Milwaukee Relocation and Moving Information

Greater Milwaukee Relocation Handbook
Order the book for detailed information on schools, communities, home prices, and more...

Beer Town

For generations, Milwaukee has been known as "Beer Town." It used to be considered the beer capital of the world and its name has been immortalized by such beers as "Old Milwaukee" and "Milwaukee's Best." The image is reinforced every time the city's professional baseball team, the Milwaukee Brewers, goes on the road or plays before a national audience.

Brewing is no longer the dominant industry it used to be. Today, less than 1 percent of Milwaukee's workforce is employed in the brewing industry. The local economy is tied more to electronic commerce and high-tech medical equipment than bottling fermented malt. Even so, the city still ranks as a leader in the production of malt beverages and is home to the nation's second-largest brewer – Miller Brewing Company. Miller Brewing Company is a subsidiary of SABMiller, the second-largest brewing company with 125 breweries in 29 countries around the world.

Germans may not like to admit it, but the city's first brewery was founded by Welshmen. The brewery produced ale, beer, porter and whiskey and remained in business until 1880, but never gained more than a modest share of the market.

At the time of the Civil War there were about 25 breweries in the city, each producing just enough beer to serve their local neighborhood. Breweries didn't begin their aggressive expansion until after the Civil War when a war tax made whiskey too expensive.

By 1872, nearly half of the beer brewed in Milwaukee was being shipped out of town. When the Great Chicago Fire destroyed the Windy City's breweries, an overnight market was created for Milwaukee's beer barons. In one year alone, sales of Pabst Brewing Company, the Jos. Schlitz Brewing Co., Miller Brewing Co. and the Blatz Brewing Co. increased an average of 44 percent.

Naturally, these sales made the beer barons extremely wealthy and increasingly competitive. It wasn't long before they were buying up real estate around the country and setting up banks in Milwaukee. At one time, Capt. Pabst controlled nine hotels and large restaurants in New York, Chicago, Minneapolis and San Francisco. He also opened the Wisconsin National Bank of Milwaukee in 1892.

In recent years several microbreweries have emerged, catering to the same types of niche markets common before the Civil War. Among them are the Lakefront Brewery, which is located in downtown Milwaukee, Onopa Brewing Company in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood, and Harbor City Brewing Company and Port Washington Brewing Company, both located in Port Washington.

The area's most famous microbrewery is Sprecher Brewing Company, which was founded in 1985 by Randal G. Sprecher, who had been a brewery supervisor at Pabst Brewing Company. The brewery is not only known for its many flavors of beer, but also for its root beer and cream soda, which are sold regionally. Several brewpubs have also opened in and around Milwaukee. Water Street Brewery was the city's first brew pub, but several others have opened within the last few years. The Brew City Queen offers weekend cruises on the Milwaukee River, stopping at three popular brewpubs - Lakefront Brewery, Milwaukee Ale House and Rock Bottom Brewery. The Water Street Brewery has also expanded, opening a brewpub in the western Waukesha community of Delafield.

Brew Town Attractions

Although Milwaukee's Golden Age of Brewing has long since passed, its heritage can still be seen throughout the community. The former Schlitz brewery is now the Schlitz Office Park (and the brewery's tap room is now a restaurant known as The Brown Bottle, 221 W. Galena St.).

The former Blatz brewery in downtown Milwaukee has been converted into condominiums and the former Pabst family residence on West Wisconsin Avenue is now a museum. Other monuments to Milwaukee's brewing heritage include the Pabst Theater, Uihlein Hall at the Marcus Center for Performing Arts, the Miller Brewing Company Pavilion at O'Donnell Park, the Schlitz Audubon Center in northeastern Milwaukee County and Miller Park, the home of the Milwaukee Brewers professional baseball team.

The brew kings themselves are buried in "Beer Corner" in the Forest Home Cemetery on Milwaukee's South Side. Here you can see the Blatz mausoleum and the impressive memorials to the Schlitz and Pabst families. Several area breweries offer tours that allow you to see how beer is made and sample their brew.

Miller Brewing Company

Miller Brewing Company offers a free tour guiding visitors through the rich history and brewing process of Miller beers. The one-hour walking tour allows guests to experience an informative three-screen video and provides an up-close look at the brewhouse, packaging center and historical caves. Tours conclude at the historic Miller Inn where guests can relax and enjoy a frosty beer sample (if 21 or older.) Soda provided fro guests under 21. Telephone (414) 931-BEER for daily tour times. 4251 W. State St., Milwaukee. Website: www.millerbrewing.com.

Lakefront Brewery Inc.

Personable guided tours through a charming brewery in an historical landmark on the Milwaukee River. Fridays, 3 p.m.; Saturdays, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.; $5 per person, reservations required for large groups. 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee; Telephone: (414) 372-8800. Website: www.lakefrontbrewery.com.

Sprecher Brewing Co.

Brewers of award-winning beers and gourmet sodas. Guided tours Fridays at 4 p.m. and 12-3 Saturdays. $3 for over 21, under 21 is $1. Weekday tours are offered during the holiday season and summer. Reservations are required for all tours. Gift Shop is open Monday-Friday 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., and Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Telephone: (414) 964-BREW. Website: www.sprecherbrewery.com.

Captain Frederick Pabst Mansion

The Flemish Renaissance Mansion of Captain Pabst, world-famous beer baron, was completed in 1892. It boasts stunning interiors, elegant original furnishings, elaborate wall coverings, the finest wood craftsmanship, intricate ironwork, brilliant stained glass, and rare art. Hours:10-4 Monday-Saturday; Noon-4 Sundays. $8 adults, $7 for senior citizens over the age of 65 and students with an ID, and $4 for children 6-17; Holiday hours vary. 2000 W. Wisconsin Ave.; Telephone: (414) 931-0808. Website: www.pabstmansion.com.

Relocation Resources