I’d be willing to bet a lot of you out there could use a beer right about now. While you ponder the options that might be available to you at this exact moment, why not look ahead to the Black Friday beer releases happening around Milwaukee later this month?
The following list includes what we were able to gather on social media and via releases sent to us by local breweries. We’ll update it as we get closer to Black Friday and more information becomes available.
Black Friday beer releases 2024
Sahale Ale Works
1505 Wisconsin Ave.
Grafton, WI
A personal favorite watering hole of mine (and many other North Shore residents), Sahale will bring back Maple Warm Fuzzies, a double bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout aged with Wisconsin maple syrup. It’s been two years since the beer last made an appearance, and the batch rolling out later this month has literally been aging in bourbon barrels that whole time (a combined 25 months).
Maple Warm Fuzzies will be available the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, as well as Black Friday and through the weekend while supplies last. The brewery will have 100 16-ounce cans available, plus it’ll be on draft in the taproom.
On top of that, Sahale will also offer The Leap Beer, a Barleywine that has been aged in … well, everything: a Jamaican rum barrel followed by a rye whiskey barrel followed by a cherry brandy barrel followed by a cognac barrel. Only 45 cans of that one will be available.
Sahale’s taproom will be open Thanksgiving week from 5-11 p.m. Wednesday, 3-10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday.
Amorphic Beer
3700 N. Fratney St.
Milwaukee, WI
The Riverwest brewery have two releases that are actually available for pre-order right now and can be picked up when the taproom opens at 9 a.m. Black Friday. You can get two-packs of both beers for $16 or a mixed four-pack for $30:
- 2024 J. Henry Rye Major Particles (12.0% ABV) — An all-malt imperial stout aged in rye and bourbon barrels from J. Henry & Sons, and then blended together with a touch of Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla.
- 2024 Infinite Measure (11.3% ABV) — An all-malt imperial version of Measure Twice porter aged in apple brandy barrels for a year along with speculoos spices. Notes of brandy, nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, ginger, mace and a hint of white pepper blended with the imperial porter base.
Black Husky Brewing
909 E. Locust St.
Milwaukee, WI
The Riverwest Brewery will once again be "Ahead of the Pack" by releasing their Black Friday brew on Wednesday starting at 4 p.m. Ahead of the Pack 2024 is a Belgian Golden Strong that weighs in at 15% ABV and will be available on tap, as well as to go in four-packs. Timotheus, last year's Ahead of the Pack, will also be on tap.
Central Waters Brewing Co.
1037 W. Juneau Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
This Black Friday will bring two "super-limited" special edition beers from Central Waters' Milwaukee location. Both will be available starting at 11 a.m. on tap and in 12-ounce cans, with a limit of two cans for each style per person:
- Double Rye Barrel Imperial Stout — This stout begins its journey aging in Great Lakes rye whiskey barrels before finishing in Eastern Kille barrels. The result is a bold, velvety stout with notes of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and a hint of toasted oak.
- Double Rye Barrel English Honey Barleywine Style Ale — This barleywine’s journey begins in Great Lakes rye whiskey barrels, where it takes on a bold, spiced complexity, before finishing in Eastern Kille barrels, adding layers of honeyed sweetness and a touch of vanilla. The result is a smooth, full-bodied ale with notes of caramel, dried fruit, and a rich oak finish.
In addition, both 2024 variants of Black Gold will be available at the Milwaukee taproom for the first time:
- 2024 Black Gold — A rich, complex imperial stout aged to perfection in bourbon barrels. Pouring deep black with a velvety texture, it offers aromas of dark chocolate, roasted coffee and vanilla, with hints of oak.
- Black Gold: Maple Fudge — A rich twist on an imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels, this beer combines the sweetness of maple syrup with decadent fudge flavors.
Dead Bird Brewing
1726 Dr. William Finlayson St.
Milwaukee, WI
From noon until 6 p.m., you'll be able to pick up the limited Beanut Putter imperial oatmeal stout in 16-ounce cans, enjoy a variety of holiday specials (a gift-card sale, $5 clearance clothing, and a free drink or snack token with any purchase of $10+).
Eagle Park Brewing
823 E. Hamilton St.
Milwaukee, WI 53202
The following options will be available on draft and in cans at both Eagle Park taprooms. The Milwaukee location will be open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Muskego location (S64 W15640 Commerce Center Pkwy.) from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Fly by Night — Imperial stout aged in used bourbon barrels and then aged on over a pound per barrel of Ugandan vanilla beans.
- Naughty Water Reserve — Barleywine-style ale aged in used bourbon casks for four years. These are some of the first barrels ever filled at our Muskego brewery. Filled in August of 2020.
- Naughty Water: Figgy Pudding — Barleywine-style ale aged in used bourbon casks and then aged on almonds, figs and orange peel. This beer is a 12-hour boil barleywine aged for over 2 years in Willett and Heaven Hill barrels.
- Koko Cream Pie — A play on Koko Kleiber Imperial Stout with maple syrup aged in used bourbon casks for two years and then aged on cream of coconut, graham cracker and dried banana.
- Immortal Soul: Southern Hemisphere — Imperial India pale ale with Riwaka, Nelson Sauvin, Galaxy and Motueka hops. The original Immortal Soul with additions of these hops in every step of the process from mash hopping through dry hopping, then fermented with a new British ale yeast that accentuates the bright fruity and citrusy notes of the Australian and New Zealand hop varietals.
- Dragonfruit Orange Mango Slush — Over-fruited style sour ale with dragonfruit, orange and mango puree.
Enlightened Brewing
2020 S. Allis St.
Milwaukee, WI
Enlightened has decided to bring back its Cosmic Nihilism Czech dark lager for the Black Friday festivities, which start at noon and will include Sweet Smoke BBQ serving up food. The brewery will also have a trio of offerings that'll sound familiar to Curb Your Enthusiasm fans:
- Latte Larry (coffee stout)
- Do You Respect Wood (Bourbon-soaked, oak-infused stout)
- Rope It, Stan (dry Irish Stout)
Explorium Brewpub
143 W. St Paul Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
5300 S. 76th St. #1450a
Greendale, WI
Explorium does NOT mess around for Black Friday. Both locations have a $20 brunch buffet and $20 bottomless bloodies and mimosas, with Milwaukee opening at 9 a.m. and Greendale at 6 a.m. As for the beer, take a deep breath for this year's list of Milwaukee County stout releases:
Explorium Releases
- Basil Hayden Toast
- Heaven Hill 10 Year
- Henry McKenna 10 Year
- Russell's Reserve
- Widow Jane Rye
- William 1066 Barleywine - Salted Caramel
MCS Partner Picks
- Bottle Shop Grafton — Double Barrel Buffalo Trace & Brown Sugar Rum
- Brewed Omen — Driftless Glen
- Consumer Beverage — 1792
- Niemuth's — Clyde Mays
- Tenuta's Deli — Cask & Copper
- Three Cellars — Smoke Wagon
- The Stillery — Blanton's
- Woodmans — 1972
Individual cans are $10 (limit two per variant), and there's a Black Friday collection for $54 that includes one can of each Explorium MCS variant plus the salted caramel barleywine.
Good City Brewing
2108 N. Farwell Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
333 W. Juneau Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
11200 W. Burleigh St.
Wauwatosa, WI
6300 W. Mequon Rd.
Mequon, WI
Good City's four taprooms across the area will have two new beers that Good Citizens (its members) can preorder the morning of Nov. 27 and the general public can get on Black Friday:
- BFG (9.4% ABV) — A barleywine that straddles American and English styles. Plenty of carmel goodness with enough hops and oak to keep you coming back for the next sip.
- Rainbow Roll (8% ABV) — A double IPA with a little bit of everything: malted barley, oats, wheat and rye are decorated with Mosaic, Galaxy and Sultana hops for a maximalist's mélange.
Indeed Brewing
530 S. 2nd St.
Milwaukee, WI 53204
Indeed already has its Black Friday offering available for pre-order online. You have the options of getting a bottle for $22, two for $40 or a $60 VIP pack that includes two bottles, a 10-ounce pour at pick-up, two coozies and a sticker pack. All packages can be picked up starting at 10 a.m. Black Friday.
- Spumoni Imperial Cream Ale — Layered with pistachio, cherry, and chocolate flavors, Spumoni Imperial Cream Ale captures the essence of the traditional Italian delicacy in one sip. This palate-pleasing dessert-inspired ale mixes three distinct ingredients together while allowing each to shine in its own right. A little sweet, a little tart, a little nutty, this crispy cream ale is thrice as nice.
Lakefront Brewery
1872 North Commerce St.
Milwaukee, WI
A longtime favorite Black Friday destination for beer lovers, Lakefront has its typical all-day celebration lined up. The CurdWagon will start serving at 5 a.m., followed by doors opening at 8 p.m., brewery tours starting at 1 p.m., and a Friday Fish Fry at 4 p.m. In addition, the brewery will once again host the Warm Hearts Community Coat Drive benefiting students of George Washington Carver Elementary. Anyone who donates freshly laundered, gently used coat suitable for ages 3 to 14 will receive one bottle/can of a prior year’s Black Friday release.
- Black Friday 2024 — An imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels combines massive caramel and roasted malts with huge vanilla and oak flavor. Available only at the brewery until it’s gone on Black Friday. The 14% ABV makes it worth the wait.
- Black Friday 2024 Imperial Brown Ale — Aged in Port wine barrels from Wisconsin’s own Wollersheim Winery. Favors of fresh-baked bread and caramel malt roll into notes of oak plank, vanilla, dried fruit and marzipan.
- Black Friday 2024 Triple Black IPA — Hits the glass obsidian black, with a foamy tan head kicking up aromas of chocolate, orange zest and rose water. Gratuitous Cascade, Chinook and Centennial hops yield upfront citrus and tropical fruit notes, while Belgian caramel malts lend balance and sweet cocoa and caramel flavors.
- 2024 Black Friday 5-Year-Old — This big stout has been asleep in bourbon barrels since 2019. The big, roasty, chocolatey imperial stout left all traces of alcohol heat behind in the barrel and picked up flavors of vanilla, pecan praline, marzipan and a touch of pipe tobacco. Around 1,000 cans are being sold for $30 each plus tax.
New Barons Brewing Cooperative
2018 S. 1st St. #170
Milwaukee, WI
Starting at 9 a.m., you’ll be able to pick up the offering below and enjoy pastries from Stephen’s Artisanal Breads, coffee, and a pair of acoustic solo sets from Mitch Bell (10 a.m.-1 p.m.) and Andrew Klain (2-5 p.m.)
- Crispy Cabin Vibes — A medium-bodied doppelbock brewed with tons of Caramunich and Caravienne malts to create bold caramel and toffee flavors that stay crisp and clean. Maple syrup was added in two parts: Once in the boil to enhance perceived dryness and drinkability for a 10% ABV lager, then again post-fermentation in the form of a bourbon barrel that had previously aged maple syrup. Beer was refermented on residual maple syrup in the barrel, then aged and blended in a mix of bourbon and rye barrels
Ope Brewing Co.
6749 W. National Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
The membership model at Ope Brewing will pay some serious dividends on Black Friday. While the first three items in the list below will be available day-of, members get first crack at the last two via a presale (any remaining stock will be sold on Black Friday, though). In addition, members will also get access to breakfast and brewery tours the morning of Black Friday.
- BA Smore's Stout — Imperial stout aged in maple and oat whiskey barrels, with chocolate, marshmallow and graham added.
- BA Blackberry Full Send Barleywine — Full Send barleywine aged in double-oaked bourbon barrels with blackberry added.
- BA Cherry Vanilla Oh My Quad — Oh My Quad Belgian-style quad aged in oat whiskey barrels, with cherry and vanilla added.
- BA Full Send (Single Barrel Pick, limited stock) — Full Send Barleywine aged in a bourbon barrel and selected to not be blended because it stood out on its own.
- BA Maple Imperial Stout (Single Barrel Pick, limited stock) — Imperial stout aged in a maple whiskey barrel and selected to not be blended because it stood out on its own.
The same day, Ope will host its Vintage Fest from 7-9:30 p.m., featuring vintage vendors from the area and live music from dak duBois & Co.
Raised Grain Brewing Co.
1723 Dolphin Dr.
Waukesha, WI
The following will be available at the brewery starting at 11:30 a.m.
- Santa’s Sack Christmas Ale — Brewed with four spices (nutmeg, cinnamon, fresh ginger and star anise), this Christmas ale is like a gift from St. Nick’s bag of presents. Well-balanced and delightful for the Christmas holiday. Pairs extremely well with desserts.
- Left-handed Monkey Wrench — Barrel-aged imperial stout brewed in May of 2021 and aged for over 40 months in Old Fitzgerald 13-year bourbon barrels. A roasty, chocolatey liquid treasure that leaves you dreaming of bourbon notes. Enjoy now or age for several more years.
- Doc’s Old-Fashioned Brandy Barrel-Aged — An imperial red ale aged in brandy barrels and then doctored with spices, orange peel, and cherries. This is our take on a Brandy Old-Fashioned, a true Wisconsin classic.
- Doc’s Old-Fashioned Bourbon Barrel-Aged — Same Imperial red ale, but a more traditional Old-Fashioned aged in bourbon barrels that tends to have more notes of vanilla and oak. Doc’s Old-Fashioned will be sold as a mix pack, with two of each variant.
Urban Harvest Brewing Co.
1024 S. 5th St.
Milwaukee, WI
The following will be available starting at 11 a.m.
- 2021 Imperial Chocolate Whiskey Stout
- 2021 Whiskey Porter
- 2022 Two Naught Naught Chocolate Bourbon Espresso Amber
- 2022 Big Ring Bourbon Red
- 2022 WhiScotchsin Whiskey Scotch Ale
- 2022 Brown Mumbler Bourbon Brown Ale
- 2022 Deux Stappen Belgian Dark Strong
- Alice Who the HELLES Alice
- Serensified Sufficiencies Belgian Triple
