ICONIC
Lakefront Brewery
Beerline B
Iconic Milwaukee experience with entertaining tours, polka music, and fish fry Fridays along the Milwaukee River
Known for: German-style lagers and creative ales
Must try: Riverwest Stein Amber Lager
America's Beer Capital
Milwaukee Breweries Guide
From the German immigrants who built Schlitz, Pabst, and Miller to today's innovative craft brewers, Milwaukee's brewing heritage runs deep. Explore 30+ breweries in America's original beer city.
Milwaukee isn't just a city with breweries—it's a city built by breweries. In the late 1800s, German immigrants transformed this lakeside city into America's undisputed beer capital. Names like Schlitz, Pabst, Miller, and Blatz didn't just brew beer; they shaped Milwaukee's skyline, culture, and identity.
Today, Milwaukee's craft beer renaissance honors that legacy while pushing boundaries. From the polka-filled tours at Lakefront Brewery to barrel-aged sours at 1840 Brewing, there's a brewery for every palate. Whether you're planning a Walker's Point brewery crawl or seeking the perfect brewery patio, this guide has you covered.
Iconic & Historic Breweries
These Milwaukee institutions carry on the city's legendary brewing tradition
ICONIC
Milwaukee Brewing Company
Walker's Point
Historic former railway building with exposed brick, spacious taproom, and rotating food trucks
Known for: Bold American ales and experimental brews
Must try: Louie's Demise Amber Ale
ICONIC
Sprecher Brewing Company
Glendale
Family-friendly brewery famous for craft sodas, European-style beers, and engaging tours
Known for: Bavarian-inspired craft beers and legendary root beer
Must try: Black Bavarian Schwarzbier
Milwaukee Craft Breweries
The new generation pushing Milwaukee's brewing boundaries with innovation and creativity
MobCraft Beer
Walker's Point
Eclectic taproom where fans vote on what gets brewed next—expect the unexpected
Style: Crowdsourced creative and wild ales
Try: Batshit Crazy Coffee Brown Ale
Enlightened Brewing Company
Bay View
Cozy neighborhood taproom in a converted warehouse with rotating art installations
Style: Belgian-inspired and hop-forward ales
Try: Cream City Brix IPA
Good City Brewing
East Side / Downtown
Modern industrial chic with multiple locations including a downtown taproom near Fiserv Forum
Style: West Coast-style IPAs and clean lagers
Try: Good City Pils
Third Space Brewing
Menomonee Valley
Spacious family-friendly brewery with games, food trucks, and a welcoming community atmosphere
Style: Balanced American ales and lagers
Try: Happy Place Midwest Pale Ale
Urban Harvest Brewing
Walker's Point
Intimate nano-brewery focused on sustainability and neighborhood connections
Style: Sessionable ales and locally-sourced ingredients
Try: Urban Harvest Cream Ale
Indeed Brewing Company
Walker's Point
Minnesota transplant with a vibrant taproom, murals, and strong community programming
Style: Creative ales and seasonal specialties
Try: Day Tripper Pale Ale
Gathering Place Brewing Company
Riverwest
Community-focused brewery hosting events, live music, and neighborhood gatherings
Style: Hop-driven ales and experimental small batches
Try: Hop Yard IPA
1840 Brewing Company
Walker's Point
Intimate speakeasy-style taproom for serious sour beer enthusiasts
Style: Barrel-aged sours and mixed fermentation
Try: Their rotating barrel-aged sour series
Component Brewing Company
Bay View
Tiny nano-brewery with a neighborhood feel and constantly changing tap list
Style: Small-batch experimental ales
Try: Rotating seasonal series
Broken Bat Brewing Company
Walker's Point
Baseball memorabilia-filled taproom perfect for sports fans and beer lovers alike
Style: Baseball-themed American ales
Try: Corkball Cream Ale
Milwaukee Brewery Tours
Go behind the scenes and learn the craft from Milwaukee's master brewers
Lakefront Brewery Tour
Milwaukee's most entertaining brewery tour featuring unlimited samples, comedy, and polka
$15-20
45 minutes
Sprecher Brewery Tour
Family-friendly tour showcasing Bavarian brewing traditions and craft soda production
$10-15
1 hour
Milwaukee Brewing Company Tour
Behind-the-scenes look at craft brewing in a historic Walker's Point building
$12-15
45 minutes
Brewery Walking Tours
Guided neighborhood brewery crawls through Walker's Point or Bay View
$45-65
3-4 hours
Pro tip: Book Lakefront Brewery's Friday night tour for fish fry and live polka!
Best Brewery Patios
Sip your craft beer in the fresh Milwaukee air. See our complete Milwaukee patio guide for more outdoor drinking spots.
1
Lakefront Brewery
Riverside deck with stunning views of the Milwaukee River and downtown skyline
2
Third Space Brewing
Spacious outdoor area with yard games, fire pits, and food truck parking
3
Good City Brewing (East Side)
Rooftop patio with city views and a lively summer atmosphere
4
Indeed Brewing Company
Colorful patio with murals, string lights, and a dog-friendly vibe
5
Gathering Place Brewing
Intimate courtyard perfect for neighborhood hangs and live music
Milwaukee Beer Gardens
Honoring the German tradition with outdoor drinking in Milwaukee's beautiful parks
Estabrook Park Beer Garden
Milwaukee's first park-based beer garden with German imports and local craft beers
South Shore Terrace Beer Garden
Lakefront views at South Shore Park with a family-friendly atmosphere
The Landing at Hoyt Park
Scenic beer garden in Wauwatosa's beautiful Hoyt Park
Hubbard Park Beer Garden
Historic lodge setting along the Milwaukee River in Shorewood
Pro tip: Milwaukee's beer gardens typically operate from May through October. Check individual hours as they vary by weather and season. Most allow you to bring your own food!
Breweries by Neighborhood
Walker's Point
MobCraft, Indeed, Milwaukee Brewing Co., 1840, Urban Harvest, Broken Bat
Explore Walker's Point →Bay View
Enlightened Brewing, Component Brewing
East Side / Downtown
Good City Brewing (multiple locations)
Riverwest
Gathering Place Brewing Company
Milwaukee Breweries FAQ
Plan Your Milwaukee Brewery Adventure
Ready to explore more of Milwaukee? Check out our guides to the city's best neighborhoods, patios, and activities.