Nomad World Pub owner and Lowlands Group co-founder, Mike Eitel has pulled out of a project at the former Pabst brewery complex in downtown Milwaukee, where Pabst Brewing Co. plans to open a small brewery and tasting room in the former First German Methodist Church building. Eitel planned to operate a restaurant and bar in the building.
Eitel made the announcement Monday, saying he is going to focus on his current brands, Nomad World Pub and Panga Bar and Grill, which are set to expand locally with renovations in 2016.
“It was a difficult decision, but in the end I think it’s best for all parties involved,” Eitel said in a written statement.
Eitel also said he was dropping plans to expand the Nomad World Pub location on Brady Street.
Blue Ribbon Management LLC will redevelop the former First German Methodist Church building, located at the southeast corner of West Juneau Avenue and North 11th Street. With Eitel out of the project, the bar and restaurant portion could be taken over by Pabst, said Zilber Property Group vice president Mike Mervis.
“Pabst is taking a strong interest in taking over the full building, but a final decision has not been made at this time,” Mervis said.
Pabst, founded in 1844, shut down the Milwaukee brewery in 1996. The company is now based in San Antonio and currently outsources the production of its beers. Pabst has more than 30 beers in its portfolio, including Pabst, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, Old Style, Stroh’s and Blatz.
After Pabst closed its Milwaukee operation in 1996, the brewery remained vacant until Zilber Ltd. founder Joseph Zilber acquired it in 2006 and began a redevelopment project to transform the former brewery into a mixed-use neighborhood. Several of the buildings in the complex have been sold to other developers for redevelopment projects.
