1840 Beer Garden Road Show
OPENS MAY 6 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
The good folks at 1840 Brewing Company are generous enough to bring their outstanding beer, as well as food trucks and live music, to parks and events throughout the area. There are plenty of locations to choose from and the schedule lasts well into the fall.
Mequon South Rotary Pavilion | May 5
West Bend Riverside Park | May 19, July 28, Aug. 25
Ellsworth Park | May 20, June 4, June 17, July 1, July 15, Aug. 5, Aug. 19, Sept. 3
Leonard J. Yard | May 21, July 28, Aug. 25
Homestead Hollow | May 26, June 30, July 21, Aug. 4, Sept. 22
Klode Park | May 27, June 10, June 24, July 22, Aug. 12, Aug. 26, Oct. 7
River Barn Park | June 2
Fox Point | June 9, Sept. 29
Longacre Pavilion | June 21, July 19, Aug. 16
West Allis Veterans Park | June 22, July 20, Aug. 18, Aug. 24, Sept. 7
Community Park | July 7, Sept. 1
Whitefish Bay Art Fest | July 8-9
Bastille Days | July 14
Lemke Park | Aug. 11
West Allis City Hall | Sept. 9
Indian Creek Parkway | Sept. 16, Oct. 21, Nov. 4
Bayside Fall Fest | Sept. 23
Haunted Honey Creek | Oct. 27
Hours: Vary
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The Beer Garden
OPEN NOW | 1133 N. OLD WORLD THIRD ST.
As long as Giannis is in town, the heart of the Deer District is as good a place as any to have a beer garden. The vibrant and massive space provides a downtown respite later in the week and during Bucks games and other events. More than two dozen tap and can options mix locals with macros.
Hours: Thu.-Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat. noon to 9 p.m.; Sun. noon to 6 p.m.; varying hours during special events.
Depot Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 13 | N96 W15791 COUNTY LINE RD., MENOMONEE FALLS
It’s the sixth season for the Depot Beer Garden, and you still get a “I Killed A Keg” t-shirt if you order the last pour from a barrel. The beer is mainly from Wisconsin brewers like Potosi, Central Waters, Broken Bat, Lakefront and MobCraft. Plenty of food from the grill is also available. This year, the Depot is adding live music to the schedule.
Hours: Sat. 3 to 9 p.m.
Elm Grove Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 26 | 13600 JUNEAU BLVD., ELM GROVE
Find your Happy Place at Elm Grove Village Park, where Third Space Brewing pours a few of its outstanding beers. Expect food trucks, live music on Friday nights, trivia on Thursdays, and more.
Hours: Thu. 5 to 9 p.m.; Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat. 3 to 9 p.m.; Sun. 2 to 7 p.m.
Estabrook Park Beer Garden
OPENS APRIL 21 | 4600 ESTABROOK DR.
The beer garden here opened in 2012 as the first public beer garden in the U.S. since Prohibition. It’s the OG (original garden) in the Milwaukee area. The theme is decidedly German, with patrons drinking Hofbräu brews while eating sausages and pretzels at a multitude of communal tables.
Hours: Daily, noon to 9 p.m.
Franklin Beer Garden at Croatian Park
OPENS MAY 18 | 9100 S. 76TH ST.
Did someone say ćevapčići? You don’t find the delicious Croatian sausages everywhere. Nor do you find Croatian imports or a Bambus (a mix of red wine and cola) at other local beer gardens. Head to Franklin to enjoy this hidden gem complete with live music and food trucks (if you’re not into Croatian sausage).
Hours: Thu. 5 to 10 p.m.
Hubbard Park Beer Garden
OPEN ALL YEAR | 3565 N. MORRIS BLVD.
This woodsy getaway is tucked away just south of busy Capitol Drive. Removal from the madding crowd is made even better with a liter of Hacker-Pschorr Weisse or the few other options on tap (or wine and cocktails if beer’s not your thing). Usinger’s provides an ample sausage menu, and there’s a fish fry every Friday.
Hours: Mon.-Thu. 3 to 10 p.m.; Fri.-Sat. noon to 10 p.m.; Sun. Noon to 9 p.m.
The Landing at Hoyt Park
OPENS MAY 19 | 1800 N. SWAN BLVD.
The swanky digs in Wauwatosa are welcoming on a sunny day. So are the variety of beer choices that include locals like Third Space, Good City and Gathering Place. And if you like what you’re having, growler fills are available. A few wine options are also available. Pizza, pretzels and brats provide the base you need for your brews.
Hours: Fri. 3 to 9 p.m.; Sat. noon to 7 p.m.; Sun. noon to 6 p.m.
Raised Grain Brewing Pop-Up Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 26 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Raised Grain has got quite a few of the Waukesha County Parks covered. Sip on the tasty Summer Vice Hefeweizen and seven other Raised Grain brews, or Diamond Head Seltzer, at a park nearest you. Yard games and a few local food trucks will also be in the mix.
Fox River Park | May 26–28
Mukwonago Park | June 2–3
Muskego Park | June 9–10
Naga-Waukee Park | June 23–24
Nashota Park | July 7–8
Retzer Nature Center | August 18–19
Hours: Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat. 3 to 9 p.m.
South Shore Terrace
OPEN NOW | 2900 S. SHORE DR.
Scenic South Shore Terrace offers beers ranging from High Life and Leinenkugel’s to choices from Terrapin and Hop Valley (or Hamm’s if you’re inclined) at the Miller 1855 Bar. The extensive food menu includes apps, burgers and sandwiches. It all happens just a stein’s throw (not recommended) from Lake Michigan.
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Tap Yard
OPENS MAY 3 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
Owner Nick Marking is onto something with The Tap Yard concept, which is expanding yet again in 2023—this time it’s to Menomonee Falls. Excellent tap lists, frequent tap takeovers and other well-crafted beer and family-friendly events provide plenty of chances to sample great beer all summer. It’s clearly a concept that’s working. The Tap Yard is located in Waukesha (1150 W. Sunset Dr.), Brookfield (2925 N. Barker Rd.), Milwaukee Schlitz Park (1555 N. River Center Dr.), Menomonee Falls (W220 N7884 Town Line Rd.), and West Bend (4875 County Highway Z).
Hours: Wed.-Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat. noon to 9 p.m.; Sun. noon to 7 p.m.
The Traveling Beer Gardens
OPENS MAY 17 | MULTIPLE LOCATIONS
This is the 10th year that Sprecher Brewery has partnered with Milwaukee County, a match that has resulted in more than $250,000 for local park improvements. The tap truck will be making the rounds to a number of local parks filled with Sprecher beers and sodas.
Greenfield Park | May 17–29
Froemming Park | May 31–June 11
Cooper Park | June 14–25
Grant Park | June 28–July 9
Lake Park | July 12–23
McCarty Park | July 26–Aug. 6
Doctors Park | Aug. 9–27
Sheridan Park | Aug. 30-Sept. 4
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 5 to 9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Vine, Humboldt
OPENS MAY 25 | 3000 S. HOWELL AVE.
Choose from more than a dozen draft and canned beer, cider and seltzer options as well as a few wines on tap. The beer garden has a prime location on Tuesday nights, it’s adjacent to the Chill on the Hill weekly concert series.
Hours: Tues.-Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
War Memorial Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 26 | 750 N. LINCOLN MEMORIAL DR.
It’s hard to beat the lakefront views from this beer drinking spot run by Kegel’s Inn. Expect Hofbrau beers pouring from the tap truck, nitro old fashioneds and a food menu with brats, pretzels and more. All that, and Lake Michigan too.
Hours: Tues.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Whitnall Park Beer Garden
OPENS MAY 5 | 8831 N. ROOT RIVER PKWY.
Twenty-four tap handles provide more beer variety than most beer gardens. That’s good news for everyone, especially when the focus is mainly Wisconsin craft beers. Whitnall Park provides a low-key spot to enjoy good beer, and during the winter the park made some improvements that include added parking, a pedestrian and bike path, and landscaping.
Hours: Mon.-Fri. 4 to 9 p.m.; Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
