Lakefront Variety 12Pk

Lakefront Variety 12Pk is a mixed craft beer sampler from Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery, packaging a range of styles across twelve 12-oz servings. Founded in 1987 by brothers Russ and Jim Klisch, Lakefront Brewery has earned hundreds of awards at international, national, and local competitions — a track record reflected in the breadth and quality of this curated pack.

Quick Facts: ABV: Varies by style  |  Origin: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA  |  Style: Mixed Craft Variety Pack  |  Brewery: Lakefront Brewery, Inc.

Production & Heritage

Lakefront Brewery operates out of the Beerline B neighborhood of Milwaukee, where the Klisch brothers built one of Wisconsin's most respected craft operations over nearly four decades. The brewery holds several American firsts: it became the first certified organic brewery in the United States in 1996, and later produced the first government-approved gluten-free beer after successfully petitioning the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. The Variety 12-Pack draws from this deep portfolio, spanning light to dark and malty to hoppy, covering what the brewery describes as "most of the beer spectrum."

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Across the pack's range of styles, expect aromatic variety that moves from the citrusy, floral bouquet of American Citra and Chinook hops in their IPA to the roasted malt character of their darker lagers. Bready, clean lager yeast notes thread through the more traditional German-inspired offerings.

Taste: The lighter selections deliver crisp malt sweetness balanced by a clean hop bite, while the amber entries — such as the Riverwest Stein style — feature balanced maltiness with a subtle sweetness and firm hop finish. The darker beers bring rich, roasted malt depth smoothed out by German lager yeast, offering complexity without heaviness.

Finish: Finishes range from the short and crisp snap of lighter lagers to the smooth, lingering hop character of the IPA, which recalls fresh ruby red grapefruit. The darker selections close with a smooth, complex malt fade that invites another sip.

How to Drink Lakefront Variety

Each style in the pack benefits from its own approach. Lighter lagers shine ice-cold straight from the can, while the amber and dark selections open up a few degrees warmer to let malt complexity emerge. Work through the pack lightest to darkest for a guided tour of Lakefront's brewing range. The IPA holds up well in a Citrus Shandy blended with fresh lemonade for warm-weather drinking. The amber ale style suits a Beer-a-Rita riff with lime juice and a salted rim. And the dark lager can stand in for stout in a Black Velvet, layered gently with dry sparkling cider.

Best For

• Introducing a friend to craft beer with a single, well-rounded sampler
• Stocking a backyard cookout or tailgate with style diversity
• Gifting a beer enthusiast who appreciates Midwest brewing heritage
• Hosting a casual blind tasting to explore multiple beer styles side by side

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Lakefront Variety Pack taste like? The pack spans a wide flavor range — from clean, crisp lagers and balanced, malt-forward ambers to citrus-driven IPAs and smooth, roast-accented dark lagers. It represents a cross-section of classic American and German-inspired craft beer styles.

How does the Lakefront Variety Pack compare to the New Belgium Variety Pack? Both are mixed packs from established craft breweries, but Lakefront leans heavily on German lager traditions rooted in Milwaukee's brewing history, while New Belgium's lineup centers on ales from its Fort Collins, Colorado base. Lakefront's inclusion of darker lager styles gives it a broader stylistic spread than many competitor packs.

Is the Lakefront Variety Pack good for beginners? Yes — the range from light lagers to richer dark beers provides an accessible entry point, letting newer craft drinkers identify which styles they gravitate toward without committing to a full six-pack of any single beer.

Where is the Lakefront Variety Pack made? It is brewed entirely at Lakefront Brewery in the Beerline B neighborhood of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The brewery has operated from this location since its founding in 1987.

What foods pair well with the Lakefront Variety Pack? The lighter lagers complement grilled bratwurst and soft pretzels with mustard. The amber ale style pairs naturally with cheddar cheeseburgers or roasted chicken. The IPA cuts through the richness of spicy buffalo wings. The dark lager matches well with smoked brisket or a slab of dark chocolate for dessert.

What sizes does the Lakefront Variety Pack come in? The standard format is a 12-pack of 12-oz servings, which is the primary configuration available for this variety offering.

Is the Lakefront Variety Pack worth the price? It positions as a mid-range craft variety pack, and the diversity of styles — from lager to IPA to dark beer — delivers strong value compared to buying individual six-packs to sample the same breadth from the brewery's portfolio.

Why Lakefront Variety?

Lakefront Brewery is not just another regional craft operation; it holds genuine firsts in American brewing, including the nation's first certified organic brewery designation and the first federally approved gluten-free beer. That pioneering spirit carries into this variety pack, which showcases the brewery's range across German lager traditions, American hop-forward styles, and rich dark beers — all produced under one roof in Milwaukee. With hundreds of awards backing the individual beers in their portfolio, the Variety 12-Pack distills nearly four decades of Midwest craft brewing into a single box.