third Ward's Pritzlaff Building at 143 W. Saint Paul Ave., but tours are only available at the Greendale location.

RELATED: After 20 years as an engineer, he opened a brewpub at Southridge Mall, first learning the biz from his family

Gathering Place Brewing 

811 E. Vienna Ave.; gatheringplacebrewing.com  

The tasting room is small enough to see the brewhouse from the taproom but big enough for you to make friends just by bellying up to the bar.

If you want to get closer to the process, tours are held at 3 and 3:45 p.m. Saturday. Tickets are $10 ($5 for non-beer tickets) and include three 7-ounce beers to sample and a tasting glass to take home. Tours are limited to 10 people and last about 30 to 40 minutes. Tours must be booked in advance online  or by calling the brewery at (414) 635-0569.

Inventors Brewpub 

435 N. Lake St., Port Washington;  inventorsbrewpub.com  

Inventors Brewpub is a family-friendly restaurant that is open daily, with a brewery located in the garage behind the bar/kitchen. The restaurant building is the last remaining building — the bottle washing house — of the original 1847 Lakeside Brewing Company. See the host or bartender about setting up a time for a tour.

Lakefront Brewery 

1872 N. Commerce St.;  lakefrontbrewery.com/tour  

The brewery, in a former power plant, is quintessentially Milwaukee from the lights to the giant beer mug — a souvenir from County Stadium and the place where tours begin. It's a reliable Instagram spot. 

There is a web page dedicated to brewery tours at Lakefront because the brewery hosts that many. The 45-minute daily tour, which is filled with hilarity, includes a souvenir pint glass and two 16-ounce pours. Weekend tours visit the entire brewery, but weekday tours, when the brewery is in production, will view of the brewery and its equipment through glass windows.

The daily tour is offered from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, from noon to 3 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday. Tickets must be purchased online; they cost $12 during the week and $13 on weekends.

RELATED: Lakefront Brewery at 30: A craft beer-maker that Milwaukee made possible

Milwaukee Brewing Co. 

1128 N. Ninth St.; mkebrewing.com  

Milwaukee Brewing Co. is on the former Pabst Brewery campus and includes a spectacular rooftop view of the city. 

Tours are on the hour from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. All tours include a skyline pint glass, beer samples, and a token to exchange for a beer at local bar or restaurant. The hourlong tour on Friday and Saturday costs $15; the 90-minute tour on Sunday costs $12. Visitors can begin sampling beer 30 minutes before their tour.

505 S. Fifth St.; mobcraftbeer.com  

Learn about the history of the brewery and the crowdsourcing model used to create MobCraft beers on a 45-minute tour held at 3 or 4:15 p.m. on Saturdays. The tour includes a pint glass and two tickets for MobCraft beers. Tours cost $15 for adults or $10 for a designated driver (without beverages).

Raised Grain Brewing Co.

1725 Dolphin Drive, Suite B, Waukesha; raisedgrainbrewing.com  

Raised Grain makes award-winning beer (created by medical doctors), and you get to try it during the tour. What's not to love about the light-filled brewery in Waukesha? 

Tours are held at 12 and 1:15 p.m. Saturday. They cost $12 and include a full pour of any beer before the tour, samples throughout, and a keepsake glass. 

Sprecher Brewery 

701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale;  sprecherbrewery.com  

Tours of Milwaukee's oldest craft brewery include a 45-minute walk through the brewhouse and production line, four beer samples, unlimited soda, and a commemorative glass. It is recommended to book a tour in advance online, although day-of tours are available first come, first served. 

Regular tours are scheduled on the hour from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 2 p.m. Sunday. Adults are $12; children ages 6 to 21 are $5; kids 5 and under are free.

Reserve Tasting tours include an additional two beer samples during the tour, with a private sampling session of craft beer and artisan cheese pairings for an additional hour. Reserve Tasting tours begin at 2 p.m. Saturdays. Guests must be at least 21 years old, and the tour is not recommended for non-beer drinkers. Space is limited, reservations are required. The price is $37.10 (tax and fees included).

Urban Harvest Brewing 

1024 S. Fifth St., urbanharvestbrewing.com  

The brewery does not offer regularly scheduled tours, but Tasting Tours are given by the owners and head brewer. The tour includes four brewer-selected beer samples and a fifth sample of your choice from the beers currently on tap. The cost is $6 per person. Contact the brewery to schedule a private tour/tasting.

Contact the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Features staff at [email protected]