ABC Estabrook Inc., the operator of the Estabrook Beer Garden at Milwaukee County’s Estabrook Park in Glendale, plans to operate a year-round beer garden at Milwaukee County’s Scout Lake Park in Greendale, said ABC Estabrook managing director Hans Weissgerber III.
ABC Estabrook and county officials are working out details of a 10-year agreement for the beer garden at Scout Lake Park, 5902 W. Loomis Road, Greendale, Weissgerber said. The beer garden there could open in May or early June, he said.
The Estabrook Beer Garden opened in 2012 and is inspired by classic beer gardens in Munich, Germany. It has become a popular destination in the Milwaukee area to enjoy German beer, snacks and the outdoor park setting along the Milwaukee River.
The beer garden at Scout Lake Park will be similar to Estabrook Beer Garden, but it will have indoor seating and could be open-year round, Weissgerber said. ABC Estabrook plans to make improvements to the Scout Lake Park facility, but details have not been finalized yet, he said.
“(Scout Lake Park) is already a far more improved site than Estabrook was,” Weissgerber said. “Since we’re already doing something on the north side of Milwaukee County we also felt the south side of Milwaukee County should be able to experience something like this in their neighborhoods.”
Scout Lake Park is somewhat forgotten by many area residents but it has attractive features, including a natural lake, and is located in a densely populated area, Weissgerber said. The beer garden would occupy the Scout Lake Pavilion, located along the lake.
“(The park is) only five minutes away from Southridge Mall,” Weissgerber said. “But when you’re there, you feel like you could be in the North Woods.”
The Parks Department estimates the county could potentially collect $80,000 in 2014 and $100,000 in 2015 in revenue from the Scout Lake Park beer garden.
“Since taking office I’ve tasked departments across the county to look for strong partnerships and opportunities to strengthen the community; this project epitomizes our efforts,” County Executive Chris Abele said. “I appreciate the support the County Board has shown in backing the Estabrook Park Beer Garden and I’m hopeful they share my excitement in this plan.”
The proposed Scout Lake Park beer garden would feature a number of beer and wine options as well as food and non-alcoholic drinks. The beer garden would be open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and would not serve alcohol after 9 p.m.
ABC Estabrook does not plan to create numerous beer gardens in Milwaukee County parks, but will consider any opportunities that appear to be a good fit, Weissgerber said. Other parks could benefit from the addition of privately operated food and beverage services, but they don’t all necessarily have to be beer gardens, he said.
“I think there are other food and beverage opportunities in Milwaukee County parks,” Weissgerber said. “The private sector could do a lot to enhance the parks with food and beverage opportunities.”
Weissgerber is also the managing director of the Old German Beer Hall in downtown Milwaukee.
A BizTimes Milwaukee cover story in October featured the re-emergence of German themed establishments in the Milwaukee area, including the Estabrook Beer Garden.
