*This is the one-hundred and fourteenth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Eagle Park Brewing Company
2018 S 1st St
Milwaukee, WI 53207
(262) 278-0679
Visit date: 06/23/17
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
10 on tap, around 15-18 total made.
2) How long operational?
Since January 2017.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Bandmates had a number of opportunities come together at once.
4) Distribution?
Kegs in bars in Milwaukee area, cans starting this fall.
5) What sets you apart?
Owners and business are based around music.
6) How did you get your name?
Combo of childhood home streets of Eagle Trace and Deer Park.
Eagle Park Brewing Company in the Lincoln Warehouse, Bay View, Milwaukee. All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.
The Lincoln Warehouse in Bay View is a cornucopia of unique small businesses, a few of which we’ve mentioned before. Eagle Park Brewing Company, one of the newer openings in this big red building, can be accessed by a rather circuitous route.
Find the lone blue lightbulb guiding to a locked glass door. Push the call button below the EPBC sticker. Ask to be let in.
Climb a flight of old concrete stairs, following signs through one of the old, heavy fire doors.
A winding corridor past echoing hallways is broken only by a large EPBC sandwich board and the unmistakable sounds of taproom shenanigans and rock music.
You’ve made it. The taproom, with its buttery popcorn and fresh beer, was filled with thirsty patrons despite the muggy temps and trek to find the place. We eagerly sat down with some cold libations.
Loop Station Golden Ale on Nitro
Golden & creamy, like a smooth, cool ice cream.
Kiwi Wheat Witbier
Dang, girl. Like a taffy candy I could eat all day.
Mandarina APA
Full-bodied, cream overtones with hop undertones.
You Like Jazz? Imperial IPA
Hoppy but very sweet. An alcohol burn that lingersssss.
Huey Lewis And The Booze Brown Ale
Your classic, satisfying Brown Ale, like a classic, satisfying Huey Lewis jam.
Amber
An all-dayer in our cool falls. Think slightly-sweet malt.
Eagle Park’s origins lie in the local band of brothers, Eagle Trace. Their band’s recording studio was at the Lincoln Warehouse when the brewing space opened up, and the homebrewers jumped at the opportunity to combine two passions.
“We’re just starting to delve into our music background. I made Loop Station for drinking in our recording sessions.” – Jackson Borgardt
Though a threatened lawsuit by bourbon brand Buffalo Trace caused the band and brewery to have different names, there’s an undeniable connection between the two. As bassist/brewer Jackson told us, there’s already plans for expansion of their “good flavors in drinkable packages” brewing capability, with hopes of a live music venue in addition to sponsorship for concerts around town.
Eagle Park Brewing Company’s beer is as familiar and familial as the brothers behind it, and as rock-edgy as their band’s riffs. Seek out their taproom for both an auditory and flavorful sensory experience.
