News Summary
Solemn Oath Brewery is expanding to Milwaukee with a new taproom at 342 E. Ward St. The venue will offer various craft beers and host community events. Opening in mid-2026, the brewery aims to enrich Milwaukee’s craft beer scene and foster local collaborations.
Milwaukee is set to welcome a new taproom from Solemn Oath Brewery, which is expanding its reach from Naperville, Illinois into Wisconsin. The new location will be situated at 342 E. Ward St., the former site of 1840 Brewing Co., which closed its doors in June 2025 after nearly eight years of operation due to the owner’s family circumstances. Solemn Oath plans to open the taproom in mid-2026, aiming to become a part of Milwaukee’s vibrant craft beer scene.
Solemn Oath Brewery was founded in 2012 and has established a strong presence with its location in Chicago’s Logan Square neighborhood. The Milwaukee taproom will feature a selection of both small runs and popular beer staples, including Lü Kölsch, Snaggletooth Bandana IPA, Small Wave City Club hazy IPA, and Kidnapped by Vikings IPA. This new venue is not just a taproom; it will also serve as a brewery and barrel-aging facility, which will create future opportunities for local partnerships and collaborative projects.
In addition to a diverse array of craft beers, the taproom plans to host various events, such as chef and maker pop-ups, live music, and community programming. As part of the community engagement efforts, Solemn Oath Brewery will hold a pop-up preview at Supermoon Beer Company in Bay View on December 18, 2025, from 4 to 9 PM, where attendees can sample beers that will be featured at the future taproom.
John Barley, the founder of Solemn Oath Brewery, expressed his excitement about returning to his home state of Wisconsin with this new venture. To lead the brewing operations, the brewery has appointed Daniel Ray as the new Director of Brewing Operations starting in September 2025. Ray previously led other breweries to receive notable accolades, bringing valuable experience to Solemn Oath’s expansion efforts.
Solemn Oath Brewery currently produces approximately 6,000 barrels of beer annually and emphasizes a blend of highbrow and lowbrow offerings to cater to a wide range of beer enthusiasts. At the Bay View location, the brewery will prioritize barrel-aging processes and is eager to foster collaborations with local brewers and businesses.
This expansion reflects Solemn Oath Brewery’s commitment to connecting with the local beer community and establishing a reputation among Milwaukee’s craft beer drinkers. With the new taproom, the brewery aims not only to share its craft beers but also to enhance the cultural landscape of the Bay View neighborhood through a variety of events and collaborations.
The official opening is slated for mid-2026, and the community is encouraged to look forward to the diverse offerings and engaging activities that Solemn Oath Brewery is set to bring to Milwaukee.
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Additional Resources
- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Solemn Oath Brewery Taproom
- Urban Milwaukee: Solemn Oath Brewery Opening
- Biz Times: Solemn Oath Brewery Moving In
- Milwaukee Magazine: Inside Solemn Oath Brewery
- On Milwaukee: 1840 Brewing Closing
- Wikipedia: Craft Beer
- Google Search: Milwaukee craft beer
- Google Scholar: Craft Beer Milwaukee
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Craft Beer
- Google News: Solemn Oath Brewery
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
