Guide to Milwaukee Brewery Tours – Drink Like a Local

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: 20 June, 2024

Guide to Milwaukee Brewery Tours – Drink Like a Local

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

Exterior of Lakefront Brewery - Top brewery tours 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

Brewery tour boats parked in the river - Best Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

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 at night with large garage doors and Patio - Top craft breweries in Milwaukee

  • 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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Inside the biggest Milwaukee brewery you can't tour: Downtown's 10th Street Brewery

leinenkugel brewery tour milwaukee

It's right there off the highway. Big as a barn and just as red. 

Leinenkugel's 10th Street Brewery — named for its 1515 N. 10th St. location  — is the largest brewery in Milwaukee that you can't tour.

Bigger yet because of a recent two-part expansion that included $50 million for state-of-the art packaging operations and $20 million for cider production, which began in late 2018. 

That Leinenkugel's script on the front of the building is only part of the story.

The MillerCoors-owned brewery produces varieties of Leinenkugel's beer, but it also makes Blue Moon Iced Coffee Blonde wheat beer; the occasional craft beer in the MillerCoors portfolio, such as Terrapin; and, since earlier this year, as much as 114,000 barrels of barrels of Crispin and other hard ciders. 

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There are no tours of the brewhouse. No space for people to watch grains being poured or walk past velvet ropes meant to keep grubby hands off polished copper.

This is an ever-moving production brewery.

It was built in 1986 by G. Heileman Brewing Co. MillerCoors purchased it in 1996 for its Leinenkugel's division. 

The hard cider and packaging sides — the recent expansions — are the shiny and new parts. 

Bringing hard cider to 10th Street was a case of addition by subtraction. MillerCoors closed the Crispin Cider works in Colfax, Calif., in December and brought production and head cider-maker John Enzenauer to Milwaukee. 

If you could get inside, it would be difficult to miss the giant boxes of apple juice used to make the hard cider — mostly, because they look exactly like fat swollen oversized juice boxes in need of a straw.  

Raw apple juice that has been pressed in the northwest side of the country is trucked within 48 to 72 hours to Milwaukee, where it's put in receiving tanks the size of small redwood trees before being shifted to fermenters of equal size. Yeast is pitched and the juice stays in the fermenters for 12 to 18 days.

The new addition added to the tank inventory for both brewing (56 tanks) and cider making (eight tanks) purposes. The tanks seemingly shrink the warehouse-size rooms, making them resemble a stainless steel forest. The doorways weren't wide enough, so they were installed through the roof, said Janelle Heinrich, the 10th Street Brewery's senior operations director. 

Beer tanks share the space. That's 40 universal tanks that can be used for fermentation, 12 bright beer tanks (or holding tanks for finished beer) and four product-release tanks. In between is the dry-hopping cannon used to add hops into the fermenter at the end of fermentation. (Dry hopping is a method of enhancing hop flavor in beers.) 

There is room for more expansion, Heinrich said. Currently, two shifts work at the brewery — first shift is 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. and second shift is 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. They often end up working 10-hour shifts to keep up, which is why there are plans to expand to a third shift at the end of 2019 or early 2020. 

Cider production space bleeds over to what used to be the 10th Street Brewery's keg line. Processed cider is pumped to the room where it's finished with water, sweetener or other ingredients depending on the brand or style. The juice comes from the giant juice boxes at about 10% ABV (alcohol by volume), but it's blended to an ABV of 4% to 6%, Enzenauer said.

Then it's filtered, or sometimes not. The juice is blended with water sugar or sometimes hibiscus, maple syrup, pear or rose petal, Enzenauer said.

10th Street Brewery produces The Saint Artisanal Honeycrisp, an unfiltered cider made with maple syrup. Filtered products include Crispin Pearsecco, Crispin Rosé with rose petals and hibiscus. Enzenauer also produces Browns Lane, a traditional UK cider using juice imported from the United Kingdom for its bittersweet apples and blended onsite. 

On the production side, a machine grabs and folds cartons for the Blue Moon Share Pack. Inside the addition is a fully automated bottle and can line, a keg line and a warehouse with eight dock doors.  

The equipment fills 75 kegs in an hour. Bottles or cans are filled at 300 a minute. More than that, the equipment can switch up sizes to fill 12-ounce cans; 16-ounce cans; 12-ounce sleek cans (skinnier versions); 12-ounce bottles or 22-ounce bottles, Heinrich said. 

The line is so automated that a team of four workers can handle it. One person feeds the pallet of bottles to the line, which sanitizes and fills them. Others feed the equipment with cartons. 

Not every beer is made at the brewery. In the case of the Blue Moon variety pack, Blue Moon varieties Belgian White and Mango are trucked from the Milwaukee Brewery while the Iced Coffee Blonde is made at 10th Street Brewery. 

The thirst is real. Heinrich said that an average of 22 truckloads of product, from apple cider to beer, leaves 10th Street Brewery each week.

Beer Near: A guide to Wisconsin breweries

RELATED: This guide to 26 Milwaukee-area brewery tours will remind you why it's called Brew City

Contact Kathy at (414) 224-2974 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @katflanigan.

  • United States

J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard, Milwaukee, WI

J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard

Good for groups

  • Great for craft beers

Make a reservation

Additional information.

  • Dining style Casual Dining
  • Price $31 to $50
  • Cuisines American, Brewery
  • Hours of operation Mon–Sat 11:00 am–9:00 pm Sun 11:00 am–7:00 pm
  • Phone number (414) 902-4201
  • Website https://barrelyardmke.com/
  • Payment options AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code Business Casual
  • Executive chef Chef Kate
  • Private party facilities Choose from a range of unique rentable spaces within the Barrel Yard! We are here to make your next event memorable and a huge success. Our team will guide you through every step of the process – from food & beverage, to event set-up you’re in good hands!Interested in Gameday Options? Contact 414-902-4777Non-Gameday Options: 414-902-4452
  • Location 1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214-3655
  • Neighborhood Milwaukee
  • Parking details None
  • Additional Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Bingo at the barrel yard.

BINGO at the Barrel Yard Photo

Smoked-Fried Chicken Wings $16.00

Buffalo, Sweet-Heat Dry Rub, Bourbon BBQ or Garlic-Parm

  • 1 LB $16.00
  • 3 LB $39.00
  • 5 LB $69.00

Authentic Bavarian Pretzel Duo $17.00

Beer cheese & horseradish mustard

Sconnie Nachos $16.00

Housemade Queso, Pico de Gallo, Sour Cream, Pickled Jalapenos, Black Beans, House-Fried Corn Tortillas

Cheese Curds $16.00

Beer-Battered, Pickled Peppers, Sour Cream & Chive Aioli

Nueske's Hanging Bacon $16.00

Bourbon & Black Pepper Glaze, Loaded Potato Salad

Chips & Guacamole $11.00

Avocado, Red Onion, Cilantro, Chiles, Lime Juice & House-Fried Corn Tortillas

Ma's Buttermilk Biscuits $6.00

Cultured Butter & Hot Honey

  • 2-Pack $6.00
  • 6-Pack $16.00

Southern Fried Pickle Chips $10.00

Served with Ranch

Add-ons Chicken Breast $4 or Salmon $6

Baby Kale Caesar $16.00

Wisconsin Parmesan, Garlic Bread Crumbles Anchovy-Caesar Dressing

Northwoods Salad $14.00

Organic Mixed Greens, Arugula, Honeycrisp Apples, Dried Cranberries, Spiced Pecans

Chopped Cobb Salad $18.00

House-Roasted Turkey, Bleu Cheese, Bacon, Hard Boiled Eggs, Cucumber, Tomato, Ranch Dressing

Smokehouse Specialties

Served with choice of side and a buttermilk biscuit

Baby Back Pork Ribs $17.00

Available by the half or full rack

BBQ Chicken $15.00

Brined, Smoked & Sauced Leg Quarter

Leinenkugel's Beer-Smoked Bratwurst $12.00

Served in a sausage roll

MKE Smokehouse Trio $26.00

1 bratwurst, 1 chicken thigh & 1/4 rack of ribs

All Handhelds Come with Fries *GF Bun available

Big Eddy Burger $17.00

Our Signature Blend Burger, American Cheese, Barrel Sauce, Red Onion, Shredded Lettuce

Euchre Burger $15.00

80z. Signature Blend Burger, American Cheese, Barrel Sauce, Red Onion, Shredded Lettuce

Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy Brat Flight $19.00

WI Style: Bacon Wrapped, House Mustard & Apple Kraut; Tailgate Style: Cheese, Frizzled Onion & Beer-Battered Pickled Peppers; Eastern Spiced Style: Curry Coleslaw & Fried Coriander

Lumberjack Turkey Sandwich $17.00

1/2 lb. Smoked Turkey, Broccolini, Heirloom Tomato, Dijonnaise, Cranberry on wheat bread

Chicken Littles $12.00

Pressure Fried Chicken Tenders on Ma's Buttermilk Biscuits, topped with hot honey, creamy coleslaw, pickles and ranch dressing

House Made Falafel $15.00

Chickpea & Parsley Fritters, Arugula, Pickled Red Onion, Tomato, Cucumber & Falafel Sauce, Wrapped in a Spinach Tortilla

Leinie's Beer-Battered Walleye $26.00

Walleye Pike, Steak Fries, Coleslaw, Remoulade

Neuske's Bacon Mac N' Cheese $19.00

Made with beer cheese, topped with green onions, biscuit crumbs

Pressure-Fried Chicken Dinner $22.00

3-Piece, Leg, Thigh & Breast served with choice of side and a buttermilk biscuit

Campsite Churro Donuts $12.00

Pecan Maple Caramel, Cinnamon Sugar

Mile High Chocolate Layer Cake $12.00

Topped with Whipped Sweet Cream

Side Options

Loaded potato salad $4.00, horseradish coleslaw $4.00, french fries $4.00, small house salad $4.00, what 71 people are saying, overall ratings and reviews.

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

  • 4.4 Service
  • 4.5 Ambience

Noise • Moderate

Kid-friendly

Great for scenic views

Dined on June 19, 2024

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Dined on June 7, 2024

Dined on June 5, 2024

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Dined on May 25, 2024

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Dined on April 9, 2024

How is J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard restaurant rated?

J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard is rated 4.3 stars by 71 OpenTable diners.

Is J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard currently accepting reservations?

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

1 Brewers Way, Milwaukee, WI 53214-3655

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Leinenkugel Brewery

Photo of Leinenkugel Brewery - Milwaukee, WI, US. Prominently visible from I-43.

Location & Hours

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1515 N 10th St

Milwaukee, WI 53205

Bronzeville, Hillside/Lapham Park

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Photo of Steve R.

Super cool place! I wish we had more time here. I also wish COVID would have let us see more of the inside of the brewery. But still a fun place to spend an hour or two. Great beer too!

Photo of Kerri O.

Not so much the brewery, as the beer. I've sampled several of their offerings. The latest was the Fireside Nut Brown. The claim is that the flavor is all Natural. It tastes like Dr. Pepper to me. I'm not a Pepper. I can't for the life of me figure out how you could naturally produce this flavor, or the aftertaste. Or, honestly, why you would want to. Excuse me while I scrape off my tongue.

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21 Jul Beer Samples and History on the Leinenkugel Brewery Tour

The first stop on our Wisconsin road trip with AmericInn Hotels was in Chippewa Falls to tour the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. The brewery is located just over an hour away from our home base in St Paul, MN, and I’ve wanted to plan a visit there for quite some time, as a Leinenkugel brewery tour sounded like a great experience. Luckily, the brewery was basically en route to our hotel in West Salem, Wisconsin, so we were able to schedule it into our trip without a hitch!

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

When we arrived at Leinenkugel’s, the air was hot, humid and heavy; we couldn’t wait to get inside for some nice, cool air conditioning. At the check in desk, we were presented with the choice of two different tasting tours. One option included four samples for $5.00 per person and the other had two pints and some light snacks for $10.00 per person—both included a souvenir glass. Because we hadn’t tried many of their beers previously, we went for the four sample option and were off on our way into the Leinie Lodge.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Tours run approximately every 30 minutes throughout the day and samples are offered before and after your tour. We had about 20 minutes to spare before our tour got underway, so we made our way to the taps to decide on our first samples.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Our bracelets were ticked with 1 out of 4 and soon we were sipping on our first sample of the afternoon—Honey Weiss for me and Wisconsin Red Pale Ale for Micah.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Next, I tried the Berry Weiss and Micah had the Summer Shandy, and halfway through we mixed the two samples to give the Pink Lemonade Leinie Mix a try. There are several different suggestions for a Leinie Mix, but basically it consists of mixing two of your favorite Leinenkugel beers to create a new flavor! Some suggestions are the Sunny Bear which consists of 4/5 Sunset Wheat and 1/5 Berry Weiss, or the Honey Bear which is made up of ½ Honey Weiss and ½ Berry Weiss.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

After a quick browse around the store, it was time to head back outside into the sweltering heat for our tour of the brewery. We started off with some history of the area and learned that the brewery was started all the way back in 1867 in Chippewa Falls on a prime spot along the river. The brewery has been run by family since the beginning and today the sixth generation has made their way into the ranks.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Chippewa Falls used to be a logging town, so the rich soil and the pure water were the perfect combination to craft excellent beer—the lumberjacks in town became some of Leinenkugel’s first fans.

As with any alcohol producer, the Prohibition took a hard hit on the brewery. Thankfully, with some extra cash from home mortgages, the brewery equipment was upgraded, and the 3rd generation was successfully able to keep Leinenkugel’s up and running.

In 1988, Miller Brewing Company purchased Leinenkugel’s, but the brewery is still run as a partnership with the family. The partnership has increased production and distribution, which has allowed for the beer to be sold in more markets throughout the United States. To keep up with an increase in demand, a second brewery was opened in Milwaukee in 1995. Currently, around 25% of the beer is brewed in Chippewa Falls, and all beer is brewed to order. This means they only produce beer after an order is placed so they don’t end up with an overabundance of expired beer.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Photos were not allowed inside of the brewing facility, but we made our way through the entire production process, from start to finish. We learned all about the ingredients that go into the beer, got a peek at the brew kettles and the fermentation process, the bottling line and all the other steps along the way. Another part of the tour that I really enjoyed was the history of the beer varieties and how they rotate and retire various flavors. When a flavor is taken out of rotation, it’s put into hibernation—this gives them the ability to pull customer’s favorites out of hibernation every so often when demand is strong enough.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Oh, and did I mention it was extremely hot inside the brewery?! Because they were brewing beer on the day of our visit and it also happened to be a steamy day outside, we were all practically dripping with sweat as we left the facility. After a wonderfully informative tour and some great insight into the brewing process, we returned to the Leinie Lodge to finish up our samples.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

The rest of our samples consisted of the Sunset Wheat, India Pale Lager, Grapefruit Shandy and the Creamy Dark. While we enjoyed all the different varieties we sampled, my favorite was the Sunset Wheat and Micah’s was the Wisconsin Red Pale Ale.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

Once we finished our tasting, we had a look around the Leinie Lodge at all the history on display. It was great to get a peek at the old brewing machines and historic artifacts after the tour—it really put the tour into context and gave us a full circle story on how the brewery came to be. We also couldn’t resist some relaxing on the riverside patio that was attached to the back of the lodge.

Leinenkugel Brewery Tour, Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, AmericInn Road Trip

We had a wonderful time hopping on the Leinenkugel Brewery tour, and eventually it was time to continue our AmericInn road trip towards West Salem, WI. I would have to say it was a successful start to a week full of fun adventures!

We partnered with  AmericInn Hotels and Suites on a summer road trip through Wisconsin in connection with their Fill-Inn-To-Win promotion . AmericInn is giving away a free night stay every day throughout the summer, so be sure to enter for your chance to win! As always, all opinions are our own. 

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Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

Today, Leinenkugel’s brews a wide variety of beers, from their flagship Leinenkugel’s to their Leinie’s Honey Weiss, Berry Weiss, Sunset Wheat, Helles Yeah, Leinie’s Red, Leinie’s Creamy Dark, Summer Shandy, Canoe Paddler, Oktoberfest, Snowdrift Porter, Big Butt Doppelbock, and more.

The Leinie Lodge is the visitors’ headquarters of all things Leinenkugel, located off Highway 124 just north of downtown Chippewa Falls. From here, brewery tours of the original Leinenkugel Brewery are conducted; they’re available every half hour seven days a week (specifics here ) and of course the Leinie Lodge offers plenty of samples and items to purchase for you and other beer lovers.

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Address: 124 E. Elm Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 (888) 534-6437 Website

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Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin : Leinenkugel Brewery Tour

Tour of one of the oldest family breweries in the country, with beer samples and souvenir glass at the end if you're old enough.

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

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Leinenkugel Brewery.

Leinenkugel's is the eighth oldest family owned brewery in the country. Still run by the Leinenkugel family, it produces quality beers that are heavily consumed throughout the heartland. The tour of the brewery is free, fun and takes about forty-five minutes [2015: tour and samples are no longer free]. My favorite part was the bottling plant, where the beer goes into the bottles at a remarkable rate of about 450 to 475 bottles a minute.

It starts and ends in the "Lodge" a fairly new building resembling an old north woods lodge. At the heart of the lodge lies the heart of the Leinenkugel marketing empire, where any type of Leinenkugel merchandise imaginable is available.

Sept. 2015: Tour and beer sampling are no longer free. Sept. 2014: Photo added.

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Leinenkugel's ranked in top U.S. brewery tours

The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. in Chippewa Falls ranked in USA Today's top 10 brewery tours in America. The brewery, known for the popular Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy beer, ranked No. 8.

The ranking highlighted the two options for brewery tours — the Legacy Tour, which is an hour-long tour of the modern facilities and visit to the Leinie Lodge, and the Behind the Scenes with the Family tour, which is a more personalized experience led by a Leinenkugel family member.

John Leinenkugel, who happens to be a fifth generation of the Leinenkugel family and a brand ambassador, said he told the Leinie Lodge team that the company's goal should be to get into the top five breweries next year and look at what to improve in the tour experience even more to accomplish this goal.

The Leinie Lodge is at 124 E. Elm St. in Chippewa Falls. The location opened in 2003. In March of this year, the brewery opened its new pilot brewing system within the lodge.

The Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. tour was the only Wisconsin brewery tour to make the top 10 list.

Following is the list of top 10 winners.

  • Tröegs Independent Brewing - Hershey, Pennsylvania
  • Yards Brewing Co. - Philadelphia
  • Bell's Brewery - Comstock, Michigan
  • Guinness Open Gate Brewery - Baltimore
  • Samuel Adams - Boston
  • Dogfish Head Craft Brewery - Milton, Delaware
  • New Belgium Brewing - Multiple locations
  • Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. - Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin
  • Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. - Multiple locations
  • Spoetzl Brewery - Shiner, Texas

The Sugar Maple will host Black and Brown brewery festival

Local craft beer bar The Sugar Maple will host the inaugural Brown and Black Beer Fest, which will feature breweries from Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. This is the first of its kind in Wisconsin, created by Radio Milwaukee's program director Tarik Moody.

Admission is $10. Proceeds will benefit the local nonprofit organization TRUE Skool.

Opened in April 2008, The Sugar Maple is at 441 E. Lincoln Ave. in Milwaukee's Bay View neighborhood.

The festival, called "Brown, Black and Brews: The Fifth Ingredient," will run Dec. 3 from 2-6 p.m. The participating brewers that will attend and pour samples include 18th Street Brewery of Indiana, Moors Brewing Co. of Illinois, Funkytown Brewery of Illinois, Brewer's Kitchen of Illinois, Azadi Brewing of Illinois and Soul Brew Kombucha of Wisconsin.

Several of those breweries are housed in Pilot Project, the brewery incubator opening in the former Milwaukee Brewing Co. production facility in downtown Milwaukee.

Tarik Moody said his goal is to inspire Black and Brown home brewers who may be looking to expand from home brewing into a professional business. Another goal is to expand the festival to include wine and liquor, he said.

"The goal is to be the premiere Black and Brown wine, beer and liquor festival. That’s my vision, a real festival that brings in people from around the country," Moody said.

https://www.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/news/2022/11/16/leinenkugels-tour-ranks-in-top-10-sugar-maple-ho.html

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Leinenkugel’s to open brewery inside Milwaukee Brewers ballpark

Beer brewed at the Brewers’ ballpark? It’ll soon be a reality.

Under a new deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. is set to open a brewpub inside American Family Field when baseball resumes in 2023.

The J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard at American Family Field will feature fans’ favorite Leinenkugel’s beers, as well as small-batch beers, at a full-service bar and restaurant space overlooking left field.

“ We're certainly honored to partner with the Brewers to deliver a unique brewery experience for fans ,” said Leinenkugel’s President Tony Bugher . “This project has been a big one in the works and we're really looking forward to the opening. I know fans will enjoy the opportunity to try new beers brewed right here that they can only get at the Barrel Yard.”

At the Barrel Yard, which is attached to the ballpark’s left field restaurant, fans can expect to find Leinenkugel’s classics, like Summer Shandy and Juicy Peach, as well as new innovations like Honey Lemon Light. With a 3-barrel brewing system in full view, the Barrel Yard will also brew up specialty beers made just for Brewers fans.

Barrel Yard

“We are thrilled to reveal J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard at American Family Field with our valued partners at Molson Coors,” said Rick Schlesinger, Brewers president of business operations. “ We have worked closely to redesign the space and experience for our fans. What could be better than enjoying a beverage crafted right here at American Family Field, and sampling an amazing menu of food options? The Barrel Yard will be a must-stop for fans on game day, and also a popular non-game day destination. ”

The deal builds on a long-time relationship between the Brewers and official beer sponsor Molson Coors.

“When the opportunity came to expand our partnership with the Brewers and create another location where we could put in pilot brewing capabilities, that was very exciting to us,” Bugher says. “Innovation is at our core. We’re always looking for opportunities to be creative and get feedback from drinkers.”

It also underscores Molson Coors’ commitment to Milwaukee, the state of Wisconsin and Milwaukee’s passionate sports fans, says Dan Idstein, Molson Coors’ general manager for sales in Wisconsin.

“We were born here in Brew City. We’ve been here since the start, and nothing’s going to shake our pride in being Milwaukee-made,” he says. “Bringing a Leinenkugel’s brewery to the ballpark just deepens those strong Wisconsin roots.”

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Home

EVERY BEER HAS A STORY. OURS IS JUST A LITTLE LONGER.

In May 1867, the Leinenkugel family brewery was founded in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin by Jacob Leinenkugel. He was a family man driven by an iron work ethic, and he knew that his German family heritage would play an integral part of his brewery’s success. Today, sixth generation family members are involved in the company, helping to bring the same family-inspired recipes that Jacob poured his heart and soul into to consumers across the country. Over the years, our family has grown and so has our brewery, but our history and heritage remain at the forefront. Take a step back in time and discover our flavorful history…

Our Home

The story of Chippewa Falls is every-changing, just like the waters of the Chippewa River and Big Eddy Springs. But water isn’t the only thing that flows in Chippewa Falls. Our beer has been filling steins there since it became home to the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company in 1867. Our hometown was once the site of the world’s largest lumber mill. The hard-working, thirsty lumberjacks made great customers for Jacob and his business partner, John Miller. The rest, as they say, is history.

BACK WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

Where it all began

In 1845 Jacob Leinenkugel has his family immigrated to Wisconsin from Meckenheim, Germany, where Jacob’s father was an innkeeper and brewer himself. Equipped with German brewing knowledge and tradition passed down from his family, Jacob started his brewery in 1867 in the logging town of Chippewa Falls. Its rich soil was perfect for growing hops and grains, and the pure water that ran through the town was a perfect ingredient for crafting beer. The many lumberjacks that lived and worked here quickly became our loyal fans.

PASSING DOWN TRADITION

Tradition

After Jacob Leinenkugel’s death in 1899, his son-in-law, Henry Casper, served as president. Then, following in his father’s footsteps, Matthias Leinenkugel took over as brewery president in 1907, followed by Jacob’s daughter Susan Leinenkugel Mayer in 1927. Under the guidance of the second generation, Leinenkugel’s growing market blossomed.

WANTED: BREWMASTER

Brewmaster

After Prohibition, it was back to business, despite one major problem: our brewery didn’t have a brewmaster. President Raymond Mayer and sales manager William Casper had to act quickly. Breweries were popping up all over, each eager to capture a piece of the wide open market. Using all their resources, Raymond and William found a brewmaster, modernized our brewery, introduced brewery tours, and established new opportunities to grow the business.

WELCOMING MORE STATES

Welcoming more states

TV and national advertising changed the beer industry. Small breweries had to compete not only  with each other, but with larger companies that began building multiple breweries across the country.  For Leinenkugel’s this meant expanding into new markets and enlisting the help of Wisconsin heroes like Ray Scott, “The Voice of the Packers,” to be a part of advertising campaigns. Our brewery grew as well, with the addition of the Hospitality Center in 1979, a space for Leinie fans to gather and learn about  the beer they loved.

A PROPER INTRODUCTION

Boxes

Under the guidance of Jake, Dick, and John Leinenkugel our brewery continued to thrive. The brewery was bought by Miller Brewing Company in 1988. This partnership has allowed Leinenkugel’s to share its quality brews with beer lovers all over the country. Leinenkugel’s 10th Street Brewery was added in 1995 to handle the increased demand. In 2003, the Leinie Lodge opened its doors and now has over 350,000 members.

A NEW ERA BEGINS

Campfire

The sixth generation of Leinenkugel's, Matt and Katie Leinenkugel, along with Tony Bugher, carry on the Leinenkugel’s legacy by working to get more of our beers to more people in more markets than ever before. From running tastings to demonstrations to working in the brewery, the sixth-generation descendants are building on our family’s tradition that our great-great-great-grandfather began over 155 years ago. We’re making sure our beers continue to satisfy palates everywhere. Even though we’re not all in Chippewa Falls, we’re out here every day helping you Flavor The Moment.

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COMMENTS

  1. Tours

    All tours start at the Leinie Lodge®, which is filled with historical photos, vintage brewing equipment and plenty of Leinie's beer gear and collectibles to take home. Our taproom holds 15+ different Leinenkugel's beers that are in season, including taproom exclusives made from our small batch Pilot Brewery. Come relax on our patio or by ...

  2. Brewery spelunking: Visiting Leinenkugel's Chippewa Falls ...

    Learn about the history and brewing process of one of the oldest and longest-running breweries in the U.S. at its birthplace in Chippewa Falls. See the 1890 brewhouse, the Big Eddy spring, the Leinie Lodge taproom and more.

  3. Brewery

    Leinenkugel's boasts over 150 years of brewing tradition across six generations. Join us at the Leinie Lodge in Chippewa Falls, WI, home to our brand new pilot brewing system, and embark on a tour where you'll see firsthand how our beers come to life. Learn about the long-standing heritage of Leinenkugel's and the recipes inspired by it ...

  4. Guide To Milwaukee Brewery Tours

    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.

  5. Leinie Lodge

    Brewed inside the Leinie Lodge in our small batch Pilot Brewery! Enjoy Games and a Bags Tournament, Leinenkugel Family Members Signing, Merchandise, Vendors, and more! The event will be 10:00am - 6:00pm, with safety measures in place, rain or shine. Pre-registration = $20.00, Day of Event = $25.00 (+tax&fees)

  6. 10th Street Brewery is Milwaukee's biggest brewery that you can't tour

    Big as a barn and just as red. Leinenkugel's 10th Street Brewery — named for its 1515 N. 10th St. location — is the largest brewery in Milwaukee that you can't tour. Bigger yet because of a ...

  7. J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard

    The J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard at American Family Field is set to open in April of 2023. The working brewery features specialty beer brewed onsite by the Master Brewers at Leinenkugel's, as well as a full-service bar and restaurant experience in one of the most premier locations of the ballpark, overlooking left field at American Family Field.

  8. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

    Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company. 124 E Elm St - Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. Information: 888-534-6437. Share. View Website Favorite (14) Take the tour and let one of our guides introduce you to 150 years of beer brewing and 6 generations of Leinenkugel family history. The Leinie Lodge is filled with historical photos, vintage equipment and ...

  9. J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard

    J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard is a one-of-a-kind restaurant and Brewery overlooking left field at American Family Field, home of the Milwaukee Brewrs. ... Milwaukee, WI 53203-2926. Local +1 (414) 273-3950Email: [email protected]

  10. Tour Wisconsin's Breweries

    Built in 1867, this brewery is also home to Leinie Lodge, a rustic visitor's center and gathering place for fans of Leinenkugel's fine, handcrafted beers. MillerCoors' Milwaukee Brewery Tour - Milwaukee The mothership of seven large brewing operations run by the country's second largest brewer, home to more than 150 years of brewing history.

  11. LEINENKUGEL BREWERY

    4.5 miles away from Leinenkugel Brewery Emily S. said "Ope is a great addition to the Milwaukee beer scene. Excellent beers with a variety wide enough to suit anyone, including delicious hard seltzers.

  12. Beer Samples and History on the Leinenkugel Brewery Tour

    To keep up with an increase in demand, a second brewery was opened in Milwaukee in 1995. Currently, around 25% of the beer is brewed in Chippewa Falls, and all beer is brewed to order. ... We had a wonderful time hopping on the Leinenkugel Brewery tour, and eventually it was time to continue our AmericInn road trip towards West Salem, WI. I ...

  13. Milwaukee, WI Brewery Tours

    Baird Center Expansion. Now that the expansion is complete, the Baird Center will offer 52 state-of-the-art breakout rooms, 300,000 contiguous square feet of exhibition space, the stunning rooftop Baird Ballroom with city views, inclusive amenities and more! This is the city that beer built, and now you can see how we build our beer. Experience ...

  14. Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company

    From here, brewery tours of the original Leinenkugel Brewery are conducted; they're available every half hour seven days a week (specifics here) and of course the Leinie Lodge offers plenty of samples and items to purchase for you and other beer lovers. The Leinenkugel Brewery in Chippewa Falls. Address: 124 E. Elm Street Chippewa Falls, WI 54729

  15. Home

    The Leinie's Lodge is the central hub of all happenings and get-togethers for Leinie's drinkers. It's located directly across the river from our Leinenkugel's Brewery in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. So come stop by to sample new beers, shop beer gear, and see 155 years of brewing history. 323,011 Brew Mixes. 105,654 Guests at the Leinie ...

  16. Chippewa Falls, WI

    Learn about the history and process of one of the oldest family breweries in the country, with beer samples and souvenir glass. The tour is in Chippewa Falls, not Milwaukee, and requires a 2-hour drive from Chicago or Milwaukee.

  17. Leinenkugel's ranked in top U.S. brewery tours

    The brewery, known for the popular Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy beer, ranked No. 8. The ranking highlighted the two options for brewery tours — the Legacy Tour, which is an hour-long tour of the modern facilities and visit to the Leinie Lodge, and the Behind the Scenes with the Family tour, which is a more personalized experience led by a ...

  18. Brewery Spelunking: Leinenkugel's 10th Street Brewery

    Thousands of Milwaukeeans drive past the 10th Street Brewery, 1515 N. 10th St., every single day and yet, still, the place perched atop a bluff on the edge of 10th and Galena Streets has an image ...

  19. Leinenkugel's to open brewery inside Milwaukee Brewers ballpark

    It'll soon be a reality. Under a new deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. is set to open a brewpub inside American Family Field when baseball resumes in 2023. The J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard at American Family Field will feature fans' favorite Leinenkugel's beers, as well as small-batch beers, at a full ...

  20. Leinenkugel's Pilot Brewery: A Gateway to Unreleased Beers

    Lodge associate Matt Leinenkugel, son of former president of the craft brewery Jake Leinenkugel and cousin to current president Tony Bugher, gives the pilot systems tour.

  21. Our Story

    Under the guidance of Jake, Dick, and John Leinenkugel our brewery continued to thrive. The brewery was bought by Miller Brewing Company in 1988. This partnership has allowed Leinenkugel's to share its quality brews with beer lovers all over the country. Leinenkugel's 10th Street Brewery was added in 1995 to handle the increased demand.

  22. Leinenkugel's Cracks Top 10 Best Brewery Tours List

    USA Today recently shared news that most Chippewa Valley locals already knew: Chippewa Falls' Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co. is top-notch.According to USA Today's 2022 Readers' Choice poll, Leinenkugel's offers one of the 10 best brewery tours in the nation, coming in at eighth place.. The legendary Chippewa Falls brewery was founded 155 years ago in 1867 and is moving into its sixth ...

  23. Leinenkugel's Brewery Tour

    Leinenkugel's Brewery Tour. Brewing since 1867, Leinenkugel's is one of America's oldest craft breweries, boasting a portfolio of several distinctive, flavorful beers inspired by its natural Northwoods surroundings. The brand has put Chippewa Falls on the map for its adventurous array of full-flavored brews in small, high-quality batches.