Milwaukee

Milwaukee beer week starts on April 13th and runs until the 20th if that's when you're going to be here, there will be plenty of events to pick from here's the website for that: milwaukeebeerweek.com/?restaurant_locations=locations
If you're coming earlier than that, the standard answers for bottle shops are Discount Wine and Liquor and Downer Wine and Spirits for bottle shops, and Palm Tavern and Sugar Maple for bars. Also, if you're doing the Lakefront tour, I've heard it suggested that you should book online in advance through their website as the tickets they sell in person sell out VERY quickly. I would also suggest Stubby's pub and grub (partly because they have 50+ taps, and partly because they aren't real far from Lakefront) Anybody thinks there's somewhere I missed, feel free to chime in.

 

I know everyone clamors for Lakefront which is fun but I am partial to Milwaukee Brewing Co.'s tour. They usually have some experimental beers on tap, which pours are unlimited, and the brewers are more than willing to talk beer with you. As for bars, Burnhearts and The Palm are my go to places in Bay View.

 

If you're downtown, Rumpus Room is the place to be. They don't update their beer menu, but last time I was there they had a bunch of stuff I never thought I'd see on tap. The food is awesome too, but it can get a little spendy. Ill echo the recommendation for Burnhearts, and add Sugar Maple and Cafe Centraal. They're right next to each other, and if you're looking for it, Centraal has a killer brunch.

 

I second this. Rumpus Room is awesome, and we make a point to go there whenever we get up to Milwaukee. I had Peruvian Morning on draft there a couple weeks ago. And the food is fantastic - we had charcuterie, duck crepe, corned beef tongue snandwich, and lemon cardamom panna cotta for desert. All delicious.

 

This, plus Sugar Maple.

 

If you're going to be near the Upper East side, "Cafe Hollander" can be a nice stop. Not a ton of local options, but a nice array of Belgians on tap, and good food. They're like 2-3 doors down from "Downer Spirits" (which isn't really a "go out of your way" kinda place).

I'll second Discount (if you've never been, it's nuts), Lakefront, and Sugar Maple.

If you are coming up on I-43 from Illinois, "Three Cellars" in Franklin is a GREAT stop. They sell individual bottles and are my primary bier stop when I'm leaving Milwaukee (and they're on the same exit as Kopp's, SCORE!).

Also, right now, watch I-43...it's under construction and can back up to infinity during the week.

 

If you are coming up on I-43 from Illinois, "Three Cellars" in Franklin is a GREAT stop. They sell individual bottles and are my primary bier stop when I'm leaving Milwaukee (and they're on the same exit as Kopp's, SCORE!).

Kudos for remembering Three Cellars, I did forget their wonderful single selection, and tastings on Saturdays (they also might have cave creek chili beer). And Kopps is a short trek north of there for those who like frozen custard. Also have to second Cafe Centraal/cafe Hollander (they are owned by the same company) for those who like Belgian beers.

 

You mean, "Those who have had frozen custard, and realize how terrible ice cream is?"

hahhahaha
Seriously. Kopp's is like Culver's TO THE MAX!


Back on topic, Cafe Beneloux is part of the Hollander/Centraal group, too!
And that's right next to the public market!
Which is down the street from the Milwaukee Ale House (who has TERRIBLE food), and Water Street Brewery (good biers, pretty good food).
ALSO, there's that Wisconsin Cheese Mart near there who does like $3-5 12fl oz pours of ONLY Wisconsin brews!!!!
That place is a GEM! I had Snakechaser on Nitro there for $3!!!

 

Ya'll forgot Romans Pub and World Of Beer. There's another place on Brady St that has a one dollar happy hour for 5 minutes. Can't remember the name for the life of me. Last time I was there though they had Rodenbach and Triple Karmaliet on tap. Also could hit Uncle Mikes highway Pub in Pleasant Prarie if you're coming up 94.

Woodmans in Oak Creek is a good place to grab beer if you're passing by on 94.

 

I would recommend Stubby's which is right next to lakefront over uncle mikes, it has the same atmosphere but it has a higher quality beer and food menu, scenic view of the river, better biergarten, doesn't get over crowded, and almost as much selection anyways as UM's if you subtract UM's large BMC selection. UM's never rotates their drafts so much of the good stuff is stale and the also stock about 20 bmc products at least on tap of their big selection.

 

I haven't been there in a while. 2 years probably. Used to frequent it when it was new though. Always open spots at the bar.

 

The Nomad. It has a shot, a beer and a cigarette for $5. I guess that's great. Oh and they have soccer if you're into that. One will kill you and the other will make you wish you were dead