Estabrook Beer Garden

A taste of Germany in Milwaukee

Beer gardens are popping up more and more in and around Milwaukee, but I've only been to one: the Beer Garden in Estabrook Park. I plan to try the others, but I'm also totally content with this one, brought to you by the Haufbrau House. There's a quaint little concession stand selling brats, giant pretzels, beer, and root beer. There's sun, shade, plenty of picnic tables, live polka music (sometimes), and string lights connecting the leafy canopy for nighttime ambiance.

We went to the beer garden a few weeks ago in the mid-afternoon. It was bustling with folks around our age, families with kids, parents with babies, people with puppies — all ages really. It was the babies and puppies that really stuck out to us, highlighting the fact that this is a place where you can bring your toddler or terrier and hang out for hours if you like. Where else but a park could be that inclusive? Add the fact that there's a playground a stone's throw from the beer garden and you're in family-friendly heaven. 

And there's food. And booze. And non-alcoholic refreshments too — the classic "something for everyone." I went for a Sprecher root beer and a ginormous soft pretzel. The prices for drinks aren't terrible, but there is a refundable $5 deposit for each beer stein — and the whole operation is cash only. So come prepared with cash or be prepared to use the resident ATM before getting your eats and drinks. 

The pretzel, admittedly, isn't cheap. And then you have to pay for the cheese spread on top of it all. I say "have to" because you truly have to — it's so, so yummy and is totally worth the $3 price tag, in this cheese-lover's humble opinion. Mmmm cheese and bread and beer in the great outdoors: A Wisconsinite's dream. Props to you, Germany.