Brewery Profile

Water Street Brewery

A visit here connects directly to Milwaukee’s modern brewpub history. Established in 1987, Water Street Brewery is recognized as the city’s first operating brewpub, which gives the original Milwaukee location a clear place in a beer scene better known for much older brewing names. A visitor walking in should understand it as a public-facing brewery rather than a production-only site: beer is made for on-site consumption, and the setting is part of the experience. Its longevity also matters. The brewery has reported cumulative production of more than 64,000 half-barrels, a figure that points to sustained activity rather than a short-lived revival project.

Travelers in this part of Wisconsin often look for breweries that help explain the region’s beer identity without requiring a formal museum stop. Water Street Brewery fits that kind of itinerary because it represents the brewpub era of Milwaukee brewing: local production, direct service to guests, and a format that spread beyond the original city address. Since the brewery now operates additional sites in Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, it can also work for visitors moving around the Milwaukee area or through nearby Wisconsin communities. Specific beer names and current styles should be checked at the bar, but the broader draw is the chance to visit a long-running brewpub tied to Milwaukee’s post-1980s craft beer development.

For planning purposes, treat the Milwaukee site as the original stop and the other three locations as practical alternatives depending on where you are staying or traveling. Publicly confirmed details beyond the brewery’s operating history, production record, and location network are limited here, so the taproom is the place to confirm the day’s pours, current hours, service format, and any site-specific offerings. Visitors comparing brewery stops should also note that Water Street Brewery is not a single small tasting room; it has a multi-location footprint that supports both on-site drinking and a broader regional presence. That makes it useful for travelers who want a straightforward Milwaukee-area brewpub visit grounded in local brewing history.

Water Street Brewery, established in 1987, holds the distinction of being Milwaukee’s first operating brewpub. Since its founding, the brewery has maintained significant production volume, reporting a cumulative output exceeding 64,000 half-barrels of beer. The original Milwaukee location operates alongside three subsequent expansion sites located in the Wisconsin communities of Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton. This multi-location model supports both on-site consumption and broader regional presence.

Website available

1101 N Water St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202-3107

Phone: (262)-375-2222

Website: http://www.waterstreetbrewery.com

Hours: OPEN AT 10AM FATHER’S DAY and every Sunday moving forward! TUESDAY - 11AM-10PM WEDNESDAY - 11AM-10PM THURSDAY - 11AM-10PM FRIDAY - 11AM-10PM SATURDAY - 11AM-10PM SUNDAY - 10AM-10PM

Popular Beers

A quick look at notable pours currently tied to Water Street Brewery.

Beer Styles at Water Street Brewery

Water Street Brewery brews across a range of styles. The current lineup includes Oktoberfest, and Lager. Specific pours rotate over time — check the taproom board on the day of your visit for what is currently available on tap.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming public events currently attached to this brewery.

  • Weekend Brunch

    Oct 24, 2026

    Enjoy delicious brunch options every Saturday from 11am-3pm and Sunday from 10am-3pm at all Water Street Brewery locations. View our full brunch menu online!

  • Saturday Brunch

    Oct 24, 2026

    Saturday brunch is served every Saturday from 11am to 3pm at all three locations.

  • Sunday Brunch

    Oct 25, 2026

    Sunday brunch is served every Sunday from 10am to 3pm at all locations.

  • Closed Monday

    Oct 25, 2026

    Water Street Brewery - Oak Creek is closed every Monday.

  • Brewmaster's Lunch Break

    Oct 26, 2026

    Enjoy specialty lunch items at any Water Street Brewery location, available Tuesday to Thursday from 11am to 3pm in Grafton, Oak Creek, and Delafield.

  • Friday Fish Fry

    Oct 29, 2026

    Every Friday at all three locations, choose from cod, perch, or blackened whitefish for the Friday Fish Fry.

  • Delafield Location Remodel Completion

    Nov 1, 2026

    Water Street Brewery's Delafield location is undergoing a remodel to refresh its space while maintaining its familiar character. The remodel is expected to be completed this fall.

  • Water Street Brewery 40th Anniversary Yearlong Celebration

    Jan 1, 2027

    Water Street Brewery is planning a yearlong celebration in 2027 to commemorate its 40th anniversary. Details regarding the celebration will be announced in the coming months.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Water Street Brewery located?
Water Street Brewery is located at 1101 N Water St, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, 53202-3107. Use the map and directions on this page to plan your visit.
What are Water Street Brewery's hours?
Current hours are: OPEN AT 10AM FATHER’S DAY and every Sunday moving forward! TUESDAY - 11AM-10PM WEDNESDAY - 11AM-10PM THURSDAY - 11AM-10PM FRIDAY - 11AM-10PM SATURDAY - 11AM-10PM SUNDAY - 10AM-10PM. Hours can change on holidays and during private events — call ahead if your visit is time-sensitive.
How can I learn more about Water Street Brewery?
Visit http://www.waterstreetbrewery.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.