Hubbard Park Beer Garden

A tree-lined oasis for beer on the Milwaukee River

I'm lucky enough to live just a stone's throw from two Milwaukee beer gardens — one is Estabrook Park and the other is Hubbard Park. There's no doubt that Estabrook is the more popular destination. It's much larger, has lots more seating, and sits beside an open field perfect for playing kids and bounding dogs (so many dogs!). But when all is said and done, Hubbard is my pick for best Milwaukee beer garden. 

While the bustle of Estabrook is exciting if you're in the right mood, I love the peaceful feeling of Hubbard. From the parking lot, you'll venture through a hobbit-y tunnel to reach the beer garden itself. Emerging from the tunnel, you'll spy a lovely view of the Milwaukee River and a lodge on the hill — the beer garden is behind it. 

Nestled within a cluster of towering, leafy trees, it really is a little oasis. The shade is always welcome in the heat of summer, and I'm personally a sucker for the rustling foliage overhead (the greenery isn't in full summer bloom yet in these photos). Compared to the buzz of Estabrook, Hubbard Park is perfectly serene. It's also much smaller, but we never have trouble snagging a picnic table. 

At the far end of the beer garden lies Hubbard Park Lodge — a space for rent. When we were enjoying a Point Root Beer and Munich pretzel last weekend, there was a wedding reception at the Lodge. They certainly had a beautiful day for it! But back to the pretzel...

It was good. These jumbo pretzels usually are. What it typically comes down to is the dipping sauce. This pretzel came with a beer cheese sauce and a German mustard. Both good, though I've yet to encounter a pretzel dipping sauce that can rival the $3 cheese spread at Estabrook Park — so in that edible way, Estabrook wins.

Cheese spread or not, I would still pick the Hubbard Park Beer Garden over Estabrook. The overall vibe of the place and its people is just more my style. You know — that quaint and charming factor. I can't wait to go back! Though I also hope to try other beer gardens in the Milwaukee area this summer and report on how they measure up. Do you have a favorite that's not Hubbard or Estabrook? Sound off!