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Lakefront Brewery, Inc.




1872 N Commerce St.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53212
United States
(414) 372-8800 | map
lakefrontbrewery.com
Notes:
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Reviewed by dexterk1 from Illinois
3.91/5 rDev -8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25
3.91/5 rDev -8%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4.25
Great cheese curds. Very solid beer quality and selection. Cool vibe with a big beer hall and large communal tables. Nice outside area as well along the river. Easy to get to from downtown Milwaukee.
Feb 28, 2023Reviewed by NCSapiens from Indiana
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
4.16/5 rDev -2.1%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.25 | food: 4.25
Cool place, really large historic old factory building with nice brick, in a neat location by the river (where you can sit outside). Brewery tour was great, so make sure to take an hour to do that (fun and informative and get two beers and a pint glass for $13). Pretty good food- I had the cheese curds, pretzel, and fish fry, and all were great). The quality of the beers is better than an average craft brewery, but not exceptional. That said, the history of the brewery and coolness of the location make it a must stop if you find yourself in Milwaukee.
Jul 23, 2022Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)
4/5 rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
4/5 rDev -5.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Visited with my wife on a recent trip to Holland, MI and Milwaukee, WI.
Tried the following:
Lakefront Maibock (draft)
Lakefront India Pale Ale (draft)
Lakefront Hazy Rabbit (flight sample)
Lakefront Funnel Cake Cream Ale (flight sample)
Lakefront My Turn #30 Chuck Malt Liquor (flight sample)
Lakefront Brewers Series: Gose w/ Lime & Salt (flight sample)
The Maibock and IPA were excellent while the flight beers ranged from decent to very good. For lunch we split the Spicy Italian Sausage with sauteed peppers, Fried Brussels Sprouts and Cheese Curds, and Buffalo Chicken Salad – everything was delicious. Seems like they run a solid kitchen here. Laidback and approachable atmosphere in the gargantuan taproom; gorgeous patio on the river. We had fun taking pictures with the statues in front of the brewery. Service was strong as the bartenders did an admirable job of describing the beers and our food came to the table in reasonable time. Also bought some schwag and beer to go. Our overall experience was enjoyable, and we would probably come back.
Apr 13, 2020Tried the following:
Lakefront Maibock (draft)
Lakefront India Pale Ale (draft)
Lakefront Hazy Rabbit (flight sample)
Lakefront Funnel Cake Cream Ale (flight sample)
Lakefront My Turn #30 Chuck Malt Liquor (flight sample)
Lakefront Brewers Series: Gose w/ Lime & Salt (flight sample)
The Maibock and IPA were excellent while the flight beers ranged from decent to very good. For lunch we split the Spicy Italian Sausage with sauteed peppers, Fried Brussels Sprouts and Cheese Curds, and Buffalo Chicken Salad – everything was delicious. Seems like they run a solid kitchen here. Laidback and approachable atmosphere in the gargantuan taproom; gorgeous patio on the river. We had fun taking pictures with the statues in front of the brewery. Service was strong as the bartenders did an admirable job of describing the beers and our food came to the table in reasonable time. Also bought some schwag and beer to go. Our overall experience was enjoyable, and we would probably come back.
Reviewed by DoubleJ from Wisconsin
3.8/5 rDev -10.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
3.8/5 rDev -10.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 4
This is the craft brewery that was made famous by Milwaukee. With redevelopment happening on the drive to the brewery, the building looks out of place, as it stands to remind of the past. Whenever I visit any new place, I visualize what I'm going to get, and I couldn't had been more off at Lakefront. First off, Lakefront has a massive taproom with the look and feel of a Munich beer hall. The bar to get your beer is off to one side, the food counter off to another side. Long wooden tables aplenty here, a stage for music just off-center in the beer hall. Solid Wednesday night crowd on hand.
I saw 13 different beers pouring from tap and a couple coolers worth of four and six-packs, plus single bottles (for here or to-go, I don't know. Heavier on the German influence, so expect several lagers (pale and dark), a bock, plus a few American-styles like IPA, pale ale, and American wheat. Slender stange glassware serving the beer in pints, along with half-pints and tasters being available. No qualms of the beer I had, as it further washed down the bad memory of Fuel Cafe I had over a decade ago (which prompted me to pass on Lakefront beers until I recently moved to Wisconsin).
Food is a little better than the standard sandwich and fried concoction. They served pot roast poutine, which sounded great. One problem, kitchen's out of gravy. Time to change for fried cheese curds and beer bread. Cheese curds, amazing. Beer bread, hard on the outside and work to chew (though with a rewarding center).
My one criticism, such as it is, would be the beers available for consumption at the beer hall. True, over a dozen beers on-tap is a nice list at a brewery. I didn't find much that was "special", like a seasonal, or a variant beyond the wild rice bock I had. Most breweries often have a few "brewery only" or harder to find beers of their portfolio available.
Lakefront is a curveball of breweries to visit. You get a big beer hall and mostly easy to drink beer with good vibes while you visit. It does close relatively early to other drinking holes, so be sure to have other places to visit if you plan a long night of drinking.
Nov 08, 2019I saw 13 different beers pouring from tap and a couple coolers worth of four and six-packs, plus single bottles (for here or to-go, I don't know. Heavier on the German influence, so expect several lagers (pale and dark), a bock, plus a few American-styles like IPA, pale ale, and American wheat. Slender stange glassware serving the beer in pints, along with half-pints and tasters being available. No qualms of the beer I had, as it further washed down the bad memory of Fuel Cafe I had over a decade ago (which prompted me to pass on Lakefront beers until I recently moved to Wisconsin).
Food is a little better than the standard sandwich and fried concoction. They served pot roast poutine, which sounded great. One problem, kitchen's out of gravy. Time to change for fried cheese curds and beer bread. Cheese curds, amazing. Beer bread, hard on the outside and work to chew (though with a rewarding center).
My one criticism, such as it is, would be the beers available for consumption at the beer hall. True, over a dozen beers on-tap is a nice list at a brewery. I didn't find much that was "special", like a seasonal, or a variant beyond the wild rice bock I had. Most breweries often have a few "brewery only" or harder to find beers of their portfolio available.
Lakefront is a curveball of breweries to visit. You get a big beer hall and mostly easy to drink beer with good vibes while you visit. It does close relatively early to other drinking holes, so be sure to have other places to visit if you plan a long night of drinking.
Reviewed by michaelsmith11 from Illinois
4.38/5 rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
4.38/5 rDev +3.1%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.25
Fun brewery to visit. For $9 you get a 1 hour tour, 4 6oz samples, and glass, and a ticket for a free beer. The brewery is right on the river and there is a nice patio out back.
Jul 25, 2019Reviewed by Hibernator from Massachusetts
4.08/5 rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4
4.08/5 rDev -4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.25 | service: 4 | selection: 4
Milwaukee Trip: Day Two
We went on the Lakefront Brewery tour this afternoon and it was a great experience. The brewery is spacious and truly executes all of the brewery experiences in a positive manner.
The tour was educational, engaging and entertaining. A recommended visit when in Milwaukee.
Jun 20, 2019We went on the Lakefront Brewery tour this afternoon and it was a great experience. The brewery is spacious and truly executes all of the brewery experiences in a positive manner.
The tour was educational, engaging and entertaining. A recommended visit when in Milwaukee.
Reviewed by Milktoast75 from Wisconsin
4.44/5 rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
4.44/5 rDev +4.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
Very nice small brew tour. Tour lasted about an hour with lots of fun facts about Lakefront and beer in general. Tour group participation is a must. The more you participate, the more free beer tokens you earn.
Large open beer hall, open wood beams and exposed brick give a beer hall look. Large bar with full selection of beers plus cold bottles and cans available as well as growlers.
Recommend tour because of the wonderful staff and products.
Apr 04, 2019Large open beer hall, open wood beams and exposed brick give a beer hall look. Large bar with full selection of beers plus cold bottles and cans available as well as growlers.
Recommend tour because of the wonderful staff and products.
Reviewed by AnitaBrewski from Massachusetts
4.55/5 rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
4.55/5 rDev +7.1%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
If you want to visit an authentic beer hall experience, you can’t beat Lakefront brewery, polka band, fish fry on Friday night, and the single hop IPA was damn good!!
May 26, 2018Rated by DotDrinks from Illinois
3.8/5 rDev -10.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
3.8/5 rDev -10.6%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 3.75 | service: 3.75 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3.5
Great tour
May 19, 2018Reviewed by krombopulos from Wisconsin
4.15/5 rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
4.15/5 rDev -2.4%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
The perfect example of if you have seen one tour you have seen them all. Yea maybe the tour guides are more fun, articulate, and educated than your average tour but not my cup of tea. If you're bringing someone from out of town it's a must though.
The beer is amazing. You don't see many craft breweries being so lager oriented. To me if a brewery can make a pale lager well it's a sure sign they know what they are doing. All their beers are flawless. Maybe not the most exciting or desirable. But always completely flawless. No contamination, no off flavors, no oxidation issues. You can always expect a product that is actually worth the price tag here.
The food will make you visit the bathroom within an hour but its delicious and worth it. What else goes with beer other than grease. I'm sure they have a salad too.
Jan 11, 2018The beer is amazing. You don't see many craft breweries being so lager oriented. To me if a brewery can make a pale lager well it's a sure sign they know what they are doing. All their beers are flawless. Maybe not the most exciting or desirable. But always completely flawless. No contamination, no off flavors, no oxidation issues. You can always expect a product that is actually worth the price tag here.
The food will make you visit the bathroom within an hour but its delicious and worth it. What else goes with beer other than grease. I'm sure they have a salad too.
Reviewed by jkaczinski from Iowa
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.75
4.43/5 rDev +4.2%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4 | service: 5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.75
A very cool historic old building that is just a blast to visit. Best tour I've ever been on and our guide was absolutely hilarious. Food is good and comes very quickly. We had the award wining deep-fried cheese curds and the Rueben. Tried Eastside Dark and Snake Chaser, both are very good. We will make time to visit again on our next trip to Miwaukee.
Sep 27, 2017Reviewed by Luckydog91 from Texas
4.05/5 rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
4.05/5 rDev -4.7%
vibe: 4.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5
Stopped in on a Thursday for lunch and a tour while in town on business.
Lots of enticing options on the food menu and the wurst plate was delicious.
Tour is a good deal and includes 4 six ounce samples and a pint glass to take home. Our tour was a little brief but I heard on the weekend they offer more in depth tours when they're not brewing.
Beers I tried ranged from a little below average to good. Was most impressed by their hoppier offerings.
By far the best thing about this place is the location though. Giant inviting beer hall and nice riverside patio.
Well worth the stop.
May 26, 2017Lots of enticing options on the food menu and the wurst plate was delicious.
Tour is a good deal and includes 4 six ounce samples and a pint glass to take home. Our tour was a little brief but I heard on the weekend they offer more in depth tours when they're not brewing.
Beers I tried ranged from a little below average to good. Was most impressed by their hoppier offerings.
By far the best thing about this place is the location though. Giant inviting beer hall and nice riverside patio.
Well worth the stop.
Reviewed by Ty1776Ler from New Jersey
4.72/5 rDev +11.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
4.72/5 rDev +11.1%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
Bright golden beer with a light ale taste and a dark Mike's hard lemonade aftertaste. Citrus/orange scent, tastes like a soda with a kick. Refreshing summer beer. Definitely worth a try!
Apr 11, 2017Reviewed by hawkssb04 from Utah
4.78/5 rDev +12.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
4.78/5 rDev +12.5%
vibe: 5 | quality: 4.75 | service: 4.75 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4.75
This place was phenomenal. The tour guide is totally worth the price of admission, the beer was solid, and the food was to die for. Easily the best pretzel and cheese I've ever had. The location itself is also one-of-a-kind, with an awesome riverfront patio.
Apr 09, 2017
Lakefront Brewery, Inc. in Milwaukee, WI
Brewery rating:
3.73 out of
5 with
7440 ratings
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