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Lakefront Brewery |
| Milwaukee’s own Lakefront Brewery Inc. started in 1987. President Russ Klisch said it all started with his brother, Jim. Jim expressed interest in beer making near his birthday and Russ humored him by giving him a book on the subject. In short, sibling rivalry and common interest lead both to begin entering beer making contests and winning awards. It wasn’t long before family and friends encouraged them turn their hobby into |
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a business. The Klisch family has roots in the beer industry: their grandfather worked for Schlitz, driving a street sweeper and a truck and several family members also owned taverns.
With that family history and their common interest in beer making, the brothers started their business. They decided to start small and chose a location that they could walk to from their home. Initially, they bought an old bakery building down the street from their home in Riverwest, at 818 East Cambers St. and began brewing with stainless steel 55 gal drums and used dairy equipment. On December 2, 1987 they sold their first barrel of beer at the Gorden Park Pub. With the brewery now up and running, the infamous tour started soon after!
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The First Lakefront Brewery |
As Lakefront Brewery’s popularity grew, so did their production: by 1988, sales jumped to 72 barrels; by 1989, 125 barrels; and sales began doubling after that. By 1998, the production had reached almost 3000 barrels in their small 60’ X 60’ space and the brewery had over grown their current space. The search was on for a new location and the City of Milwaukee had a building to sell on the Milwaukee River. In 1908 this building was built to house the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Co. coal fired power plant and later sold to the City to house their City |
Forestry Department. Jim and Russ concluded that they had outgrown the little bakery, and that it was time to move on. They looked all over, but decided on this location when the city of Milwaukee recommended the site. The city said beer making would be an appropriate industry, and it allowed them to save the building and support a new local business. The move was completed and additions were made to both the building and brewery. In 1999 the Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden started and in 2000, a real brew house was added to the brewery. Production has increased through out the years and by 2008 had reached 11,000 barrels.
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The Klisch brothers and their employees are not only great brewers, but they pride themselves on innovation within their industry. In 2006 the brothers changed the government’s policy definition of beer, which stated all beer had to be made with 25% malted barley. The company, aware that people with celiac disease are intolerant to wheat, wanted to create a gluten-free beer. They approached the government and got the policy changed so that they could sell and market their gluten-free beer, New Grist. New Grist is brewed from sorghum, hops, water, rice and gluten-free yeast grown on molasses.
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The Current Lakefront Brewery |
In May of 2007, The Wisconsin Department of Tourism announced that Lakefront Brewery had become the first brewery in the state and the first business in the City of Milwaukee to receive the Travel Green Wisconsin certification. Travel Green Wisconsin recognizes tourism-related businesses that are reducing their environmental impact through operational and other improvements. To achieve Travel Green certification, businesses must meet several goals including demonstration of how they encourage staff and vendors to be environmentally aware and how they reduce their waste and energy consumption. Lakefront demonstrates this each Friday at 3:30 p.m. with an environmental tour by brewery president, Russ Klisch.
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Fuel Cafe Coffee Stout |
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This unique stout combines the flavor of roasted malts and coffee from Lakefront's partnership with local Milwaukee Riverwest coffee roaster FUEL CAFE. Fuel Cafe pours a deep, dark hue with a beautiful creamy tan head. Coffee aromas dominate the nose, with a background of roasted grain. The fine balance of mild hops, the gentle acidity of choice coffee and the full mouthfeel from roasted malt barley make this an unforgettable brew. This is a beer that tastes exactly like it smells with a fast dry finish.
Absolutely fabulous with dessert! Try this one with a chocolatey brownie or a creamy tiramisu, or keep it simple and enjoy with fresh berries and vanilla ice cream. Ideal Serving Temp: 58-60° F |
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Cattail Ale |
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Pours a brilliant deep gold with a white bubbly head brought out by the crisp carbonation. A hint of fruity aromas comes from a specialty British ale yeast. American Cascade hops balance with caramel malts for a smooth taste and a non-bitter, malty finish. A very drinkable ale!
Goes great with just about any meal - compliments soups very well. Try it with Chinese food or lighter pasta dishes for a real treat! Ideal Serving Temp: 48-50° F
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India Pale Ale |
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Pours a hazy orange with a rocky white head that lasts, and leaves soft lace on your glass as you sip this refreshing beer. American Cascade and Chinook hops dominate the aroma, yielding a citrusy, floral bouquet. The hops give a nice bitter bite to the flavor, but this beer is surprisingly well balanced, unlike many of its American brethren, with a full body, a smooth malty flavor, and a slight fruitiness from the British ale yeast to balance with the hops. It finishes smooth and crisp with a lingering hop flavor reminiscent of fresh ruby red grapefruit. A very nice, well balanced example of the style.
Goes well with any spicy food, historically Indian food as well as Thai, Cajun or Mexican. Try this IPA with Buffalo wings, blackened chicken or pepperoni pizza; beef dishes or fried seafood can stand up to the hops as well. Ideal Serving Temp: 54-56° F |
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New Grist |
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New Grist is a one-of-a-kind beer brewed without wheat or barley: the first beverage of its kind that can be enjoyed by those with Celiac Disease. It is the first beer to be certified gluten-free by the US Government. Each batch Lakefront brews is tested for its gluten contents before it is bo ttled and shipped. New Grist is brewed from sorghum, rice, hops, water, and gluten-free yeast. These ingredients are carefully combined to form a crisp, refreshing “session ale” brewed for those with Celiac Disease, or anyone with an appreciation for great tasting, handmade beer.
It pours a brilliant gold color, with a bubbly head and light, fruity aroma. The flavor is crisp and refreshing, fruity and smooth at the same time. Hints of green apple slice through the maltiness of the sorghum, making this an extremely quaffable beer.
A great pairing with grilled veggies and fish, also very good with a burger and fries. Ideal Serving Temp: 46-48°F. |
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