Breweries in Milwaukee
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Prohibition and Al Capone
The Brew City was hit hard by prohibition, a huge section of the local economy was shut down and thirsty Milwaukeans couldn't drink their sorrows away. In the 1920s Chicago gangster activity came north to Milwaukee during the Prohibition era. Al Capone, noted Chicago mobster, owned a home in the Milwaukee suburb Brookfield, where moonshine was made. The house still stands on a street named after Capone.
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Breweries are integral to Milwaukee's image. Although the number of large scale operations has dwindled in the last decade, the nickname "the Brew City" still rings true, and microbreweries are booming. In several spots around the city, the smell of yeast from the beer factories is quite strong. Milwaukee was once the home to four of the world's largest breweries: Schlitz, Blatz, Pabst, and Miller. For many years it was the number one beer producing city in the world. Of those four only Miller remains.
Miller-Coors Brewing Company offers excellent tours and also has a visitor's center at its gigantic brewing complex on Milwaukee's west side. Recently merged Miller and Coors now operate the brewery jointly but the tour is still based around the historic Miller operation. The tour begins with a short video of famous Miller commercials, continues to the original brewery to demonstrate the growth and progress of the company, and finishes at a pub for a little beer-tasting. To set up a tour call +1 800-944-LITE or go to .
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery While the company itself is now long gone, a new tavern, reserveable hall, and a giftshop have recenlty been opened on the site.Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, the former Pabst Corporate Offices & Visitor’s Center, is a Certified Historic Structure on the National Register of Historic Places. Gift Shop: Th-Su noon-6PM. Tours: F-Su 1PM & 3PM, $7 ($2 discount for Military Personnel)
Sprecher Brewery (maker of beer, root beer, and sodas) is a well-respected local brewery on the North Side. Known for making the largest variety of beers of any local brewery. They also offer tours, tastings included. The sodas are popular as well, the kids and non-alcoholics will get plenty out of this tour as well. Make sure to look for their root beer at local businesses.
Lakefront Brewery is another small, locally-owned microbrewery specializing in handmade beers in the tradition of early Milwaukee brewers. Located along the Milwaukee River just north of downtown, at the foot of Brewers' Hill. Offers tours on Friday nights along with a fish fry
Milwaukee Brewing Company offers tours (on Friday and Saturday) of their growing operation in the Fifth Ward.
Buffalo Water Brewing Co. Makers of Bison Blonde located at the intersection its named after, Buffalo & Water Streets, adjacent to downtown Milwaukee.
Great Lakes Distillery Its not a brewery, but they make premium "Rehorst" vodkas and gin. It is currently Wisconsin's only distillery. They also brew a seasonal pumpkin ale, and are currently working on developing a type of absinthe. They offer tours on Fridays, and Saturdays. Located near the Walker's Point neighborhood just south of downtown.
Brew Pubs
Stonefly Brewing Co. a brew-pub/restaurant located on Center Street in Riverwest. Won the 2010 Firkin Award, they make good stuff. Have an eclectic food menu as well.
Milwaukee Ale House Is a brew-pub/restaurant founded by local home brewers on 17 October 1997, serves up live music, fresh beer and great food to the good people of Wisconsin and travelers from all over the world. Located in a brick and timber warehouse building downtown in the Historic Third Ward, they offer indoor and outdoor dining, six or more hand crafted beers, lunch and dinner everyday with late night food on the weekends.
Water Street Brewery located on Milwaukee's infamous Water Street, it is both a brew-pub/restaurant with a second location in Delafield, west of the city.
Horny Goat Brewing Company although its local, this place is not Milwaukean. Beautiful building but otherwise it has all the makings of a tasteless Canadian frat party.
Rock Bottom Brewery Although it's not a Milwaukee original, but rather a national chain based out of Colorado, they couldn't resist opening a location among the beer elite. Milwaukee RiverWalk, 740 N Plankinton Ave. Save it for another town!
Delafield Brewhouse is another microbrewery and restaurant, located 20 mi (32 km) west of Milwaukee.
Saint Francis Brewery Brewmaster Scott Hettig has built upon a foundation of five beers: Kolsch, Amber Ale, Nut Brown Ale, Weiss and Oatmeal Stout to feature a Bohemian Pilsner, Double Red Ale, Belgian Triple and many more.Located on Milwaukee's south side, near the airport.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Milwaukee
