Here’s an ongoing list of breweries in Milwaukee that I recommend—I’ll update regularly as I go.
Cheers to delicious brews in the Cream City!
Eagle Park Brewing Company
A fruited flight was a delightful order at this brewery close to Water Street. The vibe was fun and casual and the food look delicious as other people ordered it. We really enjoyed the beer from start to finish and have plans to return, especially to sample some curds.
823 E Hamilton St, Milwaukee, WI 53202
http://www.eagleparkbrewing.com
Good City Brewing (East Side)
With two locations, Good City Brewing is a Milwaukee staple. We went to the east side location, which is conveniently close to Wally’s doggie daycare. I loved their group-friendly space, “seek the good” motto, and a delightful sour beer on tap. They also have food, which I can’t wait to try on our next visit.
2108 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
http://www.goodcitybrewing.com
Hacienda Brewing Company
Hacienda Brewing Company (HBC, as the sign above the door reads) is in Milwaukee’s East Side—one of my favorite areas in the city. It’s right on the corner of a wild intersection, the energy is bustling, and the inside is immaculate.
The vibes are “trendy design dreams of the hipster elite,” and the food and beer is just as entertaining. I went with the delicious tacos and a guest sour, while Chad enjoyed one of their IPAs—their specialty—and a green chile burger.
2018 E North Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53202
http://www.haciendabeerco.com/hacienda-north-ave
Lakefront
Lakefront has been our neighborhood haunt and the place we’ve gone the most since moving to MKE—not only has it been a 2 minute walk away from our home, it’s also an incredible place to be. The beer is fantastic (I ordered the La Gosa Rita once, and I can’t bring myself to divert to anything else), the vibes are cool (a large beer hall with long tables and rotating events, like drag queen bingo and trivia, plus outdoor riverside seating), and the cheese curds are some of the best I’ve ever had.
Favorite brewery of all time, hands down.
1872 N Commerce St, Milwaukee, WI 53212
http://www.lakefrontbrewery.com
MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom
During our first visit to Mobcraft, a trendy little number in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, I was initially a little worried when all tables were taken and Chad and I were standing awkwardly in a corner with our drinks. However, pretty quickly some bar seats opened up and we were able to enjoy a few pours of some very tasty drinks. I loved the sours they had on tap – variations of the same drink, though one had a lemon meringue flavor. Overall it was delicious and a fun atmosphere.
505 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
http://www.mobcraftbeer.com
New Barons Brewing Cooperative
With only six beers on tap, my favorite thing about this brewery is the aesthetic. I enjoy the vibe and the building and the atmosphere (there were board games and exposed brick, a killer combination), though I hope to see a wider selection come summertime. If you like IPAs and stouts, New Barons might just be up your alley.
2018 S 1st St #170, Milwaukee, WI 53207
http://www.newbaronsbrewing.com
Sprecher Brewing Company
Lauded as Milwaukee’s oldest craft brewery, Sprecher Brewing Co. is located in Glendale (west of the city). Not only do they have a tap room serving several German-style beers, they also serve house-made sodas of varying flavors. The pop, along with bites of food, makes Sprecher a hit for families.
Note: we bought a four-pack of Sprecher soda from their store and brought them home to drink. I loved them even more than the beer—the raspberry is my favorite.
701 W Glendale Ave, Glendale, WI 53209
http://www.sprecherbrewery.com
Urban Harvest Brewing Company
Walker’s Point is a neighborhood with industrial buildings and eclectic shops, something of a hipster’s hangout. Urban Harvest is right in the thick of it (and a contributing factor), with a variety of pretty classic and German-influenced beers on the menu.
1024 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204
http://www.urbanharvestbrewing.com
1840 Brewing Company
While it used to feel like a rarity to find sour beers on tap, it’s now something of a mainstream wonderland. Such was the case at 1840, which had several different fruited options available. Though our stop was a quick one in Bayview, we expect to go back to this dog-friendly and lowkey establishment.
342 E Ward St, Milwaukee, WI 53207
http://www.1840brewing.com
Bonus: Beer Gardens
Tap Yard. This Schlitz Park beer garden (though they have several locations) is amazing: a trailer on the river, serving up delicious beer. Dogs, brews, river views…you just can’t lose. It’s even better for Chad and I, who can easily walk from our home.
Hubbard Park Beer Garden. Imagine a beautifully green park with hills and a gorgeous view of the river. Now, add a beer garden. Hubbard Park’s beer garden is wooded and gorgeous, and they serve beer in giant steins if you’re interested.
[…] Beer, usually from Lakefront or Mobcraft […]