*This is the seventy-fifth post in an on-going chronicle dubbed the Great Wisconsin Brewery Tour. Follow the journey here.*
Good City Brewing Company
2108 N Farwell Ave
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 539-4343
Visit date: 10/01/16
Quick Hits:
1) How many different beers?
10 on tap.
2) How long operational?
Opened in June 2016.
3) Why? (here, this, etc)
Owners had experience in breweries, chose the “Heart of the East Side (of Milwaukee)”.
4) Distribution?
Local bars/restaurants, crowlers.
5) What sets you apart?
“(The owners) honestly love Milwaukee, and the live (the motto) ‘Seek The Good’.”
6) How did you get your name?
The whole premise is to make Milwaukee as good a city as possible.
Good City Brewing on the Lower East Side of Milwaukee. All photos by Joe Powell.
“What would it look like to run a business as if we were given a key to the city?”
Perhaps that’s an odd way to approach a new venture, but if our visit to Good City Brewing is any indication of what that sort of impetus can produce, I hope other entrepreneurs use it in their brainstorming sessions.
Even on a cool and dreary autumn afternoon, the front windows were open, inviting passersby on the busy Farwell Ave into the yellow-glowing warmth of Good City’s tap room. Low-top, high-top, booth, and bar seating is available spread throughout the Cream City brick and industrial-chic space.
Near the kitchen stands a sentry of brew kettles, behind which is the main brewing and work space. We tried 5 house brews fresh from the kettles.
Risk IPA
An explosion of floral hoppiness, with a very dry finish.
Motto Mosaic Pale Ale
The evergreen freshness sends your mind to the Pacific Northwest.
Dapper British Session Ale
Ale-y; brusque body but a poundable beer.
Film Fest Lager
Subtle start but a nosey finish to this solid Oktoberfest.
Detail Porter
Chocolate and coffee notes dominate, but a slight acidic bite comes through on the tails.
It was hard to abstain from ordering a snack to accompany the beers…and we didn’t. The salty/sweet of both the pretzel and curry fries was on point. Throughout our visit we probably spoke to each of the 6-7 bartenders working. As bartender Chris told us,
“We’re encouraged to talk to patrons. It’s meant to be an inviting space for conversation. It’s not ‘bar-y’.”
Chris explained how dedicated the owners are to Milwaukee, and how this brewing company is how they could do their part to continue its renaissance:
“Through beer and outreach, (the owners) want to make the city a better place.”
A stop at Good City Brewing Company for their fine beers and food will give you a taste of how they’re doing just that.