Beer Review - Lakefront IPA

 

Time for another beer review! 

This one will be about the Lakefront IPA, a staple in the Milwaukee area. 

Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, was founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch, whose sibling rivalry over homebrewing quickly escalated from friendly competition to a thriving business. Starting in a small former bakery in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood, they brewed their first beer using dairy equipment and 55-gallon drums. 

Their first barrel sold on December 2, 1987, launched their journey, and their production grew steadily as their unique beers gained popularity locally. Known for their inventive approach, the brothers’ operation was once humorously described as “Frankenstein” due to their eclectic mix of repurposed equipment as they expanded their brewing capacity. 

In 1998, Lakefront Brewery made a historic move to a much larger location, a former coal-fired power plant originally built in 1908 by the Milwaukee Electric Railway and Light Company. This iconic building on Commerce Street in Milwaukee’s Beerline neighborhood offered them the space to grow significantly. Over the years, they upgraded from homemade equipment to professionally crafted brewhouses, increasing production dramatically. 

Today, Lakefront’s beers reach more than 30 states and several countries including Canada, South Korea, and Ukraine, positioning the brewery as a staple of Milwaukee’s craft beer scene with a uniquely local flair. 

Fun fact: I actually ran into Jim Klisch at work the other day as he was talking to another co-worker who he had previously worked with! I didn’t talk to him long but we had a brief chat and can attest to the fact that he was very friendly. 

Now, to the beer! 

Overall, this is a balanced IPA which is rather easy-drinking and leans malty. It has an attractive deep copper color and on the nose there is a nice resiny and piney hop presence. The mouthfeel is quite creamy for an IPA and there is rather low carbonation. The flavor profile leans malty with some orange fruit notes. 

I can see the popularity of this beer and the brewery, as it brings enough intrigue while feeling typical enough of the style. 

I would recommend it to an IPA fan looking for a new beer to try, as well as for someone who doesn’t have a lot of, or any, experience drinking IPAs for something pretty typical of the style and approachable.