The Explorium Brewpub

 

76th Street in the Milwaukee burbs means serious business, and towards the tail-end going south on the premise of the Southgate Mall is the Explorium Brewpub. The space is enclosed enough to where you don't feel that you're in a shopping mall, as there is enough decor to give Explorium its own ecosystem. Greendale's smallest liquor store greets you as you enter with a small selection of bourbon, but further along you will find a cooler at one end of the bar merchandised with different 4-packs of Explorium beer. During the warmer months, there's a outdoor bar which operates as well as its own private patio with firepits and stage for live music. But it's cold outside, so I'm staying indoors this visit.

Its house beers as well as its varied selection are the two major strengths of Explorium. The drink menu can read sloppy because you will find hard sodas and cider mixed in with the long list of beers without a separate list, and even then the beer menu and many draft and can pours blended together on the menu, so keep reading along if you are picky about can pours. But my oh my, what a long list! 33 different Explorium beers during my visit last night with around three-quarters of the list being draft. A list of everyday staples like the Humboldt's Hefeweizen, Cream City Crusher, Crocus Lager, Damn! That's Good! Double IPA ride along with a strong rotation of beers, such as their Milwaukee County Stout series, Lost in the Sauce series, Rye So Serious, and Tripel Tripel Tripel. The beer is often good quality as well, a lot of high 3's if I were scoring with some 4's mixed in, and to add texture to the experience is the use of glassware; even the IPA's are served in those Spiegelau sets which were on fire when they came out a decade back.

Food and service have been inconsistent during my several visits. My very first visit five years back saw my calzone served to me with unmelted cheese in the middle, sent back to the kitchen, and the second attempt yielded the same result, but when it was right the third time it was good. At the bar, you can expect solid service speed if you're just there for a beer, but I've had times when I've ordered food where the order takes a long time to come out, even with respect to the disclaimer that calzones can take 30 minutes to cook. Last night I ordered a flavorsome Cuban sandwich which took longer than anticipated to reach me, however there are some full-fledged entrees to go with the common brewpub eats of pizzas, sandwiches, and appetizers. The beer cheese soup is a pleasure as well.

It seems out of place to have a quality brewpub at a shopping mall (especially a non-chain/franchise), but Explorium has figured out that formula to ride into success. There's also a second location next to downtown Milwaukee if you're unable to reach Greendale, but if you can, stop by for some drinks.

Great pretzel that feeds 3 easy. One of the best I have had. Flatbread pizzas are very good. A great selection of beers on tap. Very enjoyable experience each time I have gone there.

Visited with a friend on a Thursday afternoon. Cozy ambiance with ample seating options. We sat at the bar and the bartender was more than happy to chat about the beers. Varied serving sizes with good pricing. The beers I tried were all solid (with one exception - a kiwi farmhouse ale that tasted like soap) and one was exceptional. I'd be happy to visit again when I'm in the area down the road.

What a great meal!! Hostess and service staff were extremely friendly, knowledgeable and helpful. Food absolutely on point! And their beer will rock your world!! ...And did I mention the ambiance is beautiful and sexy, but still relaxed and comfortable! Very very impressed... If you have not been, get your arse over here to check it out! ;) Cheers and Happy New Year!

I've been to Explorium several times and I'm impressed. Despite being in a mall the beer, vibe, and especially the food are all very good. Aging barrels of beer are in the restaurant near tables with the specific beer, type of barrel, and date of filling on each barrel. Wide selection of beer available from lagers, pastry stouts, NEIPAs, and BA beers. Food is varied and quite tasty.

 

 

 

 

 

Brewery and brewpub located in a shopping mall. Large dining room plus an outdoor patio with both a bar and tables. Quality of the beer was good to very good. Service was friendly and helpful. Selection of twenty-seven different beers on tap when I visited last. Food was well above average for a brewpub. We especially liked the pizza.

Best in the area! Rated highly as they hit it out of the park twice in a row! We visited a lot of breweries and restaurants in the area, and Explorium was clearly tops. We returned here twice in three days as it was so good. Most of the time if a brewery has food, it's just mediocre bar fare, but not here. Crazy big angus beef burgers, bison burgers, pizza that was some of the best, and a menu with a lot more selections that you will enjoy such as mussels done three ways, an excellent shepherds pie, and a killer flatiron steak. We will return many times to go down this menu. The prices are absolutely fair for what they deliver, and they deliver. Now for the beer. We did flights of a lot of their brews, some which were textbook examples of historic styles executed flawlessly, and others that were completely mind-blowing such as the "Funky Doc Rae" which was a sour collaboration that is amazingly different than the regular Doc Rae. The Cascade Wet Hop IPA was magnificent, the hefeweizen was better than most, and the toasted coconut porter was another mind-blower (made with specially selected coconut). They are doing amazing things here and are collaborating with many great brewers around the USA. Don't let the size or the location fool you, this is probably the best overall brewery in the Milwaukee area and beyond. I travel, and I know beer and food, so I will be telling everyone to get over here and experience this as much as possible. Also need to mention that they have a great outside beer garden and patio bar where they have a fire pit and a lot of space heaters. This was opened up when we were there and we enjoyed a beer with the locals and the temps were in the low 30's and everyone was having a great time. Wish we lived closer!!!! Go here and enjoy one of the best you'll ever find!