Brewery celebrates Craft Beer Week with tours

Milwaukee Brewing Company is celebrating American Craft Beer week by kicking off public tours of its 2nd Street Brewery, beginning on Thursday, May 20, at 4 p.m.
“Our new brewery represents creative reuse of equipment from breweries and other industries,” said Jim McCabe, owner of the brewery. “We used years of brewing and engineering experience to create a hot rod that runs on vegetable oil. Our tour experience gives visitors more than just an overview of the basics of brewing. The take away experience is our love and respect for Milwaukee, and a desire to go make something.”
According to McCabe, the brewery tour will highlight the brewery’s unique conservation and sustainability message and will be more hands-on than most brewery tours.
The brewery, located at 613 S. Second St., is just a few blocks from its original brew pub the Milwaukee Ale House. In 2008, Milwaukee Brewing Company formed the brewery on Second Street to keep up with the demand of beer at the Ale House.
"Tours will last 45 to 50 minutes, and will focus on the brewing process of a small scale brewery, but also on what it means to be a part of the brewing legacy in Milwaukee," McCabe said.  "Manufacturing is such a deep part of our community and that culture ends up being an incredible resource for anybody trying to produce something here."
The tours will also include short video clips from the brewmaster explaining the influences behind the flavors of the beer and also the key to pairing it with great food, McCabe said.
The brewery will be open for tours on a first come basis, with reservations for groups. Regular tour hours are Friday, 4 p.m. and 5 p.m., and Saturday at 3 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday and other weekday tours can be scheduled by appointment. The tours are $5 and include beer sampling throughout the tour, customized Milwaukee Brewing Company glassware, other logo gear and a token for a free beer at one of six Walker’s Point bars, McCabe said.
Visitors should call (414) 226-2337 for tour appointments.