Lombardi Brewing Company in Milwaukee has earned fourth place in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice awards for the 10 Best New Breweries in the U.S. The brewery, which opened last September, took over a former space in the city’s west side. It is the flagship taproom for a Wisconsin-based craft operation founded in 2017.
Lombardi Brewing Company quickly gained recognition after opening its Milwaukee taproom last September. The brewery secured fourth place in USA Today’s Reader’s Choice “10 Best New Breweries in the U.S.,” determined by a panel of experts who nominated candidates, followed by public voting to select the final top 10.
The taproom is located at 2200 W. Mount Vernon Ave., in a space previously occupied by City Lights Brewing Company, which closed in January 2025. Owned and operated by John Lombardi, Amanda Gethers, and Tim Kunze, the brewery is the flagship for a Wisconsin craft operation established in 2017. John Lombardi is the grandson of the late Green Bay Packers coach Vince Lombardi.
In announcing the location, John Lombardi highlighted his family background, which includes football and a beer distributorship in North Dakota. “You could say I was the All-American kid growing up,” he said on the brewery’s website. “One of my grandfathers was a football coach and the other owned a beer distributorship. Beer and football, what is more American than that?”
Lombardi chose the site for its central position and connection to Milwaukee’s industrial charm. “The look and feel of the building, combined with its brewing potential, made this the perfect spot for our first taproom,” he said before the opening. “We see this as a community hub, a place where people can come together, celebrate life, and enjoy great beer.”
The recognition underscores the brewery’s focus on European-inspired ales and lagers, such as Eschweiler Pils and Gaslight, which honors Milwaukee’s Czech roots. Recently, the brewery added coffee options for visitors.
