Black Friday looks a little bit different in Milwaukee. Sure, you can get discounts and deals on appliances and Smart TVs at big box stores. But here in Milwaukee, there’s a tradition of a different sort brewing for this holiday. Each year, brewers around town release limited-run, barrel-aged and special-release beers, creating a hop-infused frenzy. From the long lines of the popular Lakefront Brewery Black Friday release to a shuttle that runs between four participating breweries, here’s what you need to know to celebrate Black Friday the Milwaukee way.
 

Amorphic Brewing

Doors Open: 9 a.m.

Amorphic Brewing is releasing two beers this Black Friday. First up is Infinite Measure, a porter aged in apple brandy barrels with Belgian cookie spices—a perfect winter sipper with sweet, spiced flavors. Then there’s the 2024 J. Henry Major Particles, a bourbon and rye barrel-aged imperial stout, subtly infused with Madagascar vanilla beans for a smooth, decadent finish. And, for something extra special, Amorphic is tapping a one-of-a-kind single barrel rye Major Particles. Cans are available for presale, so don’t wait—these limited-edition brews won’t last long!

Find your Black Friday form at Amorphic!

 


Black Husky Brewing Company

Doors Open: 10 a.m.

Black Husky Brewing is launching Ahead of the Pack, a Belgian golden strong ale with a 15% ABV. This isn’t your standard strong ale—it’s bold, complex and unabashedly rich. On tap and in 4-packs to go, this year’s edition joins a lineup that also includes Timotheus, the 2023 rendition brewed with all the whimsy of “elves in trees.”

Pawsitively Good Black Friday brews ahead!

 

Central Waters Brewing Company

Doors Open: 11 a.m.

Central Waters Brewing is bringing the heat with two ultra-limited releases that are worth waking up early for! First, get ready to indulge in the double rye barrel imperial stout, a collab with Michigan-based Transient Artisan Ales that’s aged in rye whiskey barrels, creating a decadent stout with dark chocolate, roasted coffee and toasted oak flavors that’ll have you sipping slowly and savoring every drop. Right alongside it, there’s the double rye barrel English honey barleywine—smooth, rich and dangerously drinkable, with honeyed sweetness and a touch of vanilla. These gems are only available in their Milwaukee location, and with only one barrel of each beer produced, you’ll want to get there right when the doors open at 11 a.m. (and maybe bring a friend to help you snag a couple of extra cans).

Rush to Central Waters!

 

 

Dead Bird Brewing Company

Doors Open: Noon

Dead Bird Brewing is dropping a Black Friday treat you won’t want to miss: Beanut Putter, their luscious imperial oatmeal stout. Picture this—smooth waves of chocolate, nutty roasted peanuts and just enough coffee to keep it interesting. It's dessert in a glass but with the heft and depth to satisfy stout purists. At an imperial-strength ABV, it’s perfect for post-shopping relaxation. The beer is available in limited quantities, so if you’re into bold flavors and cozy vibes, this is one to snag before it disappears.

Fly on in for a limited-run beer!

Explorium Brewpub

Greendale Doors Open: 6 a.m.

Milwaukee Doors Open: 9 a.m.

Explorium Brewpub is pulling out all the stops for Black Friday with a stellar lineup of Milwaukee County Stout (MCS) variants, including Basil Hayden Toast, Heaven Hill 10-Year, Henry McKenna 10-Year, Russell’s Reserve, Widow Jane Rye and the show-stopping William 1066 Salted Caramel Barleywine. Cans go for $10 each (limit two per brew), or you can snag the full set, plus the barleywine, for $54. The Greendale location opens bright and early at 6 a.m., with Milwaukee following at 9 a.m.

Peep your Black Friday Picks here!
 

Faklandia Brewpub

Doors Open: Noon

Faklandia Brewpub is launching “The Mantaycore” this Black Friday, an imperial stout with a name as bold as its flavor. Big, brooding and unapologetically rich, this brew is packed with dark chocolate, roasted malt and espresso notes that remind you why stouts shine in winter. Faklandia has built a reputation for its mythically inspired creations, and this one roars with character, balancing indulgent decadence with just the right amount of bite.

 


Gathering Place Brewing Company

Riverwest Doors Open: 10 a.m.

Wauwatosa Doors Open: Noon

Gathering Place Brewing Company is bringing a taste of Europe to the party this Black Friday with two must-try releases! First up, the Affogato Stout—a decadent imperial milk stout that’s as smooth as your favorite gelato, packed with rich coffee flavors, thanks to Valentine Coffee Roasters. Then there’s the Grim Maker, a Belgian quad that’ll transport you straight to the Belgian countryside with its warm notes of brown sugar and pear. Only 100 bottles of these beauties will be available for purchase, so if you want in, move fast! Both brews will also be available on tap, so you can sip your way into a cozy Black Friday buzz at their Riverwest and Wauwatosa locations.

Gather for some Black Friday Brews!

 

Indeed Brewing Company (Milwaukee)

Doors Open: 10 a.m.

Indeed Brewing is stepping up Milwaukee’s Black Friday beer game with their Spumoni Imperial Cream Ale, an 8.5% ABV dessert-inspired brew that’s got winter indulgence written all over it. Pistachio, cherry and chocolate flavors come together in a rich, creamy ale that’s as playful as its Italian ice cream namesake.

Score yours or plan your Black Friday, Indeed!

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Lakefront Brewing

Doors Open: 8 a.m.

Lakefront Brewery’s Black Friday celebration is a one-part beer release and a one-part community event, creating a festive party atmosphere every year. Known for its long lines that are well worth the wait, this celebration of the sudsy arts seems to only get bigger every year.

This year, the brewery is launching an epic lineup of barrel-aged beauties:

  • Black Friday™ Imperial Stout aged in bourbon barrels, a 14% ABV powerhouse that packs caramel, roasted malt, vanilla and oak flavors available exclusively at the brewery.
  • Imperial Brown Ale aged in port wine barrels, bursting with fresh-baked bread, caramel, oak, vanilla and dried fruit.
  • Triple Black IPA is obsidian black, with notes of chocolate, orange zest and tropical fruit.
  • Barrel-aged stout from 2019 brings roasted chocolate, vanilla, pecan praline and marzipan.

Scout your Lakefront Brewery Black Friday Faves here!
 

New Barons Brewing Cooperative

Doors Open: 9 a.m.

New Barons Brewing Cooperative has brewed up something special for this year’s Black Friday crowd: Crispy Cabin Vibes, a maple bourbon and rye barrel-aged doppelbock that’s as cozy as its name suggests. Clocking in at 10% ABV, this lager is a flavor bomb of caramel, toffee and just the right hint of sweetness from Lumberjack Maple Syrup—added twice for good measure. Hop over to New Barons this Black Friday!

 

Ope! Brewing Company

Doors Open: 9 a.m.

This Black Friday, Ope! Brewing in West Allis is bringing the heat with a seriously killer lineup of barrel-aged releases. Five small-batch brews are hitting the taps:

  • BA Smore’s Stout—an imperial stout aged in maple & oat whiskey barrels with chocolate, marshmallow and graham for that perfect campfire vibe.
  • BA Blackberry Full Send Barleywine, a double-oaked bourbon barrel-aged beauty with a burst of blackberry.
  • BA Cherry Vanilla Oh My Quad, a Belgian-style quad aged in oat whiskey barrels with cherry and vanilla for a sweet, boozy treat.

Plus, Ope! is dropping two special single barrel picks:

  • BA Full Send, a bourbon barrel-aged barleywine that stood out so much it wasn’t blended.
  • BA Maple Imperial Stout, aged in maple whiskey barrels and selected for its unique, standout flavor.

Learn more here!

 

Third Space 2024 Black Friday Beers


Third Space Brewing Company

Doors Open: 11 a.m.

Third Space Brewing is releasing some seriously exciting brews, including:

  • Cellar Stash, a two-year barrel-aged imperial stout
  • Far Fetched New Zealand IPA
  • That Escalated Quickly, a bourbon barrel-aged barleywine.

 Grab a pint for just $5 all day, and chow down on some delicious bites from Not Bad Foods. Learn more about Third Space’s Black Friday plans here.

 

Urban Harvest Brewing Company

Doors Open: 11 a.m.

Urban Harvest Brewing is cracking open the vault with limited runs of seven special brews—think 2021 Imperial Chocolate Whiskey Stout and the 2022 Two Naught Naught, a decadent chocolate-bourbon espresso amber. Only 60 cans of each are up for grabs, with a sweet discount to boot. Then, at 11 a.m., they’re rolling out a fresh Belgian tripel, Serensified Sufficiencies. See what Urban Harvest has brewing!

 

Five Three Brew One Two Brewery Shuttle

Starting at 10 a.m.

This Black Friday, let the Five Three Brew One Two Brewery Shuttle be your designated driver! This free shuttle will pick you up and drop you off at four breweries, all of which have special Black Friday plans brewing. Just hop on, enjoy the ride and leave the driving to someone else. It's all free, it's all fun, and it's the easiest way to kick off your Black Friday in Riverwest! Plan your route and see the stops here.