Good City Brewing

The original spot of Good City Brewing. I must use my imagination to go back to 2016 and wonder if they saw themselves opening several more spots around the area and merging with Explorium by 2025. It's safe to say that Good City Brewing is a success, and it's easy to see why; in general their beer is enjoyable, it's comfortable inside, and there's around 20 house beers pouring at one time. A few aspects of this location feel rough at a few edges, especially as I've visited their newer Mequon and Wauwatosa locations.

However, I'm about the beer. 21 different beers pouring with a theme towards hoppier brews, a few mainstays mixed with many which are rotated in and out. Unfortunately, 4 of their beers were out, including the New Zealand IPA Vellum I wanted! I settled on a Sand Trappe, a Belgian blonde brewed with lemon and black tea; very different, but not really my cup of tea. But what I've had from Good City in the past has been quite appealing.

I snacked on pickled veggies as a way to tease myself that I was eating healthy while I drank. Very savory, maybe too savory. I would split the pickled veggies with a second person, as my palate was decimated halfway through the small bowl.

I appreciate seeing the roots of a brewery which have grown with time. Wauwatosa and Mequon are more convenient where I'm at, but if you're from out of town the original Good City Brewing is a good place to taste some of what Milwaukee is brewing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This review is for the downtown location. What a cool spot. Very big with tons of seating both inside and outside and on the roof. Very cool vibe in a very cool part of town.

 

 

 

 

Bright, clean and comfortable brewery and brewpub. Quality of the beer was average to above average. Service was fine. Selection included eleven different beers on tap. Food was decent.

Love this place

Stopped by Good City before I had to attend a fundraiser. I found a seat at the bar, and immediately had a server come by, and take the time to tell me about a few new beers that were just released. He offered samples, and gave me time to make a decision on them. I ordered a flight which consisted of Detail (Porter), Lord Lyon (Scottish Ale), and Strahl (Hefeweizen). My favorite of the three was the Lord Lyon, which I also was able to taste as a Barrel Aged variant. I also ordered the sauteed mushrooms which were delicious! I'd definitely stop by again!

SAUTEED MUSHROOMS

Good vibe, friendly service, good beer.

 

 

Nice casual vibe with open atmosphere with bar, communal, and table seating. Not an extensive food menu but decent variety. I had the chicken laksa (curry with egg noodles, etc.) and it was good. Approximately 6 beers on tap with decent mix of pale/ipa and two lagers (which was very nice to see).

 

 

Somehow this brewery only had 5 really basic beers on tap, none of which were especially well done. The food menu was really limited and they were closing the kitchen at 7pm. It looked like they had stopped painting the walls when they got to the edges and the roof deck was a few tables with no landscaping. It seems like they skimped on all the details and just hoped you wouldn't notice. After having gone to Company and Black Husky earlier in the day, this was a real let down. I could not see suggesting this to anyone unless you live in the neighborhood and don't feel like traveling far for a beer.

 

 

 

 

 

Have been twice now and have really enjoyed the beer and the food each time. Large enough that you can find a place to sit, though it's become fairly popular already. Decently wide selection of food from steak frites to burgers to vegetarian options.

I honestly wanted to like this place. There are so few high qualities breweries in Milwaukee, and Good City has not joined those few at the top. Instead, they have joined the ranks of the Milwaukee mediocrity in an effort to churn out beers that are simply okay. It's difficult to blame them for doing the bare minimum needed to satisfy competing with the likes of Lakefront, MKE Brewing, etc, but it's also difficult to understand why they wouldn't try to distinguish themselves either.

In the interest of fairness, I waited almost 6 months after they opened to write this (originally reviewed immediately after they opened, but wrote this in November). I visited on opening day, and have tried the beer here on a couple occasions since. Unfortunately, I remain unimpressed, and can't imagine going out of my way to try any of the other beers. I will, at the same time, compliment the staff. They've been ready, willing, and able to discuss all aspects of the brewery, and quite pleasant at the same time. I have yet to try any of the food, but have heard very good things about most of it.