An Inside Look at Milwaukee’s Iconic Lakefront Brewery: From Gluten-Free to Barrel-Aged Craft Beers (Plus: Is All Craft Beer Specialty Beer?)

Get an inside look at Milwaukee’s iconic Lakefront Brewery, from its hilarious origins to its groundbreaking craft beers.

01:28 Beer Myth: Is all craft beer specialty beer? Have you ever wondered if craft beer is too niche or sophisticated for the average beer drinker? Learn the truth behind the idea that craft beer is only for the elite so you can broaden your beer horizons and find new favorites that suit your taste – regardless of your beer expertise.

05:31 Lakefront Brewery Interview: Russ Klisch, President and Co-Founder of Lakefront Brewery, discusses the evolution of craft beer, with specific subtopics including the diverse offerings at Lakefront, the innovation behind their gluten-free beer, the international awards that they value the most, and how they used hops indigenous to Wisconsin in some of their beers. Klisch shares insights on the brewery's operational growth, the challenges of scheduling beer production around consumer trends, and the nuances of yeast management. Plus: an exploration of terroir in beer, a glimpse into future beer consumption trends, and the excitement around limited releases. You’ll learn about the Lakefront IPA, a beer with a devoted fan base and heritage hops; the Hazy Rabbit with its tropical notes and creamy texture; and the Dive Beer, a tribute to Milwaukee's brewing past designed as an accessible lager.

39:03 Beer Behavior: Get ready to raise a glass and chuckle as we dive into "Beer Behavior," a segment where we tap into the changing tides of beer drinking. Discover why your friends are ordering lower ABV brews and what's brewing in the non-alcoholic scene. It's all about sipping smarter, not harder!

51:58 Today’s Featured Merchandise: “Taste the Grainbow,” available in multiple styles and colors! Every purchase you make directly supports the show's production and hosting costs.

Grainbow T-shirt: https://3b8877-3.myshopify.com/products/taste-the-grainbow-tee?variant=45212210495728

Gals Grainbow Tanktop: https://3b8877-3.myshopify.com/products/gals-grainbow-tank?variant=45212230189296

Grainbow Crew Sweatshirt: https://3b8877-3.myshopify.com/products/taste-the-grainbow-crew?variant=45212225667312

You can find even more amazing merchandise and learn about Crafty Brewers on our official website, https://craftybrewerspod.com

About Lakefront Brewery: Since 1987, Lakefront Brewery has brewed Milwaukee's best beers, including Riverwest Stein, New Grist, and countless other innovative and imaginative craft beers. Learn more on their website at https://lakefrontbrewery.com/

---

If you enjoyed this episode, then please tell at least one friend about the show! And if you’re a brewer or know any brewers who would like to share their story on the podcast, then email craftybrewerspod@gmail.com. We’re always happy to hear from you!

You can also follow Crafty Brewers on Instagram at https://instagram.com/crafty_brewers_pod

Crafty Brewers is produced by award-winning podcaster Cody Gough. He insists that we tell you that in this episode, you’ll learn about: craft beer, Lakefront Brewery, craft beer creation, beer tasting, beer making, beer innovation, gluten-free beer, Milwaukee lagers, craft beer trends, barrel-aged beers, craft beer diversity, beer brewing process, beer production, beer aficionados, beer snobs, IPAs, sessionable beers, Hazy Rabbit, beer consumption, beer awards, terroir in beer, beer recipes, home brewing, beer culture, beer industry, limited release beer, beer merchandising, beer education, craft brewery operations, beer styles, beer flavor profiles, craft beer community, local ingredients in beer, beer pairing, beer brewing stories, craft beer myths, small batch brewing, beer marketing, and beer packaging.