Zach and I were recently discussing our favorite brewery tours in Milwaukee. For a city built on the foundation of brewing beer, we realized there aren’t a ton of great brewery tours. While there are many outstanding breweries, very few have mastered the art of the perfect tour. When friends and family visit Milwaukee from out of town, one of the first things we tell them to do is go on a brewery tour. And it’s always between two tours, both of which are entertaining and informative. So, when Zach said to me, “Let’s say our favorite brewery tour in Milwaukee on the count of three,” I assumed we’d have the same answer. But, when he said three, I said one brewery tour and he said a different one. I was surprised so we decided to write a blog post explaining our reasoning.
We’re going to take you through our two favorite brewery tours in Milwaukee and let you know at the end which is each of our favorites. Here they are, in no particular order:
To begin, Lakefront Brewery has fantastic beer. Lakefront is the maker of one of our favorite beers, Riverwest Stein (inspired by the beautiful neighborhood of Riverwest which may or may not be coming to you in coaster form soon). They also have one of the best-selling gluten-free beers in the country, along with a variety of others, including limited releases. Secondly, Lakefront Brewery is rich in history. The evolving Brewer’s Hill neighborhood is actually built around Lakefront Brewery. When you go on the tour, they show you pictures of Commerce Street where the brewery is located, which was just dirt roads and trees less than 15 years ago. You learn a lot about the history of the brewery and Milwaukee as a city in the tour. Lakefront Brewery is the most informative tour in Milwaukee. If you want to actually learn about the history of the company and how beer is made, this is the tour for you. Before the tour beings, each person receives chips to trade in for four six ounce beers along the way. While you are able to try several different types throughout the tour, your glass may not be full the entire time. However, there’s a sing-a-long, visual aids and many jokes from the tour guides. Lakefront Brewery also has one of the city’s best Friday fish fries. Or so we’ve heard. Every time we’ve tried to go there, it’s been over an hour and a half wait. We will make it there someday! Location wise, Lakefront Brewery is located right on the Milwaukee River, perfect for a walk along the water to finish out your night.
Milwaukee Brewing Company is the place to be if you’re ready for a good time. No matter what, you’ll always have fun at the Milwaukee Brewing Company tour. To start, you get an unlimited amount of beer. You read that right. An unlimited amount of beer. Upon arrival, you receive a pint glass (to take home) that you can bring up to the bar in the middle of the facility whenever you want a refill. They fill your beer about 3/4 of the way of an entire pint glass and you can try as many types of beer as you want. If you’re looking to try every beer offered (and get a little toasted), this is the tour for you. The beer at Milwaukee Brewing Company is also really good. Some of our favorites are Louie’s Demise, O-Gii and Outboard, but they are always sampling delicious seasonal selections. The tour itself, while not as informative as Lakefront, is extremely entertaining. You get to watch a video, taste hops and barely and drink with the tour guides, all while exploring the space where this delicious beer is brewed. At the end of the tour, you receive tokens for free drinks at several area bars and restaurants, encouraging more drinking and overall fun. Once the next tour begins, you can no longer indulge in samples, but Milwaukee Brewing Company is connected to Central Standard Distillery if you do get a second wind and decide to switch from beer to liquor for a tasty nightcap. Located on 2nd street in the trendy Walker’s Point neighborhood, there are many bars and restaurants within walking distance to continue exploring the beautiful city of Milwaukee.
So, did you guess whose favorite brewery tour is whose? Zach opted for the historic Lakefront Brewery tour while I went all in for the entertaining Milwaukee Brewing Company tour. Both are amazing in their own ways and no matter which you choose, you can’t go wrong.
Tell us, what is your favorite Milwaukee brewery tour?