Good City Brewing isn’t slowing down during the pandemic.
The popular spot announced Thursday that it’s adding a fourth location to its Milwaukee-area footprint. The brewery plans to open a taproom in the expansive space that was formerly ABV Social (11200 W. Burleigh St. in the Mayfair Collection), which closed in late December.
Good City was founded in 2016 with the opening of its East Side (2108 N. Farwell Ave.) brewery and taproom. The brewery expanded in January 2019 with the addition of a Downtown location in the Deer District at 333 W. Juneau Ave. Good City also has a warehouse and office space in Century City, though that is not open to the public.
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Timing for the new taproom opening is up in the air, but co-owner David Dupee hopes to be open at least partially in the spring.
“No one has a crystal ball, but the way the pandemic is trending we’re optimistic about some return to normal fairly soon,” said Dupee. “We may try to do some weekends and limited hours starting in spring, with that date to be determined.”
Good City doesn’t have any plans to brew at the new spot, unlike at its two other locations, but patrons can expect outstanding standards like Motto Pale Ale and Reward DIPA as well as new and limited releases.
The food menu will include Good City staples (yes, including curry fries) as well as a few items unique to the Wauwatosa taproom.
Added Dupee: “This came together quickly, but the desire to be in the Tosa area has been around for a while.”
The pandemic made 2020 a tough year to operate taprooms and breweries. But Good City has shown very little sign of slowing. The brewery has invested in innovation, highlighted by the recent addition of its small-batch Indigo Series. It also crafted its largest lineup of barrel-aged Density Imperial Stouts to date.
“We feel a little crazy doing it, but we don’t have the option to stand still,” explained Dupee. “It’s a great space, ready for us to move in. It’s not a significant capital investment. It’s ideal as far as a space to walk into to put the Good City experience on it.”
ABV Social was the last of a handful of restaurants at the Mayfair Collection opened in 2015-16 and managed at first by the Bartolotta Group and later by Phoenix Hospitality Group. Diner and custard joint Osgoods was the first to close, last February, followed by Cafe Grace, Taqueria El Jefe and ABV Social.
