TRAVEL GUIDE

Milwaukee Travel and Brewing History

Mayfair Rent A Car Milwaukee travel recommends you take some time to enlighten yourself on the history of brewing … considering this city is known for its brew.

The Milwaukee Beer Festival

When booking your travel plans this spring, Mayfair Rent A Car Milwaukee travel says to mark down March 12, 2006 for The Milwaukee Beer Festival. At this annual show, more than 20 Midwest breweries from the world will be offering more than 100 different kinds of brew for you to savor. Here are some brew brands to whet your appetite:

• Capital's Blonde Doppelbock
• Lakefront's Bourbon-Barrel Bock
• Nicolet Doppelbock
• Sprecher Maibock
• Tyranena Fighting Finches Maibock

Awards will be handed out for the best brews in the show. Some of the brew classes for Homebrew and Commercial categories include:

• Bock Beer
• Doppelbock
• Weizen Bock

Taste Milwaukee Brew for Yourself

If you aren't able to make the Milwaukee Beer Festival, you can still experience the history and ale year-round. Mayfair Rent A Car Milwaukee travel lists some of the known breweries:

Sprecher Brewing Company is situated at 701 W. Glendale Avenue. This is the first microbrewer to be licensed in Milwaukee since Prohibition. Sprecher is dedicated to making homemade brew according to German Purity Law.

Milwaukee Ale House is located at 233 N. Water Street (in the heart of the Historic Third Ward). You'll fell like you've stepped back into time to the turn-of-the century when you tour this beer hall. After the tour, stay for some dinner and take in some live entertainment.

Milwaukee Brewing Company can be found at 4251 W. State Street. Come for a free, guided indoor/outdoor walking tour that incorporates a drama presentation. Take a look at the packing and shipping centers, historic caves and brew house. Afterwards, sample some of the products from the seasonal outdoor beer garden or Bavarian-style Miller Inn.

In 1987, two brothers who brewed their own beer started Lakefront Brewery, Inc. Russ and Jim Klisch have won awards for their product. Mayfair Rent A Car Milwaukee travel suggests adding this popular venue to your list of places to visit.

Brewing History

Milwaukee has claim to being the "beer capital of the world" – with good reason. Some of the largest American brewers make their home in Milwaukee, including Pabst, Miller, Blatz and Schlitz.

Pabst Brewing Company

This company has been one of the leaders in the brewing industry. Jacob and Charles Best established a vinegar factory in Milwaukee in 1842. When Charles returned home to his homeland Germany, he brought back the rest of his family to Milwaukee in early 1844. Meanwhile Jacob relocated his German brewery to his new home in America.

Mayfair Rent A Car Milwaukee travel notes that the company's future was on shaky ground after the business partnership was severed over the plans for the brewery's future and expansion. Phillip Best continued as the sole proprietor while Jacob Best Jr. sold his portion.

Phillip met a young steamship captain on the Great Lakes, Frederick Pabst. The two men met on his boat trips to Chicago on Lake Michigan. They both shared a common view of what the brewing industry's future should look like.

The Captain married into the Best family in 1859. Four years later, after his ship was beached by a violent storm, Pabst decided to make a career change. Pabst bought half an interest in the Phillip Best Brewing Company in 1854.

Pabst had three goals: to constantly improve the quality of his beer; to increase capacity of the brewery and to expand the market for his product.

Mayfair Rent A Car Milwaukee travel invites you to visit these breweries to learn more about their history and sample some of their world-famous products.