Where To Find Lakefront Beer Beyond Wisconsin

Lakefront Brewery, located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers a wide variety of beers, including seasonal and year-round options. The brewery, founded in 1987 by two local brothers, has since expanded its distribution to over 30 states, Canada, Ukraine, and South Korea. With an emphasis on environmental sustainability and community involvement, Lakefront Brewery has received recognition for its innovative approaches to reducing its environmental impact. While the brewery invites visitors to its Beer Hall in Milwaukee, it is unclear whether their beers can be purchased outside of Wisconsin. Their website mentions distribution across multiple states, but it is unclear if this applies to all their beers or only select varieties.

Lakefront Brewery's location and history

Lakefront Brewery is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in the Beerline B neighbourhood. The brewery was founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch, and several of its brands are named after Milwaukee neighbourhoods, including Riverwest Stein Beer and East Side Dark.

The brewery was born in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighbourhood, in a shuttered bakery within walking distance of the Klisch brother's home. On December 2, 1987, they sold their first barrel of beer, Riverwest Stein Amber Lager, to a tavern within "rolling distance" of the brewery.

Lakefront's production grew with its popularity, and by 1990, owner Russ Klisch had built his own bottling machine. In 1998, the brewery moved to its current location, a building that previously housed the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company's coal-fired power plant. In 2000, Russ replaced the homemade brewing equipment with a real brew house.

Today, Lakefront Brewery offers 20 different beers available in over 30 states and distributed to Ukraine, South Korea, Sweden, China and Canada. The brewery is known for its innovative ales and lagers and its popular brewery tour, which includes beer at the start, jokes, and an explanation of the brewing process and history of Lakefront.

The brewery's environmental initiatives

Lakefront Brewery has been committed to environmental sustainability since its inception in 1987. The brewery has implemented several initiatives to reduce its environmental impact and benefit the local community in Milwaukee.

One of Lakefront Brewery's notable environmental initiatives is its focus on using recycled materials and reducing waste. They use 100% plant-based cups for tours, print all materials on recycled paper with soy ink, and make 6-pack carriers with recycled paper stock. They also recycle old corrugated cardboard and stretch wrap, and use pallets that are leased, repaired, and recycled rather than thrown out.

The brewery has also taken steps to reduce its energy consumption. They installed a white roof, which reflects up to 90% of sunlight, reducing heat absorption and the "urban heat island" effect. They replaced all lighting in the brewhouse with energy-efficient alternatives and installed a heat-recovery unit to use waste heat from refrigeration to preheat water. Additionally, they installed pressure switches on condenser fans to reduce electricity usage when only one fan is needed and implemented new glycol service loops with pressure-controlled variable frequency drives to decrease electricity use when fewer tanks require cooling.

Lakefront Brewery has also shown a commitment to water conservation. They installed a thermistor on the fridge to pre-heat water and automated their bottle wash system to turn on only when bottles are running through it, reducing water usage.

The company has further demonstrated its dedication to sustainability by achieving Certified B Corporation status in 2020, becoming the first brewery in Wisconsin and the 22nd in the world to be certified. Certified B Corporations are businesses that meet rigorous standards for social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability, balancing profit with purpose.

In addition to these initiatives, Lakefront Brewery has supported local farmers by using locally sourced ingredients, such as hops and barley grown in Wisconsin, and has advocated for clean water protection by sending a letter to the EPA Administrator in support of the "Definition of Water of the United States Under the Clean Water Act."

Beer types and flavours

Beer is one of the most widely consumed alcoholic beverages globally, with over 9,000 craft breweries in the US alone. Beer can be broadly categorized into two types: ales and lagers. The difference lies in their fermentation temperature and yeast. Ales are brewed at warmer temperatures, resulting in a more complex flavour profile, while lagers have a crisp, clean taste and are brewed at cooler temperatures.

Ales

Ales are the base for most craft beers due to their rapid fermentation and ease of temperature control. They can range from fruity and spicy to bitter and hoppy.

India Pale Ale (IPA)

IPAs are known for their bold hop flavours and aromas, with a distinct floral, citrus, or piney profile. They originated in 19th-century England and have evolved into variations like American IPA, Double IPA, and New England IPA.

Pale Ale

Pale ales offer a mix of hoppy bitterness and malt sweetness, with lower alcohol content than IPAs. American pale ales are hop-forward, while English pale ales showcase traditional English hop varieties, creating a balance between bitterness and biscuity malt flavours.

Blonde Ale

Blonde ales are a lighter, more delicate version of pale ales, with a focus on crisp, clean flavours. They are characterized by their pale golden colour and subtle malt sweetness, making them an easy-drinking option.

Brown Ale

Brown ales have a deep amber-to-dark brown colour and flavours of caramel, nuts, and toffee. English brown ales have minimal hop bitterness, while American brown ales offer a balanced profile with notes of caramel, chocolate, and nutty flavours.

Lagers

Lagers are typically brewed at cooler temperatures, resulting in a smooth, refreshing taste.

Pilsners

Pilsners are light, crisp lagers with a golden colour and balanced bitterness. The German and Czech (or Bohemian) variations are popular, with the former known for its subtle yet complex flavour profile and the latter for its rich malt character and spicy hop aroma.

Wheat Beer

Wheat beer is made with wheat as the malt, giving it a tangy, refreshing taste. American pale wheat beer is light and easy-drinking, while Berliner Weisse, a traditional German style, is low in alcohol content and often served with flavoured syrup. Hefeweizen is another German wheat beer known for its banana and clove flavours and cloudy appearance.

Stouts

Stout is a dark, rich beer with robust flavours and a creamy mouthfeel. Irish dry stout, made famous by Guinness, is known for its cascading effect and dry, roasted malt flavours with hints of coffee and chocolate. Oatmeal stouts have a smooth, silky mouthfeel, while Imperial stouts offer a bold, intense variation with high alcohol content and notes of dark fruits and bittersweet chocolate.

Porters

Porter is a dark, robust style similar to stout but less intense. It uses malted unroasted barley, resulting in a complex flavour profile with notes of caramel, toffee, and dark fruit. American Imperial Porter is a bold variation with intense flavours, while English Brown Porter offers a more moderate, smooth experience.

Other Beer Types

In addition to the main categories of ales and lagers, there are several other unique beer types worth mentioning:

• Belgian Beers: Known for their spiced fruity flavours and high alcohol content. Belgian-style ale includes a wide range of styles, from fruity and spicy to complex and yeasty.
• Specialty Beers: These offer diverse options, from sour ales to gluten-free beers, fruit-infused beers to spiced variations.
• Bock Beer: A traditional German style with a rich malt character and robust flavours. Weizenbock is a wheat bock variation, while Maibock is a pale, lighter version.
• Gluten-Free Beer: Lakefront Brewery, for example, offers a gluten-free option with their New Grist beer, brewed from sorghum and gluten-free yeast.
• Seasonal Beers: Pumpkin beer and chocolate beer are seasonal favourites, with pumpkin beer spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves, and chocolate beer offering a rich, indulgent experience.

The world of beer is indeed diverse, catering to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast or a casual drinker, there's a style to suit every palate.

Awards and recognition

Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, has been rated as one of the top brewery tours in the nation. The brewery was founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch and has since grown to distribute its products to 35 states and several countries outside the US. Lakefront Brewery was the first certified organic brewery in America and the first brewery to produce a government-approved, gluten-free beer. It was also the first to brew an indigenous beer using all Wisconsin-grown ingredients.

Lakefront Brewery offers an extensive selection of beers, including over 20 year-round and seasonal beers and the innovative My Turn Series, which allows each full-time employee to choose a style the brewery has never brewed before.

The Wisconsin Belgian Red, a fruity Belgian lambic-style ale brewed with Montmorency cherries from Door County, Wisconsin, has won awards in beer competitions worldwide and ranked highly among critical beer drinkers. Spotted Cow, the brewery's best-selling brand, has also won a variety of awards, including Best Drink in Wisconsin in 2009 by Bon Appetit magazine.

The Lakefront Story

Lakefront Brewery was founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The brothers first began experimenting with homebrewing in a shuttered Riverwest bakery, creating what would become their Amber Lager, Riverwest Stein. Since its inception, Lakefront Brewery has sought to find innovative ways to reduce its environmental impact and contribute to the Milwaukee community.

The brewery is committed to creating handcrafted happiness, offering a range of unique beers that cater to a variety of tastes and preferences. From their Riverwest Stein Amber Lager to their Fuel Cafe Coffee Stout, Lakefront Brewery has something for everyone. They also offer gluten-free and organic options, ensuring that everyone can enjoy their beers.

Lakefront Brewery has received numerous awards and recognition for their beers, including winning the 2022 Good Food Award for their Wisconsinite beer, and being rated as one of the top brewery tours in the nation. Their products are now distributed to over 30 states across the USA, as well as Canada, Ukraine, and South Korea.

The brewery also has a strong focus on community and entertainment, offering a Beer Hall with daily dining, events, and live trivia. They are family-friendly and encourage responsible dog owners to bring their pets to their patio. Lakefront Brewery truly embodies the spirit of Milwaukee, combining great beer with a love for the community.

So, whether you're a local or a visitor, a beer connoisseur or a casual drinker, Lakefront Brewery has something for everyone. Stop by their Beer Hall, take a tour, and experience the handcrafted happiness that has made Lakefront Brewery a Milwaukee favourite.

Frequently asked questions