Milwaukee earned the name Brew City in the days of Pabst, Schlitz, Blatz and Miller, and today its beer story is told by dozens of smaller breweries spread across the city. This guided tour solves the problem of getting between them. A bus collects the group downtown and takes you to four breweries over four to five hours, with tastings of up to 16 beers in total and a meal or snack included, depending on the departure you choose. The breweries named on the listing include Lakefront Brewery, the riverside pioneer known for the country's first certified organic beer, along with Broken Bat Brewing, Ope! Brewing, Gathering Place and Wizard Works, and the exact line-up can vary by day. At each stop you learn how the beers are made and meet the people who make them. It is a sociable outing that suits groups of friends and couples, and it is a smart choice if you want to drink without worrying about the drive. On Viator the tour is rated 4.6 from 18 reviews and is marked as a best seller, with free cancellation.
Booking and timing: the tour runs for four to five hours, with prices from around 140 dollars per person and lower rates per head for larger groups. The operator advises booking at least 72 hours ahead, because tours fill quickly and late bookings may not find room. Round-trip bus transport within downtown Milwaukee is included, and the exact pick-up point is confirmed after booking. All guests who drink must be 21 or older with ID.
What to expect: each brewery stop includes a tasting flight and time to talk with the staff or owners, and the bus does the driving between them. Sixteen tastings add up, so eat the food provided, drink water between stops and pace yourself. A shorter version, the three-hour Sip of Milwaukee tour with up to 12 beers, visits a different set of breweries if you want a lighter afternoon.
Making it count: book this for a Friday or Saturday afternoon and keep the evening free, or take it on your first day to find the breweries you want to revisit. If Lakefront Brewery is the one you most want to see properly, book its own 50-minute tour separately, as the guided crawl spends less time at each brewery.
What to expect
The experience
A guided bus tour of four Milwaukee breweries with tastings at each stop, a meal or snack and round-trip transport from downtown.
Best time
A Friday or Saturday afternoon, when the brewery taprooms are at their liveliest.
How long
Four to five hours from pick-up to drop-off downtown.
Tips
Book at least 72 hours ahead, bring ID, eat the food provided and drink water between stops.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Beer lovers and groups of friends who want to sample several breweries without driving.
- Families
- Not suitable for children, as the tour centers on beer tastings for guests 21 and over.
- Couples
- A fun shared afternoon out, ending downtown in time for dinner.
- Pair with
- The Harley-Davidson Museum in the morning and dinner in the Third Ward afterward.
- Time needed
- Half a day, from early afternoon to early evening.
Good questions
Which breweries does the Milwaukee brewery tour visit?+
The listing names Lakefront Brewery, Broken Bat Brewing, Ope! Brewing, Gathering Place and Wizard Works, with four visited on each tour. The line-up can vary by date.
How many beers are included on the brewery tour?+
Tastings of up to 16 beers are included across the four stops. Food is included as well.
Is transport included on the brewery tour?+
Yes, round-trip bus transport within downtown Milwaukee is included. The pick-up point is confirmed after booking.
How far ahead should I book the brewery tour?+
The operator recommends at least 72 hours ahead. Popular dates fill quickly.
Is there a shorter Milwaukee brewery tour?+
Yes, the Sip of Milwaukee tour lasts about three hours with up to 12 beers. It visits a different group of breweries.
