Vennture Brew Company
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Brewing, Coffeehouse |
| Founded | 2018 |
| Founder | Simon McConico, Robert Gustafson, Jake Rohde |
| Headquarters | Milwaukee , United States |
| Products | Beer, Coffee |
Vennture Brew Company is a microbrewery and coffeehouse based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, established in 2018 by photographers Simon McConico, Robert Gustafson, and Jake Rohde. In 2022, Yelp recognized it as the premier brewery in Wisconsin. Operating out of a renovated former hardware store, Vennture is noted for its signature "The Heights" saison and stands as one of the few breweries in the United States with partial or full Black ownership.
Origins
Longtime friends and photographers, the founders merged their passions for coffee roasting and homebrewing to create Vennture. Their inspiration stemmed from trips to states including Colorado, Minnesota, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where they observed overlapping customer interests in coffee and beer despite differing consumption patterns. This observation influenced their innovative concept—a specialty coffee establishment combined with a brewery.
The company’s name, "Vennture," embodies their goal of blending "coffee, beer, and community," represented visually through a Venn diagram-inspired emblem. Transitioning from casual hobbies to a commercial enterprise required thorough preparation; McConico acquired practical industry knowledge by working at a local taproom.
By 2022, Vennture was among less than one percent of American breweries with Black ownership. McConico highlighted the company’s commitment to challenging conventional demographic norms within the beer and coffee industries while cultivating inclusive communal environments.
Between late 2022 and early 2023, Rohde exited the business.
Business Development
Vennture commenced operations in July 2018 after raising $22,000 through Kickstarter. It became the first local venue offering both coffee and beer under one roof. In 2022, Yelp honored it as Wisconsin’s leading brewery. By then, it had become part of an expanding group of breweries along Milwaukee’s North Avenue corridor and nearby Wauwatosa.
In 2023, Vennture introduced food offerings sourced from Cranky Al's restaurant. Sales were approximately evenly divided between coffee and beer; however, brewing capacity had reached its maximum while there was room to grow coffee roasting operations. To expand production capabilities, Vennture acquired Biloba Brewing in 2024.
Milwaukee
Vennture’s original site is located at 5519 North Avenue in Milwaukee, nestled between the Uptown Crossing and Washington Heights neighborhoods. The founders—McConico, Gustafson, and Rohde—secured the lease in February 2017 and spent eighteen months renovating the space, installing a five-barrel brewing system in the basement.
The building had previously hosted various enterprises, including a hardware store. The interior design incorporates blue and white hues alongside a bar crafted from reclaimed hardwood flooring. Milwaukee Magazine characterizes the venue as "a bright, welcoming spot" exuding a warm neighborhood atmosphere. The establishment accommodates around 50 patrons.
Brookfield
Vennture Brew expanded with its second location in Brookfield, Wisconsin, opening on March 16, 2024. Situated at 2970 North Brookfield Road within a 1500sqft facility formerly operated by Biloba Brewing, it can host up to 150 guests. In early 2023, Vennture’s leadership expressed intentions to grow due to brewing capacity constraints. Collaborating with Biloba’s retiring owners provided an ideal opportunity to leverage Biloba’s existing reputation for expansion.
Beer
Vennture's signature brew, The Heights, is a table-style saison named in honor of the neighborhood where the company first started and has been produced since its establishment. When the brewery opened, it offered six different beers on draft, complemented by coffee and espresso beverages as well as tea sourced from a local Madison, Wisconsin supplier.
See also
Further reading
- Maas, Tyler (July 24, 2018). "First Impression: Vennture Brew Co". Milwaukee Record.
- Maas, Tyler (February 8, 2023). "Brewed City: Vennture Brew Co". Milwaukee Record.