Milwaukee has a storied brewing historical past. In reality, at one level Milwaukee was thought-about the beer capital of the world. Town earned that honorific by taking part in host to 3 of the most important names in beer: Frederick Miller, Joseph Schlitz, and Frederick Pabst. And for years, the trade revered Milwaukee as a beer producer whose liquid reached all corners of the nation. Although that is all outdated historical past, the fashionable days have led to some wonderful craft breweries in Milwaukee.
Referred to as the “Cream Metropolis” (owing to the sunshine yellow bricks that make up its oldest buildings), Milwaukee isn’t the craft beer capital of the U.S. at this time.
Extra established cities like Asheville, Denver, and even close by Grand Rapids have dominated the normal craft beer panorama whereas different cities like Portland, ME, New York, and Los Angeles have developed their beer round their culinary scenes.
Nonetheless, Milwaukee is seeing one thing of a craft beer resurgence with breweries excelling in new-school hazy IPAs and traditionally minded farmhouse ales.
Beneath we’ve rounded up 9 of the most effective craft breweries in Milwaukee.
Hop Tradition’s Greatest Craft Breweries in Milwaukee
Central Waters Brewing Firm
1037 W Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233 | (414) 271-3174
Synonymous with standout imperial barrel-aged stouts, Central Waters might be one of many buzzier brewers in Cream Metropolis.
Initially opened in Junction Metropolis, WI, in 1998, Central Waters moved to Amherst in 2006 and launched a Milwaukee taproom in 2021.
Identified for its barrel-aged beers, Central Waters additionally has a powerful core lineup with a blonde ale, purple ale, porter, and extra.
However in relation to this brewery, you most likely wish to strive one thing from the barrel room in the event you can. Such because the 5 Yr Aged Brewer’s Reserve Bourbon Barrel Barleywine or the Brewer’s Reserve Cassian Sundown, which we discovered out there on the Milwaukee taproom menu.
Eagle Park Brewing Firm
823 E Hamilton St, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 585-0123
Eagle Park has shortly risen to nationwide prominence with its Instagram-worthy milkshake IPAs and fruited sours. Whereas East Coast breweries could have been pioneers of those kinds half a decade in the past, Midwest breweries like Eagle Park are bringing the hype to the center of the nation.
Past the in-vogue beer kinds, Eagle Park makes loads of mild lagers, maltier beers, and West Coast IPAs (for the purists).
One would possibly wish to flip their nostril up at a brewery dabbling in onerous seltzer and opaque IPAs, but it surely’s plain that Eagle Park has fully nailed all the things they struggle. Plus, there’s a way of playfulness to the brewery that’s extremely endearing.
Eagle Park serves up its beer and meals at two places and has even tried out some small-batch spirits. If it hasn’t already, Eagle Park ought to be filling up your Instagram feed.
Hacienda Beer Co.
2018 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 296-7200
One other brewery worthy of nationwide acclaim, Hacienda received us over with balanced but flavorful hazy IPAs and restrained nuanced farmhouse ales. Though they produce their beer in Baileys Harbor, the spin-off of Door County Brewing Co. opened a beautiful taproom in Milwaukee correct in 2019.
The fashionable North Ave. location completely fits the gorgeous artwork route that has change into synonymous with Hacienda. Like Eagle Park, Hacienda takes a light-hearted strategy met by high quality merchandise. It Simply Does Bizarre Issues stays a favourite of ours, however we’re all the time delighted when making an attempt one thing new.
As an example, cans of Cautiously Optimistic, a hazy IPA fermented with thiolized yeast or True Hallucinations, a DIPA with Vic Secret, Idaho 7, and Mosaic.
1840 Brewing Firm
342 E Ward St, Milwaukee, WI 53207 | (414) 236-4056
1840 Brewing Firm confused us at first. We first tried their Peanut Butter and Jelly bitter ale (which was distinctive, by the way in which). That beer screamed new-school hype machine, however the branding felt refined and conventional. There was a palpable disconnect. However we quickly realized that as a substitute of being contradictory, 1840 demonstrated their attain. They might nail a giant fruited bitter and a small, delicate grisette. The brewery is really magical, bridging the outdated with the brand new.
A throwback to conventional brewing in Milwaukee, 1840 Brewing Firm references the yr that business brewing first began in Wisconsin’s greatest metropolis. And conventional actually applies right here.
Brewery Co-Founders Kyle and Stephanie Vetter began out making beer the old style manner: by sourcing wort from native breweries earlier than getting old the unfermented beer in a wide range of barrels. Immediately, they make all the things in-house. And whereas there may be nonetheless a giant give attention to barrel-aging, not all their beer results in barrels. In consequence at 1840 Brewing Firm, we discover nuanced, advanced creations throughout all kinds of kinds.
Now that you realize what they’re able to, we named 1840 to our checklist of “The 11 Greatest Breweries to Watch in 2022.”
Beerwise, we advocate you enter with an open thoughts. Take pleasure in considered one of their closely hopped IPAs and their refreshing Helles lager. 1840’s capacity to be artistic and accessible whereas additionally producing conventional, virtually easy beers is admirable and enviable. Their talent at working at each ends simply makes them among the finest breweries in Milwaukee.
Third House Brewing
1505 W St Paul Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233 | (414) 909-2337
An ode to the craft of beer, Third House Brewing celebrates a bodily area to take pleasure in beer and the beer itself.
Based by mates Kevin Wright and Andy Gehl—each Milwaukee natives—Third House produces beer throughout a wide range of kinds. Beneath the steerage of brewmaster Wright, Third House provides 5 core beers, rotating specialty ones, and a collection of seasonal choices; each sort of beer drinker can discover one thing at Third House.
Though the brewery opened in 2016, final April Third House celebrated a revamp of its brick-and-mortar, which included new customized tables, lighting, paint, TVs, and an unimaginable geometric mural. To not point out the out of doors beer backyard with area for eight people to play yard video games, collect round hearth pits, and revel in Milwaukee outside—ideally within the summertime.
Good Metropolis Brewing
2108 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202 | (414) 539-4343
333 W Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53203 | (414) 539-4343
Good Metropolis Brewing sports activities two places serving up scrumptious beer in trendy and understated cans. Plus, each places provide mouth-watering meals that pairs completely with no matter occurs to be on faucet.
Along with making nice beer, Good Metropolis commits to bettering its residence, internet hosting common service initiatives all through town. Via volunteer work, charitable donations, and neighborhood group, Good Metropolis goals to make its metropolis nice.
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212 | (414) 372-8800
Just about synonymous with blue-collar craft beer in Milwaukee, Lakefront has been “crafting an trustworthy day’s beer since 1987,” because the brewery likes to say.
Began by brothers and avid homebrewers Russ and Jim Klisch, Lakefront made a reputation for itself by constructing an unimaginable beer corridor and by brewing simply honest-to-goodness beers.
Just like the barrel-aged Breakfast Oatmeal Stout, considered one of Untappd’s highest-rated oatmeal stouts of 2022.
If Cheers had taken place at a brewery as a substitute of a bar, we think about Lakefront could be the proper place.
MobCraft Beer
505 S fifth St, Milwaukee, WI 53204 | (414) 488-2019
MobCraft began in 2011 working an enchanting crowdsourced recipe program, primarily letting drinkers resolve what the brewery would brew subsequent. Anybody might submit an thought and place a vote; MobCraft brewed the successful beer, packaged it, and made it out there on the brewery. Now MobCraft enhances its crowdsourced beer with flagships and seasonals, however the core of the brewery stays.
Plop down into one of many ’70s-looking upholstered chairs or couches, order a pizza and a pint, and revel in a few of the most democratic beer round.
Ope! Brewing Co.
6751 W Nationwide Ave, West Allis, WI 53214 | (414) 509-6700
You don’t have to say uffda at Ope! Issues are easy right here. Drink a beer; perhaps play some volleyball; have a great time.
You’ll discover a type for everybody at Ope! They generally have a fruited bitter, Italian pilsner, hazy, pale ale, kölsch, amber lager, and Belgian quad on the menu concurrently.
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