10 Milwaukee Winter Brewing Escapes

A little winter weather won’t stop us from exploring Milwaukee. In fact, it’s the perfect time to embrace the conditions to uncover cozy gems all over town, and what better place to start bounding around the Brew City than at the many local craft breweries? More than places for pints of craft beer, many taprooms are homey hideaways that’ll make you feel right at home. So, when the wind chill brings frigid temps, it’s time for you to unwind and chill at one of these local brewing escapes.

Central Waters Brewing

Located in a historic church, Central Waters Brewing Company’s Milwaukee taproom is a sun-dappled space that contrasts its modern style with the 1873 architecture to create a hidden gem. Tucked away in the Brewery District, the vaulted ceilings and large windows give the taproom a peaceful feel, turning it into a fortress from the chilly elements outside.

Suggested Beer: Mudpuppy Porter

Foxtown Brewing

All the vibes of a cabin in the Northwoods, just a short drive north of downtown. Ensconced in reclaimed barn wood, the Foxtown Brewing taproom invites you to come in from the cold and stay awhile for a few fresh beers brewed the old-world way. Opened in 2019, the taproom is a magnificent restoration of an 1850s building rich in brewing history that rests on a pair of lagering caves.

Suggested Beer: Old Ozaukee Czech amber lager

Urban Harvest

Picture this: you’re sitting at a window in your own personal snow globe, watching the flakes fall as you sip a delicious brew. Well, at Urban Harvest, you get all that and more, with a beautiful, wood-lined interior and walls of Cream City brick on either side of this small-batch brewery in Walker’s Point that makes it an ideal hideaway from the wintery elements.

Suggested Beer: Espresso amber

Black Husky

With a toasty, approachable log cabin feel, this brewery specializes in small-batch beer in their tucked-away Riverwest taproom. Each brew on Black Husky’s tap list is a loving tribute to the 23 dogs and their unique personalities. Reminiscent of the original log cabin the brewery was founded in, the taproom is centered around a woods-inspired bar, surrounded with leather seating and flooded with natural light. True to its name, Black Husky welcomes well-behaved furry friends inside.

Suggested Beer: Sproose double IPA

Triple Taproom & Kitchen

Visit three breweries under one roof at this East Side taproom. Offering tons of seating, Triple Taproom & Kitchen is illuminated by gentle ambient lighting, soft pastel hues and dappled in natural sunlight. Here, you’ll find beers from Door County Brewing Co., their specialty small-batch offshoot, Hacienda Beer Co., and 3 Sheeps Brewing, based out of Sheboygan. So, when the cold winds blow, you know where to go to sample a variety of beers.

Suggested Beer: Hacienda Beer Co.’s Forever and a Day Cold Coast IPA

1840 Brewing Company

Named for the first year commercial brewing began in Milwaukee, this brewery takes a different approach to its creative brews, a slower approach. The brewery focuses on small-batch beer, with some taking over 24 months to make, led by the attention to detail to the little things that make the phrase “slow beer” more than a tagline; it’s a way of life. With low mood lighting, an intimate seating space and beer that invites you to slow down, the 1840 taproom is a great place to hide away on a snowy day.

Suggested Beer: The Cashmere Sweater Double IPA

Faklandia Brewpub

When you can’t go outside to play, you can find another way at this strangely familiar brewery in St. Francis. The storybook brewery’s snug taproom and fantasy-themed décor invite you to forget your troubles and lose yourself in the wonderful and distant land of Faklandia. In fact, many brews and items on the menu are named for people, places and things within this fictional universe.

Suggested Beer: The Jeff Hefeweizen  

Wizard Works Brewing

A magical experience awaits you at this intimate brewery in the Historic Third Ward. Found on the lower level, the taproom’s warm and inviting atmosphere makes Wizard Works an ideal brewery to duck into when the snow starts to fall. Framed by Cream City brick and lined with posters of famous magicians, a nod to the owners’ over four decades of experience as magicians themselves, you’ll find that you have a few tricks up your own sleeve as you make your beer disappear.

Suggested Beer: First Rabbit porter

Torzala Brewing Company

The Lincoln Warehouse is where you’ll find this next brewery. They describe themselves as “just your averaged woman-owned, minority-owned, family-run, history-minded, fun-focused non-brewery,” and we couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Serving a selection of traditional beers and some seriously creative coloring pages for all ages, Torzala’s industrial interior carefully curates an atmosphere that’s great all year but especially in winter.

Suggested Beer: Bigote Grande Mexican dark ale

Layman Brewing

Over in West Allis, this brewery has all the hallmarks of your favorite corner bar that just so happens to brew some darn good beer in-house. Opened in 2020, Layman Brewing’s bar and tap room feels like it’s been a neighborhood favorite for decades; its leather barstools, soft overhead lighting and long, curving bar are all relics of the bar’s past life. Here, you can settle into your barstool and enjoy a few brews as the flakes begin to fall.

Suggested Beer: Letitsnow! raw Belgium ale

Discover Your Next Winter Brewing Escape!