This Black Friday marks the 15th year of Lakefront Brewery (1872 N. Commerce St.) being the epicenter of craft beer’s biggest holiday. It’s a safe bet that a line will form well before dawn, and hours before the brewery opens at 8 a.m. To keep the masses nourished, Lakefront’s food truck will start serving breakfast burritos and coffee at 6 a.m.
When Lakefront owners Russ and Jim Klisch swing open the doors at 8 a.m., the huddled masses can expect several liquid rewards for their patience (which is usually more like a party anyway). The 2025 Black Friday lineup is a good one.
- 2025 Black Friday Imperial Stout Aged in Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday straight whiskey barrels
- 2025 Black Friday Imperial Coffee & Cacao Nib Stout aged in Still & Oak whiskey barrels
- 2025 Black Friday Triple Black IPA dry-hopped with Cascade, Citra, Centennial and Chinook hops
- 2025 Black Friday Wheatwine Ale aged in brandy barrels
Each of the Black Friday variants will be on tap and available in 19.2-ounce cans ($15-$25), and if you buy four cans, you get a souvenir pint glass. Lakefront is also hosting the Warm Hearts Community Coat Drive from 7 a.m. to noon, which benefits students of George Washington Carver Elementary. Customers who donate a laundered, gently used kids coat receive one bottle or can of a previous Black Friday beer.
Lakefront is hardly alone when it comes to big beer releases on Black Friday (or the Wednesday before, courtesy of The Fermentorium, Black Husky, Brewfinity and Layman). There’s a full slate of activity at breweries around Milwaukee during the Thanksgiving holiday to help you get through an overabundance of family time.
3 Sheeps Brewing
837 NORTH AVE., SHEBOYGAN
The Beer
- The Wolf aged in 18-Year Elijah Craig barrels
- The Wolf with cocoa nibs, coconut, and vanilla
Details: Both variants of The Wolf imperial stout will be available on tap and in cans. As an added bonus, the Sheboygan taproom has a Holiday Market taking place on Friday and Saturday.
Amorphic Beer
3700 N. FRATNEY ST.
The Beer
- Maple Syrup Barrel Major Particles, an imperial stout aged in bourbon maple syrup barrels that clocks in at a potent 15% ABV
- Barrel-Aged WIMPs, an imperial Czech dark lager aged in bourbon blackberry wine barrels
Details: Doors open at 9 a.m., and cans of both are available for presale on the Amorphic website. For the price-conscious, Amorphic hasn’t raised prices on its Black Friday releases since it opened nearly four years ago; a mixed four-pack of tallboy cans is $30.
Black Husky Brewing
909 E. LOCUST ST.
The Beer
- Ahead of the Pack, a Belgian IPA that packs a punch at 15% ABV
Details: The beer is named Ahead of the Pack for a reason. Black Husky’s traditional big release is on Wednesday (Nov. 26) and not Black Friday. The taproom is open from 4 to 9 p.m.
Brewfinity Brewing
N58 W39800 INDUSTRIAL RD., OCONOMOWOC AND 203 W. WISCONSIN AVE., PEWAUKEE
The Beer
- Natasha Goes Nuclear, a Russian imperial stout
Details: Brewfinity is also releasing its big beer on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. It will be available in both taprooms.
Broken Bat Brewing
135 E. PITTSBURGH AVE.
The Beer
- 762* – “The King”, an imperial stout aged for 12 months in Great Lakes Distillery Bourbon Barrels.
Details: Doors to Broken Bat open at noon on Black Friday.
Central Waters Brewing
1037 W. JUNEAU AVE.
The Beer
- Maximum Opacity triple black IPA
- Ice Wine Barrel English Barleywine, an English barleywine ale aged for 33 months in Cabernet Franc ice wine barrels
Details: Both beers will be available at 9 a.m. when Central Waters opens.
Component Brewing
2018 S. FIRST ST.
The Beer
- Barrel-Aged Hazelnut Mocha Swirled Stout aged in Ledgerock Distillery bourbon barrels and conditioned on chocolate, vanilla, coffee and hazelnuts
- Supreme Haze the Lord!, an imperial hazy IPA
- 2024 Barrel-Aged Turtle Sundae Swirled Stout conditioned on cocoa nibs and vanilla
Details: The taproom opens at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. for Mug Club members). Both new releases are available on tap and to-go. The Turtle Sundae Stout is available on tap while it lasts. Hot Box MKE is bringing its pizza food truck from noon to 5 p.m.
Eagle Park Brewing
823 E. HAMILTON ST. AND S64 W15640 COMMERCE CENTER PKWY., MUSKEGO
The Beer
- Fly By Night, an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels and matured on Columbian vanilla beans
- Stave: Blend 4 barrel-aged blended imperial stout
- Stir It Up, a barrel-aged imperial stout finished with Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
- Fuzz Lord barleywine aged in bourbon and peach brandy barrels
- DDH Bowie’s Space Suit: Krush, a New England IPA made with Galaxy, Citra and Krush hops
- Dragonfruit Orange Mango Slush overfruited sour ale
Details: The varied list of brews is available in small 7.5-ounce cans, for more responsible sipping, and on draft at both Eagle Park locations. Doors at the Milwaukee taproom open at 8 a.m., while Muskego opens at 11 a.m.
Explorium Brewpub
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
The Beer
- Milwaukee County Stout aged in 1792 Bourbon barrels
- Milwaukee County Stout aged in Chattanooga Whiskey barrels
- Milwaukee County Stout aged in Four Roses barrels
- Milwaukee County Stout aged in Buffalo Trace Mash #1 barrels
- Milwaukee County Stout double oaked
- Milwaukee County Stout Proprietor’s Blend
- War Drum Braggot (a kind of beer-mead hybrid) aged in rye barrels
- Dread Express Flanders Red
- Dread Express Kriek Red made with Montmorency cherries
Details: The Greendale taproom (5300 S. 76th St.) opens early at 8 a.m., while the Third Ward (143 W. St. Paul Ave.) and Wauwatosa (11200 W. Burleigh St.) locations start the day at 9 a.m. A brunch buffet is happening at each of these three spots. The Milwaukee County Stout Proprietor’s Blend will only be available on draft, while the other beers will be available in cans and on draft at all five Explorium Hospitality Group locations, including Wayfinder MKE in the former Good City, 2108 N. Farwell Ave.; and Explorium Distilled, 333 W. Juneau Ave.
Explorium is also releasing some variants exclusive to certain partners across the region. Find Milwaukee County Stout aged in Jack Daniel’s Rye barrels at Ayra’s Cigar & Liquor,; Brandy Old Fashioned Stout aged in Central Standard Up North Brandy barrels at Brewed Omen, 120 N. Main St., Hartford; Milwaukee County Stout aged in Russell’s Reserve barrels at Consumer Beverage, 5313 S. 108th St., Hales Corners; Milwaukee County Stout aged in Blanton’s barrels at Matty’s Bar & Grill, 14460 College Ave., New Berlin; and Milwaukee County Stout aged in Southern Star Paragon barrels at Tenuta’s Deli, 3203 52nd St., Kenosha.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Faklandia Brewpub
3807 S. PACKARD AVE., CUDAHY
The Beer
- Mantaycore, an imperial stout brewed with hazelnut, cinnamon and coconut
- Progenitor, an imperial stout made with honey, molasses and agave
Details: Mantaycore represents the main villain in the Faklandia story, and Progenitor is on the side of the good guys. Both good and evil brews will be available in cans and on tap when Faklandia opens at 9 a.m.
The Fermentorium
7481 WI-60 TRUNK, CEDARBURG
The Beer
- Sweater Weather, an imperial milk stout made with Mexican vanilla
- Black Forest Cake Sweater Weather made with tart cherries, cocoa and Mexican vanilla
- Samoa Cookie Sweater Weather made with toasted coconut, caramel and Mexican vanilla
- Underwater Panther Triple IPA made with honey
Details: The Fermentorium gets a jump on things by having its big release day on Wednesday. All four beers will be available in cans and on tap at The Fermentorium at noon on Nov. 26. Sweater Weather and Black Forest Cake are only being released at the taproom. Samoa Cookie Sweater Weather and Underwater Panther will make it to store shelves.
Foxtown Brewing
6411 W. MEQUON RD., MEQUON
The Beer
- The Waiting, an imperial stout aged for a year in a Heaven Hill bourbon barrel and another year in whiskey barrel from La Crosse Distilling Co.
- See What Tomorrow Brings, a barrel-aged English barleywine with Madagascar vanilla
- With a Twist, a Belgian golden strong ale aged in a gin barrel
Details: The diverse lineup from Foxtown is available on tap and in bottles. Try each one in the Foxtown beer caves from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Black Friday.
Gathering Place Brewing
811 E. VIENNA AVE. AND 7208 W. NORTH AVE., WAUWATOSA
The Beer
- Malt Ball Stout, an imperial stout made with Briess malted milk powder and cocoa powder
- Mocha Malt Ball Stout, the same as above but made with Valentine coffee
Details: Both beers – tribute to the malted milk ball treats from Wisconsin malting company Briess that are legend among brewers – will be available in cans and on tap. The Riverwest taproom is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Wauwatosa is open from noon to 10 p.m.
Indeed Brewing
530 S. SECOND ST.
The Beer
- C.R.E.A.M., a 9% ABV imperial cream ale with honey, apple and “a warm, complex spice finish.” Preorders of the 750-ml, wax-dipped bottles ($23) include a free stemmed pilsner glass.
- Cranberry Spruce Kölsch is tapped at 2 p.m.
Details: Indeed opens at 10 a.m. and is offering free 6-ounce pours of C.R.E.A.M. to the first 30 people through the door. Other specials include merch discounts and 50% off all to-go THC beverages from 7-9 p.m.
Layman Brewing
6001 W. MADISON ST., WEST ALLIS
The Beer
- You’ll Shoot Your Rye Out, a rye lager that combines an Oktoberfest with fruitcake spice
Details: Layman joins Black Husky and The Fermentorium in the Wednesday beer release department largely because they’ll be closed on Black Friday. Layman’s beer, which arguably has the best name on this list, will be available on tap all day Wednesday.
New Barons Brewing Co-op
2018 S. FIRST ST.
The Beer
- Crispy Cabin Vibes, a maple bourbon and rye barrel-aged doppelbock
Details: The doors open at noon. Preorder for the brew starts on Nov. 13 on the New Barons website.
North Pillar Brewing
212 E. NORTH ST., WAUKESHA
The Beer
- Leisure Class, a barleywine aged in brandy barrels
Details: The doors open at 11 a.m. Leisure Class will be available to go and on nitro.
Ope! Brewing Co.
6749 W. NATIONAL AVE., WEST ALLIS
The Beer
- Barrel-Aged Full Send barleywine aged in a blend of apple brandy and maple whiskey barrels
- Barrel-Aged Full Send barleywine aged in rye whiskey barrels
Details: Ope! is starting the fun at 9 a.m., and each barleywine variant is available on draft and in pint cans.
Raised Grain Brewing Company
1723 DOLPHIN DR., WAUKESHA
The Beer
- Santa’s Sack Christmas Ale brewed with nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon and star anise
- Doc’s Brandy Old Fashioned Barrel-Aged Imperial Red Ale made with spices, orange peel and cherries to mimic a classic Wisconsin old fashioned
- Doc’s Bourbon Old Fashioned Barrel-Aged Imperial Red Ale is the same brew as above but aged in bourbon barrels for more hints of vanilla and oak
- Anniversary Bourbon Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout mixed four packs
Details: Doors open at 11 a.m. for the annual Santa’s Sack celebration. The anniversary four-packs include one can each from Raised Grain’s seventh, eighth, ninth and 10th anniversary releases. Santa’s Sack and both Doc’s Old Fashioned beers are available on tap and in cans.
Third Space Brewing
1505 W. ST. PAUL AVE.; N71 W13040 W. APPLETON AVE., MENOMONEE FALLS
The Beer
- Eggnog Stout, a bourbon barrel-aged stout made with nutmeg and vanilla
- Kara’s Holiday Punch, a fruited sour brewed with cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves
Details: Both beers are available in four-packs when the main Third Space brewery opens at noon. There will be a food truck, live music and a toy drive. The Innovation Brewhouse location in Menomonee Falls opens at 11 a.m. and is holding a free holiday cocktail class from 2-3:30 p.m.; register here.
Third Space Brewing
1505 W. ST. PAUL AVE.; N71 W13040 W. APPLETON AVE., MENOMONEE FALLS
The Beer
- Eggnog Stout, a bourbon barrel-aged stout made with nutmeg and vanilla
- Kara’s Holiday Punch, a fruited sour brewed with cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves
Details: Both beers are available in four-packs when the main Third Space brewery opens at noon. There will be a food truck, live music and a toy drive. The Innovation Brewhouse location in Menomonee Falls opens at 11 a.m. and is holding a free holiday cocktail class from 2-3:30 p.m.; register here.
Third Space Brewing
1505 W. ST. PAUL AVE.; N71 W13040 W. APPLETON AVE., MENOMONEE FALLS
The Beer
- Eggnog Stout, a bourbon barrel-aged stout made with nutmeg and vanilla
- Kara’s Holiday Punch, a fruited sour brewed with cherry, cranberry, cinnamon and cloves
Details: Both beers are available in four-packs when the main Third Space brewery opens at noon. There will be a food truck, live music and a toy drive. The Innovation Brewhouse location in Menomonee Falls opens at 11 a.m. and is holding a free holiday cocktail class from 2-3:30 p.m.; register here.
Torzala Brewing
2018 S. FIRST ST.
The Beer
-
Chocolate Illusion, a chocolate Belgian quad
-
Squash Blossom harvest ale made with roasted pumpkin
-
The Four Loves – Affection, a cold IPA made with BLM Kombucha from Soul Brew
-
Brew City’s Heyday, an English barleywine made in collaboration with Dead Bird Brewing
Details:Torzala opens at 9 a.m. on the big day. Chocolate Illusion and the two collabs are new in 2025, while Squash Blossom is a popular re-release.
Urban Harvest Brewing
1024 S. FIFTH ST.
The Beer
- 2023 Imperial Chocolate Whiskey Stout
- 2024 Whiskey Porter
- 2022 Big Ring Bourbon Red
- 2023 Brown Mumbler, a bourbon brown ale
- 2024 Two Naught Naught, a chocolate bourbon espresso amber
- 2023 WhiScotchsin, a whiskey scotch ale
- 2022 Deux Stappen, a Belgian dark strong ale
- 2025 Barleywine
- 2025 Serensified Sufficiencies Belgian Tripel
Details: Urban Harvest opens at 11 a.m. on Black Friday. The 16-ounce cans of cellared (pre-2025) beers are extremely limited and available for preorder on Wednesday, Nov. 28. Each can is $10, and if you buy one of each of the seven cellared beers you get the two new releases for free.
Wizard Works Brewing
231 E. BUFFALO ST.
The Beer
- Swiss Mystic Spiced Hot Cocoa stout.
