Lakefront Brewery’s journey has become a source of inspiration for countless craft breweries that emerged in Wisconsin and beyond. It was founded by Russ and Jim Klisch, who started out as homebrewers and soon transformed their passion into a thriving business. Originally planning to brew beer at their home in the Riverwest neighborhood, they eventually stumbled upon a more suitable location—an old bakery at 818 East Chambers Street. Their first keg was sold to the Gordon Park Pub in December 1987.
In the early years, Lakefront Brewery experienced growth akin to startup breweries of the past, producing 72 barrels in 1988 and 125 barrels in 1989. Initially, they focused on two lagers: Klisch Pilsner and Riverwest Stein Beer. While they eventually expanded their beer offerings, it took them several years to incorporate ale styles, which went against the prevailing trend in craft beer across the nation.
After approximately a decade at their original site, the Klisch brothers made the decision to move their operation to a historic building at 1872 North Commerce Street. This building had formerly housed the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company power plant, adding a touch of history to Lakefront Brewery’s new chapter.
Lakefront Brewery has played a pivotal role in shaping the diverse landscape of today’s craft beer industry. Back in 1992, they were one of the key participants in the inaugural Wisconsin Microbrewers’ Beer Fest held in Chilton. Since then, their brewery tours have gained immense popularity and continue to be a highly sought-after attraction in Milwaukee. A highlight of the Commerce Street brewery was the captivating portraits of the iconic Stooges—Larry, Moe, and Curly—adorned on the 1,000-gallon fermentation tanks. While these tanks are no longer in use, the brewery has taken great care to preserve these remarkable artworks.
Beyond their physical presence, Lakefront Brewery exemplifies its dedication to historical preservation through a prominent section on their website. They have successfully rescued Bernie Brewer’s Chalet from the demolition of Milwaukee County Stadium, salvaged exquisite light fixtures from the old Plankinton Hotel, and diligently preserved samples of nearly all their previous packaging and souvenirs. These extraordinary efforts distinguish Lakefront Brewery as a standout among craft brewers, showcasing their commitment to honoring the past while contributing to the vibrant present of the craft beer industry.
Lakefront Brewery, although rooted in tradition, has earned a reputation for its exploration of various beer styles and its trailblazing innovations in both product development and production methods. One of their notable achievements includes the creation of the pioneering gluten-free beer, New Grist, which contributed to their recognition in new markets across the country.
Setting themselves apart from other breweries, Lakefront ventured into experimenting with a pumpkin lager, a unique take on the traditional pumpkin ale. This seasonal offering has become immensely popular among their customers.
In 1996, Lakefront achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first certified organic brewery in the United States. They began brewing Organic ESB (Extra Special Bitter) and later introduced Beer Line Barleywine, a much stronger beer with a 12.5 percent ABV, using an organic recipe. To add another layer of flavor, in 2015, Lakefront released a limited edition of Beer Line aged in organic whiskey barrels.
Lakefront Brewery also values collaborations that benefit the community. In partnership with Growing Power Inc., a Milwaukee-based nonprofit and land trust focused on community farming and health food, they introduced Growing Power, a USDA-certified organic hoppy farmhouse-style pale ale. This collaborative effort further highlights Lakefront’s commitment to organic brewing and supporting local initiatives.
In 2009, Lakefront introduced Local Acre as a response to the increasing demand for locally-sourced ingredients. This unique initiative focused on using solely Wisconsin grain and hops. Lakefront’s dedication to supporting local resources took a remarkable turn with the creation of Wisconsinite, a groundbreaking beer that employed a native Wisconsin yeast strain. This innovative approach is believed to be the first of its kind in North America, showcasing the utilization of such a locally derived yeast. In an uncommon gesture, Lakefront generously made this exceptional yeast strain accessible to fellow brewers and homebrewers, fostering collaboration and experimentation in the brewing community.
In 2009, Lakefront introduced Local Acre as a response to the increasing demand for locally-sourced ingredients. This unique initiative focused on using solely Wisconsin grain and hops. Lakefront’s dedication to supporting local resources took a remarkable turn with the creation of Wisconsinite, a groundbreaking beer that employed a native Wisconsin yeast strain. This innovative approach is believed to be the first of its kind in North America, showcasing the utilization of such a locally derived yeast. In an uncommon gesture, Lakefront generously made this exceptional yeast strain accessible to fellow brewers and homebrewers, fostering collaboration and experimentation in the brewing community.
Lakefront offers a wide range of beers that goes beyond their regular and seasonal selections, including unique brews that are only available once. In celebration of their 25th anniversary, they unveiled three seasonal beers adorned with silver labels: a Belgian-Style Apricot Ale, an Imperial Pumpkin, and an Imperial Stout. The next year, they added a barrel-aged edition of the Imperial Pumpkin to their lineup. Additionally, Lakefront has been a pioneer among craft brewers in crafting special beers to honor community organizations and mark important events.
Lakefront’s brewers have been enthusiastically engaging in collaborations with breweries both nearby and distant. A notable recent example was their partnership with Great Lakes Brewing Company from Cleveland, where they joined forces to brew a delightful “hopfenweizen,” a beer that combines the refreshing qualities of wheat with a generous hop character. Additionally, they embarked on a creative venture with Professor Bettina Arnold, an esteemed member of the archaeology department at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Together, they crafted a unique braggot, a harmonious fusion of beer and mead, inspired by the possibility of ancient European ales brewed during the Iron Age.
Due to Lakefront Brewery’s impressive expansion in the last ten years, the company has encountered challenges in terms of capacity. To satisfy the demand across 36 states, Canada, Japan, and Israel, they have been actively searching for a suitable location to establish a second production facility. In 2014, they secured an option on 9.3 acres of land on Canal Street in the Menomonee Valley area, and later acquired an adjacent parcel of land to accommodate future growth. Despite their rapid success, Lakefront has always maintained a delightful sense of humor. In a playful press release on April Fool’s Day in 2016, they humorously announced their transformation into an “extreme metal brewery,” complete with a modified logo and a range of beer styles that embodied this fictional persona. Adding to their creativity, during that summer, Kristin Hueneke, the chef at Lakefront’s Beer Hall, concocted “beersicles” – frozen beer treats made with various Lakefront beer flavors. These delightful treats came in three enticing flavors: orange creamsicle, strawberry fudgsicle, and pineapple basil.
