Milwaukee Beer History Itinerary

Step Into the Story of the Brew City

If you’re looking to experience the history of brewing in Milwaukee, you’ve tapped into the right place. Known as the original Beer Capital of the World, Milwaukee’s legacy is rooted in hops, barrels and the ambition of 19th-century immigrants who built an industry and the city on beer. Today, you can trace that story from historic breweries and beer baron mansions to immersive museums and engaging city tours. Go back in time as you walk the halls of the Pabst Mansion, sip a craft pint where barrels were once made or tour legendary names like Miller. Milwaukee invites you to drink in its past, one fascinating stop at a time.

Stay

Brewhouse Inn & Suites

If you’re coming to Milwaukee and want to immerse yourself in the city’s brewing legacy, there’s no better place to stay than the Brewhouse Inn & Suites. This one-of-a-kind boutique hotel is housed in the original Pabst Brewery brewhouse, where Captain Frederick Pabst helped turn Milwaukee into the beer capital of America in the late 1800s. The hotel preserves striking historical features, like six massive copper brewing kettles that once fueled Pabst’s global rise and the iconic cream city brick architecture that defined 19th-century Milwaukee industry. But it’s not just about the past. The Brewhouse keeps the spirit alive through brewery partnerships, local beer offerings and design elements that celebrate the city’s proud beer culture. It’s part history museum, part beer lover’s dream and entirely Milwaukee. Book your stay today!

Eat & Drink

On Tap

Located right inside the Brewhouse Inn & Suites, On Tap serves up local beers and elevated pub fare in the very heart of Milwaukee’s brewing legacy. With decor inspired by its setting in the former Pabst Brewery bottling house, this bar and restaurant is lined with original brewery details and offers a menu that highlights Wisconsin classics. It’s a cozy, historic space to enjoy a cold pint where Pabst’s iconic blue ribbons were once earned, bottled and shipped across the country.

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

Tucked inside the original offices of the Pabst Brewing Company, Best Place blends rich brewing history with a cozy, everyday vibe, thanks to its charming on-site coffee shop. Sip locally roasted coffee in a setting filled with original woodwork, stained glass and vintage Pabst touches. Whether you're relaxing in the courtyard or posting up with a laptop under century-old beams, it's a unique way to enjoy a morning pick-me-up in one of Milwaukee’s most iconic brewing landmarks.

Boone & Crockett

Set inside a restored 1800s cooperage, where barrels were once crafted for Milwaukee’s brewing giants, Boone & Crockett pairs craft cocktails with industrial charm. This riverside hangout honors the city’s beer-soaked past with reclaimed materials, vintage décor and a warm, laid-back vibe that makes it a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Outside, the patio offers views of the Kinnickinnic River, while the on-site taco truck keeps things casual and flavorful. It’s a perfect stop to raise a glass in a space where beer barrels were once born.

Brewery Tours

Miller Brewing Company

For anyone passionate about beer history, the Miller Brewery Tour is a must-see stop in Milwaukee. As home to one of America’s most iconic brewing legacies, Miller’s historic campus dates back to 1855 and offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of large-scale brewing in the U.S. The tour takes you through over 160 years of history, from Frederick Miller’s original brewhouse to the modern packaging and distribution facilities that fuel today’s global beer market. You’ll walk through historic underground caves once used for lagering, see vintage advertising and equipment and witness the sheer scale of a brewery that helped shape Milwaukee’s reputation as the beer capital of the world. For brewery historians, it’s a deep dive into the industrial, cultural and technological milestones of American beer.

Sprecher Brewing Company

A visit to Sprecher Brewing Company is a deep dive into the early days of American craft brewing. Established in 1985 by Randy Sprecher, a former Pabst employee, Sprecher holds the title of Milwaukee’s original craft brewery. The tour highlights this trailblazing legacy by guiding visitors through traditional German-inspired brewing methods, fire-brewing kettles and small-batch soda production. You’ll get a close-up view of how Sprecher helped reintroduce Milwaukee to rich, full-flavored ales and lagers, long before “craft” became a national trend. With its combination of old-world techniques and grassroots ambition, Sprecher’s tour is perfect for anyone looking to understand the roots of craft beer’s comeback in Brew City.

Lakefront Brewing

For brewery historians and craft beer enthusiasts alike, the Lakefront Brewery Tour offers a front-row seat to the revival of Milwaukee’s brewing scene. Founded in 1987, Lakefront was one of the first craft breweries in the city after Prohibition-era consolidation left a vacuum of independent producers. The tour balances humor with heritage, walking guests through a working riverside brewery that helped kick-start the city’s modern beer renaissance. You’ll learn how Lakefront pioneered the nation’s first certified organic beer and created one of the earliest gluten-free craft beers. Plus, you’ll experience brewing up close, from the production floor to the legendary bottling line (once used by Laverne & Shirley). For those tracing the rebirth of local brewing in Milwaukee, this is essential.

Museums & Attractions

Forest Home Cemetery

More than a serene final resting place, Forest Home Cemetery is a walk through Milwaukee’s brewing legacy. This 19th-century cemetery is the burial site of legendary beer barons, including Frederick Miller, Valentin Blatz, Joseph Schlitz and Jacob Best, the very founders who helped build Milwaukee into a global brewing powerhouse. Guided tours explore these ornate family mausoleums and tell the story of how their breweries shaped the city’s economy, immigrant culture and reputation. For anyone fascinated by the personal histories behind the beer labels, this is an essential and surprisingly powerful stop.

Museum of Beer and Brewing

Dedicated entirely to preserving and celebrating beer’s role in Wisconsin’s past, the Museum of Beer and Brewing offers a focused, in-depth look at brewing’s evolution in Milwaukee and beyond. The museum showcases historical equipment, vintage advertising, rare brewing artifacts and detailed displays about fermentation, packaging and Prohibition. Educational programs and rotating exhibits highlight local and national milestones in beer history, making it an ideal destination for those who want a scholarly yet hands-on approach to beer’s place in culture. A must-see for historians, homebrewers and curious drinkers alike.

Milwaukee County Historical Society

Located in a former bank building overlooking the Milwaukee River, the Milwaukee County Historical Society houses one of the most comprehensive collections of brewing industry records, photographs and memorabilia in the region. Their permanent and rotating exhibits regularly highlight Milwaukee’s brewing heyday, with items from early immigrant labor to global brand-building campaigns by companies like Miller and Pabst. Visitors can view original brewmaster documents, bottling tools and even city development maps that illustrate how breweries shaped entire neighborhoods. It’s the perfect starting point for anyone looking to understand the broader social and economic impact of beer in Milwaukee.

Pabst Mansion

A tour of the Pabst Mansion brings visitors into the lavish world of Captain Frederick Pabst, one of Milwaukee’s most iconic brewing tycoons. Built in 1892, this Flemish Renaissance Revival home showcases the wealth and vision of the Pabst family at the height of Milwaukee’s brewing empire. Inside, guests explore period furnishings, stained glass and personal artifacts, all while learning about the business savvy and cultural philanthropy that Pabst brought to the city. The mansion offers a unique lens into the lifestyle and legacy of Milwaukee’s brewing elite and is a beautifully preserved chapter of beer history.

City Tours

Milwaukee’s beer-soaked past comes alive through a variety of city tour companies that specialize in telling the story of its legendary brewing heritage. Whether you're a history buff, a casual beer lover or a bit of both, you'll find engaging and entertaining experiences led by local experts. Untapped Tours, Brew City Tours and Fun Beer Tours Milwaukee offer narrated journeys through historic brewery sites, beer baron mansions and brewing district landmarks. Milwaukee Food & City Tours blends local bites with beer history, while City Tours MKE and Happy Times Tours & Experiences add fun twists like themed rides and group packages. For something spooky and spirited, Brew City Ghost Tours dives into the haunted side of Milwaukee’s brewing past. These tours connect visitors with the city’s iconic beer legacy, past and present, one pint and story at a time.