Remember when beer gardens weren’t even a thing around Milwaukee? Now there seems to be a few new ones popping up every year, and we’re not mad about it.
But not all beer gardens are created equal for families, and some are more kid-friendly than others. Lucky for us all, Sprecher Outdoor Oasis at Maslowski Park in Glendale is definitively in the Very Kid-Friendly category.
Not to be confused with the Traveling Sprecher Beer Garden that jumps from park to park, this permanent site is brand new, and it’s located next to an expansive outdoor amphitheater. On Wednesday evenings in the summer, you can catch free live music at the Music in the Glen concert series, featuring acts like Pat McCurdy and Kids From Wisconsin.
In addition to the locally brewed Sprecher Beer for parents, the beer garden serves kid-sized gourmet sodas, kids meals, and ice cream treats. You can enjoy your brew while your kids burn off energy at the nearby playground, which is the largest accessible playground in the North Shore.
The accessible playground is the largest of its kind in the North Shore.
We chatted with Ann Deuser, Executive Director for Welcome to Glendale, about why this beer garden might be the kid-friendliest of them all, how they got it off the ground, and what we can expect in the future.
Besides the easy parking and brand new bathrooms, why is Sprecher Outdoor Oasis a good option for kids & families?
The park was intentionally designed for families to gather. The on-site Sprecher Brewing Outdoor Oasis serves full meals, snacks, ice cream treats, and a variety of beverages. Kid’s meals are available and one of the most popular items served.
A large accessibility playground caters to children of all ages and is one of the largest playgrounds in the North Shore. Free Wednesday Night Summer concerts welcome families with exciting entertainment designed to expose children to a variety of music genres.
Finally, Nicolet High School and MSOE are building their baseball fields so families can come out and watch the game. Just this past weekend there was a children’s birthday party and a Bar Mitzvah held at the park.
View from the stage of the Johnson Controls Outdoor Amphitheatre
I grew up in Glendale and never thought I’d see a beer garden here. Tell us about the process to get Sprecher Outdoor Oasis off the ground and running.
Glendale is a “yes” town. The businesses, elected officials, and city leadership all work well together to enhance quality-of-life for the residents. The council worked hard to prepare a “vision” for the park and they presented the plans to the area businesses. Many businesses such as Johnson Controls, Sprecher Brewing Company, David Hobbs Honda, and the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin generously supported the mission.
Flags from the Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin War Memorial fly above the playground at Maslowski Park, near the Sprecher Outdoor Oasis
Can you tell us about what the long-term vision is for Maslowski Park?
We will continue to make the park a recreational and resourceful gathering point for area businesses and residents. The park already offers The Sprecher Brewing Outdoor Oasis Beer Garden, The Johnson Controls Outdoor Amphitheatre, The David Hobbs for the People Community Room, The Orthopedic Hospital of Wisconsin War Memorial, and an Accessibility Playground for children.
Soon, the park will offer a brand-new trailhead and boardwalk to the Oak Leaf Trail at the west end of the Park. Additionally, the MSOE and Nicolet High School Baseball Fields will be completed. Free concerts and festivals such as the Root Beer Bash (August 24th) will continue to delight attendees.
Sprecher Outdoor Oasis is open Wednesday – Friday from 4 PM – 9 PM, Saturday from 12 Noon – 9 PM, and Sunday 12 Noon – 5 PM.
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
