10 Best Breweries and Beer Places in Waukesha

"Wisconsin is famous for its Friday fish fries, and those visiting Milwaukee will find one of the city’s favorites at Lakefront Brewery. Located in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood on the Milwaukee River, the brewery was the first in the United States to make its beer from 100 percent in-state grown ingredients. With 80,000 people touring the brewery every year, it’s one of America’s most popular tours among those that include four six-ounce pours of delicious brews."

"After the big boys that made Milwaukee famous and before the craft-beer boom that has seen dozens of third-wave options sprout in just the past few years, Lakefront became the most ubiquitous local beer of area bars and liquor stores. Rent one of its mini riverfront “hop houses” — private dining spaces complete with heating, wood floors, and white tablecloths — to sample the beer-battered cod at a Friday fish fry. Indoor dining, outdoor dining, takeout, delivery."

"Lakefront Brewery is located on the edge of the Milwaukee River and features an array of beers, bar bites and the best brewery tour in Milwaukee, according to OnMilwaukee readers."

"Lower East Side Since opening in summer of 2016, the folks behind Good City have already expanded its taproom and doubled its production capacity, so they must be doing something right. They also just announced that they're going to open a two-story second location on the downtown entertainment block, adjacent to the new Bucks arena, that will focus on brewing sours. They've got a lot on their plate right now, but they're handling it in stride; tours are kept to a maximum of 10 people, and so they tend to be intimate and informative with lots of opportunity for question-asking.Tour info: Saturdays only at 1pm and 2pm for $10."

"Our newest location in the heart of the Bucks' Entertainment District includes a taproom, restaurant, and 350-seat private event space. It houses our pilot brewing system and wile ale program."

"Good City Brewing is an East Side brewery with an industrial-meets-chic taproom offering craft beer, chef-driven internationally-inspired plates and weekly tours. Good City = good times."

"Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery is a tavern, event center, and a gift shop located in the old Historic Pabst Brewery. Owner Jim Haertel has lovingly restored The Best Place, as well as some parts of the old brewery. For a small fee, you can take a guided tour that starts at The Best pub and takes you through the history of Pabst brewery from 1844 when Best & Company started its life right up to today."

"The brewery is no longer brewing, so while technically you’re touring what was once a brewery, it’s really more of a beer history tour. You do get to drink a free Pabst or Schlitz during the tour, and that’s enough to make up for the lack of actual brewing. The buildings and spaces are beautiful -- there’s a ton of weddings held here -- so if you’re into MKE history and architecture this is your tour."

"Best Place, which originally housed The Pabst Brewing Company’s corporate offices and an area for hospitality, includes a beer hall, gift shop, a brewery tour center, two courtyards and a coffee shop. Currently, every area of Best Place is closed except for the coffee shop, which celebrated its reopening July 3."

"Driving into downtown from the west, you’ll notice the City Lights Brewery building overlooking the city. As the name suggests, this historic building once supplied the power to light the city, and today people can tour the building and see the classic design by Alexander Eschweiler, steel exported by Andrew Carnegie and brickwork hand-glazed by Tiffany. That’s just one of the many opportunities to tour and taste breweries in Milwaukee, from up-and-coming craft brewers and classics like Miller Brewing, Milwaukee Brewing Company, Sprecher Brewery and more."

"Menomonee River Valley The two owners of Third Space met at summer camp, and maybe that's why one of their flagship beers is called Happy Place. That may also be why their outdoor beer garden welcomes pets, kids, food trucks, and general al fresco merriment. There are only two tours offered most weeks, but up to 25 people are allowed on each tour -- and if you're lucky, one of the owners will be your tour guide."

"Located in the undeveloped industrial park in Milwaukee’s Menomonee River Valley (not too far from the Third Ward), Third Space Brewing has an undeniably cool space in an old warehouse building with exposed brick and infrastructure. They have a large taproom as well as an outdoor beer garden to enjoy those coveted Wisconsin summers. It’s an awesome place to hang out & enjoy high quality, delicious beer."

"Situated in the Walker’s Point neighborhood, Urban Harvest Brewing Company has a family vibe. The brewery has made a name for itself since its recent establishment in 2016 with signature beers such as 414 Golden Ale (named after the Milwaukee area code), Espresso Amber, and Ach Ya Der Hey-Fe Weizen. Stop by during one of its weekend tastings and tours, and check out its on-site 50 person theater."

"What’s on tap: More than a dozen different brews, which is a lot considering Urban Harvest has a relatively small two-barrel system. Reason to go: It’s cozy, and because it’s just a short walk to the Sprecher Walker’s Point Taproom (706 S. 5th St.) and MobCraft (505 S. 5th St.) you can make a crawl out of it. Urban Harvest feels like a friendly neighborhood bar."

"Tap highlights: Baseball-themed brews like the tasty Straight Chedd Apricot IPA and Climb the Wall Farmhouse Ale. Reason to go: You like baseball as much as owners Tim Pauly and Dan McElwee. The unique downstairs space in the heart of the Third Ward has Cream City brick walls and is adorned with baseball-themed beer labels made by Mindspike Design."

"Drinking beer is a favorite pastime of Milwaukeeans during baseball season. Broken Bat Brewing Co. helps visitors keep those passions alive. Fun flavors with baseball-themed names such as Yabo!"

"What’s on tap: An impressive selection of varied styles that includes standouts like Down the Road A’piece NEIPA, Rose’s Sour Ale and Chase Ave."

"Milwaukee beer just wouldn’t be what it is without the Milwaukee Brewing Company. Not only is this one of the best Milwaukee breweries to actually tour, but it’s also home to savoury food and an impressive pay-as-you-go tap bar. The award-winning craft beer here uses local ingredients and the brewery is dedicated to sustainable practices, which carry a lot of weight when in the modern-day craft beer world."

"Milwaukee Brewing Company started as a brewpub at the Milwaukee Ale House in 1997 and 20 years later, it's still going strong. So strong, in fact, that the brewery opened a larger facility on North 9th Street this past year."

"Dream Dance Steak is an award-winning steakhouse in Milwaukee that offers a variety of delicious steaks, tasty seafood dishes, and seasonal innovations, along with appetizers, salads and sides, all of which are prepared using locally sourced and the finest quality ingredients. The elegant, smoke-free steakhouse is perfect for a special date night and serves a refined menu boasting three-course dining options and a 600-bottle wine list to pair with every dish. The upscale steakhouse boasts walls adorned with Native American art and cozy, intimate ambiance in which to savor some of the best steaks and fine wines in the state."

"Milwaukee is a major drinking town, which mean proper hangover cures are a necessity. Sobelman’s on St. Paul is down in the up-and-coming Menominee Valley area and is globally known for its comically extravagant Bloody Mary garnishes. These can include anything from a cheeseburger slider, a slice of pizza, or a whole fried chicken...or all three!"

"This place is -- you guessed it -- a drive through, and a drive through only. Mini donuts are all that's offered, but you get to choose whether you want them shaken in powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar or both. These little guys are addictive so buy them by the dozen, or else you might not have any for yourself once your coworkers get a whiff."

"Located near Cambridge, Riverview and Kenilworth on North Avenue, this donut shop is sure to leave your mouth watering!. We recommend the cinnamon mini donuts."