Pabst brewery to mark year back in Milwaukee

Future to include events, new beer creations

Pabst Milwaukee Brewery and Taproom, the first innovation brewery in the Pabst line, returned to its old stomping grounds last year when it opened May 12 on the former Pabst Brewery campus.

The opening featured a little pomp via a visit from chairman and chief executive officer Eugene Kashper, a lot of fanfare and a working kitchen.

A year later, a few things have changed. The hours of service at Pabst Milwaukee Brewery and Taproom, 1037 W. Juneau Ave., were abbreviated to evenings only. Food service — a menu of upscale bar foods — was discontinued in January.

Don’t read anything into that, said Adam Powers, general manager of the brewery and taproom housed in what was Milwaukee’s first German Methodist church, built in 1874 and sold to Pabst in 1898.

“We’re not going anywhere,” Powers said.

“We’re mostly getting back to basics like brewing great beer,” he said. “We’re here creating new beers, and if it does well here, we’ll put it in other markets.”

At least one of those new beers, a chocolate brown ale, will be highlighted during the Pabst Milwaukee Brewery and Taproom anniversary party on May 19.

“(Senior staff brewer John) Kimes and (master brewer Greg) Deuhs wanted to make basically a birthday cake,” Powers said.

Look for more new beers, between seven and eight, to come out of the brewery and make their way to local bars and pubs much like Andecker, which is available on tap outside the brewery, Powers said.

Also look for more events. Powers’ plans to have rock and folk bands, singer/songwriters and dance parties in the Taproom, but currently sound bounces

off the cathedral ceiling of the Taproom and he needs Historic Preservation clearance to add equipment to do that.

They’re giving it a shot, however, when the Milwaukee DJ show The Get Down brings the anniversary afterparty from the street outside to the Taproom at the end of the event.

Powers also has added regular events each Thursday at Pabst. “Thursdays are the day to connect with people who live here,” he said.

The first Thursday of the month is movie night, one that Powers hopes to bring out to the patio when the weather allows. They’re showing “Animal House” at 8 p.m. Thursday. The movie and popcorn are free, but bring your own chair.

The second Thursday of the month is set aside for Pabst Bingo, which recently filled the house.

The third Thursday will be dedicated to a Blue Ribbon Comedy show, and the fourth Thursday of the month is saved for cornhole games.

There are yoga classes at 10 a.m. Saturdays. Powers recalled at least one bachelorette party that kicked off with yoga and beers. He’d like to book a few weddings.

Street parking in and around the Taproom has been hampered by ongoing construction on the 21 acres known as The Brewery. That includes work next door where crews are turning a former malt house into apartments. Powers doesn’t think that’s a problem, much like he doesn’t consider the Milwaukee Brewing Co.’s future brewery and restaurant, expected to be open by late summer, to be competition. Also under construction is the Hyatt Place Hotel and Vim and Vigor Apartments. All should be completed this year.

Meanwhile, filmmaker John Ridley’s No Studios, offices for Milwaukee Film Inc., University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Marquette University film students and local film production firms, will be completed by fall.

“Bring more breweries. Bring more restaurants,” said Powers, who lives in the nearby Frederick Lofts. “Oh, and bring a grocery store or convenience store.”