Company Brewing, 735 E. Center St., has closed its doors.
The Brewery, owned by George Bregar, announced the news this evening on social media:
"After nine incredible years, we have made the decision to close our doors, effective immediately. Operating our little business on the corner of Center and Fratney has been an incredibly rewarding experience, and we are thankful for every minute of it. You all brought this space to life in ways beyond our biggest dreams of what it could mean to be in the 'Company' of other people. We take pride in the countless beers, celebrations, events, shows, and everyday interactions that our space has hosted. But most importantly, we are grateful for the wealth of joyous energy our community brought us when y'all walked through our doors.
We're gonna miss ya. Thank you for everything.
Company Brewing"
When Company Brewing opened its doors in May of 2015 in the former Stonefly Brewing space, the new brewpub was a true game-changer for the city.
Despite Milwaukee's brewing heritage, there was a relative shortage of brewpubs in the city. Even more, among those that did exist, Company was among the first in the city to push the envelope with its slate of excellent brews, expertly prepared cocktails and a menu that pushed boundaries in all the right directions.
In the years that followed, Company quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Known for great burgers, a worthwhile Friday fish fry and regular entertainment, the brewpub became a true gathering place for folks of all stripes.
Even more, they advanced the brewing scene through the formation of the Riverwest Brewing Syndicate, a community brewery initiative that produced collaborative brews and offered a free shuttle service that connects the member breweries’ taprooms.
In January of this year, Company Brewing Owner George Bregar announced he was “exploring new ownership or investment options as it matures into its next phase.” But he also seemed confident that the brewery and restaurant would continue on, even if no investor was found.
Nonetheless, as we know all too well, plans do change. And it's evident that it's time for Bregar – and the longtime Riverwest location – to begin new chapters.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
