Show notes
Episode 152 of the Taproom Podcast features host Mike and special guest Russ Klisch, founder and owner of Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee. Russ shares the brewery’s origin story — from homebrewing and 55-gallon drum setups to buying a Cream City brick building — and walks through innovations like becoming an early certified organic brewery, creating a gluten-free beer that helped change federal policy, and a 20-year IPA.Listeners will also hear about the brewery’s culture and community focus: the long-running My Turn employee beer series, the chalet from County Stadium, iconic cheese curds, notable collaborations (including Hofbräu), Milwaukee’s lager heritage versus IPA trends, tour highlights, and Russ’s reflections on awards, camaraderie, and why he’s still a workaholic for beer.

