Lakefront Brewery Milwaukee, WI

4 Paws Marketing
Jun 28
3 min read

If there’s one brewery that screams character, it’s definitely Lakefront Brewery. Right along the Milwaukee River, this brewery has history in Wisconsin’s beer scene—going all the way back to 1987. It was founded by two brothers who had big dreams and started off by using a brewing system, Lakefront was one of the very first breweries in the country to offer an organic beer and gluten-free options. So yeah, there’s history —and lots of personality, too.

From the moment I stepped inside, I felt like I had walked into a fun, historical part of Milwaukee. The exposed brick, wooden beams, and vaulted ceilings make it the kind of spot you want to sit and stay awhile.

Drinks:

Unfortunately, for all the excitement I got from the ambiance, the sour lineup really missed the mark for me. I came with high hopes, but they were completely tapped out of their only sour. Huge bummer.

So, I decided to venture outside my norm and tried their New Grist Gosa Rita, and… I didn’t finish it. Just not my thing.

Next up was the Grapefruit Radler Shandy. Better than option A, but still not for me. I’ll admit these are brews that some might love, but for a sour-lover like me, it was a swing and a miss.

Sour Score: 2/5 – If you're into classic German styles or hoppy beers, you may think they're great. If you’re like me and have a small drink list, I highly recommend you check the current tap list before you go.

Infographic of 2 full pint glasses representing a rating of 2 out of 5

Food:

The curd wagon” on the patio saved the day. I mean, you’re in Wisconsin—it would be illegal not to order cheese curds, right? And they nailed it. Golden brown, melty perfection. We also tried the street corn, which packed great flavor and was honestly a nice surprise.

If you dine inside, the food options expand quite a bit—think fish fries, brats, fried pickles, and even beer hall pretzels. For a brewery with no kitchen backstory, Lakefront pulls off the pub food game pretty well.

Food Score: 3.5/5 – Outdoor menu is limited, but tasty. For the full experience, head indoors.

Graphic of 3.5 colored plates, representing a 3.5 out of 5 food rating.

Dog Friendliness:

This one’s more bark than bite. The outdoor patio technically allows dogs, but we only spotted two—probably because it was hot and humid, but there wasn't many signs of pooch presence.

Rating: 1/5 – 1/5 With a focus on food service and a packed indoor space, I wouldn’t count on bringing your furry friend unless the weather’s perfect. It’s patio-only.

Atmosphere:

This is where Lakefront Brewery shines. The historic beer hall is huge and full of charm—industrial bones meets old-school soul. Huge windows, vaulted ceilings, brewery antiques… it feels like you’re drinking in a piece of Milwaukee history.

If you’re into breweries with personality, this one checks the box. It’s not shiny or sleek—but it’s memorable, relaxed, and real.

Outside? It gets even better. The patio wraps along the river, with plenty of seating and multiple levels. You can watch kayaks float by while sipping a cold one. There’s also live music scheduled regularly and beer hall-style seating inside that adds to the whole vibe.

Score: 4/5 – Come for the atmosphere, stay for the cheese curds.

Infographic of 4 yellow light bulbs, representing an atmosphere score of 4 out of 5

Merch & More:

The brewery has its own full-on gift shop, thanks in part to the daily brewery tours that seem to draw huge crowds. (You’ll need a ticket to get a behind the scenes look at the place.) But even without the tour, you can snag merch like pint glasses, shirts, and brewery-themed souvenirs.

Bonus points for being able to say you visited one of the oldest craft breweries in the Midwest. From being an early adopter of organic and gluten-free beers to their new-found efforts in sustainability, there’s a lot going on.

Merch Score: 3/5 – Good merch, great legacy. Worth a stop even if the drinks aren’t your jam.

Infographic of 3 yellow shirts representing a score of 3/5 — 3 out of 5

Overall:

While Lakefront Brewery didn’t win me over with its drinks, I can’t deny that the vibe, food, and history made it worth the visit. If you’re doing a Milwaukee brewery tour, it’s a must-stop—especially for beer lovers who aren't picky. German styles or hop-forward pours, you'll love it. For me? I’ll call ahead next time and make sure there’s a sour on tap.