Sunday morning brunch is an institution in Milwaukee. Though most of the Cream City opts for a Bloody Mary to start the day, a Belgian-brewed pint of High Speed Wit at the ever-packed Cafe Benelux in the Historic Third Ward should be your drink of choice. Pair it with some orange juice by asking for a Beermosa and find breakfast heaven. Benelux opens at 8AM, and probably has a line starting around 10.
(Follow along on The Beer Tour map!)
At 11AM, stroll a couple blocks south to the recently-opened Broken Bat Brewing Co. This baseball-themed brewery is already knocking dingers from their restored warehouse basement locale.
Head west until you hit the Milwaukee River, then take the Riverwalk north through downtown until you see Rock Bottom Brewery on the west bank. Though this brewpub is a national chain, each location actually has their own head brewmaster and all brewing is done on site. Each draft is as local and fresh as any other around town.
Still following the Riverwalk north along the west bank, you’ll come across the dark-hued Ale Asylum Riverhouse. This offshoot restaurant of Madison’s Ale Asylum Brewery has great pub food and a rotating selection of their IPA-heavy beers, brewed either at the Madison mothership or right here on the river.
If you’ve got any room left, end your weekend just across the pedestrian bridge to the east at the classic Water Street Brewery. Classic German styles of both beer and food await you, along with one of the better collections of retro beer swag seen in the city.
We sincerely hope you enjoyed your time in the Brew City, and that you’re leaving cheerful and beer-full. If work asks tomorrow why you’re a little groggy, just tell them you were in Milwaukee: “The Good Land with a beer in hand.”
All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.