Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery

Category:	Brewery
Address:	901 W Juneau Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233, USA
Phone:	+1 414-630-1609
Site:	bestplacemilwaukee.com
Rating:	4.7
Working:	12–6PM Closed 12–6PM 12–6PM 10:30AM–6PM 10:30AM–6PM 10:30AM–6PM

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 19

Alan Robb

If you are expecting a multi-media, slick, corporate brewery tour, a la Miller, then prepare to be disappointed. If, however, you want to be enchanted by one of the coolest, pure Milwaukee experiences and enjoy a slice of beer history, make this a must-see. Owner Jim takes you round what was once the old Pabst head office and delights you with tales that show how passionate he is about Pabsts part in beer folklore. They keep you topped up in beer, still produced, just no longer at this site, and the hospitality is warm and genuine. Just a fun way to spend a couple hours! Dont forget to stock up on memorabilia and apparel from Pabst and other historic names at the gift shop. Schlitz bowling shirts? Yes please!

Halee Moritz

My husband and I cannot say enough good things about this place and about Kim, their venue coordinator. My husband and I got married at Best Place on Friday and everything was perfect. Leading up to the day, Kim was so accommodating and patient with us. She was attentive and just incredible. Our guests could not stop gushing about the venue and how beautiful it was. We wanted a place that was true to Milwaukee and what better way than with a place that celebrates the birth of PBR. Check this place out, you will not regret it! And if youre looking to get married, it will not disappoint.

K Schroeder

Best Place is a must see Milwaukee landmark! The owner and his son have done an excellent job restoring this tribute to the Blatz brewing legacy, They have kept the architecture and interior details surprisingly close to original as well. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable about the building, and of their rotating great selection of beers! I would recommend that any local resident, Milwaukee tourist, history buff, or beer enthusiast should definitely put Best Place on their ‘have to see’ list. They also host great parties and wedding receptions.

Steve

Heres my .02 - having gone here many times, I can say this place is a classic. The building is cool, the beer is cold and they have the only real fireplace thats in a bar in the city that I know about. Anyone who rates this place under 4 stars is probably a boring person who doesnt appreciate rich history, thinks Buca di Beppo is a great local Italian joint and purchased any one Adam Sandler last 50 movies (probably Jack and Jill) but hasnt seen Billy Madison.

Steve Walter

Amazing beer tour. As others have said, its more about the history than it is a normal brewery tour; which one could expect since its not a functioning brewery. Has a small bar in an old German-style beer hall that serves a good selection of local beers. The tour guides (that Ive had) have all been fun, and its clear that the owner is very passionate about the beer history. Some cool stuff in the gift shop, too. Definitely worth checking out.

John Wilkie

This was one of the coolest places ever! A large group of friends rented out the banquet hall area for a formal dance party. There were lots of little historical displays are a sweet balcony to hangout on. There was also bar service and a nice front courtyard that was beautiful and probably would have been one of the best areas if the weather had permitted. Well be going back this winter and I cant wait!

james sural

We just had our wedding there and it was amazing I couldnt have asked for a better night all our guest were so intrigued by the beauty of the old place and the historic grace of the building I highly recommend them again to anybody that needs a cool place for a gathering and the gift shop was awesome. They also opened the on a day that they are normally closed just for us to get married

Keith Stachowiak

This is the #1 place I bring visitors to Milwaukee, to see the redevelopment of the Pabst complex - and specifically to Best Place to get a beer and see the former tour headquarters. Jim and Karen Haertel have lovingly restored the place without making it feel like a corporate takeover (see Brewhouse Inn and Suites). Very thankful to have this great Milwaukee landmark intact!

Megan Haney

This is a little piece of American beer history! Although not a current brewery, you will learn a lot about the history of Best Brewery and Pabst Brewery. You get free beer for the length of your tour...not just the one beer as a previous review mentioned. The staff was very friendly even though it was sooo cold outside! Well have to head up again in the summer.

James Roche

Theres a beer bar near my house that I call a Beer Church because of its decor and devotion, but this relic of the Pabst empire is much more fitting to that description. Such a marvel, it is awesome. The staff is super friendly and the gift shop is a trip. If you go to Milwaukee and dont have a beer here, you should rethink your life.

Bill Heidenreich

Amazing! Love this place and its history! Just stopping into the gift shop is a history lesson. The tours are short but fun and informative. They have craft brews as well as those that you would expect. The recently renovated banquet room is historically beautiful!! This is one of our favorite stops in Milwaukee.

Kyle Salewski

Very cool beer hall that has a lot of history! The brewery is no longer operational so it is just the beer hall and courtyard but it is still a really cool experience. Met the owner who was very nice and answered any questions we had. Its a great place to hangout and get away from the new flashy places.

Scott Bennett

Not worth the money. Was expecting a BREWERY tour, not a beer hall and Frederick Pabsts office. LAME! You only get one lousy free beer. Beautiful historic buildings and you basically get to see none of them. Listened to the owner blab and tell bad jokes the whole time. Dont waste your time.

deathbyradio

Please dont be fooled, its not a tour. You go in, are given a PBR, and watch a 40 minute long PowerPoint presentation that is frequently interrupted by the "tour guide" so you cant even enjoy the presentation. Just go in and enjoy a pint and look around.

A Private User

We recently held a wedding rehearsal dinner at the Best Place. Jim, Cheryl, and the rest of the staff were outstanding. They met all of our needs and expectations. The beer-gardens are amazing. Go and be part of a live Milwaukee historic experience.

Constance Cotter

Such a beautiful and historic building! Love the beer and the location. A destination point I will come to time and time again. Highly recommended. One of my favorite gift shops as well! P.S. the pabst mansion is stunning and worth the tour

Michael Forr

This place is great. You get a really informative tour, theres a well stocked gift shop with antique merchandise, and you get beer at the end. What could be better. These guys did a great thing by not letting this part of history decay.

Thomas

Awesome brewery tour which focused on the history of Milwaukee and the expansion of the local brewing industry. $8 for a great, authentic tour and a beer or two. I found this more enjoyable than the corporate feel of Miller tours.

Danielle Bantner

We were too late for the tour but spent a good 45 minutes drinking beer and talking to Jeanne in the gift shop. She was very informative and passionate about the area and the brewery. She really brightened our day. Thanks Jeanne!!