Explorium Brewpub, Greendale, WI
- 4 Paws Marketing
- Jun 27
- 3 min read
Explorium Brewpub in Greendale, WI isn’t your typical brewery—and I’ll admit, I was a little skeptical when I realized it was inside a mall. But as it turns out, this locally owned brewpub was started by a husband-and-wife duo who wanted to bring a craft beer experience into more everyday spaces. So yes, it’s attached to Southridge Mall, but with a full kitchen, solid beer lineup, and a passion for community, it’s definitely more than just “mall food court with taps.” Still, vibe-wise, it was more suburban chain restaurant than unique brewery hangout.
Drinks:
I went in with low expectations, and the strawberry cheesecake smoothie sour on tap didn’t do much for me. It was fine, just not exciting. After having the Sticky Puddles Cherry Cheesecake from Lupulin, this one was lacking the tangy complexity that makes a cheesecake-style sour pop.
That said, Explorium does have other drinks to offer, unfortunately I was the only one in the group “of age” this time. Their broader drink list includes a solid variety—fruited wheats, hazy IPAs, rich stouts, and a couple of seltzers and ciders.
According to the website their beers have earned awards at the U.S. Open Beer Championship and more. I’d be open to trying something else in their sour lineup at some point, just maybe something other than a strawberry cheesecake smoothie sour.
Sour Score: 2/5
Food:
Explorium leans into the brewpub side of things with a big, bar-and-grill-style menu. We tried cheese curds (because Wisconsin, duh), flatbreads, and the hot honey chicken sandwich. The curds were decent, the flatbread was forgettable, and the sandwich came with a chicken breast the size of a catcher’s mitt—and a kick of spice that caught me off guard.
Overall, nothing terrible, but nothing that blew me away either. Their full menu includes wings, burgers, tacos, and even “beer-centric” entrees like their porter-braised short rib. Definitely more of a lunch/dinner destination than a tasting room. If you’re coming for a meal, it’ll check the box.
Food Score: 2.5/5
Dog Friendliness:
Even though I had to leave my pups behind for this road trip, the patio dog scene definitely helped me get my fix. One was literally seated at the outdoor bar—clearly a regular, right alongside his human. Another table had a smaller dog relaxing in the shade. While it’s a patio-only setup (makes sense, since it’s part of a mall), I appreciated how laid-back and welcoming the space felt for us dog lovers.
Dog Score: 2/5
Atmosphere:
The interior of the Explorium Greendale location has some charm—warm wood accents, soft lighting, and a bar layout that didn’t scream “mall food.” But step outside, and it’s hard to shake that suburban shopping mall vibe. The patio was fine, just not memorable.
They do have other locations, and their Third Ward Milwaukee spot is said to offer a bit more of a fun atmosphere and history—we actually drove by, but parking was a nightmare so we decided to pass since we had already been to the Greendale location.
Score: 2/5
Merch & More:
They’ve got a great merch game, with everything from branded tees and flannels (it is Wisconsin, after all) to tanks, hats, and even dog bandanas. The selection is surprisingly large, and they even offer a dedicated online store. I walked out with a clearance tank—because yes, I’m that person.
Merch Score: 4/5
Overall:
Final Thoughts :Not every brewery will wow you with its charm or knock you off your barstool with its flavors—and that’s okay. Explorium Brew Pub served its purpose: we were hungry, we had a drink, and Storm scored a donut. Will I be racing back to Greendale for another round? Probably not. But if I find myself near the Third Ward spot in Milwaukee, I might give it a second chance.
Score: 2/5
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