A Milwaukee craft brewery tour that doesn’t pull punches
Milwaukee’s beers are better than ever, thanks to Milwaukee Brewing Company, Sprecher Brewery and Lakefront Brewery. When we visited Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, we had a little company – Kindra’s parents, her brother and his girlfriend came along with us.
$7 got us four 8-oz beers, a pint glass to take home, and one of the best brewery tours we’ve ever been on. Chuck, our tour guide, was knowledgeable and hilarious. We also had a chance to drink before we actually walked through the brew house, which was nice, because that made Chuck’s jokes seem even funnier. The tasting room had 4 of their beers on tap (and there were others on tap during a pit stop on the tour). The Klisch and Riverwest Stein should not be missed – and the Rendezvous Biere de Garde was terrific too.
The tour began with a history of the company and what makes Lakefront beer special. Chuck also did not mince words when it came to talking about the macro beers, so if you love Budweiser or Coors or Miller, this tour may not be for you. We then moved into the packing area and the tour took a turn for the blue. An innuendo-laced description of filling a keg creates just the right amount of awkwardness with your parents and in-laws present. The last stop was the bottling line where we recreated the scene from the opening credits of Laverne and Shirley. Chuck cued up the theme song on a boom box and we all sang along while waving at glove on a bottle moving down the line. I love Milwaukee.
Know Before You Go
Check the website for tour times. Most days have a tour at 2pm and 3pm, with tours every 2o minutes on the weekends. If you have a large party, reserve a place ahead of time.
Bottom Line
This is true Milwaukee beer brewed by true Milwaukee dudes. (They even have the old Bernie Brewer’s Chalet from County Stadium in the brew house.)
Learn More
Wisconsin’s Best Beer Guide: A Travel Companion
Thanks to Cathy Goehler for taking amazing photos!
Lakefront is the best brewery tour I have ever been on! Ok, granted I’ve only been on three thus far (not one of them Stevens Point, something I must amend as a Point native!), but future tours have a LOT to live up to. The tour guides are so full of personality and I loved the Pumpkin Lager (I was there Halloween weekend last year)!
You should definitely go to Stevens Point when you are home! We had a lot of fun there too – the kitschy tasting room alone is worth the trip.
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