Brew City


From Beer Capital of the World to Craft Beer Incubator

Only one city can claim to be “The Beer Capital of the World” and that city is Milwaukee. Once home to Miller, Schlitz, Pabst and Blatz breweries (to name a few), Milwaukee is now a leader in the ever-evolving art of craft brewing. Whether you opt for a tasting tour, relax at one of the area’s many beer gardens (be sure to visit “Milwaukee’s Original Biergarten” at Old Heidelberg Park!); hop on the Beer Titans History bus tour (hopheadtours.com); ride on the East Troy Beer Tasting Train; brew your own beer (check out beerbarons.org); imbibe in non-alcoholic and gluten-removed or gluten-friendly craft beers now offered at many local breweries such as Lakefront Brewery, Good City Brewing, Eagle Park Brewing & Explorium Brewpub; join in the froth frenzy of Oktoberfest celebrations; take a class at Third Space Brewing’s popular Beer School (thirdspacebrewing.com); or simply grab a cold pick-six to share at a tailgate or BBQ, Brew City is sure to serve up a “hoppy” experience!

The region has so much to offer, we recommend you check out online guides like beeradvocate.com to see what’s on tap!

The Beer Baron Legacy

Beer is embedded deep in Milwaukee’s history, architecture and culture. Captain Frederick Pabst built the ornate Pabst Theater, which has been heralded as the city’s most elegant performance venue. The former Pabst brewing grounds have been transformed into a restaurant, boutique hotel, offices and residential space, while his former home, the Pabst Mansion (pabstmansion.com), now serves as a house museum, showcasing the home’s craftsmanship, original furnishings, and fine arts collection. Holiday tours are especially memorable. Many of the city’s beer barons – Frederick Pabst, Joseph Schlitz, Jacob Best and Valentin Blatz – were laid to rest at historic Forest Home Cemetery on the city’s south side.

Brewery Tours

Some brewery tours worth knowing about:

  • Molson Coors (Miller Brewery) 4251 W. State St., Milwaukee, WI 53208. (414) 931-BEER. millercoors.com One-hour walking tours take you through the active brewhouse, packaging center, and historic underground caves (lagering cellars). Tours conclude with samples at the Miller Inn or the scenic outdoor beer garden. Still the largest brewery in the city by volume and a cornerstone of Milwaukee’s beer heritage.
  • Lakefront Brewery 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee, WI 53212. (414) 372-8800. lakefrontbrewery.com Award-winning food and engaging 45-minute guided tours in a historic riverside landmark. Known for pioneering gluten-free beers (like New Grist) and a wide range of innovative, award-winning craft offerings, including Riverwest Stein Amber Lager. Famous for entertaining tours with storytelling, polka music, and a fun atmosphere. Daily tours with private options available.
  • Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery 917 W. Juneau Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202. (414) 223-4709. bestplacemilwaukee.com/tours Immersive tours filled with old-world charm and Gemütlichkeit, detailing how the Best and Pabst families-built America’s largest brewery by 1874. Located in the beautifully restored historic Pabst complex. Offers a retro-cool experience with vintage commercials and samples of Pabst, Schlitz, or root beer.
  • Sprecher Brewing Company 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale, WI 53209. (414) 964-BREW. sprecherbrewery.com Milwaukee’s original modern craft brewery (est. 1985). Famous for its excellent European-style beers (like Black Bavarian Schwarzbier) and nationally acclaimed root beer and sodas. 45-minute tours (Thurs–Sun) include samples. Family-friendly with a focus on quality and tradition.

 

 

Additional popular spots:

  • Third Space Brewing 1505 W. St. Paul Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53233. (414) 909-BEER. thirdspacebrewing.com Welcoming community hub in the Menomonee River Valley known for bold, flavorful beers and popular “Beer School” educational classes. Features a spacious taproom, large outdoor beer garden, and a focus on quality and balance in every brew.
  • Eagle Park Brewing 823 E. Hamilton St., Milwaukee, WI 53202 (East Side taproom); S64 W15640 Commerce Center Pkwy, Muskego, WI 53150. eagleparkbrewing.com Renowned for outstanding hazy IPAs, fruited sours, and a growing distillery/restaurant presence at the larger Muskego campus. The Hamilton location is in a historic 1920s cream city brick building; Muskego offers a full brewery, distillery, restaurant, and event space.
  • Explorium Brewpub (including Good City) Multiple locations, e.g., 2108 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee. exploriumbrew.com Modern taprooms emphasizing excellent beer paired with elevated food menus under the Explorium Hospitality Group. Known for creative brews and a welcoming vibe.
  • Broken Bat Brewing Company 135 E. Pittsburgh Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53204 (Walker’s Point). brokenbatbrewery.com Fun baseball-themed taproom featuring an indoor Wiffle ball field, solid lagers and ales, and regular community events.
  • Ope! Brewing Co. 6751 W. National Ave., West Allis, WI 53214. opebrewingco.com Relaxed, dog-friendly neighborhood brewery with 20+ taps, games, live music, and frequent events.
  • Regional Breweries in Surrounding Counties
  • Waukesha County Raised Grain Brewing Co. 1725 Dolphin Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186. (262) 505-5942. raisedgrainbrewing.com Award-winning hop-forward beers (standout IPAs and lagers), full kitchen with great food, spacious outdoor terrace, and lively events. Focuses on high-quality ingredients and nuanced flavors.
  • North Pillar Brewing Co. — 212 E. North St., Waukesha, WI 53188. (262) 542-0330. northpillarbrewing.com Housed in a historic 1862/1870 brewery building (former Weber Brewery) in downtown Waukesha. Community-focused with a diverse lineup from hoppy to light beers plus frequent events. All beer brewed on-site.
  • Delafield Brewhaus — 3832 Hillside Drive, Delafield, WI 53018. (262) 646-7821. delafieldbrewhaus.com Full-service restaurant/brewery offering house beers and hearty pub fare in a welcoming, family-friendly setting.
  • Foxtown Brewing — 6411 W. Mequon Road, Mequon, WI 53092. (262) 292-5700. foxtownbrewing.com Historic building with lager caves; approachable craft beers and solid restaurant fare.
  • Washington & Ozaukee Counties Inventors Brewpub — 305 E. Washington St., Port Washington, WI 53074 (Ozaukee). (262) 431-2337. inventorsbrewpub.com Scenic lakeside views of Lake Michigan, handcrafted beers, excellent pub fare, and a welcoming vibe—frequent award-winner for best bar and brewery in the area.
  • Water Street Brewery (Delafield location) — 3191 Golf Road, Delafield, WI 53018. waterstreetbrewery.com Multiple locations known for solid, consistent craft beers.
  • Racine & Kenosha Counties Rustic Road Brewing Company — 5706 6th Ave., Kenosha, WI 53140. (262) 320-7623. rusticbrewing.com Industrial-chic nanobrewery with unique small-batch beers, meats, vegetarian options, live music, and sports viewing. Focuses on creativity and quality in small batches.
  • Reefpoint Brew House — 2 Christopher Columbus Causeway, Racine, WI 53403. reefpointbrewhouse.com Scenic lakeside brewpub with crafted beers, smoked barbecue, classic American dishes, and beautiful waterfront views.

Distilleries & Wineries

Distilleries

Beer may dominate Milwaukee’s history, but the region is also home to many established and up-and-coming craft distilleries producing high-quality spirits.

  • Central Standard Craft Distillery — Currently at 2330 W. Clybourn St., Milwaukee, WI 53233 (moving/expanding to the historic Harley-Davidson campus in 2026). thecentralstandard.com Award-winning spirits made with locally sourced ingredients and a focus on premium quality. Offers tastings, cocktails, and special events.
  • Great Lakes Distillery — 616 W. Virginia St., Milwaukee, WI 53204 (Walker’s Point). (414) 431-8683. greatlakesdistillery.com Wisconsin’s first post-Prohibition distillery (est. 2004). Offers tours and tastings of their award-winning handcrafted spirits, including unique flavored vodkas, gins, and whiskeys.
  • Twisted Path Distillery — 2018 S. 1st St., Milwaukee, WI 53207 (Bay View). twistedpathdistillery.com Produces exceptional organic, grain-to-glass, and often gluten-free spirits using traditional and innovative methods in a welcoming taproom setting. Tours and tastings available.
  • Eagle Park Distilling — S64 W15640 Commerce Center Pkwy, Muskego, WI 53150. eagleparkbrewing.com Part of the Eagle Park campus, offering high-quality distilled spirits alongside their renowned beers.
  • Handen Distillery — W62 N590 Washington Ave., Cedarburg, WI 53012 (Ozaukee County). handendistillery.com German-inspired craft spirits produced in a charming historic setting.

Wineries

  • Cedar Creek Winery — N70 W6340 Bridge Road, Cedarburg, WI 53012 (Ozaukee County). (262) 377-8020. cedarcreekwinery.com Family-run winery located in the historic Cedarburg Settlement along the Milwaukee River (former 1860s woolen mill). Offers daily tastings, tours of the facility and cellars, events, and a wide selection of award-winning wines in a beautiful setting. Open daily 10am–5pm (later on weekends).
  • Apple Barn Orchard & Winery — W6384 Sugar Creek Road, Elkhorn, WI 53121. (262) 728-3266. applebarnorchardandwinery.com Combines a working orchard (apples, peaches, and grapes) with wine production and tastings in a scenic rural setting. Visitors can enjoy fresh produce, fruit wines, and a relaxed farm atmosphere.
  • Wollersheim Winery & Distillery — 7876 State Rd 188, Prairie du Sac, WI 53578. wollersheim.com Historic hillside winery and distillery (roots dating to the 1840s) with award-winning wines, brandies, and spirits. Features tours, a bistro, and stunning scenic views across the Wisconsin River. Open daily with varying hours.
  • Pieper Porch Winery & Vineyard — S67W28435 River Rd, Waukesha/Mukwonago area, WI 53189. pieperporchwines.com Relaxed vineyard setting offering local wines and a welcoming porch atmosphere for tastings and visits.
  • Spirits of Norway Vineyard — 22200 W. Six Mile Rd., Franksville, WI 53126 (Racine County). (414) 430-5020. spiritsofnorwayvineyard.com Unique Norwegian-inspired winery located in the historic Town of Norway producing fine wines with a distinctive Scandinavian influence.

Craft Brew Events (2026 Highlights)

  • Sip & Savor Wisconsin — Saturday, June 13, 2026, at The Bavarian Bierhaus / Old Heidelberg Park (700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI 53217). sipandsavorwisconsin.com A high-energy celebration of Wisconsin flavors with unlimited samples of craft beer, spirits, wine, artisan cheese, handcrafted sausage, and specialty foods. VIP and GA options available. Presented by the Wisconsin Brewers Guild.
  • Firkin Fest — July at Cathedral Square Park, Downtown Milwaukee. Intimate outdoor festival celebrating unique cask-conditioned (firkin) beers in a vibrant downtown park setting.
  • Milwaukee Brew & Spirits Fest — Saturday, July 25, 2026, at McKinley Park on the scenic lakefront (1600 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53202). brewandspirits.com Features 100+ pours of craft beer plus expanded offerings like canned cocktails, hard seltzers, and more, along with live music, food trucks, and activities.
  • Milwaukee Oktoberfest — Early October at Henry Maier Festival Park. Traditional German-style celebration with beer tents, authentic food, music, and dancing.
  • Zoo Brew — Thursday, October 8, 2026 (7–10pm) at Milwaukee County Zoo (10001 W. Bluemound Rd.). zoosociety.org/events/zoo-brew Popular Oktoberfest-themed event with craft beers, ciders, food samples, and live music amid the zoo animals.

Beer Gardens in the Milwaukee Area

The Milwaukee region is famous for its vibrant beer garden culture, deeply rooted in its German heritage. These outdoor gathering spots are quintessential summer activities, offering a perfect blend of refreshing craft beers, authentic German fare, live music, and scenic settings. From bustling urban parks to peaceful lakeside locations, beer gardens across Milwaukee, Waukesha, Washington, Ozaukee, Kenosha, and Racine counties deliver classic “Gemütlichkeit” (warm conviviality) during the warmer months. Most beer gardens operate seasonally, typically from late spring through early fall (generally May through October), though exact opening and closing dates vary by location and weather. For the most up-to-date operating dates, hours, seasonal schedules, special events, and menus, visit the official Milwaukee County Parks Beer Gardens page at: county.milwaukee.gov/beergardens or check individual brewery and park websites.

Milwaukee County

  • Old Heidelberg Park / Bavarian Bierhaus (Milwaukee’s Original Biergarten) A large, classic German-style beer garden with over 300 picnic tables, undercover seating, live music, and a festive atmosphere. Features house-brewed beers, imported German beers, wines, ciders, and authentic German food. Address: 700 W. Lexington Blvd., Glendale, WI 53217 Website: thebavarianbierhaus.com
  • Estabrook Beer Garden One of Milwaukee’s most popular scenic beer gardens, located on a bluff above the Milwaukee River waterfall. Offers Hofbräu beers, brats, pretzels, and a family-friendly vibe with beautiful views. Address: 4600 Estabrook Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53217 Website: estabrookbeergarden.com
  • Whitnall Park Beer Garden Scenic and peaceful garden nestled among trees near the Root River. Features 24+ taps of Wisconsin craft beers, live music, and popular food specials. Address: 8831 N. Root River Parkway, Franklin/Greendale, WI 53132
  • Hubbard Park Beer Garden Rustic beer garden on the banks of the Milwaukee River in Shorewood with a large selection of local craft beers and food. Address: 3565 N. Morris Blvd., Shorewood, WI 53211 Website: hubbardparkbeergarden.com

Waukesha County

  • Raised Grain Brewing Co. Terrace Spacious outdoor beer garden with award-winning hop-forward beers, full kitchen, and lively events. Dog-friendly with a great terrace atmosphere. Address: 1725 Dolphin Drive, Waukesha, WI 53186 Website: raisedgrainbrewing.com
  • The Tap Yard (Multiple Park Locations) Popular seasonal beer gardens with 18–24 craft beer taps, food trucks, and family-friendly events.
    • Minooka Park: 1927 E. Sunset Dr., Waukesha, WI 53189
    • Fox Brook Park: 2925 N. Barker Rd., Brookfield, WI 53045

Ozaukee, Kenosha & Racine Counties

  • Upper Lake Park Beer Garden (Port Washington) Scenic lakeside beer garden with beautiful Lake Michigan views. Address: 554 N. Lake St., Port Washington, WI 53074
  • Petrifying Springs Biergarten (Kenosha) Traditional German-style biergarten in a beautiful county park with German beers, sausages, pretzels, and live music. Address: Petrifying Springs Park, Kenosha County, WI
  • Simmons Island Beach Beer Garden (Kenosha) Lakeside beer garden right by the beach with cold brews and relaxed summer vibes. Address: Simmons Island, Kenosha, WI

This guide reflects Milwaukee and the surrounding region’s vibrant, evolving beer, spirits, and wine scene as of 2026. Always check websites for current hours, tour schedules, tastings, tickets, and seasonal offerings. Drink responsibly and enjoy Brew City and beyond! 🍺