Milwaukee, WI

No city in the entire United States holds a more important place in our nation’s beer history than Milwaukee. The city has nearly two centuries of beer production under its belt—Milwaukee’s first brewery opened its doors in 1840 by Welsh immigrants. Several of America’s most well known beer brands originated in Milwaukee, including Miller Brewing Company, Pabst Brewing Company and Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company.

Milwaukee was the world’s largest brewing city as recently as 1981, before consolidations led to several production facilities closing down. Where one door closes, another opens, and locally-owned craft breweries started operations by the mid-1980s. There are now more than 30 craft breweries in Milwaukee who carry on the area’s native brewing spirit.