By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published May 16, 2022 at 10:02 AM

Not only is the Kegel’s-operated War Memorial Center Beer Garden back for another round this year, but it’s bigger than before!

The War Memorial Beer Garden opens on Memorial Day Weekend, Friday, May 27, in the newly landscaped area just north of the War Memorial Center, 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr.

It will be open Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Those are extended hours and to match them, the beer garden’s seating area has also been enlarged.

“We are thrilled to be welcomed back and recreate the ‘The Beer Garden at The War Memorial Center.’ With it being in the heart of Milwaukee and a phenomenal outdoor space, it’s the perfect location to bring this experience to life,” said Julian Kegel, owner of Kegel’s Inn.

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“This will be a great way to serve the downtown community as people return to work this summer, and we can’t wait to serve all the pedestrians and cyclists that use the oak leaf trail along the lake. It’s truly one of the best places for a beer garden in Milwaukee.”

The taps will pour Hofbrau Original Lager, Hofbrau Dunkel, Hacker Pschorr Weiss, Ace Guava Cider and ... yes!!! Fruh Kolsch!

There will also be nitro cold brew coffee from Vennture Brew Co. and a Kegel’s Inn/Central Standard Nitro Old Fashioned on draft. In the cooler there will be craft root beer and other soda and bottled water.

In addition to pretzels, cheese curds, plain chips and curry kettle chips, the menu will include a half-dozen loaded brats.

For your entertainment there will be live music on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 1-4 p.m.

The beer garden will be a great place to watch the July 3 Big Bang fireworks. Watch the website for details on reserving a table.

As was the case last year, a portion of the proceeds will benefit the War Memorial Center.

Admission is free, of course, and when you park in the War Memorial Center lot, next to the beer garden, you get a free beer with your parking fee.

But don’t just sit, beginning June 7, the War Memorial Beer Garden will lead “slow and fun” bike rides called “Joy Rides” every Tuesday evening around the Milwaukee lakefront and Downtown area.

The free rides depart from the beer garden at 6 p.m. sharp. Each is fewer than 10 miles long and will  be led by a local celeb who will select the route and talk during rest stops about Milwaukee. The rides end on Fitch Plaza to watch the sun set behind the Downtown skyline.

If you don’t have your own bike or don’t want to bring your own, a Bublr Bikes rental station is nearby.

For more information visit warmemorialbeergarden.com.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.