mke brewing tours

CRAFT BEER.

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2335 S Kinnickinnic Ave Milwaukee, WI 53207 Get Directions

Sun    12p m – 10pm

Mon – Thurs    3pm – 10pm

Fri   3pm – 12am

Sat 12pm- 12am

(Hours Might Differ)

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Find restaurants, bars, and liquor stores that sell MKE beer using our Beer Finder. Pop in your location and we’ll point you towards the closest options.

Some of Our Favorites

Louie’s demise, o-gii imperial wit, outboard cream ale, recombobulation, weekend at louie’s, craft beer. made here..

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Hamilton Taproom S64 W15640 Commerce Center Pkwy Muskego, WI 53150 Get Directions

Welcome to the Miller Brewery Tour, Where It's always Miller time!

Here in Miller Valley we define hospitality in a whole new way. From your personal tour guide to the ghost of Frederick Miller, you will experience nearly 170 years of brewing history with a modern-day twist.

International visitors and local guests alike experience something new with every tour. Gift shop keepsakes and an unforgettable exploration of the Milwaukee Brewery awaits you! More importantly, you will end every tour with our famous hospitality and what everyone is waiting for – ice cold beer! Relax and enjoy your brews in our Visitor Center, Bavarian-style Miller Inn or outdoor Beer Garden (seasonally) with friends and family at this historic Milwaukee landmark.

We hope to see you for your Miller Time soon!

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Miller Brewery Tour

4251 W. State St. Milwaukee, WI 53208

414-931-BEER (2337)

Guide to Milwaukee Brewery Tours – Drink Like a Local

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: 20 June, 2024

Around the turn of the century, the city of Milwaukee produced more beer than any other city in the entire world –  Beer pretty much built the city of Milwaukee! While some of the big names have closed their doors, the brewing tradition in Milwaukee is still alive and strong.

Well before the microbrewery trend swept across the country, Milwaukee has always been home to some great breweries. Whether you’re visiting from out of town or just looking for something to do in Milwaukee on a Saturday afternoon, here’s a list of all the best breweries in Milwaukee and the best brewery tours.

Jump to info on Milwaukee Breweries:

• List of all Brewery Tours in Milwaukee – Rated
• Top 2 Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

Guided Milwaukee Brewery Tours

• Boat tours of Milwaukee Breweries
• All Craft Breweries in Milwaukee

Best Guided Milwaukee Brewery Tour with Transportation

If you want to visit several breweries, we suggest this guided brewery tour , which includes transportation to four different breweries, 16 beer tastings, and lunch or dinner.

Best Milwaukee Brewery Tours: Rated

The best brewery tours combine great beer with a fun and inviting atmosphere, and a few of Milwaukee’s breweries do it better than others. Here are our picks for the best Milwaukee brewery tours.

We have personally been on each and every one of them and have taken friends, family, and even bachelor parties to most of them. Trust us, we’ve done our “research”!

Top 3 Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

Related Article: Best Restaurants in Milwaukee

1. Lakefront Brewery

At least for locals, Lakefront Brewery needs no introduction. As one of the first microbreweries on the scene, Lakefront has a downtown location and one of the coolest brewery spaces in the city.

The beer is great, the beer hall to drink it in is worth a visit alone, and the food is perfectly crafted to make you thirsty for another beer or two. Lakefront Brewery has the best cheese curds in Milwaukee ; order some and wash them down with a beer.

Lakefront also boasts one of the most popular Friday fish fries in the city. Lakefront’s beers can now be found all across the country, so why not check out where the whole thing got started by visiting Lakefront Brewery the next time you are in town.

The tours at Lakefront are designed to be one-part informative and one-part entertaining. Along with beer samples and glass, you can also expect to learn at least a little bit about the history of Lakefront Brewery and the brewing process, along with getting some good laughs along the way.

Plan on booking ahead since the tour is one of the most popular in the city. When you book, make sure to leave enough time beforehand for beer samples and some bar snacks to get you prepared for the tour.

About the Brewery tour: A local favorite and probably the best Milwaukee brewery tour, Lakefront Brewery serves up lots of laughs along with the beers. Lakefront tours are fun if it’s your first tour or tenth. While they don’t take the tours too seriously, their beer is another story.

One of Milwaukee’s oldest microbreweries, their beer is some of the best in the city. Along with a good time, you’ll get 4 samples of Lakefront Brewery’s best beer and even some stuff you can’t find in the stores.

For the brewery tour, enter the large doors on N. Commerce Street and purchase your tour ticket, which comes with a souvenir glass and 4 samples. Tours start every hour on the hour except Saturdays, which run every half hour. On weekdays you can still tour the brewery, but it’s best to check the current schedule for times.

• Lakefront Brewery Tour Address: 1872 N. Commerce St.
• Tour Hours: Times vary, typically every hour or half-hour from Noon-7:00pm or 8:00 pm. Check online for availability.
• Book Tickets Online Here

2. Miller-Coors

Miller-Coors is one of the largest beer makers in the world, and part of its history and current operations are located right here in Milwaukee. While many cities have a micro-brewery for tourists to visit, few cities have a premier large-scale brewery operation where visitors can see firsthand how beer is produced on a massive scale.

The history of Miller and its relationship to the city is also on full display for visitors to the brewery, and the entire brewery is centrally located, making it an easy trip from downtown. To learn more about one of the biggest breweries in the country, stop over to Miller-Coors for a quick and inexpensive tour.

The tour at Miller-Coors was just recently revamped. Though now it costs a little bit of money, visitors can expect a higher quality tour with a few more perks as well. Visitors can still expect to watch a short documentary about the brewery’s history and to get a behind-the-scenes look at parts of the brewing operation, but now there are a few more perks.

These include souvenirs, tokens for area bars, and the chance to try some experimental beers only available on-site. The best part of the tour is getting to see some of the historic sites, like the caves where beer used to be stored. After the tour, you will certainly gain a better appreciation of some of America’s favorite beer options.

• Miller Brewery Tour Address: 4251 W. State St.
• Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST (every half-hour)
• Miller Coors Tour Info Here

Related Article: Best Burgers in Milwaukee

If you have a group or plan on sampling a lot of great Milwaukee beer, then you might want to jump on a multi-brewery tour. These tours are a great way to get a taste of many of Milwaukee’s best breweries all in one day – while being safe and responsible.

Our Top Pick: 4 Brewery Tour with 16 beer tastings and lunch or dinner. This tour pays a visit to some of Milwaukee’s classic breweries and some up-and-coming ones.

• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Check Availability

Milwaukee Boat Brewery Tours

One of the best things to do in the Summer in Milwaukee is to take a brewery tour by boat. Float down the river from one brewery to the next, sampling all along the way. Here are our two favorite ways to tour Milwaukee’s Breweries by boat!

Milwaukee River Boat – 3 Pub Cruise – On evenings and weekends you can take a boat tour stopping at several pubs and some breweries along Milwaukee Riverfront. Grab a group of friends or join one of the main public tours.

• Duration: 4 Hours
• Check Tours

Self Powered Pedal Tavern – One of the most fun ways to explore Milwaukee is by pedaling your way down the river aboard the pedal tavern, which is powered by you! Burn off the beer calories (or just kick back) by pushing the bike pedals that drive a big paddlewheel, propelling you down the river and to more beer.

It’s a super fun way to see the city and try some great beers along the way. Some tours are BYOB, or they have other options for groups and private tours as well.

More Craft & Microbreweries in Milwaukee with Brewery Tours

Milwaukee has always been known as the “Brew City” since it has a history of housing large-scale breweries and because of the city’s German heritage. It comes as no surprise then that the city has a thriving micro-brewery scene.

Starting in the 1980s, microbreweries began to pop up in the city, but it wasn’t until more recently that there’s been an explosion of options when it comes to microbreweries and taprooms. Nearly every neighborhood in the city has at least one micro-brewery, making coming up with a list of the best in the city extremely difficult. Read below to learn about some of the best breweries Milwaukee has to offer.

• Good City Brewing

Good City Brewing opened just a few years ago, but it has quickly developed into one of the top breweries in Milwaukee. For starters, the location in the middle of the trendy East Side couldn’t be more convenient, and if that wasn’t enough, the brewery plans on opening a second location downtown right near the new Fiserv Forum.

Besides making really quality beer, Good City Brewing also hosts a truly destination-worthy restaurant, and the space is ideal for getting together with friends. Not many other breweries can boast of having an incredible rooftop bar area for sipping micro beers outside on a warm Milwaukee day.

The tours at Good City Brewing enable you to get a look at the behind-the-scenes operations and to sample some of the brewery’s numerous beers on tap. Like most tours, you get some samples and a souvenir, but more importantly, the tour gives you an excuse to stop by the brewery on a Saturday afternoon and to stay for some more beer paired with excellent food.

Be sure to check out the beers currently on tap list and the restaurant’s updated menu online before planning your next Saturday brewery tour.

• Address: 2108 N. Farwell Ave.
• Tour Times: Saturdays 1:00pm and 2:00pm
• Tour Cost: $10

• MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom

MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom recently opened a Milwaukee location by setting up shop right on the edge of Walkers Point near the popular Mexican restaurant Conejitos, the well-liked Iron Horse Hotel, and Great Lakes Distillery—in other words, the location offers plenty of convenient things to do. The brewery itself is top-notch and is located in a trendy space.

What makes MobCraft really unique is that they crowdsource beer flavor ideas, pick a winner every month, and after brewing it up, offer it to the public in their tasting room. You can check online to see current and past winners, and if you are feeling creative, you can even suggest an idea yourself.

There are two types of tours to choose from at MobCraft: the regular tour and the technical tour. For fans of brewing who don’t need all the technical details, the regular tour offers a great way to sample a few of the beers, see the behind-the-scenes brewing operations, and meet some of the charismatic brewery employees.

MobCraft offers a selection of sour beers, which require a unique brewing process, so the tour can also provide insight into how sour beers are made. The taproom itself offers a comfortable and fun place to hang out before or after the tour, and given its location, there is no shortage of options for places to eat or drink to keep the night going.

• Address: 505 S. 5th St.
• Tour Times: Fridays and Saturdays times vary, and technical tours every last Friday of the month
• Tour Cost: $13

Sprecher Brewing Company

About Sprecher Brewery in Milwaukee: FounderRandal Sprecher got his taste for craft beer while in Europe and fell in love with German-style beers and couldn’t quench his thirst for what was available at the time beer in Milwaukee, so he started to make his own.

Sprecher Brewing Company prides itself on being one of the first microbreweries in the area. Since its humble beginning, Sprecher has grown to include numerous taprooms and restaurants and a host of beer, cider, and sodas to choose from, which are available in numerous bars and around the region in liquor stores.

Sprecher brews an extensive list of beers and ciders and is somewhat unique in also offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic sodas. In other words, it’s pretty impossible for someone not to find at least one Sprecher product that pleases their taste buds. For the main brewery, head north of Milwaukee to Glendale, or if this isn’t possible, head down to Walkers Point to check out their new tasting room.

About the Sprecher Brewery Tour:   There are numerous tour options at Sprecher Brewing. From regular tours available throughout the week to private tours and private tastings, there are options available for anyone looking for a quick activity on the weekend to more well-planned social or business events.

Regardless of which type of tour you go with, you can expect to see the brewing operations, learn about the history of Sprecher Brewing, and have the opportunity to sample numerous Sprecher products—there are so many you will almost certainly want to purchase some to take home for later. Options like beer tastings also come with cheese pairings, which can be a really unique experience even for experienced microbrewery tourists.

• Address: 701 W. Glendale Ave.
• Tour Times:  Weekdays at 4:00pm, Weekends at 12:00pm, 12:45pm, 1:15pm, 2:00pm, 2:45pm, 3:15pm, and 4:00pm
• Tour Cost:  Prices vary

Related Article: Best Pizza in Milwaukee

• Third Space Brewing

Third Space Brewing is only a few years old but entered the scene with award-winning beer and an awesome space located minutes from downtown and the Marquette University campus.

Housed in what appears to be a large warehouse, Third Space Brewing features a cozy and spacious interior with board games scatted around, as well as a large beer garden area behind the brewery where you can usually expect at least one food truck to set up shop.

In other words, you are sure to find a comfy spot for a drink regardless of the weather when you visit the brewery. Though they have a vast list of rotating tap beers, be sure to try at least one of their award-winning beers, like the Unite the Clans Scotch Ale.

Though it may be tempting to forego the tour given how nice Third Space’s tasting room is, you may still want to consider it on a Saturday afternoon. Not only will you get a souvenir glass and samples, but you also get an enjoyable and informative tour. The tour groups are usually pretty small, making it easy to ask questions and learn about the brewery operations and how Third Space Brewing got its start.

Plan accordingly so you can hang out after and enjoy some of the beers that you just learned about.

• Address:  1505 W. St. Paul Ave.
• Tour Times:  Saturdays at 2:00 pm

Large Scale Milwaukee Breweries

Miller brewing – millercoors.

The last big brewery standing in Milwaukee is MillerCoors, as it is known today. However, the history of this brewery dates back to 1855, when Frank Miller first started brewing beer in what is now the western part of Milwaukee.

Milwaukee was a good choice for a brewery because of the excellent water source, Lake Michigan. The water is naturally good quality and well suited for beer making. The water is what drew most brewers here, and the long German heritage of the city likely played a part too.

Leinenkugel’s Brewery Milwaukee

While you may have seen the big Leinenkugel’s Brewery sign from the freeway in Milwaukee, the actual brewery is in Chippewa Falls is about hours from Milwaukee. However, you can, at times, get a taste of this Wisconsin born beer while at the MillerCoors Brewery Tour. Leinenkugel’s does not have brewery tours in Milwaukee, but it does have a taproom to sample some of its brews.

Related Article: 3 Days in Milwaukee Guide

Complete List of Breweries in Milwaukee

• 1840 Brewing Company
• Amorphic Beer
• Bavarian Bierhaus
• Big Head Brewing Company
• Biloba Brewing Company
• Black Husky Brewing
• Brewery Works Inc
• Broken Bat Brewing Co.
• City Lights Brewing Co.
• Company Brewing
• Dead Bird Brewing
• Eagle Park Brewing
• Enlightened Brewing Company
• Explorioum Brewpub
• Falkandia Brewing
• Gathering Place Brewing Company
• Hacienda Beer Co.
• Indeed Brewing Company
• Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company’s Tenth Street Brewery
• Lakefront Brewery
• Miller Brewing Company
• Milwaukee Ale House
• New Barons Brewing Coop
• Ope! Brewing Co.
• Perspective Brewing Company
• Pabst Milwaukee Brewery & Taproom
• Raised Grain Brewery
• Sprecher Brewing Co., Inc.
• Urban Harvest Brewing Company
• Water Street Brewery
• Vennture Brew Co.
• Wizard Works Brewing

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Best Experience Ever

"It was a birthday gift to remember. Awesome choices, plenty of time to explore and enjoy the other options available. Our guide was very knowledgeable and I have made changes in what we look for in beers as well as how we drink it - always in a glass. Fun and cool"

Excellent Time Had By All

"The tour was great from beginning to end. Mark was an awesome guide. Perfect man for our group. We really enjoyed his knowledge of beer and history. All the brewery stops were good, but Bantam Cider was my favorite. Will definitely be back!"

History Meets Beer

"This tour was a great way to experience the city of Boston and see what various types of beer it has to offer. The tour guide was very informative and made the overall experience fun and enjoyable. Plus, who doesn't like to sample 15-18 beers in under 6 hours? Will definitely recommend this tour to friends!"

Milwaukee Original Brew Tour

About the tour

Sample tours, sample weekend tours, other milwaukee brew tours, private tours available, recommended by.

10 Must-Visit Milwaukee Breweries in Wisconsin (Map Included)

Looking for the best Milwaukee breweries to visit? 

Affectionately known as “Brew City”, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has a very long history (nearly two centuries-long) with brewing beer: Miller Brewing Company, Pabst Brewing Company, and Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company all claim Milwaukee as home. 

While doing a brewery tour in Milwaukee has to be on every beer drinkers’ bucket list, it might be at breweries you didn’t expect given Milwaukee’s history with these major brewers.

Milwaukee’s craft beer scene has been fermenting over the past several years and its popularity has grown significantly, proving that craft brewers can survive in the shadows of the big boys. 

You just need a thirsty city.

Short on time?  Here are the key takeaways:

• In our opinion, do not miss Eagle Park. To this day, we rank it in our top 10 favorite breweries in the U.S.
• Lakefront Brewery has the best tour ever. Also, they have gluten free beer that is quite good.
• MobCraft was the world’s first crowd sourced brewery ever and their beers are just as original.

This post was originally published in October 2019, and was updated in February 2024.

**Boozing Abroad contains affiliate links throughout the site. If you choose to purchase items through these links, we will earn a small commission at NO extra cost to you. Read the full disclosure policy here **

Overview of Breweries in Milwaukee

We spent 3 days in downtown Milwaukee and constructed our own brewery-hopping tour of Brew City. 

As you might expect, when deciding on a game plan for a brewery tour in Milwaukee, you are going to have plenty of choices.

However, the cheapest and most flexible option is to do a self-guided brewery tour of numerous breweries and the surrounding neighborhoods!  

Getting Around

Milwaukee is an easy-to-navigate city that has plenty of ride sharing options.  

Milwaukee also has a fleet of streetcars, called The Hop, that motors around downtown. This is an ode to beer and the hop-on, hop-off style of the streetcar. This is FREE to ride and a great option for getting around. See the route map and schedule here . 

Current stops aren’t super close to the numerous breweries in the city, but there is an expansion planned to extend service to a wider area, which would be closer to the breweries. 

This truly gives “brewery hopping” a whole new meaning.  

How many breweries are in Milwaukee Wisconsin?

There are over 20 breweries in Milwaukee.

What is the famous beer in Milwaukee?

Depending on your age, the most famous beer in Milwaukee might differ. Schlitz, PBR, and Miller High Life are among the most infamous beers brewed in Milwaukee.

Brew City Beer Pass

Visit Milwaukee has a Beer City Beer Pass that will reward you for sipping some local suds. Places include breweries, taprooms, and other beer-related attractions.

Sign up for the Brew City Beer Pass to redeem Buy One, Get One (BOGO) beers while you hop around to different breweries.

Map of Breweries in Milwaukee, WI

Click the interactive map below!

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: To view the layers and see the names of the places on this map, click the tab in the top left corner. You can select the check marks to show or hide certain layers. If you select the icons on the map, you will get more information about the point of interest.

HOW TO SAVE THIS MAP: If you select the star icon next to the map name, you can save this map to your Google Maps account. To view it, open Google Maps in desktop or on your phone, select the menu button, go to “Your Places,” scroll to the right to Maps, and you will see this map.

Milwaukee Breweries

1. lakefront brewery.

• Monday – Thursday: 3 PM – 9 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 9 PM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 5 PM
• Food Available: Yes

Consistently ranked as one of the top brewery tours in the country, Lakefront Brewery is a great place to start your Milwaukee brewery adventure.

First, you’ll definitely want to get a reservation for this tour.

We also suggest arriving at least 1 hour early or plan on staying after to eat here since there food was sensational!

We started with a large helping of fried cheese curds (supposedly some of Milwaukee’s best cheese curds – we won’t argue), a sausage flight (yes, it’s a thing – but probably only in Milwaukee), and a side of more cheese (in the form of mac and cheese).

When you check-in for the tour, you are given 2 beer tokens (good for 16 oz pours each) and a souvenir pint glass.

Our advice for token usage:

• 1 token to fill your cup before the tour starts
• 1 token to have during the tour for a mid-tour refill or after

The tour itself only takes about 45 minutes with a brief break in the middle for a refill. There are no bathrooms on the tour so be sure to go before it begins.

With tons of jokes (some cheesy and some mildly inappropriate, but hilarious) sprinkled in among the historical information about Lakefront, the Milwaukee brewery scene, and the brewing process, this tour is worth every penny! 

The tour is $16 (which is highly recommended). 

Fun facts: Lakefront was the first brewery in the U.S. to bottle a fruit beer since Prohibition (brewed a cherry lager in 1992) and produced the first certified organic beer in 1996.

Today, they have produced the first gluten-free beer after successfully petitioning the US government to allow their New Grist to actually be called beer since it did not contain the previously required 25% malted barley content. 

In our opinion, this is a must visit when deciding on which Milwaukee breweries to visit!

2. Eagle Park Brewing

• Monday – Friday: 3 PM – 10 PM
• Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 9 PM

Eagle Park Brewing is one of our favorite Milwaukee breweries and a must do when hopping around. 

We arrived just before they opened and were surprised to see a line of about 20 people already waiting to get in the doors.  (Although, we were not surprising after we tasted the beer.)

We found out later that they have a pretty incredible, and exclusive, beer club (by paid membership only) so the line made a little more sense with a beer release. 

In addition to the beer club, we were absolutely blown away by the beer and had to indulge in 2 flights.  

The beers are explosive with flavor and we were left wanting more with every sip.

We highly suggest these if they have them on tap:

• Bahama Mama sour
• Tropical Slush sour
• Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake Milkshake IPA
• No Snickity No Stout  

Really, just try as many of their beers as you can because their craft is truly unique and amazing!

3. Good City Brewing 

• Monday – Saturday: 11 AM – 10 PM

Good City Brewing has two convenient locations when visiting the breweries in Milwaukee.

Their original location is located in the East Side of the city while their downtown location is – you guessed it – downtown, right across from the Fiserv Forum.

When you step inside of the taproom, you’ll immediately feel like you’re part of the brewing process as you can see the exposed tanks and piping right behind the bar. 

Saddle up to the bar and have some of their mainstays like the Motto pale ale or the Spare Time hazy IPA.

If you’re really feeling frisky, grab the Audacity, a 10.4% rum and port barrel-aged Belgian quad.  It’s just as flavorful and powerful as it sounds!

4. Dead Bird Brewing

• Thursday & Friday: 3 PM – 9 PM
• Saturday: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM
• Monday – Wednesday: Closed

Dead Bird Brewing specialize in beers with an emphasis on locally-sourced, vegan ingredients.

Started in 2015 by two college roommates, they named the brewery Dead Bird because they literally found a dead bird in an aluminum pot in an attic. Don’t worry, they did not use this pot for brewing the beer. 

Their taproom opened in 2019 and is located in the Brewer’s Hill neighborhood of Milwaukee. They also have a food menu with items such as chips and salsa, beer pretzel, tacos and BBQ with vegan options as well. 

They offer live music every Saturday and usually have a cider on tap too. Sundays, they offer brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Don’t miss the brunch cocktail flight. 

If you need to be entertained while you drink, they have numerous arcade games as well as shuffle board in the taproom. 

5. MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom

• Sunday – Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM

MobCraft Beer Brewery and Taproom is the world’s first crowdsourced brewery.  

What is a crowdsourced brewery exactly? 

Well, each month, MobCraft sources ideas from the crowd (duh) for the next batch of craft Milwaukee beer. 

People from all over the country/world can submit ideas – anything from flavors to a full-fledged recipe.

The good, and realistic, ones are voted on each month on the website. 

How does it work? Your vote is actually you placing a pre-order for the beer you want brewed.

From there, it’s pretty simple, at least on paper: the beer with the most votes wins and is brewed, packaged, and available for pickup at the brewery. Such a cool concept!

Even with the ever-rotating recipes coming through, they still do have some flagships, including Bat$h!t Crazy (coffee brown ale), Low pHunk (sour ale), and Vanilla Wafer Porter, among a few others.    

6. Broken Bat Brewery

• Monday – Thursday: 3 PM – 10 PM
• Friday: 12 PM – 10 PM
• Saturday: 12 PM – 10 PM
• Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
• Food Available: No

For a city whose baseball team is literally named the Brewers, it should come as no surprise that there is a baseball-themed brewery in the Historic Third Ward.  

Located in a cozy basement with sightlines into the compact brewery operations, Broken Bat Brewery cleverly names all of its beers after something baseball-related.

From Straight Chedd (an apricot pale ale) to Golden Sombrero pilsner and the Darryl (a strawberry kettle sour), any baseball fan should add this stop to the top of their Milwaukee breweries list.

If you’re a baseball nut like Chris, you’ll enjoy the baseball references.  If you’re not, you’ll just enjoy some good beer!

7. Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

Just a hop, skip, and a jump down the road is where you’ll find a more historical nod to Pabst Brewing:  Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery . 

While it might sound like a funny name, it’s actually Jacob Best Sr., who established the original brewery in 1844, hence the “Best”. 

The Pabst brewery was closed in 1996 dealing a huge blow to Milwaukee beer, but since Best Place has opened, it has done its “best” to rekindle the charm and history of this place.

You can take a tour for $14, which includes one beer, and you’ll see many of the old offices that were used in the old days and hear all about the history of the brewery. 

If you’re not a history buff or short on time, just grab a beer in the little tavern and munch on some pretzels at The Guest Center. It’s worth noting that most of their venues are for private functions and no open to the public.

Make sure you snap the obligatory pictures in each courtyard with Captain Pabst himself and King Gambrinus, a legendary European culture hero celebrated as an icon of beer.

8. Milwaukee Brewing Company

In September 2022, Eagle Park Brewing (listed above) has acquired Milwaukee Brewing Company , affectionately known as MKE Brewery.

They purchasing rights to the recipes, brand and all other goodies that come with owning a brewery. 

In our opinion though, this is another must-do in the line up of Milwaukee breweries once they are back up and running in their new taproom on Hamilton Street. 

While there are a lot of changes ahead for MKE, their high quality beers are here to stay.

Be on the lookout for their year-round beers such as” Louie’s Demise (an amber ale), Outboard (cream ale), and MKE IPA. 

In November 2023, they relaunched their tours of the facility. We can’t speak to the new tour but the old one was insane with the amount of samples and pours available. These appear to be only offered on Fridays at 1, 2, or 3 PM and are $20 per person.

9. Third Space Brewing

• Monday – Thursday: 4 PM – 9 PM
• Friday: 2 PM – 10 PM

Situated a few minutes west of Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, Third Space Brewing is helping the resurgence of the downtown corridor of Milwaukee.

With a spacious outside beer garden and large indoor seating area, Third Space is helping to pave the way for all Milwaukee breweries.

In 2018, Third Space won a bronze medal at the Great American Beer Festival in the Imperial IPA category for Unbridled Enthusiasm Juicy Double IPA. 

They are the first of the numerous Wisconsin breweries to win a medal at this festival for an IPA!

They also won a silver medal for Unite the Clans in the Rye beer category at the 2019 festival, the third year in a row that this beer was awarded a medal. 

Third Space has a good mix of sours, pale ales, and barley wines to try and make sure you keep an eye out for their dessert beers. They are incredible!

10. Water Street Brewery

• Tuesday & Wednesday: 4 PM – 10 PM
• Thursday & Sunday: 11 AM – 10 PM
• Monday: Closed

Water Street Brewery opened in 1987, staking claim to being Milwaukee’s first brewpub.

Today, they have four locations in Downtown Milwaukee, Grafton, Delafield/Lake Country and Oak Creek.  

To be completely honest, the beer here didn’t blow us away, but all of the beers we got in our flight were refreshing. The beers here are true to form style meaning their lager tastes like a lager.  They seemed to be restaurant first and beer second mentality.

They have several house brews on tap (including a Bavarian Weiss and an Oktoberfest – how traditionally German of them) as well as various seasonals, all of which are brewed at each particular location.  

Water Street also boasts an impressive collection beer and brewing artifacts, including thousands of beer cans arranged in displays, beer taps, neon signs, and other brewery-related knick-knacks. 

Unless you want a full bar / restaurant, we suggest visiting other breweries in Milwaukee instead if you are short on time.  

Bonus Stops

Old german beer hall.

• 7 days a week; Open 11 AM – Close

As we alluded to, Milwaukee has deep German roots which is very evident by the architecture of the buildings downtown.

According to the Encyclopedia of Milwaukee (who knew that was a thing?), “Milwaukee is the most German of major American cities, and Germans have constituted Milwaukee’s largest immigrant group.

The city’s brewing industry, tradition of ethnic festivals, built environment, and history of working-class politics all display the influence of the German immigrants who arrived in especially large numbers during the half-century following 1850.” 

Well, The Old German Beer Hall embodies the spirit of Germany and represents the tradition of Munich’s legendary Hofbräuhaus, complete with the traditional Hofbräu beer in large liters – perfect for guzzling and cheersing (Prost!). 

You can also partake in a game that we’ve only ever seen at NASCAR tailgates. We call it “Stump” here in the South or “ Hammerschlagen ” in Germany (and Milwaukee).

The idea of the game is to hit a nail into a massive tree stump with a hammer (which is thankfully attached to a chain).

SafeHouse 

• Monday – Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
• Friday & Saturday: 11 AM – 12 AM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 8 PM

If you’re looking for something fun and unique, if not altogether touristy, head to SafeHouse . 

Tucked away in an the alley from the Bronze Fonz and in a relatively unmarked building, SafeHouse is like a speakeasy on the outside, and anything but a speakeasy on the inside. 

Look below 3 flags and behind the door faintly marked International Exports. 

You’ll need to know the password to get in, otherwise you’ll have to do something corny (think “do your best ninja move” or something similar) to prove you’re there for a good time! 

Even better, the entrance is shown on CCTV inside the bar for everyone to see (though no one seemed to be watching at all).  

Once inside, you’ll feel like you’re in a spy movie. 

All the employees call you “Agent” and act as if you’re a spy. 

The drinks are all spy-themed (and a little pricey), but the actual bar/restaurant itself has numerous rooms to mill in and out of while trying to find answers to various spy clues.  

We opted for two of the spy-themed cocktails and roamed around all of the rooms looking at all of the spy memorabilia. 

I’m sure we were interrupting people while they were eating dinner, but they didn’t seem to mind as this place was sensory-overload!

When you’ve completed your mission and are ready to head out, you can go out the secret exit in a phone booth if you wish, but it’ll cost you $1. 

Or just go out the way you came in, though a spy never leaves the same way they entered.

If you really want the password to get in and loathe doing something silly, google is your best friend.

Great Lakes Distillery 

• Monday – Thursday: 12 PM – 9 PM
• Friday: 12 PM – 12 AM
• Saturday: 11 AM – 12 AM
• Sunday: 11 AM – 7 PM

Great Lakes Distillery , the first distillery in Wisconsin since Prohibition, is located about a mile south of downtown Milwaukee in Walker’s Point (about a 10-minute ride for scooter-fanatic Samantha). 

The folks here are using local ingredients and old-world methods to create their high-quality lineup of spirits.  

Numerous varieties of vodka, gin, liqueur, whiskey, rum, brandy, absinthe, and various seasonal spirits are all available for you to sample and/or in one of their many cocktails. 

Great Lakes’ spirits have won numerous awards at prestigious competitions, including the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.    

Sightseeing stops

The statue, or the Bronze Fonz as it’s called, is located on the Riverwalk and is a quick stop on your way to SafeHouse or just on a stroll around the river.

The 1970s TV show “Happy Days” took place in Milwaukee and the statue was commissioned to help bring tourism to the city in 2008 with the show’s cast present at the unveiling.

Stop by for a quick picture and give your best thumbs up!

Wisconsin Cheese Mart

The Wisconsin Cheese Mart is a must-do in this cheese-crazed town.

Located in the heart of downtown and across the street from all the bars on Old World Third Street, you will find a cheese shop which, according to their website, has been the world’s largest selection of Wisconsin cheese since 1938. 

Some fun facts:  There are over 35,000 dairy farms selling milk in Wisconsin (almost 2 million cows producing about 14,000 pounds of milk each year)….that equates to a lot of cheese. 

In fact, about 74% of this Wisconsin milk is used in the production of cheese.

2 billion pounds of cheese every year, that is, or 30% of the nation’s total cheese production! 

With more than 250 varieties, types, and styles of cheese available at the Cheese Mart (many of which you can sample!), this is a no-brainer stop on your visit to Milwaukee. 

If you buy cheese, they even provide you with an ice pack to keep it cold while traveling, and will provide a travel cooler if you purchase a certain amount.

Where to eat in Milwaukee 

The wicked hop.

When you know it’s going to be a long day of drinking all the Milwaukee beer and spirits, a hearty brunch is always a good start. 

Located in the Historic Third Ward at the corner of Sunday Brunch and Bloody Mary (not really, it’s actually St. Paul & Broadway, but the sign outside says otherwise), The Wicked Hop boasts some very good food and one of the best Bloody Marys in Milwaukee.

You’ll find most of your traditional brunch favorites here (eggs benedict, French toast, chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, breakfast burritos) but the real star is the Bloody Mary. 

Complete with a peeled shrimp, beef stick, kosher dill pickle, mozzarella cheese whips, a portabella mushroom, a Spanish green olive, and a Lakefront Riverwest Stein beer chaser, this spicy Bloody is a meal in itself! 

We aren’t the biggest fans of Bloodys (gasp, we know), so don’t consider us connoisseurs by any means, but this Bloody has won “Best Drink in Milwaukee” for 4 straight years.  That’s gotta be good for something.

Milwaukee loves its brunch and loves its Bloody Mary’s even more, so look around for others which might tickle your fancy.  Some of them are really out there!

We were told to head to Sobelmans, but ran out of time before we made it there – guess we’ll be back!

Milwaukee Public Market

The Milwaukee Public Market is located directly across the street from The Wicked Hop and was a perfect opportunity for us to walk around for a few minutes and let our brunch and Bloody settle.  

Here’s just a sample of the types of vendors you’ll find at this bustling market: coffee, Thai, Mexican, fish, olive oil, soups, salads, pizzas, vegan options, bakery, chocolates, cheese shop, wine shop, and even a tap truck just outside pouring the delicious Milwaukee beer. 

Guaranteed that you can find something here! Once you do, head upstairs to eat while looking out over the organized chaos below. 

Café Benelux

This was one of Samantha’s favorite spots due to its Belgium-themed menu and beer selection.

With over 40 pages of craft beer on the menu, Café Benelux is an excellent (and massive) place to find a good beer and eat some great food.

We opted for brunch food and we were very satisfied with our choices. Samantha’s current go-to for brunch food is Eggs Benedict and she was incredibly happy with her selection. 

Chris, ever the beer and cheese lover (even more so when they are mixed), chose the ham and beer cheese omelet.

Where to stay Milwaukee 

Booking.com probably has the widest selection of budget (and luxury) accommodations in the world. In our experience, they consistently found the cheapest rooms. We also like their easy to use interface and no money down policy. When we book our travel stays, we personally use booking.com.

Milwaukee is a relatively compact city and everywhere we went was about a 5-8 minute car ride, a 10-minute scooter ride, or a 20-minute walk. >>> For a full list of hotels in the area, CLICK HERE.

Centrally Located – Hyatt Regency

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency since it was centrally located and was in the middle of the breweries we wanted to visit (see the map above for reference). We have stayed at several Hyatts before this one was just as nice. 

>>>>Book your stay here now!

Unique stay – Brewhouse Inn and Suites

This old brewhouse was renovated for a hotel! Talk about going all in on a beer weekend in Milwaukee. Located directly across from Pabst and a block away from MKE Brewing, this hotel is a nice choice on the outskirts of the city. 

Homewood Suites By Hilton Milwaukee Downtown

If being central and being near a food hall is your kind of place, then look no further than Homewood Suites. Just a block off the water and near the Milwaukee Public Market, this hotel is a good suite option for in the city.

Slightly south – The Iron Horse Hotel

Located in the southern end of the city, this hotel is walkable to a distillery and a handful of breweries. Known for it’s modern and chic room décor, the rooms are spacious and they are pet friendly.

If you’re planning on visiting Brew City and creating your own self-guided brewery tour in Milwaukee, remember to pack your drinkin’ shoes. 

While the big brewers like Pabst and Miller are mainstays in the Milwaukee beer scene, craft beer is alive and well here and crafting new favorites with old world twists.

With such a short time in the city, we know we missed a lot. 

Frozen custard is definitely a Milwaukee thing as Milwaukee has the highest concentration of frozen custard shops in the world, but we just didn’t have enough stomach space (or time) to make it to one of these shops.  

Also, while at the airport on our way out, we made sure to indulge in a Wisconsin-style Old Fashioned, which is your typical Old Fashioned, but with brandy instead of whiskey. 

Chris really enjoyed it and will be making these again at home. 

All in all, we had a great weekend and enjoyed some fantastic Milwaukee breweries and beers. We highly suggest a weekend getaway to Milwaukee (or longer if you have the time). 

P.S.  W e were always drinking Wisconsibly.  W e did this self-guided tour at a reasonable pace, shared flights and drinks, drank water at every place, and ate frequently.  

Always drink responsibly. Never drink and drive (this includes scootering). 

Ready to visit to Milwaukee? Read hotel reviews or  book your room here !

Don’t forget to pick up a  guidebook  for your other adventures.

Love this guide? Have questions? Get in touch with us on  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Instagram  |  Pinterest

Samantha and Chris fell in love with traveling together back in 2015. They met, married, and lived together in Richmond, VA for 7 years before becoming full-time travelers in 2020.

Along the way, they've traveled to over 40 U.S. states and 20 countries while drinking local beers, wines, and spirits during their journeys.

Join them as they share travel resources, stories, and guides based on their personal experiences drinking locally when traveling globally.

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Best Milwaukee Brewery Tours – Local Favorites for Visitors

This post may include affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I (The Winding Road Tripper) earn from qualifying purchases.  Read more . 

Featured Image Courtesy of Lakefront Brewing .

Welcome to Milwaukee, also known as “Brew City,” – where the beer flows like the Milwaukee River (only drinkable 🙂)

With Milwaukee’s rich brewing history that includes big names like Miller, Pabst, and Schlitz, it’s no wonder Milwaukee has earned its reputation as a beer lover’s paradise. 

But it’s not just the big names that make Milwaukee special. Over 25 craft breweries call Milwaukee home, each with a unique style and flavor.

And what better way to experience all this deliciousness than with a brewery tour? Whether you’re a beer connoisseur or simply like to enjoy a cold one a brewery tour is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee .

Over the years, we’ve been on quite a few brewery tours. Sometimes just for fun. And sometimes to show visiting friends and family how amazing the city of Milwaukee is. 

Unfortunately, since Covid, the number of brewery tours available has decreased. But don’t worry, the best ones are still around. 

So, here is a list of our favorite brewery tours in Milwaukee for you to explore. We’ll also include a list of available brewery tours, a few beer history tours, and tours where you’ll be guided through the city, stopping at multiple breweries.

Let’s grab a pint or two and dive in!

Related Post: Best Milwaukee Tours: Top Picks for Visitors

List of Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

Best brewery tours in milwaukee, lakefront brewery.

Length: 45 min

# of Tastings: 4 – 8oz pours

If you can take only one brewery tour while in Milwaukee, Lakefront Brewery is what you are looking for. 

Lakefront Brewery has been a Milwaukee staple since 1987. Founded by two beer-loving brothers, Russ and Jim Klisch, Lakefront Brewery has been bringing joy to Milwaukee with their delicious brews and fun atmosphere.

Not only do they have something for everyone (even those avoiding gluten), but their flagship beer, Riverwest Stein , is so popular it’s in almost every bar in Milwaukee. 

But let’s be real. The best part of Lakefront Brewery is the tour. It’s like a 45-minute party, complete with fun facts, jokes, and of course, beer. You’ll get to sample four- 8oz pours of their finest brews and even take home a souvenir pint glass.

And if you ask most beer-loving Milwaukeans, they’ll tell you they’ve been on the Lakefront Brewery tour several times. It’s perfect for entertaining visitors. And even without visitors, the tour is simply a good old time shared with beer-loving friends. 

Before or after the tour, don’t forget to hit up their beer hall for some delicious grub. And if you are lucky enough to be there on a Friday, their fish fry is one of the best in town. 

If you aren’t hungry, take some time to bask in the beauty of their outdoor patio along the Milwaukee Riverfront. 

The Lakefront Brewery Tour is a must-do for any Milwaukee resident or visitor. 

Related Post: Best Craft Breweries in Milwaukee: As Rated by a Local Beer-lover

Miller Brewing

Length: 1 hour

# of Tastings: 3 tastings

Touring a small craft brewery is fun, but seeing the enormous scale of a major brewery like Miller Brewing is an experience you won’t want to miss. 

Walking through Miller Valley is like taking a stroll through beer heaven. From the old-school charm of the Miller Inn to the high-tech brewing facilities, you’ll see it all on this guided walking tour.

And of course, it’s not a Milwaukee tour without a beer in hand, so you’ll start with a cold one. Hey, it’s Wisconsin, what did you expect?

But the real highlight of the tour is the underground Miller caves. These things are so cool they’ll give you chills (literally). Plus, you’ll get to see the historic Bavarian-style Miller Inn and the ginormous modern operations of the Brew House, Packaging, and Distribution Centers.

All in all, the Miller Brewery Tour is a must-do for any beer lover visiting Milwaukee. It’ll leave you with a newfound appreciation for Milwaukee’s rich beer history. 

One-day in Milwaukee: Itinerary Suggestions From a Local

Beer History Tours

Best place beer history tour.

Length: 1 – 1.5 hours

# of Tastings: 1 pint

If you’re a history buff who loves a good brew, the Best Place Beer History Tour is the bee’s knees . Trust us, it’s not your typical snooze-fest.

To kick things off, you’ll get a refreshing beer or soda. Then, get ready for a quick video on the history of Best Brewery, which later became the iconic Pabst Brewery.

The tour takes you through some of the remaining buildings that once made up the Pabst Brewery complex, and let me tell you, the folks at Best Place have done an amazing job restoring them. It’s like stepping back in time, but with better beer.

And don’t miss your chance to sit at Captain Pabst’s desk in the main wedding hall. You might just feel like a captain yourself (no judgment here).

But let’s be real, the show’s real stars are the tour guides. They’re witty, funny, and know their stuff when it comes to the story of Pabst beer. You’ll learn all about how it rose to fame, fell from grace, and then made a triumphant comeback to become the beloved brand it is today.

So, come for the beer, stay for the history, and soak up the friendly Gemütlichkeit. This tour is a must-do for anyone looking for an entertaining and educational experience. Prost!

Where to Stay in Milwaukee – A Locally Curated Guide

Pabst Mansion Length: 1 hour

If you’re looking for a true taste of German Milwaukee , look no further than the Pabst Mansion. It’s the real deal, y’all.

This preserved 1890s Gilded Age Mansion is a must-visit for anyone who loves history and beer (which, let’s be honest, is basically everyone in Milwaukee).

Once home to Captain Pabst, his wife, and a whopping 10 children (though only 5 made it to adulthood), this place is steeped in history. And we’re not talking about the boring kind of history you snoozed through in school. We’re talking juicy details that will make you feel like you’re part of the Pabst family.

Now, you can do a self-guided tour, but we highly recommend the guided tour. Why? Because the tour guides are passionate about the history, and they’ll give you all the deets you wouldn’t get on a self-guided tour.

The guided tour takes you through the first through third floors of the mansion and shares everything you could want to know about the Pabst Mansion, the Pabst family, and the incredible architecture and furnishings of the home. Trust us, you won’t want to miss this.

So, come get your history and beer fix all in one place at the Pabst Mansion. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the German Milwaukee experience.

Multiple Brewery Tours

Fun beer tours.

Length of Tour: 2.5 – 3 hours

Alright, beer-loving friends, I’ve got the inside scoop on one of Milwaukee’s best-kept secrets : Fun Beer Tours. These tours are truly a one-of-a-kind experience. 

Fun Beer Tours keeps its prices low by letting you choose your own drinks and snacks. That way, you can customize your experience and try all the beers your heart desires. And for all the non-drinkers out there, you won’t have to pay for someone else’s suds.

And can we talk about the options? Fun Beer Tours has tours that cater to every interest. Whether you’re all about the beer or want to learn some Milwaukee history too, they’ve got you covered.

Choose from the “Beer is Famous Tour” or the “Beer + Everything Else Tour” and prepare to have a blast. You can even ask them to create a specialized tour for a group outing like a bachelor or bachelorette party. 

But the real star of the show is your guide, Paul. He’s not just a beer history buff, he’s a craft brewery co-founder, collector of historic brewery artifacts, and a 30-year history teacher. Let’s just say he knows his stuff.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and unique way to experience Milwaukee’s beer culture, Fun Beer Tours is the way to go. Trust me, you won’t regret it.

Milwaukee Food and City Tours: Craft Brewery and Distillery Tour

Length of Tour: 3.5-4 hours

The Craft Brewery and Distillery Tour is all about discovering new craft brews and spirits before they hit the mainstream. So if you want to hit multiple establishments in the comfort of a bus, this tour is for you.

The tour lasts between 3.5 to 4 hours, with 4-5 stops at some of Milwaukee’s finest breweries and distilleries. It’s the perfect way to explore the local scene and support our city’s up-and-coming stars. While learning a bit along the way.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and authentic way to experience Milwaukee’s craft brewery and distillery scene, Milwaukee Food and City Tours is another way to go.

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"We had, quite possibly, one of our best all around tours we have ever taken with Paul.  It was fun, it was very informative, very unique with the quizzes, and there’s beer!  Great price, Great Tour Guide, Great Job. A true ambassador for Milwaukee!"

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Craft beer ~ historical breweries ~ history & architecture.

Milwaukee is home to more beer history than any other city in the nation.  With a craft beer scene that compromises 40+ breweries, the historic "Beer Capital of the World" is again the most complete beer destination you can find anywhere.  Plus, we do Milwaukee history and architecture tours , too!

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Private Brewery Tour

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3 Craft Breweries

'Beer Flight' Games + Trivia

PRIVATE TOURS & GROUPS

'THEN & NOW' SERIES

Beer + 'pretty much everything else'.

Historic Pabst Complex

Downtown MKE / Third Ward

RETURNS IN 2025

WI Craft Beer

2 Amazing Food Halls

Engaging History & Architecture 

QUINTESSENTIAL MILWAUKEE

Food Options

CUSTOM THEMED ~ PUB CRAWL ~ TRIVIA + GAMES

Our custom trivia + games - themed outings are huge crowd-pleasers for bachelorette, birthday, & anniversary celebrations.  Great for corporate bonding & staff team building.  Or mix & match our Games with Tour elements to maximize your fun!

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"Thank you so much for a great first experience in Milwaukee.  :)  I am so glad that I found you!" ~ STEPHANIE - 7/29/21 - "Devil's Trinity" Tour

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“No man should drink too much beer, even if it was good beer, 

and that forty or fifty glasses a day ought to be the limit for anybody.”

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Why locals love this great city on a great lake, good times ahead.

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Cruise around town in our comfortable 14-passenger, mini-coach bus

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Our guides go the extra mile to provide you with a memorable, informative, and humorous experience.

History, Architecture, Food, & Beer

Our all-encompassing tours give our guests the most complete overview of Milwaukee. You won’t find a better alternative!

Ever Wondered Why Grass is Green or

What french fur traders were doing in the midwest, no question is too outlandish for our guides.

Untapped Tours is a small, locally-owned tour company founded to show visitors all there is to love about Milwaukee. We offer flexible, small-group experiences that focus on the interests and imaginations of whoever is on the tour that day! Our goal is to learn something new and laugh together while we savor the history, architecture, food, and beer of our fine city. The City Tour provides a comprehensive overview of Milwaukee for first-time visitors and long-time residents alike!

Milwaukee City Tour

Don’t just take our word for it, courtney jacob | google business review.

Absolutely amazing tour! Michael is the BEST!! If you’re visiting or you’re from Milwaukee, this is tour you MUST take! Awesome breweries, great guide, fun times!!!

Debbie L. | TripAdvisor

Probably the best tour we’ve ever had! Mike is so knowledgeable of Milwaukee – he made us fall in love this city. He drove us to hidden gems that we would have never found on our own. We were able to get out and walk around. It was perfect!

Sabrina Moffat | Google Business Review

All the Brew tours were private tours which was a huge plus. The shuttle was clean, warm and we got front door drop off at all breweries. Can’t wait to this again!

Yann Holdship | Google Business Review

Very personable, fun and full of history, knowledge and random tid-bits and possibly secret passwords… A great way to discover Milwaukee and all it’s little neighborhoods. Thanks Mike!

Michelle W | TripAdvisor

Mike is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to Milwaukee. Our tour took us all over town and the sights were wonderful. The bus was as pictured – neat and clean. It was a great way to make a list of things that we wanted to spend more time seeing/experiencing while in Milwaukee. Thanks Mike!!

Hi, My Name is Mike

And I am the founder of Untapped Tours. More often than not, I’ll also be your guide throughout your experience with us! I was born and raised in Milwaukee and I love my home town and our Great Lake. I hope you’ll join me and let me show you why I think Milwaukee is a gem of the Midwest!

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Exploring milwaukee in june 2024: a perfect summer getaway, exploring milwaukee in may: a vibrant spring getaway, exploring milwaukee in april 2024: a springtime adventure, have more questions, get in touch with our friendly team today.

Milwaukee Brewery Tours

By: Author Adam

Posted on Last updated: March 16, 2019

Milwaukee is often referred to as Brew City and while that might be a name given to the city when it was the world’s largest beer producer just before the turn of the century. It’s still as relevant today as it was back then. Many of the big beer brands of yesteryear are gone.

They have been replaced with a new generation of brewmasters just as passionate and making Milwaukee a great beer city once again. Here is our guide to the best brewery tours in Milwaukee and a list of every tour in the city.

Top 5 Brewery Tours in Milwaukee

1. milwaukee brewing company.

MKE Brewing has unseated Lakefront as the best brewery tour in Milwaukee with their fun-loving ‘Beer in hand tour’ . It’s hard to top a man with a megaphone comically explaining the brewing process while you sip on 10% abv brews. All of us Milwaukee-ians are excited to see what the new downtown brewery will bring. Hopefully, new great beers – or at least the same great beer and more of it!

For only $12 this is one of our favorite Milwaukee brewery tours. All brewery tours include souvenir pint glass, beer samples, a beer token good for a beer at set local bars & restaurants, and a tour. The beer sampling starts 30 minutes before your scheduled tour and is open for two-hours of sampling. They have 12 beers on tap that rotate so there is always something new to try. Make reservations here otherwise, they do save a set number of tickets for walk-ins. If you leave sober from this tour, it’s your own fault!

• Address:  613 S 2nd St, Milwaukee
• MKE Brewing Tour Schedule: Fridays  4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30; Saturdays at 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30 & 4:00; Sunday at 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 & 3:30.
• Tour Cost: $12
• Phone: (414) 226-2337

2. Lakefront Brewing

Lakefront is still a tour not to be missed on a trip to Milwaukee.  However, they need to step back up to their glory days of fun over rules – and start over serving everyone on their tours again! Lakefront’s beer can go toe to toe with any beer in the city and their tours invented the way a brewery tour should be . However, in the past couple of years, they have let their foot off the gas and let MKE in to take the reigns as the best brewery tour in Milwaukee. The tour cost $11 and includes a souvenir pint glass and four six-ounce beer samples. Book tickets online here in advance limited amount of walk-in space is available.

• A ddress:   1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee
• Lakefront Brewery Tour Schedule: Every day of the week times vary somewhat but typically Monday-Friday 12 pm – 8 pm, Saturday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday 12 pm – 4 pm
• Tour Cost: $11
• Phone: (414) 372-8800

3. Sprecher Brewing

A Milwaukee Staple Sprecher brewing is a nod to the city’s roots with a warehouse full of German-style lagers to sample while on one of the original Milwaukee brewery tours. sprecher has been around way before craft beer was cool, so much so that they are locally just as well know for their craft of soft drinks rootbeers as they are their actual beers. In addition to their great beer, the kiddos can sample their way into a sugar coma with the wide variety of quality rootbeers and flavored soft drinks at Sprecher. Their regular tour includes a beer tasting souvenir glass and 4 samples of beer. There will be 20 different beers, sodas, and ciders on tap to choose from.

There are several types of brewery tours available: regular Sprecher Brewery tour $5 children $8 adults, Advanced Styles Tasting Tour $30, Reserve Tasting Tour $20, and Drinking Age Only Tour $8.  Book online in advance here .

• Address:   701 W Glendale Ave, Glendale
• Regular Sprecher Brewery Tour Schedule: Weekdays 2 pm 3pm 4 pm, Weekends: 12:00 pm 12:45 pm 1:15 pm 2:00 pm 2:45 pm 3:15 pm 4:00 pm
• Tour Cost: Varies $5-$30
• Phone: (414) 964-7837

4. City Lights Brewing Co

One of the hottest breweries in Milwaukee right now is City Lights and the turning up the heat of some of the city’s most established brewmasters. Make your way to City Lights and you won’t be disappointed with a brewery tour. Their tour doesn’t come with many beer tastings, only one full beer and a souvenir glass for $10. Book tickets online here .

• Address:   2200 W. Mt. Vernon Ave, Milwaukee
• City Lights Brewery Tour Schedule: Friday 5 pm & 7 pm, Saturday 2 pm & 4 pm & 6 pm
• Tour Cost: $10
• Phone: (414) 436-1011

5. MillerCoors Brewing Tour

The last big brewery left in Milwaukee is still brewing strong since 1855. Taking the tour at Miller Brewing is different than the other microbreweries and craft breweries in Milwaukee. Here you’ll get to see a very large scale brewery from the start of the process until the end. Every day Miller Brewing brews, packs, and ships millions of beers.

At the end of the tour, you’ll get a chance to sample three beers brewed at Miller and walk around the interesting beer caves thought to be some of the largest in the world. Brewery tour tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis only no reservations. More on the MillerCoors Brewery Tour

• Address: 4251 West State Street, Milwaukee
• MillerCoors Brewery Tour Schedule: Tours typically run every 30 minutes between 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 10:30 am – 2:00 p.m. Sunday’s Memorial Day through Labor Day. Closed Sunday’s Labor Day through Memorial Day.
• Tour Cost: $10/$5 WI Residents – Free for DD’s and under 21
• Phone: 414-931-BEER (2337)

Complete list of Brewery tours in Milwaukee

Bavarian bierhaus.

• Address: 700 W Lexington Blvd, Glendale
• Tour Schedule: Fridays every half an hour 4:3o pm – 6:30 pm
• Tour Cost: Free

Black Husky Brewing

• Address: 909 E. Locust St, Milwaukee
• Black Hushy Brewery Tour Schedule: Saturdays 1 pm & 2 pm
• Tour Cost: $10 includes 2 beers and a souvenir glass

City Lights Brewing Co

• Address: 2200 W. Mt. Vernon Ave, Milwaukee
• Tour Cost: $10 includes 1 beer and a souvenir glass

Delafield Brewhaus

• Address: 3832 Hillside Drive, Delafield
• Delafield Brewhaus Brewery Tours: Saturdays 2 pm

The Explorium Brewpub

• Address: Southridge Mall 5300 South 76th Street Unit 1450A, Greendale
• Explorium Brewpub tours: by appointment only typically Saturdays 1 pm & 3 pm
• Tour Cost: $10 includes sample during the tour and a glass

Good City Brewing

• Address: 2108 N Farwell Ave, Milwaukee
• Good City Brewery tour schedule: Saturdays 1 pm & 2 pm
• Tour Cost: $10 one full pour and a souvenir glass

Lakefront Brewery

• Address: 1872 N. Commerce St., Milwaukee
• Tour Cost: $11 includes four six-ounce samples and a pint glass

Milwaukee Brewing company

• Address: 613 S 2nd St, Milwaukee
• MKE Brewing Brewery Tour Schedule: Fridays  4:00, 4:30, 5:00, 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30; Saturdays at 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00, 3:30 & 4:00; Sunday at 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 & 3:30.
• Tour Cost $12 two hours of beer sampling and a souvenir glass

MobCraft Beer

• Address: 505 S 5th St, Milwaukee
• MobCraft Brewery Tour Schedule: Friday 6 pm &  7pm, Saturday 2 pm & 3:15 pm & 4:30 pm
• Tour Cost: $10 includes two beers

Raised Grain Brewing

• Address: 2244 W. Bluemound Rd. Suite E. Waukesha
• Raised Grain Brewery Tour Schedule: Saturday 3 pm & 4 pm
• Tour Cost: $10 samples before & during the tour and a full pour at the end of the tour with a take home pint glass

Sprecher Brewing

• Address: 701 W Glendale Ave, Glendale
• Regular Sprecher Brewery Tour Schedule: Weekdays 2 pm 3 pm 4 pm, Weekends: 12:00 pm 12:45 pm 1:15 pm 2:00 pm 2:45 pm 3:15 pm 4:00 pm

Third Space Brewing

• Address: 1505 W St Paul Ave, Milwaukee
• Third Space Brewery Tour Schedule: Saturday 1 pm & 3 pm
• Tour Cost: $10 includes two beers and the glass

Urban Harvest Brewing Company

• Address: 1024 South 5th Street, Milwaukee
• Urban Harvest Brewery Tour Schedule: second and fourth Saturday of each month at 3 pm
• Tour Cost: $6 five beer samples and a beer coupon for a future visit

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Experience America’s Favorite Brewery Tour

The daily tour.

of facts, lore, jokes, and beer

unless supervised by a parent or legal guardian

Monday–Thursday: $13 Friday–Sunday: $16

FOUR 8oz. POURS

and a souvenir pint glass included in tour price

Book a Private Tour for Your Small Group

Gather your 19+ closest friends, family members, or colleagues for an exclusive tour of the brewery.

The Beer Hall kitchen is open every day to serve you hot, fresh, Milwaukee favorites, before or after your tour with first come, first served seating.

Weekly Specials

Stopping in during the week? Take advantage of our weekly specials!

Make it a Weekend

Find a hotel near the brewery.

Brewhouse Inn & Suites (414) 810-3350

Iron Horse Hotel (414) 374-4766

The Pfister Hotel (414) 273-8222

Ambassador Hotel (414) 345-5000

Hilton Milwaukee City Center (414) 271-7250

DoubleTree by Hilton (414) 273-2950

Check Out Other Nearby Attractions

Summerfest (414) 273-2680

Harley-Davidson Museum (877) 436-8738

Miller Park (414) 902-4000

Milwaukee Food Tours (414) 255-0534

Milwaukee Irish Fest (414) 476-3378

Untapped Tours (414) 698-8058

Have a Beer On Us: The After-Tour

After the tours, we offer our tourists a “Beer On Us.”

You can take our dated coupons to any of the fine establishments listed on the coupon for a free Lakefront Brewery beer. The coupon is valid for 3 days from your tour date.

Daily Coupon

Participating Members

Caffrey’s Pub 717 N. 16th St. 414.933.9047

Malone’s On Brady 1329 E. Brady 414.763.3209

Regano’s   Roman Coin (Closed Mondays) 1004 E. Brady 414.278.9334

Who’s On Third 1007 N. Old World 3rd St. 414.897.8373

The Garage 1709 N. Arlington 414.220.8090

Milwaukee Brat House 1013 N. Old World 3rd St. 414.763.2830

Scaffidi’s Hideout 1837 N. Humboldt 414.574.0015

Wicked Hop 345 N. Broadway 414.223.0345

Hosed  On Brady 1689 N. Franklin 414.223.3919

Motor   @ Harley Davidson 401 W. Canal ( 414.287.2778)

Wolski’s (Opens at 2PM) 1836 N. Pulaski 414.223.0345

Landmark Lanes 2220 N. Farwell 414.278.8770

Nomad World Pub 1401 E. Brady 414224.8111

The Tracks (Opens at 4PM) 1020 E. Locust 414.562.2020

Jack’s American Pub 1323 E. Brady 414.763.2830

O’Lydias 338 S. 1st St. 414.271.7546

Up-Down Milwaukee 615 E. Brady 414.585.0880

Drink Wisconsinbly (Closed Mondays & Tuesdays) 320 W. Highland 414.409.1740

Third St. Tavern 1110 N. Old World 3rd St. 414.574.0015

Nitty-Gritty Tour Details

You can buy tickets here on our eTix page. Click HERE .

Currently, all tour tickets should be purchased online ahead of time. Purchase through the link above. Any space on tours that didn’t sell online can be sold as walk-up tickets. Weekend tours almost always sell out ahead of time, plan ahead and purchase larger group tickets in one transaction.

All ticket sales are final and cannot be refunded.

That’d be a resounding “yes!” All patrons on the premise must be 21 with a  valid ID  or under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian. Aunts, uncles, brothers, and sisters are  not legal guardians. The tour is geared toward adults, but kids and families are welcome at their own discretion. Kids 12 and under do not require a ticket but must but must remain next to their family for the entirety of the tour.

For non-beer drinkers, we offer our Golden Maple Root Beer as well as Coke products. Wine is available for guests over 21 as well.

Each tour will be limited to 35 people. If looking to get a table in our Beer Hall following the tour, we offer open seating that is first come, first served. Once you have a table, food can be ordered at our food counter and drinks are available at our main bar. Our patio is also first come, first served seating when available. Our patio offers bar service and our CurdWagon food truck on the weekends.

Not only do you get 50 minutes with one of our practiced entertaining tour guides, you will also receive 32oz. of award-winning beer and a free beer coupon at one of many fine establishments in the greater Milwaukee area (good for 3 days from your tour day). Beer will be available before the tour as well as part-way through the tour. Don’t forget to grab your souvenir pint glass before you head out!

We currently offer tours 7 days a week with tour times fluctuating based on the season.

In general, you will be able to purchase brewery tours for the following days/times:

Monday – Thursday: 5PM, 6:30PM Friday: 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM Environmental, 5PM, 5:30PM, 6:30PM, 7PM Saturday: 12PM, 12:30PM, 1PM, 1:30PM, 2PM, 2:30PM, 3PM, 4PM, 4:30PM, 5PM, 5:30PM, 6PM Sunday: 12PM, 1PM, 2PM, 3PM (tour frequency increases and decreases based on the time of year)

We have tours available for 2-month chunks at a time. For example, if we have April and May available to purchase, on May 1st at 9AM, June will become available. On June 1st at 9AM, July will become available and so on.

Still having issues clicking the desired date? Check to see if we’re closed for a holiday or private event by visiting the bottom of our homepage or give us a call at 414-372-8800.

Every Friday at 3PM we host our environmental tour. This tour is very similar to our normal brewery tour but focuses on some of the green aspects of the brewery. Sustainability has always been an important part of our operation here.

Can’t make the tour? Here’s link to our sustainability page: https://lakefrontbrewery.com/about-lakefront/sustainability-efforts

All seating is first come, first served in our Beer Hall with food available through our food counter and additional drinks available at the bar.

1. Go out to our patio, weather permitting. (our patio is all walk-up, first come, first served seating with counter/bar service) 2. Head upstairs to get a table inside our restaurant. 3. Move on to their next Milwaukee stop.

Any questions or additional needs, feel free to call ahead at 414-372-8800.

Parking on Commerce Street (the street we’re on) is free and unrestricted as long as you don’t leave your car here overnight. There is a small parking lot on the northeast side of the building that contains disabled parking spaces if needed. Please be aware of pedestrians while driving and parking in our area.

All ticket sales are final. We do not offer refunds for any tickets purchased. Extra beers will not be given out for unused tickets. Please call ahead with any related issues.

During the week (Mon – Thurs), Lakefront offers private tours of the brewery for a minimum of 20 people (or the cost of 20 tickets) and a maximum of 35. The cost of the tour is $13 per person during the week. On weekends (Fri – Sun), groups are welcome to purchase all 35 available online tickets for a public tour to make it private for you and up to 34 others. The cost of the tour is $16 per person on the weekends. (we cannot give out extra sample tokens for unused tickets)

Private tour timing depends on business needs but we will do our best to accommodate the needs of each private tour group. All attendees must be 21 or accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Private tours include:

• Four 6oz. beer samples
• Souvenir pint glass
• Coupon for a Lakefront beer at a local bar
• Entertaining guide all to yourself!

Click HERE to request a private tour!

On weekdays we are in production and cannot go through the entire brewery. Tourists can see much of the brewery and its equipment through glass windows, though. The weekday ticket price, usually $12, can fluctuate based on the holidays.

Weekend tours go through the entire brewery because we are usually not in production. Weekend tours are always busy and almost always sell out. The weekend ticket price is $15.

Our technical tour takes place on Sundays at 11 a.m. and consists of a detailed 90-minute tour through the brewery with a brewing expert, plus a 90-minute beer and food pairing session provided by one of our skilled chefs. These tours are limited to 15 people to give you the most intimate experience of our brewery.

*Our technical tour is currently on hold for the foreseeable future.*

¡Estamos muy orgullosos de ofrecerles a nuestros clientes hispanohablantes la posibilidad de hacer un recorrido de nuestra cervecería famosa en español! Favor de ponerse en contacto con John directamente ( [email protected] ) para más información o para organizar de antemano su visita en español.

We are proud to announce that our nationally renowned brewery tour is now available in Spanish! Contact John at [email protected]  for more information and availability. Tours must be booked in advance.

Unfortunately, our gift card system isn’t connected to our online ticketing software. If you’re looking to grab spots in advance, we ask that reservations are made and paid for ahead of time. Upon your arrival, we will refund the total cost of your purchase and swipe your gift card for that amount.

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A guide to Milwaukee walking tours, from history and culture to food and ghosts

If you're looking to learn more about the history, culture and architecture of your hometown (or you're visiting the city and want to learn more), a walking tour is a great way to do it.

Here are a few walking tours of Milwaukee sites and neighborhoods.

Historic Milwaukee walking tours

Historic Milwaukee is a nonprofit organization that hosts walking tours and events like Doors Open Milwaukee in order to raise awareness about the city's architecture and history.

Historic Milwaukee Special Tours are guided walking tours.

• German Heritage Walking Tour: Tourists will learn about notable German people and places in Milwaukee history. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Beyond Brady: Polish & Italian Immigrants in Milwaukee: Tour explores how this east side neighborhood was the home of Polish and Italian immigrants and became Milwaukee's counterculture stronghold in the 1960s and '70s. 2 hours. $15 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Industrial Heritage, Walker's Point: Tour explores how the former warehouses and factories of Walker's Point have evolved into restaurants, places of business and homes. 2 hours. $20.
• Walker's Point Churches Tour: Tour explores the architecture and religious beliefs of several churches in Walker's Point, especially as they evolved throughout Walker's Point history as different immigrant groups made the neighborhood their worship home. 2 hours. $20.
• Yankee Hill Walking Tour: Tour explores the history of the Yankee Hill neighborhood. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Yankee Hill Churches Tour: Tourists walk by seven churches in the east side neighborhood, to learn about their architecture and history. If church schedules allow, tour will also include a walk inside the churches. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Wisconsin Avenue Churches Tour: Tourists learn the history of churches constructed from the 1860s through the 1920s with a focus on the architecture, traditions and different ethnic groups that have worshipped there. 2 hours. $20.
• Women's Milwaukee: Tour explores the history of downtown Milwaukee with a focus on the stories of women rather than the more typically told stories of Solomon Juneau, Byron Kilbourn and George H. Walker. 2 hours. $20 for adults, $5 for ages 6-11, free for kids 5 and under.
• Lulu & Rocky Family Tour: This family tour, recommended for kids ages 6-10 and their families, is based on a children's book that explores some of the famous and historical sites of downtown Milwaukee. 1.5 hours. $10 for adults, $5 for ages 5-11, $2 for ages 4 and under.
• Gargoyles, Grotesques & Dragons: Tour focuses on the meaning and history behind the "faces" that appear on downtown Milwaukee buildings. 2 hours. $20.

Historic Milwaukee mobile app tours highlight different parts of the city with self-guided routes with suggested stops and information about the sites. Unless otherwise noted, the downloads are free.

• Avenues West: a 2.5-mile tour with 23 stops just west of I-43, a neighborhood that includes Marquette University and historic mansions.
• Brady Street: a .8-mile tour with 27 stops, includes architectural and historic sites of the street. $4.99 to download.
• Clarke Square: a 1.8-mile tour with 17 stops, located in the heart of Milwaukee's Latin American community, once a predominantly Polish community.
• Diverse Downtown: a 2-mile tour with 18 stops through downtown Milwaukee told through the lens of Native Americans, women and people of color who shaped the area.
• Exploring the Beerline Tour: a 1.4-mile tour with 15 stops, through two Milwaukee neighborhoods, Riverwest and Harambee, with information about the Beerline rail line that was decommissioned in the early 1990s and became a multi-modal recreational trail.
• Harbor District: a 3.5-mile tour with 17 stops, of an area that was once a marshland, became an area known for tanneries and foundries with ships coming and going, and is now an area that groups are working to revitalize.
• Indigenous Milwaukee: a 5-mile tour with 27 stops that focuses on the stories of the many Indigenous communities who have made Milwaukee home.
• Layton Boulevard: a 1.7-mile tour with 17 stops, with historic and cultural stops on the historic street that is now part of 27th Street.
• Metcalfe Park: a 3-mile tour with 28 stops representing the culture and history of this majority-Black community.
• Milwaukee Moderns: a 2-mile tour with 18 stops that focuses on the architecture of buildings in downtown Milwaukee that are in the Postmodern, Brutalist and International styles.
• North Point Mansions South: a 0.8-mile tour with 24 stops in a historic neighborhood on the lower east side that shows off many historic mansions. $4.99 to download
• Silver City: a 1-mile tour with 15 stops of the area that got its name in the early 20th century when its industrial workers were paid in silver coins.
• Visiting Villard Avenue: a 1.2-mile tour with 20 stops that explore the culture and history of this part of "Old North Milwaukee."
• Yankee Hill: a 1.1-mile tour with 21 stops in the neighborhood that derived its name from its placement on a bluff and the "Yankee" residents who arrived from New York and New England in the 1830s. $4.99 to download.

Historic Milwaukee Self-Guided Tours are self-guided tours in printed form.

• Walking Milwaukee: 31 Tours of Brew City's Neighborhoods, Landmarks and Entertainment Districts: In this book, each tour includes commentary on topics like architecture, culture, history and trivia along with where to eat, drink and shop. There are photographs, a map for each tour, as well as distance and difficulty level. $16.95.
• Walking Milwaukee: Downtown Edition: The full set of cards includes 10 tour cards, each of which is a mapped walking tour, and eight landmark cards documenting the history of some downtown landmarks. Mini sets are also available for purchase on specific topics including Beer Barons of Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee's Downtown, Milwaukee's Lakefront and Yankee Hill. $2-$20.

Milwaukee Soldiers Home walking tour

The Milwaukee VA Soldiers Home historic district is a national historic landmark on the grounds of the Milwaukee VA Medical Center. The Milwaukee Preservation Alliance hosts tours of the historic buildings located on the grounds.

• Guided tours are 90 minutes long and can be scheduled through the Milwaukee Preservation Alliance website . The tours are free, although donations are welcome.
• An app is also available to download for people who want to take the self-guided tour.

Milwaukee walking tours that feature food and drink

Fun Beer Tours MKE : These guided beer-themed tours include historical facts and Milwaukee trivia, as well as stops where people can buy beer and other drinks (Cost of food and beverages are not included in the fee).

• Beer is famous. Milwaukee made it so: A tour of spots at the Pabst Brewery complex and Central Waters Brewing. 0.9 miles. 2 hours and 45 minutes. $20 for adults (21 and over).
• Downtown: History and architecture: Tour starts at the Milwaukee Public Market and loops through downtown to see historic sites such as City Hall and the Pabst Theatre. 1.4 miles. 2 hours. $20 for adults (21 and over), $15 for teenagers, free for kids ages 12 and under.
• Pabst: History and architecture: Starts with a tour of the Pabst Brewery complex, then continues on to see sites such as the Deer District, the Riverwalk and the 3rd Street Market Hall. 1.3 miles. 2 hours. $20 for adults (21 and over), $15 for teenagers, free for kids ages 12 and under.
• 'Take me to your liter' 3-craft brewery tour: A tour that includes MobCraft Beer Co., Indeed Brewing Co. and Broken Bat Brewing Co. 0.7 miles. 2.5 hours. $20 for adults (21 and over).
• Beer and pretty much everything else tour: Tour starts at 3rd Street Market Hall, then goes down Wisconsin Avenue and along the Riverwalk; it also includes stops at Safe House and Explorium Brew Pub. 1.3 miles. 2.5 hours. $20 per adults (21 and over).
• Quintessential Milwaukee tour: Starts with a tour of Broken Bat Brewing Co., then moves on to the Riverwalk and the Historic Third Ward; it also includes stops at the Public Market and the 3rd Street Market Hall. 1.3 miles. 2 hours, 45 minutes. $20 for adults (21 and over)

Milwaukee Food Tours are well-known for bus tours of various eateries, but they also have streetcar tours and a few walking tours.

• Brady Street Lunch Tour : Historic and cultural information about the neighborhood is intermingled with stops for pizza, cannoli, tacos, salami, prosciutto, olives, empanada and a Milwaukee-brewed beer. 1.25 miles with 5-6 stops. 2.5-3 hours. $74 for adults, $45 for kids ages 8-15, free for kids ages 7 and under.
• Around the Ward in 90 Minutes : Tourists will learn about the history and culture of the Historic Third Ward as they stop inside historic buildings and one food stop. 1.25 miles. 1.5 hours. $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 8-15; free for kids ages 7 and under.
• Walker's Point Stroll, Sip, & Savor : Tourists stroll through the historic district, with four food and drink stops along the way (1 cocktail, 2 beers, tacos and a paloma). 1.25 miles. 3 hours. $99 (adults only).
• Streetcar History Tour : Tourists take a ride on the Hop as they learn about the history and culture of the different neighborhoods the streetcar drives through, and get off the streetcar twice for brief walking tours of the Historic Third Ward and Cathedral Square. There's also a stop for dessert. 1.25 miles. 2 hours. $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 8-15, free for kids 7 and under
• InstaMKE Photo Walk : The tour guides are professional photographers who give photo-taking tips as they tell stories of different photo-worthy Milwaukee sites, including in the Historic Third Ward, on the Riverwalk, Wisconsin Avenue and outside the Milwaukee Art Museum. There's also a stop for a sweet treat. 1.5 miles. 2 hours. $30 for adults, $10 for kids ages 8-15, free for kids 7 and under.

An art walking tour and a scavenger hunt

Sculpture Milwaukee : People can go on a self-guided tour of the urban public art exhibition that is spread over two miles in downtown Milwaukee and the Historic Third Ward. The online map will lead tourists past whatever sculptures they're interested in.

Milwaukee Scavenger Hunt Adventure : Urban Adventure Quest curates scavenger hunts for many North American cities. Milwaukee's tour covers 2 miles of downtown and takes between 2 and 2.5 hours. Tourists use their smart phones to get clues to lead to different sites where they will search for specific features. There are 17 challenges, and the cost is $49 for a team of two to five people.

Ghost Walking Tours

American Ghost Walks hosts tours in other Wisconsin cities like Madison, Waukesha and Lake Geneva. These are the Milwaukee tours.

• Milwaukee Third Ward Ghost Walk : Tourists are guided through different sites in the Third Ward with violent, ghostly or paranormal stories behind them, including stories that involve the mafia and gangsters and ghost sightings at Skylight Opera Theatre, the Italian Community Center and the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Tourists will also hear ghost stories "with Third Ward connections," including at the Pfister and the Hilton Garden Inn. 1.5-2 hours. $25 per person
• Milwaukee Shadow of City Hall Ghost Walk : Tourists walk by the buildings of some of the most notorious of downtown Milwaukee's ghost stories including those at City Hall, the Pfister, the Pabst Theatre and the Hilton Garden Inn. 1.5-2 hours. $25 per person.

One more ghost tour deals with a different type of ghost — ghost signs. Milwaukee marketing agency Hoffman York developed a free augmented reality tour of the Third Ward, which allows users to hold up their phones to various buildings to see what the faded advertisements looked like in their heyday. Paper maps are available at the Milwaukee Public Market or Historic Third Ward Association, online at augmentedhistory.org

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Milwaukee Beer Tour: Dive Bars Edition!

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• Min Age: All Ages
• Min 4 guests

A Milwaukee bar crawl tour unlike any other...

Our Milwaukee Dive Bars Tour offers great drinking and a taste of local life. Join us as we visit some of the very best bars that you might not think to go to as a tourist. But they are gems, hidden in plain sight! Rub shoulders with pub regulars in establishments that pack vintage charm. Hop onboard one of our eco-friendly cruisers (or bus if you’re part of a larger group) and we’ll get you from A to B. Together we’ll explore the best dive bars on the East Side, Brady Street, the Third and Fifth Wards, the Harbor District, and more.

These MKE bar crawl tours will be tailored to your group’s preferences. If your group is into beer, you may also want to check out our Milwaukee Brewery Tour . You are free to bring beverages into the cruisers, as long as they are in plastic only. All guests must be at least 21 to consume alcohol. Our cruisers are open-air in the warmer months for a truly unique experience, with doors to keep us cozy and warm in the winter.

So, put a quarter in the jukebox and kick back on a torn-up barstool with a freshly poured Pabst Blue Ribbon. Or, maybe settle into an old leather booth and sip on an Old Fashioned.

Exploring Milwaukee’s Best Dive Bars

Whether your ideal dive bar is a gritty, no-frills affair, or a quaint, old-school joint, our Milwaukee beer tour features all the best dive bars and guarantees something for everyone. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us .

Please note: While we try to avoid splitting folks up between cars, occasionally, this is necessary based on group tour numbers. If you absolutely do not want to risk traveling in different vehicles, please consider booking a Custom Tour Experience in MKE instead. Cars journey together during a tour. It’s only during transport between stops that you would be split. Each car seats five passengers, so any groups larger than five will need to be divided.

Have a larger group? Book Our MKE Party Bus for up to 29 guests instead! Please not groups over 15 might split into two party buses.

Why take a tour with City Tours MKE?

Sustainable: We are eco-focused and use low-speed electric vehicles

Personalized : In our cruisers we have only 5 guests per tour guide, meaning a more tailored experience

Fun! We are passionate about all things Milwaukee and love sharing our city with you!

Milwaukee Dive Bars Tour Price Includes

• First beer on us!
• An experience tailored to your group
• On average visits 3-4 pubs

Meeting Point

• 215 W Bruce St, Milwaukee, WI 53204-Station 1846 A custom meeting/drop off location is possible for additional cost. Please inquire for more information.
• Street Parking or paid lot across the street
• Try to arrive 10 minutes prior to your scheduled tour time

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