Milwaukee is synonymous with beer (2024)

From Beer Capital of the World to Craft Beer Incubator

Only one city can claim to be "The Beer Capital of the World” and that city is Milwaukee. Once home to Miller, Schlitz, Pabst and Blatz breweries (to name a few), Milwaukee is now a leader in the ever-evolving art of craft brewing. Whether you opt for a tasting tour, relax at one of the area’s many beer gardens (be sure to visit “Milwaukee’s Original Biergarten” at Old Heidelberg Park!); hop on the Beer Titans History bus tour(hopheadtours.com); ride on the East Troy Beer Tasting Train; brew your own beer (check out beerbarons.org); imbibe in non-alcoholic and gluten-removed or gluten-friendly craft beers now offered at many local breweries such as Lakefront Brewery, Good City Brewing, Eagle Park Brewing & Explorium Brewpub; join in the froth frenzy of Oktoberfest celebrations; take a class at Third Space Brewing’s popular Beer School (thirdspacebrewing.com); or simply grab a cold pick-six to share at a tailgate or BBQ, Brew City is sure to serve up a “hoppy” experience!

The region has so much to offer, we recommend you check out online guides like beeradvocate.com tosee what’s on tap!

The Beer Baron Legacy

Beer is embedded deep in Milwaukee’s history, architecture and culture. Captain Frederick Pabst built the ornate Pabst Theater, which has been heralded as the city’s most elegant performance venue. The former Pabst brewing grounds have been transformed into a restaurant, boutique hotel, offices and residential space, while his former home, the Pabst Mansion(pabstmansion.com), now serves as a house museum, showcasing the home’s craftsmanship, original furnishings, and fine arts collection. Holiday tours are especially memorable. Many of the city’s beer barons – Frederick Pabst, Joseph Schlitz, Jacob Best and Valentin Blatz – were laid to rest at historic Forest Home Cemetery on the city’s south side.

Brewery Tours

Some brewery tours worth knowing about:

  • MolsonCoors:One-hour walking tour allows guests to experience an up-close look at the brewhouse, packaging center and historic caves. Tours conclude at the historic Miller Inn or outdoor beer garden, where adult guests can enjoy frosty samples. 4251 W. State St., Milwaukee. Telephone: (414) 931-BEER.millercoors.com
  • Lakefront Brewery: Award-winning food and engaging 45-minute tours through a historic landmark alongside the Milwaukee River. Check the website for daily tour times. Private tours and catering available for large groups. 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee. Virtual tour available. Telephone: (414) 372-8800.lakefrontbrewery.com
  • Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery: Experience old world charm and Gemütlichkeit while learning the intriguing history of how the Best and Pabst families grew the brewery to become America's largest by 1874. After battling to retain its market share, the iconic brewery eventually closed in 1996, but its contributions to Milwaukee continue to be celebrated in this highly acclaimed tour. 917 W. Juneau Avenue, Milwaukee. Telephone: (414) 223-4709.bestplacemilwaukee.com/tours
  • Sprecher Brewing Company:Milwaukee’s original craft brewery, known locally for its selection of beers and nationally for its root beer. 45-minute tours offered Thurs-Sun. with four samples and unlimited soda. 701 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Telephone: (414) 964-BREW.
    sprecherbrewery.com

Craft Brew Events

  • Wisconsin Beer Lovers Festival: Bayshore, Glendale (June)
  • Firkin Fest: Cathedral Square Park, Downtown Milwaukee (July)
  • Milwaukee Brewfest:McKinley Park, Milwaukee Lakefront (July)
  • Mitten Fest: Burnhearts Bar, Bay View (February)

Distilleries & Wineries

Beer may dominate Milwaukee’s history, but the region is also home to many established wineries and up-and-coming craft distilleries.

Spirited Options

For The Love of Wine

Milwaukee is synonymous with beer (2024)

FAQs

Is Milwaukee known for beer? ›

Whether it's on tap, in bottles, cans or kegs, beer is what "Made Milwaukee Famous." From legendary German brewers Blatz, Pabst, Schlitz and Miller to modern craft brew masters, Milwaukee's beer heritage and culture continues.

Why is Milwaukee called Beer City? ›

The city is nationally recognized with the nickname "Brew City" due to its nearly two centuries of brewing heritage from multiple past major brewers including Miller Brewing Company, Pabst Brewing Company, and Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.

Is Milwaukee the beer capital of the world? ›

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has long held the Beer Capital of the World title. So, what's the buzz about? Milwaukee and beer have been inseparable since the 1850s. This is where titans like Miller, Blatz, Schlitz, and Pabst made their mark.

What is Milwaukee best known for? ›

Explore Milwaukee. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, Milwaukee is perhaps best known for its famous breweries and the Major League Brewers, but there's more to the city than beer and baseball. Milwaukee is rich in historical and cultural attractions, making it the perfect place for a weekend of exploring.

What is Milwaukee's best nickname? ›

Light-colored bricks made of clay gave Milwaukee the nickname "Cream City." You'll see plenty of these pale creamy yellow bricks on historic buildings throughout the city.

Why is Wisconsin known for beer? ›

Brewing has been a Wisconsin tradition since the Territorial era, and records of the state's earliest breweries date back to the 1830s. The growth of breweries in Wisconsin is often linked to the increased settlement of German immigrants in the state.

What is the nickname for Milwaukee? ›

Cream City

What is the beer capital of the United States? ›

Grand Rapids has been known as Beer City USA since 2012, when the city tied Asheville, North Carolina in an online poll to determine America's best beer city.

What was Milwaukee originally called? ›

The Potawatomis pronounced it Mahn-ah-wauk, meaning council grounds. The first written mention of a word closely resembling Milwaukee was recorded in 1761. A British officer stationed in Green Bay, Lt. James Gorrell, transcribed the name of the area as Milwacky.

What beer is only sold in Milwaukee? ›

Today the company brews a variety of beers, with its Spotted Cow label leading in sales. New Glarus brewing employs about 90 people today. The brewery made the choice to pull out of Illinois sales effective 2003 leading to the sale of New Glarus beer 'Only In Wisconsin' today.

What beer made Milwaukee famous? ›

Its namesake beer, Schlitz ( /ˈʃlɪts/), was known as "The beer that made Milwaukee famous" and was advertised with the slogan "When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer".

Who drinks the most beer in America? ›

The States That Drink the Most Beer Overall

Naturally, the most highly populated states in America are the states that consume the most beer, with California — the most populous state in the U.S. — leading the pack with 795.2 million gallons of beer drunk in 2021.

Why is Milwaukee special? ›

Milwaukee is known as the “City of Festivals” because of the numerous ethnic and cultural festivals held throughout the summer months. The largest is Summerfest, one of the world's biggest music festivals.

Is Milwaukee cheap to live in? ›

Milwaukee is also the seventh most affordable metropolitan market for homebuyers according to the American Enterprise Institute. According to Move.org, it has the 22nd best “cost of living” out of the United States' top 75 cities, accounting for monthly expenses like rent, utilities, food and gas.

What's unique about Milwaukee? ›

Milwaukee, WI, is more than just a city known for its breweries and cheese. With its rich history, diverse neighborhoods, and thriving arts scene, Milwaukee offers a unique lifestyle for its residents. From the iconic Milwaukee Art Museum to the bustling Riverwalk, there's always something new to explore in this city.

Which beer made Milwaukee famous? ›

Its namesake beer, Schlitz ( /ˈʃlɪts/), was known as "The beer that made Milwaukee famous" and was advertised with the slogan "When you're out of Schlitz, you're out of beer".

What is the most famous beer in Wisconsin? ›

The origin story of Spotted Cow, Wisconsin's most famous craft beer.

What city is known as Brew city? ›

The City of Anaheim has alcohol manufacturing roots dating back to the founding of the city in the 1800's. The climate for production of beer, wine and distilled spirits was perfect for the City's founding business leaders.

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