Location: Milwaukee
Top Things to do in Milwaukee
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The 10 Best Breweries in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (WI)
Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is perhaps best known for its famous breweries and the Major League Brewers, but there's more to the city than beer and baseball. Milwaukee is rich in historical and cultural attractions, making it the perfect place for a weekend of exploring. Check out the newly expanded Milwaukee Art Museum or the Mitchell Park Horticultural Society, which hosts an annual show of the same flora and fauna seen in Georgia O'Keefe's paintings. Those interested in the city's history can visit the grand Pabst Mansion, former home of one of the city's famous beer barons, or the Milwaukee Public Museum, to see what life was like in Old Milwaukee. If the kids are along, don't miss the Milwaukee County Zoo or the Betty Brinn Children's Museum. Of course a trip to the "Genuine American City" would not be complete without a tour of the Miller Brewing Company and a Brewers game at Miller Park.
Restaurants in Milwaukee
1. Vennture Brew Co
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By JanetW719 - Wauwatosa, United States
Vennture is a friendly brewery and coffee is shop in the Washington Heights area of Milwaukee. Owned by 3 working owners they produce a variety of interesting beers and roast their own coffees which are individually prepared with attention to detail. You can also get prepared drip but the individual selections are so delicious it pays to wait. The beers are varied among styles and some you can purchase in cans. The owners are a great, friendly crew who clearly understand brewing and the the selection and preparation of great coffee. Black and herbal teas are also available. They also have a small selection of cookies, morning buns and sometimes hand pies for sale and they welcome food you might want to order or bring in. There are also weekly happenings such as a Monday night knitting group, or music nights, or lectures. Just an all around nice community business.
2. Miller Brewery Tour
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 928 reviews
The Miller Brewery Tour offers an 80 minute indoor/outdoor guided walking tour of Miller Valley, home to over 155 years of brewing history. Experience everything from Fredrick Miller's arrival in Milwaukee to the high-speed production lines used today. Our tour begins with beer education and a journey back in time in our Historic Caves and Bavarian Style Miller Inn. Next we’re off to Brewing, Packaging & Distribution operations. Each tour ends as it begins… with our famous beers. Enjoy beer samples throughout the tour and after if 21+ with valid ID (soda and water available for those under 21). Commemorate your experience with a custom tour photo or one of the many great items found in our Girl In The Moon Brewery Shop. We look forward to seeing you for your Miller Time experience soon. CHEERS!
Reviewed By alexandrel549 - Sao Paulo, Brazil
Nice tour, great company story, the historic buildings are beautiful....and more, free beer at the end of the tour. I recommend the visit.
3. Lakefront Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,857 reviews
On December 2nd, 1987, brothers Russ and Jim Klisch opened Lakefront Brewery and sold their first batch of Riverwest Stein Amber Lager to a neighborhood tavern in Milwaukee. We have grown to brew 46,848 barrels of beer in 2017 and distribute our products to 35 states, Canada, Ukraine, Japan, Korea, Sweden and Australia. Lakefront Brewery was the first certified organic brewery in America, the first brewery to produce a government-approved, gluten-free beer and the first indigenous beer using all Wisconsin grown ingredients. We currently produce 20+ year-round and seasonal beers as well as our innovative one-off My Turn Series which gives each of our full time employees a chance to choose a style we've never brewed. Beer aside, Lakefront is also known around the country for their highly entertaining and sought-after brewery tours.
Reviewed By timmsullivan56 - Norwich, United States
Visited recently Large open beer hall with lots of tables Wonderful varied beer selection with helpful friendly servers Snacked on cheese curds and sausage. So good Right on river so great views Great time
4. Milwaukee Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 218 reviews
MKE Brewing Co. started as a brewpub, the Milwaukee Ale House, in October 1997 in Milwaukeeʼs Historic Third Ward. Fast forward 10 years and over 300 innovative beers later to November 2007 when MKE Brewing Co kegged off their first brew at their 2nd Street Brewery located in the trendy Walker’s Point neighborhood. A WDNR Green Tier Certified brewery, MKE Brewing Co. prides themselves on taking the artisan approach to brewing, using only the finest local ingredients and never making compromises. Tours are offered on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Reservations are recommended.
Reviewed By Great_Beer_Now - Houston, United States
Milwaukee overflows with beer. The city has a long history of brewing and while the golden age of golden lager suds is over, there is now a new age of craft beer in the city. And among the many breweries competing for your taste buds, one that is worth a visit is Milwaukee Brewing. I visited several breweries when I toured the city of Milwaukee in support of my beer blog, Great Beer Now and Milwaukee Brewing was a standout for several reasons. For one, it’s one of the more mature breweries in the area, with an opening that dates all the way back to the late 1990’s. For another, it is one of the few breweries I have visited that conducts tours in an overlapping fashion. The place is so popular that the Saturday tours have to be organized in this manner, in order to get everyone through. Milwaukee Brewing had about ten or so beers on tap when I was there and I found myself partial to the two IPA. Most of the beers are moderate in strength, but they do serve a few stronger beers, available in limited quantities. I recommend finishing all three phases of the tour because if/when you do, you will get a special mark on your wristband, good for another serving of stronger brew. They even hand you a token good for a fill up of Milwaukee Brewing beer at select area pubs. This is why the tour is such a great deal. You get to learn about the brewery, laugh at the humorous comments from the tour guides, and drink a good deal of beer along the way, all for a low price. This brewery doesn’t have a taproom like other breweries. The beer is served from a makeshift tapping space, next to the fermenters. There is no seating, either. A visit here therefore does require stamina and it also requires that your mood be one of openness. The reason I say that is because Milwaukee Brewing is designed for the more social among us. You stand, you walk, you drink, and you talk at Milwaukee Brewing. It’s not a place for a quiet afternoon and not a good choice if you value your privacy. It’s loud inside this place and locals seem to love visiting as part of their weekend routine. Finding beer in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is almost as easy as finding water to drink and while there are numerous options, Milwaukee Brewing needs to rank highly on your list of potential brewery visits. They are going to be opening a brand new location very soon, which will have a taproom and other amenities, so make sure you schedule time for a visit. The beer, the people, and so many other factors make Milwaukee Brewing an excellent choice for locally- brewed suds.
5. Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 288 reviews
Reviewed By J8703YMcharlesb - Prince George, United States
Most breweries tell you how they make beer--that is simple enough. This tour gives you the history of beer in America, takes you through the old brewery and gives you free beer on the tour. Scot was a great tour guide. Try the Endiker (sp) beer. Old school--first rate. I understand there is another tap room on the weekend tours. Unfortunately, we didn't make it to the mansion, which I'm told is a must see.
6. Urban Harvest Brewing Co
7. MobCraft Beer
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 65 reviews
At MobCraft we turn ideas into beer. Submit your idea, vote on what's next. In 2011, MobCraft founders Henry Schwartz and Andrew Gierczak dreamt up an idea for a crowdsourced brewery where the people decide what’s brewed. Our Milwaukee taproom offers our 25 tap lines featuring flagships, crowdsourced beers, beers from our Wild & Sour Program as well as a variety of taproom only releases. The spacious taproom boasts views of our brewhouse and wild & sour room, as well as foosball, ping pong, shuffleboard, outdoor seating and much more! At MobCraft we turn ideas into beer. Submit your idea, vote on what's next. In 2011, MobCraft founders Henry Schwartz and Andrew Gierczak dreamt up an idea for a crowdsourced brewery where the people decide what’s brewed. Stop by our taproom where we offer our flagships, crowdsourced beers, beers from our Wild & Sour Program as well as a variety of taproom only releases. The spacious taproom boasts views of our brewhouse and wild & sour room, as well as
Reviewed By jmolt14 - Milwaukee, United States
The tour was nice and informative, and the beer is good with a lot of unique kinds to try. There aren't too many breweries that have such a wide selection of sours so it's nice to have something different to try. It's cool how you can submit beer ideas for them to brew and they'll brew the most popular idea every month. Definitely a unique brewery experience that I would recommend!
8. Third Space Brewing
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 38 reviews
Third Space Brewing is a production brewery, tap room, outdoor beer garden and event space in Milwaukee's historic Menomonee Valley. Third Space creates high quality craft beer for customers to enjoy in a fun and inviting "Third Space" outside their first space of home and second space of work. Third Space Brewing offers a wide range of hand-crafted beers brewed right on site that can be enjoyed in its comfortable tap room and beer garden with a cool old industrial vibe.
Reviewed By zimmys57 - Delavan, United States
We stopped on a sunny September Saturday afternoon and captured an outdoor picnic table to enjoy a couple of their great tasting beers. We live an hour away but we always try to make a point to stop at this, our favorite, microbrewery when visiting Milwaukee. We need and enjoy experiencing the third space in life when we can!
9. City Lights Brewing Co.
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Craft Brewery and tap room serving excellent beer and great food. Beautiful beer garden overlooking the Menomonee River. Stop in and say Hi!
Reviewed By lexiivancamp - Madison, United States
We visited on a Friday night in February and it was exactly what we were looking for! The staff was extremely helpful, the place was very historic and cozy, and the beer was great!
10. 1840 Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By jolivergraham - Milwaukee, United States
This is one of the most unique breweries in Milwaukee, with some of the most creative beers on tap. Since they have grown a bit, more beers are on tap and more styles are available. Pop in, have a glass or two, and take some bottles to go. You won't regret the visit.
