Lakefront Brewery
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing |
| Founded | 1987 |
| Founder | Russ Klisch, Jim Klisch |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee , United States |
| Products | Beer (including Riverwest Stein Beer, East Side Dark, Lakefront Cherry Lager, Organic E.S.B., New Grist gluten-free beer) |
Lakefront Brewery, Inc. operates as a brewery situated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’s Beerline B district. Established in 1987 by siblings Russ and Jim Klisch, the company produces several beers named after local Milwaukee neighborhoods, including Riverwest Stein Beer and East Side Dark. In 1992, Lakefront made history as the first American brewery since Prohibition to bottle fruit beer with its seasonal Lakefront Cherry Lager, frequently incorporating ingredients sourced from Wisconsin, such as cherries from Door County.
By 1996, Lakefront had become the pioneering brewery in the United States to receive organic certification, introducing the first bottled organic beer—Organic E.S.B.—crafted entirely from organic malt and hops. Founder and president Russ Klisch collaborated closely with Wisconsin farmers to grow organic hops within the region.
In May 2007, Lakefront earned distinction as the inaugural brewery in Wisconsin—and the first business in Milwaukee—to achieve Travel Green Wisconsin certification. This recognition highlighted their initiatives to minimize environmental impact through operational enhancements and active employee participation.
The brewery is also recognized for its gluten-free product line, New Grist, brewed using sorghum and gluten-free yeast. Lakefront successfully petitioned the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to officially designate New Grist as beer despite its lack of malted barley, thereby introducing America’s first gluten-free beer.
New Grist has been a significant factor in Lakefront’s expansion. In 2006, shipments reached 8,863 barrels—a 41% increase compared to 2005—drawing attention from competitors across the brewing industry spectrum.
Brewery tour
Lakefront Brewery provides an interactive tour experience that begins with serving beer to immediately engage visitors through tasting. Tickets for the tour can be purchased online or at the venue and include a commemorative pint glass along with four samples of 8 oz. each. The tours are guided by staff members who avoid scripted presentations, allowing them to share the brewery’s history organically, showcase features such as the BAS (Big-Ass Silo), and inject humor personalized to enhance guest enjoyment. A popular quip compares Lakefront’s annual sales volume to Miller Brewing’s daily losses as a lighthearted way of highlighting their market presence.
A distinctive highlight during the tour is a stop at the bottling line where participants sing the Laverne and Shirley theme song—a tribute to the fictional brewery featured in that television series—and one guest places a glove on a bottle, recreating a famous scene from the show’s introduction. Nationally recognized, this tour was ranked as the “#4 Top Brewery Tour in America” in 2010.
Historical preservation
Lakefront Brewery is custodian of the original Bernie Brewer’s Chalet, which was acquired when the Milwaukee Brewers constructed their new stadium. Russ Klisch spearheaded this acquisition to ensure this iconic landmark remained part of their facility. Furthermore, the brewery restored vintage lighting fixtures from Milwaukee’s 1916 Plankinton Hotel beer garden—fixtures that were never utilized due to Prohibition but were rescued from demolition and refurbished at considerable expense. These efforts illustrate Lakefront’s dedication to preserving local heritage as an integral element of its brand identity and community ties.
Palm Garden
Toward the end of 1999, restaurateur Russ Davis proposed leasing Lakefront’s spacious banquet hall to the Klisch brothers. Concerned about competing with existing local beer vendors, they decided instead to establish a family-oriented restaurant. The Palm Garden featured traditional Friday fish fries accompanied by polka music and served as a venue for private functions including weddings and corporate events.
Beer Hall
After Russ Davis chose not to renew his lease in November 2013, the Palm Garden ceased operations. Following this, Russ Klisch extended the operating hours of Lakefront Brewery and introduced the Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall. This establishment offers handcrafted German-style cuisine prepared with locally sourced ingredients, such as cheese curds and sustainably caught beer-battered fish. The brewery now hosts a Friday fish fry accompanied by live performances from the Brewhaus Polka Kings. Although wedding receptions are no longer accommodated, the space continues to be available for small-scale corporate gatherings.
Summerfest
At Milwaukee's Summerfest, Lakefront Brewery maintains a prominent role through its dedicated pavilion, showcasing a variety of beers including its signature New Grist.