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A signature of Bastille Days in downtown Milwaukee is its 43-foot replica of the Eiffel Tower.

 

Four Great Brewery Tours

by Jim Lundstrom

Ever wonder how the meeting of four simple ingredients—water, grains, hops, and yeast—results in beer? Learning about the art and science of brewing is as easy as popping down to your local brewery for a tour and sample of its beers. Not sure where to go? Check out these five historically important Wisconsin breweries.

Miller Brewing Co., Milwaukee
The mother ship of seven large brewing operations run by the country’s second largest brewer. Free tours; three Miller samples included. Tours offered 10:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Mon.-Sat. Popular attraction: Former lagering cave with Miller’s Girl in the Moon dangling from the ceiling. (414) 931-2337, (800) 944-5483, millerbrewing.com.

New Glarus Brewing Co., New Glarus

A jewel among microbreweries. A new 75,000-square-foot brewery will open in fall 2007. Free self-guided audio tours; three samples for $3.50. Tours offered 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily. Popular attraction: Small-scale but world-class brewery. (608) 527-5850, newglarusbrewing.com.

Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Co., Chippewa Falls
Leinenkugel’s is the seventh oldest brewery in the nation and one of the most modern. Free, including two samples. Tours offered 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon.-Thurs. and Sat.; 9:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Fri.; 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Sun. Popular attraction: The Leinie Lodge a cozy hospitality room and gift shop that opened in 2003. (888) 534-6437, leinie.com.

Stevens Point Brewery, Stevens Point
The Stevens Point Brewery was founded in 1857 and is the fifth-oldest privately owned brewery in the nation. Consider this for perspective: Steven Point Brewery provided beer to Union troops during the Civil WarTours available, call for reservations. Popular attraction: Super-friendly brewery workers. (800) 369-4911, pointbeer.com.

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