Lakefront Brewery
Lakefront Brewery
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
2:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
On December 2nd, 1987, brothers Russ and Jim Klisch opened Lakefront Brewery and sold their first batch of Riverwest Stein Amber Lager to a neighborhood tavern in Milwaukee. We have grown to brew 46,848 barrels of beer in 2017 and distribute our products to 35 states, Canada, Ukraine, Japan, Korea, Sweden and Australia. Lakefront Brewery was the first certified organic brewery in America, the first brewery to produce a government-approved, gluten-free beer and the first indigenous beer using all Wisconsin grown ingredients. We currently produce 20+ year-round and seasonal beers as well as our innovative one-off My Turn Series which gives each of our full time employees a chance to choose a style we've never brewed. Beer aside, Lakefront is also known around the country for their highly entertaining and sought-after brewery tours.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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  • mississaugatravellor
    Mississauga, Canada17 contributions
    Great beer selection, something for everyone
    Great brewery with quite nice food. The atmosphere was busy, but not too loud. It was an open room with a seat your self policy. Guest share large tables, which have been sectioned off. The staff were really friendly, the beer was really good and the food was decent. I had the fish tacos and they could have used a bit of spice or sauce, but tasted fresh and somewhat healthy (which is a good thing). We visited on a warm day in December and the walk there was really nice. The highlight was the beer - there was nothing wrong with the food.
    Visited December 2022
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 30, 2022
  • RecreationV
    New York City, New York384 contributions
    A Bit Of Laverne and Shirley Memory
    We wanted to check out a brewery, and memories of the TV show Laverne & Shirley prompted us to head here. The tour guide (Greg) was both entertaining and informative, making this one of the most fun tours we've done. We couldn't walk through the brewery itself, but there was a lot to see from a distance and through some large glass windows. A few jokes along the way and a finish with the whole group singing the theme song (as a tribute) to Laverne & Shirley made this a most memorable tour. Then off to get a couple of beers (or non-alcoholic soda) which is included in the tour price. Thoroughly enjoyable.
    Visited June 2022
    Written May 15, 2023
  • karouselkid
    Abilene, Texas222 contributions
    Can’t believe people like their beer.
    Make no mistake, you’re here for the ambience not the beer. Food was traditional pub fare. Beers were meh. We tried many samples and really couldn’t find one that tasted good.
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 5, 2023
  • Diana P
    Chicago, Illinois3 contributions
    We loved it!
    I went with my sister's family and my family. I would recommend getting there before noon. When we got there, it wasn't too busy and we had our choice of where we wanted to sit. It was a nice day so we sat outside. The kids had kids' meals and root beer. They servers behind the bar were really friendly and even as it was getting busy let me sample a beer and were very kind to my kids. Everyone in our group had a good time and it was a great way to start off our weekend in Milwaukee.
    Visited June 2023
    Written June 14, 2023
  • Lauren S
    1 contribution
    Take the tour! Perfect way to spend an afternoon
    Take the tour!! Our family was in town for the weekend so we went for the afternoon. Justin was our tour guide and he was absolutely fantastic! Be ready to sip, learn and laugh a ton (and just know some of the jokes aren’t kid friendly.) The beers are so good I’m checking a bag to bring some home, and the food hit the spot. Best cheese curds around, and great service. We’ll absolutely be back, and probably take the tour all over again, just for fun!
    Visited June 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written June 25, 2023
  • kaceykam
    2 contributions
    Great tour and awesome value
    I can’t recommend this tour enough. You get generous beer tastings and an incredibly entertaining tour. The beer is great and for $15 you more than get your money’s worth - four tastings plus a souvenir pint glass and a coupon for a free pint at a local restaurant. Justin was a fantastic guide - so funny! Location on the river is also great. A great time was had by all!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 15, 2023
  • Dazyz03
    Arnold, Missouri16 contributions
    Tour is worth your time and money!
    Wonderful experience! The tour is definitely worth your time and money. You get 1 hour tour, 2full size beers, and a pint glass to take home. Sergio was our tour guide and tons of fun! The patio made for an enjoyable experience on the river. Try the cheese curds, you won’t be disappointed.
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 20, 2023
  • dsj019
    Carrollton, Ohio31 contributions
    Piece of tv history GONE.
    Took this tour today, 8/2/23. Parking is up and down the street if you cannot find a space in the limited lot. Apparently if you have a Kia or Hyundai, these are high theft items in this area. I do not (have a Jeep), this made me question the safety of my vehicle and the contents in the street, which it turned out fine, no one bothered it. We did not book online and were able to get on the next hours tour. I felt this was a generous tour, you get four generous half pours of the beer of your choosing (can have before, during and after the tour) and receive a free pint glass or bottle opener with your wrist band. The tour was $12 per person. We tasted the cheese curds and enjoyed some beer while waiting for the tour. Curds were good and the beer was fresh and cold! Now for the actual tour. We stood in a warm room with a window that showed the brewing room. Our guide thoroughly walked us through the process and was very humorous through the tour. We walked down the steps and into a loading area where we learned about the bottling process. We had watched several videos on YouTube before coming and this tour WAS NOT the same tours others have experienced. We were really disappointed to learn that they had sold a piece of Milwaukee history AND it’s not even in Milwaukee anymore (shame on you Lakefront for not keeping that treasure local - but money talks, I suppose), the bottling line from Laverne and Shirley (old Schlitz factory) is now in Mexico City, this was something we were really looking forward to seeing. We did sing the song with the group, which was fun.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 2, 2023
  • Tim C
    Hamilton, Ohio79 contributions
    What a fun tour!
    This was a lot of fun… and I don’t even like beer! Jesse was our tour guide and did a wonderful job. They explained the whole process by showing us four different sections of the brewery which even included a small tribute to Laverne & Shirley. The bar out back by the river was a lovely spot to spend some time after the tour.
    Visited August 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written August 12, 2023
  • AndyLube
    11 contributions
    JD Gives Great Tour
    Such a cool place to take a brewery tour and throw back a couple of pints. All the staff was genuinely kind and engaged with the customer needs. I recommend the tour! Four 8 oz pours and a free souvenir glass!
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 11, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Johnny Trekkie
San Diego, CA9,263 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
The best brewery out of the 5 we visited in Milwaukee. Right on Milwaukee River, this brewery has an amazing riverfront patio complete with a lovely view on a bright sunny day. The main building is an expansive beer hall, clean, simple, relaxed and inviting. Having been to the real Oktoberfest three times, this ambience almost take me back to Munich Germany, almost!

Unlike Oktoberfest, rather just one lager, you can choose over 20 different kinds of beer of all kinds...lager, pilsner, ales, IPAs, stouts...yes please! The food is delicious as well, and affordable! The sausages and cheese curds were great! 2 Sausages of Polish and Bratwurst and a pretzel bun costs only $11. $10 Basket of Cheese Curds was crispy, chewy, cheesy and delicious. Costs might lower due to this being a order at the counter and take a number setup, rather than a full waitstaff.
Written 21 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jim L
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Couples
My idea of a tour is you go through the facility to see how the product is made. This “tour “ consisted of standing in a room and listening to the guide tell worn out jokes that you might have found funny in junior high. We never saw any of the actual brewing or packaging . What exactly did we pay for? A free glass? Felt ripped off. I would like my money and my time back. Very disappointing.
Written 27 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rebecca C
2 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
The cheese curds were drenched in oil tonight so gross there was a puddle in the basket and it was on their night to have special cheese curds. My friend was not impressed with beers he had a beer flight that had hardly any taste to the beers
Written 26 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

AndyLube
Mass11 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Such a cool place to take a brewery tour and throw back a couple of pints. All the staff was genuinely kind and engaged with the customer needs. I recommend the tour! Four 8 oz pours and a free souvenir glass!
Written 11 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MillsyTrotter
Bala Cynwyd, PA63 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
This was a great spot to come with our teenage kids while in Milwaukee. Great space, amazing beer, veg and vegan-friendly menu, and tremendous sevice.
Written 4 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Tim C
Hamilton, OH79 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
This was a lot of fun… and I don’t even like beer! Jesse was our tour guide and did a wonderful job. They explained the whole process by showing us four different sections of the brewery which even included a small tribute to Laverne & Shirley. The bar out back by the river was a lovely spot to spend some time after the tour.
Written 12 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dsj019
Carrollton, OH31 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Took this tour today, 8/2/23. Parking is up and down the street if you cannot find a space in the limited lot. Apparently if you have a Kia or Hyundai, these are high theft items in this area. I do not (have a Jeep), this made me question the safety of my vehicle and the contents in the street, which it turned out fine, no one bothered it. We did not book online and were able to get on the next hours tour. I felt this was a generous tour, you get four generous half pours of the beer of your choosing (can have before, during and after the tour) and receive a free pint glass or bottle opener with your wrist band. The tour was $12 per person. We tasted the cheese curds and enjoyed some beer while waiting for the tour. Curds were good and the beer was fresh and cold! Now for the actual tour. We stood in a warm room with a window that showed the brewing room. Our guide thoroughly walked us through the process and was very humorous through the tour. We walked down the steps and into a loading area where we learned about the bottling process. We had watched several videos on YouTube before coming and this tour WAS NOT the same tours others have experienced. We were really disappointed to learn that they had sold a piece of Milwaukee history AND it’s not even in Milwaukee anymore (shame on you Lakefront for not keeping that treasure local - but money talks, I suppose), the bottling line from Laverne and Shirley (old Schlitz factory) is now in Mexico City, this was something we were really looking forward to seeing. We did sing the song with the group, which was fun.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

alisone97
Hillsborough, United States476 contributions
Jul 2023
Visited here while touring the Great Lakes. Very good food and beer. Clean. Friendly service. Off the beaten path but worth the trip.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dazyz03
Arnold, MO16 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
Wonderful experience!
The tour is definitely worth your time and money. You get 1 hour tour, 2full size beers, and a pint glass to take home. Sergio was our tour guide and tons of fun!
The patio made for an enjoyable experience on the river. Try the cheese curds, you won’t be disappointed.
Written 20 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

kaceykam
Sacramento, California2 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
I can’t recommend this tour enough. You get generous beer tastings and an incredibly entertaining tour. The beer is great and for $15 you more than get your money’s worth - four tastings plus a souvenir pint glass and a coupon for a free pint at a local restaurant. Justin was a fantastic guide - so funny! Location on the river is also great. A great time was had by all!
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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