Brewery Profile

City Lights Brewing Co.

Milwaukee visitors looking beyond the city’s older brewing associations will find a contemporary craft brewery set inside a renovated 1930s-era industrial building. City Lights Brewing Co. opened in 2017 and uses that historic structure as part of the taproom experience rather than as a backdrop alone. The facility includes a 30-barrel brewing system, substantial indoor seating, and a large outdoor patio that faces the Menomonee River Canal. Walking in, a guest can expect the format of a full brewery taproom: draft beer served on site, food available from the kitchen, and enough space for both casual drop-ins and organized public gatherings. The setting is industrial and practical, with the river canal and patio giving the visit a sense of place within Milwaukee’s working waterfront landscape.

Travelers in Wisconsin often look for brewery stops that cover familiar regional preferences while still offering current craft styles. City Lights fits that pattern by focusing primarily on lagers and IPAs, with a core lineup that includes its Mexican Lager and Hazy IPA. Those choices give visitors a straightforward way to sample the brewery’s range without needing to navigate an overly specialized list. A lager can suit guests who want something crisp and easy to pair with food, while a hazy IPA gives hop-focused drinkers a recognizable modern option. The brewery’s regional distribution across Wisconsin and parts of Illinois also means some visitors may have seen the beer before arriving, but the taproom offers the most direct context for trying it at the source.

For planning purposes, the on-site kitchen is a useful part of the visit. It serves pub fare and appetizers, so the brewery can work as a meal stop as well as a place for a single round. The patio is one of the main amenities in suitable weather, especially for visitors who want outdoor seating by the canal, while the indoor space supports year-round use. City Lights frequently hosts public events and community gatherings, so checking the brewery’s current calendar before going can help visitors understand how busy or structured a given visit might be. As with most taprooms, the day’s draft list can change, and the taproom is the place to confirm current pours, food availability, event timing, and patio conditions.

City Lights Brewing Co. operates within a renovated 1930s-era industrial structure in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, featuring a large outdoor patio area facing the Menomonee River Canal. Established in 2017, the brewery focuses primarily on lagers and IPAs, maintaining a core lineup that includes the Mexican Lager and the Hazy IPA. The facility houses a 30-barrel brewing system and includes a full-service kitchen offering pub fare and appetizers alongside the taproom. Distribution of City Lights products is concentrated regionally across Wisconsin and parts of Illinois. The location frequently hosts public events and community gatherings, utilizing the extensive indoor and outdoor seating capacity.

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2200 W Mount Vernon Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233-2672

Phone: 4145209692

Website: http://www.citylightsbrewing.com

Awards

Published competition medals on file for City Lights Brewing Co..

  • Silver — 2019 — Juicy or Hazy India Pale Ale

Upcoming Events

Upcoming public events currently attached to this brewery.

  • Milwaukee Craft Brewery Week Collaboration Release Party!

    Jul 28, 2026

    Kick off Milwaukee Craft Brewery Week by hopping between participating breweries via a free shuttle and enjoy the first release of collaboration beers by your favorite Milwaukee a…

  • Milwaukee Brewfest

    Jul 29, 2026

    The 8th Annual Milwaukee Brewfest is Milwaukee's largest beer festival set on the lake at Old Coast Guard Pavilion Park, featuring special beers for the VIP tent grouped together…

  • Brewmaster's Open Disc Golf Outing

    Jul 30, 2026

    Play Disc Golf and enjoy beer tasting on the course along with a BBQ after party including award presentations and more beer! Tickets include all activities and tastings.

  • Starting a Brewery: Risk, Reward, and Red Tape

    Jul 31, 2026

    An educational session hosted by The Explorium Brewpub focusing on opening a new brewery, featuring presentations by industry experts followed by a Q&A session. Tickets available.

  • #DrinkBrewCity Day

    Aug 2, 2026

    Enjoy $1 off beer at all Milwaukee Craft Brewery League Breweries with additional specials at participating locations.

  • MCBL Tap Takeovers

    Aug 3, 2026

    Meet brewers and brewery owners at favorite beer bars including Urban Bay View World of Beer Draft & Vessel locations in Milwaukee, Wauwatosa, and Shorewood.

  • Amplified Ales - Milwaukee Craft Brewery Week Street Party

    Aug 4, 2026

    Enjoy local beers paired with live music from each band's set at Mobcraft Beer Brewery and Taproom, featuring participating breweries during the Milwaukee Craft Brewery Week.

  • Wisconsin IPA Fest

    Aug 5, 2026

    Help crown Wisconsin's Best IPA at the inaugural Wisconsin IPA Fest with breweries submitting their best IPAs for public sampling and judging by brewer peers. Free admission with…

  • 2nd Annual Project Terroir Beer Festival and Street Party

    Aug 6, 2026

    A free-to-attend festival where participating breweries produce beers from an identical ingredient list showcasing unique interpretations. Enjoy live music, great food, and tastin…

  • Liquid Bread Food Drive

    Aug 13, 2026

    Support the Hunger Task Force by donating non-perishable food items starting July 20 at any MCBL brewery to receive a coupon for half-price beer at the event on August 13. Enjoy 1…

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is City Lights Brewing Co. located?
City Lights Brewing Co. is located at 2200 W Mount Vernon Ave, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53233-2672. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your visit.
What are City Lights Brewing Co.'s hours?
Taproom hours are not posted to Beer.Social. Call 4145209692 to confirm before visiting.
How can I learn more about City Lights Brewing Co.?
Visit http://www.citylightsbrewing.com for the brewery's own information about beers, events, and operations. Beer.Social aggregates public data and visitor-facing details to help with planning a stop.