Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery has officially purchased Kenosha’s Public Craft Brewing Co., a plan it announced in May.
The Kenosha brewery, which opened in 2012, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in April. A month later, Lakefront announced it intended to buy it. The brewery officially switched hands on Aug. 4
Lakefront Brewery has closed the Kenosha space temporarily to do minor remodeling and staff training. It also needs Kenosha city approval for occupancy and food, and it needs the U.S. government to reissue its brewing license. If all goes well, it could be reopened by the end of the week, said Russ Klisch, Lakefront Brewery owner. (Follow its Facebook page, facebook.com/PublicCraftBrewing, for an official announcement).
Klisch plans to keep Public Craft Brewery Co. brands like Bits and Pieces IPA and its large selection of rotating sour beers. Public already carried Lakefront Brewery nonalcoholic beer and New Grist gluten-free pilsner prior to the acquisition. Klisch said taps in the Kenosha taproom will mostly remain Public Craft Brewing, but it might get a tap for seasonal Lakefront beer.
The same goes for the Lakefront Brewery taproom, which will likely get a Public tap handle, Klisch said. The Public tap would mostly feature sour beers, which Lakefront does not specialize in.
Public Craft Brewing Co.’s taproom will also see a revamp of its menu, bringing Lakefront’s famous cheese curds and Friday fish fries, while keeping Public’s burgers on the menu.
Lakefront will also implement a brewery tour and live music program at the Kenosha taproom.
Klisch said Public Craft Brewing Co., 628 58th St., Kenosha, was an attractive purchase because it was in a historical building that was recently renovated in the heart of downtown Kenosha. Its sour beer portfolio and packaging center were also attractive to Klisch.
Public Craft Brewing Co. currently distributes only in Kenosha, Racine and Walworth counties, while Lakefront distributes across Wisconsin, in 29 other states, and even overseas. Klisch hopes to expand Public’s distribution footprint across Wisconsin in the future.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee’s Lakefront Brewery closes on Kenosha Public Craft Brewing
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