What has become tradition, hundreds of guests are welcomed by the beloved local brewery, looking to take home four different varieties of their rare liquid, available for one day only.
MILWAUKEE (November 3rd, 2025) – A yearlong planning process culminates into one of the biggest beer release events in Southeast Wisconsin, Lakefront Brewery’s Black Friday™.
“We typically start discussing next year’s Black Friday beer pretty shortly after the current year”, says Luther Paul, Lakefront’s Head Brewer, “with these beers needing several months to age properly in barrels, it’s a year-round labor of love creating the finest liquid we can for those making the trek to see us that day.”
Attendees line up as early as the night before to ensure a chance at their desired allotment of Black Friday™ beer. Many have turned it into a tradition, collecting multiple years of Black Friday™ to share with friends and family over the holidays and beyond. Lakefront will be offering their famous Black Friday Burrito and coffee out of their food truck starting at 6am. Lakefront Brewery co-founders Russ and Jim Klisch will open their doors at 8am when sales begin. “It’s one of my favorite moments of the year”, says Brewery President Russ Klisch, “the excitement outside our doors is undeniable, you have to experience it”.
Lakefront will be offering up the following four varieties of their rare Black Friday™ beer to take home:
2025 Black Friday™ Imperial Stout Aged in Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Whiskey Barrels. Sold for $20 each plus tax.
2025 Black Friday™ Triple Black IPA Dry-Hopped with Cascade, Citra, Centennial, and Chinook Hops. Sold for $15 each plus tax.
2025 Black Friday™ Wheatwine Ale Aged in Brandy Barrels. Sold for $20 each plus tax.
2025 Black Friday™ Imperial Coffee & Cacao Nib Stout Aged in Great Lakes Distillery’s Still & Oak Black Friday Straight Whiskey Barrels. Sold for $25 each plus tax.
All varieties will be packaged in colorful 19.2 oz. cans and placed in dynamic individual boxes with no limit to the amount an individual can purchase. Every 2025 Black Friday beer will be available to try at the bar while supplies last. Our gift shop inside will be open with exclusive Black Friday items and other warm-weather garb if your preparations aren’t up to snuff.
A collectible Black Friday souvenir wrapped pint glass will be free for those who purchase a minimum of four Black Friday™ cans.
For the third year in a row, Lakefront is excited to announce the return of the Warm Hearts Community Coat Drive benefiting students of George Washington Carver Elementary. Guests who donate a laundered, gently used coat suitable for youth ages 3 to 14 years will receive one bottle/can of a retro Black Friday™. Guests may donate additional coats with a maximum of 2 bottles/cans per donor over 21. Coats will be accepted conditionally at Lakefront Brewery’s discretion to ensure immediate wearability. They also encourage donors to bring colorful, youth-appropriate items, especially coats for girls and young teen women, giving students the dignity of choice. Gloves, hats, and other winter gear will gladly be accepted as well. All week long, guests can also round up their bill to donate to the school.
Click HERE for more information and an exclusive interview with Head Brewer, Luther Paul.
