Walking tour: Beer Dynasties - Milwaukee's Beer Barons

Milwaukee was made famous by the brewing industry during the 1800s and early 1900s. This tour visits the gravesites of all the major brewers and briefly reviews the role of the brewery in Milwaukee history. Brewers such as Pabst, Schlitz, Blatz, Gettleman, Graf, Bills, Falk and many other lesser-known brewers are covered in this very popular tour. If you have hoisted a beer or two this tour is for you.

Tour includes:*

• August Krug
• Jacob Best Sr. & Jr.
• Lorenz Best
• John Graf
• Charles Best
• Jacob Veidt
• Fred Borchert Jr.
• Rochard Owens
• Charles Melms
• Franz Falk
• Fredrick & Tom Gettelman
• Henry Bills
• Herman Falk
• Joseph Schlitz
• Uihlein family
• Valentine Blatz
• Fred Past
• Charles William Gerlach

*Subject to change

ABOUT YOUR TOUR GUIDE:

Robert Giese is a Milwaukee historian who is a longtime Milwaukee tour guide. He has written extensively about Milwaukee’s notable residents, many of whom are buried at Forest Home Cemetery. His specialties are the “beer barons” and Milwaukee’s founders, mayors and politicians, in addition to the lesser-known people who have had an impact on the city.

Bob Giese

PLEASE READ

This 1.5-mile walking tour moves at a brisk pace over uneven cemetery roads and grounds. Please wear comfortable footwear and watch your step! Our tour guides have a lot to share but are on a tight timeline, so please try to stick together.

This tour will run rain or shine and will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather event. Tickets are non-refundable.

Please arrive about 10 minutes before your tour. Meet under the canopy outside Halls of History (next to the main office inside the Lincoln Avenue entrance.

Parking is free and available throughout the cemetery; however, the spots in front of the office are reserved for cemetery business Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday. There is ample parking around the chapel, in front of and to the side of Halls of History. Sundays you may park wherever you like.

After your tour, please take a moment to review us on TripAdvisor.

Proceeds from all tours and events help preserve and enhance the historical and natural elements of the cemetery.

ABOUT FOREST HOME CEMETERY & ARBORETUM

Established in 1850, Forest Home Cemetery is Milwaukee’s oldest operating cemetery, open to all since its inception. Forest Home Cemetery is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the finest example of a Victorian-era rural garden cemetery in the Upper Midwest.

In 2021, Forest Home became the city’s first accredited arboretum, Milwaukee’s largest green space with more 2,600 trees on nearly 200 acres.

Our 189 acres are open daily to the public. Leashed dogs, jogging, strollers and bicycles are welcome. Each year, we host public and private historical and nature-based tours and wellness events, birding opportunities, Doors Open, a Memorial Day event, a Dia de los Muertos 5K and festival and our new Spirits of the Silent City after-dark historical tours. Sign up for our newsletter on the website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (use #foresthomecemetery) so you don’t miss any of our tours and events!

If you enjoy our beautiful space, stay longer! Stop in the office Monday-Friday 8-4:30 and Saturday 10-3:30 or call a counselor (414) 645-2632 to find out about our many burial options.