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BEST PLACEAT THE HISTORIC PABST BREWERY

W E D D I N G S & E V E N T S

B E S T P L A C E AT T H E H I S TO R I C PA B S T B R E W E RY

901 W. Juneau AvenueMilwaukee, WI 53233

414-614-0172www.bestplacemilwaukee.com

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H I S T O RY WA S M A D E H E R E . T H E F U T U R E W I L L C O M E A L I V E H E R E .

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, located at the heart of the former Pabst

brewery, really does live up to its name. This historic gem, in the middle of down-

town Milwaukee, celebrates the history of Pabst with architecture that will make

the building’s German heritage proud to say “Prost.”

The Pabst Brewing Company was the first of the great Milwaukee brewers. Qual-

ity, pride, tradition, and hops were the ingredients in the legacy left by German

immigrant Jacob Best Sr., who established the brewery in 1844. Under the guid-

ance of his son, Phillip Best, and Phillip’s son-in-law, Captain Frederick Pabst,

this small local producer became America’s largest brewer from the late 1800s

until the mid-1940s.

With the closing of the brewery in 1996 came a new opportunity. After many

years of blood, sweat, and beers, the “best use” of these buildings has fermented

into Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery. It takes its name from the founders,

Jacob Best and Phillip Best, and its spirit from the Captain, Frederick Pabst.

welcome

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A J E W E L W I T H I N M I LWA U K E E ’ S H I S T O R I C S T R U C T U R E

Great care has been taken to ensure that Blue Ribbon Hall, the

Great Hall, Captain’s Corner, Captain’s Courtyard, Guest Cen-

ter/Tap Room, King’s Courtyard, and the Gift Shop have all been

restored to their original glory. Since the first phone call was placed

inquiring about buying the property, the brewery is once again full

of life and laughter as Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery and

is ready to welcome you.

Best Place provides a warm, inviting atmosphere for any Milwau-

kee wedding, reception, or corporate event. The charming wood

and stone interior portray a casual but refined vibe. With notable

high ceilings, beautiful hardwood floors, stained glass, and historic

murals, Best Place is a one-of-a-kind venue. Not only are we build-

ing on a tradition, but we can assure you and your guests a “Blue-

Ribbon” event.

Recipient of numerous “best of ” awards and one of Milwaukee’s

most desirable and iconic event spaces, Best Place is the ideal venue.

Our halls are available for your special event, including banquets,

weddings and receptions, fundraisers, conferences, corporate func-

tions, product launches, holiday parties, and speaking engagements.

There are many wonderful places to hold an event in Milwaukee, but

only one can be recognized as the Best Place!

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L OW R E S

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T H E G R E A T H A L L & S P E A K E A S Y

One of the most sought-after venues in the Milwaukee area is The

Great Hall. Built in 1880, it was the corporate headquarters of the

Pabst Brewing Co. and includes the former office of Captain Fred-

erick Pabst. Renovated in 2014, “Great” is an understatement, as the

original stained-glass windows allow natural light to flood the room.

You can see the wonderful Milwaukeean history in the wood floor-

ing repurposed from the old brew house, ornate woodwork, and

cream city brick exterior. Also featured is a back bar from Cristanel-

li’s Saloon in Norway, Michigan. Rumor has it that Henry Ford and

Thomas Edison were frequent visitors to the bar. Below the Great

Hall, in what was formerly the infirmary, is the Speakeasy, remodeled

to resemble a Pre-Prohibition-era taproom.

Square footage: 4,800 square feet

Total capacity: 250–300

B L U E R I B B O N H A L L

With your first step into Blue Ribbon Hall, you will instantly be

transported back to a time when things were a little tougher and, yet,

life was simpler. Experience a piece of American history and enjoy

yourself surrounded by Old-World charm and hospitality. Blue Rib-

bon Hall is located in what was once a Milwaukee Public School built

in 1858. Remodeled in 1944 for the 100th anniversary of Pabst, the

venue is one of the finest reproductions of a seventeenth century

German beer hall in America. Complete with stained glass windows,

dark-raftered ceilings, colorful fresco murals, ornate architecture,

and period furniture and artifacts. It also includes a balcony from

which visiting minstrels once sang the news they gathered from

their travels.

Square footage: 2,000 square feet

Total capacity: 150–175

C A P T A I N ’ S C O R N E R

Built in 1934, the Captain’s Corner, originally called the Reception

Room, was a welcoming area for guests of the brewery. It also

served as the Best Place gift shop for many years. Today, the Cap-

tain’s Corner features German architecture, murals and stained-glass

windows in a quaint and cozy smaller venue space.

Square footage: 800 square feet

Total capacity: 40

C A P T A I N ’ S C O U R T Y A R D

The statue of Captain Frederick Pabst (1907), created by famous

Italian artist and sculptor Gaetano Trentanove, welcomes you into

his courtyard, which is framed by the Guest Center/Tap Room,

Captain’s Corner, and Blue Ribbon Hall. Enjoy the company of your

friends on a warm summer evening while tasting the coolness of a

freshly poured beer. This open-air courtyard is available for wedding

ceremonies, corporate functions, and parties of all types.

Square footage: 1,350 square feet

Total capacity: 100

O U R B E A U T I F U L S E T T I N G S F O R A N Y E V E N T O R O C C A S I O N

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This brochure was created by Hawthorn Creative, the leading developer of powerful print and online media for the hospitality industry. Paid advertisements within this brochure contribute in part or whole to the production of the product. No portion may be reproduced without written permission from Hawthorn Creative. www.hawthorncreative.com. Copyright 2018.C R E A T I V E

A W T H O R N

vendor collectionWe are pleased to present our selection of trusted professionals, available to assist

in planning your event at Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery.

K I N G ’ S C O U R T Y A R D

For more than a century, a statue of the good King Gambrinus, the

legendary monarch of beer and brewing, reigned at the brewery. The

original statue was carved out of wood in 1857, and in 1966, it was

reproduced in aluminum. When the brewery closed in 1996, the stat-

ue also left. In 2011, Best Place was given permission to bring back

the statue in all its original glory to its rightful home at the brew-

ery. Today, King Gambrinus stands sentry in the open-air courtyard,

which is available for small social gatherings.

G U E S T C E N T E R / T A P R O O M

The Guest Center/Tap Room or “Sternewirt,” which means the

“Star Host” in German, was built is 1934 to welcome the pub-

lic back after Prohibition. In eighteenth- and nineteenth-century

German breweries, this was the name of the room where the brew-

ery owners entertained their guests. The building reflects the archi-

tecture of the early Renaissance of Germany in the fifteenth and

sixteenth centuries, with stepped gables capped by an ornamental

center piece. The mullioned casement windows and leaded figures

give further contributions to the atmosphere of this period. During

the time when the brewery was still running, Pabst was renowned for

its brewery tours. Guests were rewarded after the tour with pints of

beer and the sternewirt’s special atmosphere of authentic German

gemuetlichkeit (good wishes and good fellowship). While this area is

open to the public, it is a wonderful space to relax and socialize with

guests and friends before or after your event.

C O M E S E E W H AT ’ S B R E W I N G . . . A G A I N

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CAKES & DESSERTSAggie’s Bakery and Cake Shop414.482.1288www.aggiesbakery.comDetails on page 11

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Louise’s Catering & Events414.271.9506www.louisescatering.comDetails on page 11

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ENTERTAINMENTMilwaukee Airwaves414.306.8273www.milwaukeeairwaves.comDetails on page 11

EVENT PLANNINGAntigua Catering414.321.5775www.weddingsbyantigua.comDetails on page 10

Saz’s Catering414.256.8765www.sazs.comDetails on page 11

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TRANSPORTATION3rd Coast Parking414.877.1733www.3cparking.comDetails on page 10

VALET & PARKING SERVICES3rd Coast Parking414.877.1733www.3cparking.comDetails on page 10

WEDDING RESOURCELittle White Bookwww.LittleWhiteBook.com

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