Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 Variants Revealed

Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026

Lakefront Brewery is bringing back its Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 beer lineup with four different variants planned for 2026, and the labels already give us a pretty good idea of where Milwaukee’s long-running brewery is heading with this year’s releases. There is plenty here for imperial stout fans, especially anyone who likes bourbon barrel aging, coffee and cacao in a dark beer, or a big, hop-forward IPA that takes a different route from the usual holiday stout lineup.

These are not four versions of the same beer with a small ingredient change and a different label slapped on the can. Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 includes two bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout offerings, a coffee and cacao nib stout aged in bourbon barrels, a Triple Black IPA, and a five-year-aged imperial stout listed as a 2021-2026 vintage for the 2026 release. That’s a lot of dark beer territory to cover.

And yes, the artwork is worth a look.

The new Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 labels use bold lettering, vintage-style illustrations and distinct color schemes to separate the releases, while keeping the same recognizable Black Friday branding across the collection. The standard imperial stout label uses a skeletal horse illustration against a black background, the coffee and cacao nib stout features a dark, old-fashioned mounted figure against a cream-colored background, and the Triple Black IPA gets a green treatment with an illustration built around a charging horse and a chaotic group of riders.

They look like they belong together, but each can has its own identity, which is a nice touch for a lineup that could otherwise get visually repetitive.

Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026

The first release is Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels, a straightforward description that will get the attention of fans who prefer their stout dark, full-bodied and built around the influence of whiskey barrels. Bourbon barrel aging can bring notes associated with vanilla, oak, caramel and toasted sugar, although the actual character of this release will have to wait until Lakefront shares its tasting notes or the beer becomes available to try.

Then there is Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 Imperial Coffee and Cacao Nib Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels, which adds two familiar stout ingredients to the barrel-aged foundation. Coffee can bring roasted and espresso-like character, while cacao nibs can contribute dark chocolate impressions that work naturally with roasted malt. Add bourbon barrel aging to that combination and there is plenty of room for a rich, layered beer, though the balance between coffee, chocolate, malt and barrel character is something I want to taste before making any big claims.

Two different directions. Same Black Friday spirit.

The third beer changes things up considerably. Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 Triple Black IPA steps away from the imperial stout format and moves into the world of dark, hop-driven beer. The label identifies the style as an India pale ale, and the Triple Black IPA name makes this one particularly interesting for drinkers who want a change from the thick, barrel-aged beers that tend to dominate winter releases. We still need the brewery’s official details to confirm the hopping approach, bitterness, alcohol content and flavor profile.

The fourth release is the one that catches my eye for a different reason: Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2021-2026 Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels for five years, planned for the 2026 Black Friday lineup. A five-year barrel-aging period gives this beer a different story from a standard annual release, with extended time in wood potentially shaping the spirit character, malt profile and overall balance. It is also an anniversary release, so the 2021-2026 designation matters; as it celebrates the 5th anniversary of Lakefront Brewery Black Friday,.

All four beers are expected in 19.2-ounce cans, according to the supplied release information and the labels shown here. That format makes the beers easy to identify on shelves and gives drinkers a way to compare the different styles without committing to a full package of each one.

Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026

There are still details to come. Lakefront Brewery has not provided the complete release schedule or tasting notes in the information available for this announcement, so availability, pricing, distribution and final specifications remain things to watch rather than details to assume.

For now, the Black Friday 2026 lineup gives Lakefront fans four distinct releases to follow, from bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout to coffee and cacao, a five-year-aged vintage beer and a Triple Black IPA. Keep an eye out for more information as the release gets closer, because the tasting notes and actual availability will tell us much more about what each can brings to the table.

Label Text Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026 Variants:

1. Black Friday 2026 Imperial Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels

Main label wording

HANDCRAFTED HAPPINESS

BLACK FRIDAY 2026

IMPERIAL STOUT

aged in

BOURBON BARRELS

LAKEFRONT BREWERY — MILWAUKEE, WISC.

19.2 fl oz / 568 mL / 1 PINT 3.2 OZ

PLEASE RECYCLE ME. I WANNA COME BACK!

2. Black Friday 2026 Imperial Coffee and Cacao Nib Stout aged in Bourbon Barrels

Main label wording

HANDCRAFTED HAPPINESS

BLACK FRIDAY 2026

IMPERIAL COFFEE AND CACAO NIB STOUT

aged in

BOURBON BARRELS

LAKEFRONT BREWERY — MILWAUKEE, WISC.

19.2 fl oz / 568 mL / 1 PINT 3.2 OZ

PLEASE RECYCLE ME. I WANNA COME BACK!

3. Black Friday 2026 Triple Black IPA

Main label wording

HANDCRAFTED HAPPINESS

BLACK FRIDAY 2026

TRIPLE BLACK IPA

india pale ale

LAKEFRONT BREWERY — MILWAUKEE, WISC.

19.2 fl oz / 568 mL / 1 PINT 3.2 OZ

PLEASE RECYCLE ME. I WANNA COME BACK!

4. Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 5-Year Imperial Stout

Location: MILW / WISC (Milwaukee, Wisconsin)

Black Friday™ 26

2021 – 2026

Beer Style & Description:

5-YEAR IMPERIAL STOUT

aged in BOURBON BARRELS FOR 5 YEARS

HANDCRAFTED HAPPINESS

• Volume / Size: 19.2 fl oz / 568mL / 1 PINT, 3.2 OZ
• Recycling Message: ♻️ PLEASE RECYCLE ME. I WANNA COME BACK!

BREWED AND CANNED BY LAKEFRONT BREWERY, INC., MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN

ALE

Star-K Kosher (K)

Certified B Corporation

Brewers Association Independent Craft Seal

HI-IA-MA-ME-NY-VT 5¢ FL-OK+ CA CRV / CT-MI-OR 10¢ REFUND

Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026

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Continue reading about Lakefront Brewery with our related coverage, including Lakefront Brewery’s New Grist Grapefruit Radler release, Lakefront Brewery’s New Grist expansion plans for 2026, and Lakefront Brewery’s Snake Chaser Irish-style stout update. These stories offer additional background on the Milwaukee brewery’s changing beer lineup, specialty releases and approach to brewing across different styles.

About Lakefront Brewery

Lakefront Brewery is an independent craft brewery located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, known for its inventive beers, recognizable local identity and long connection to the city’s brewing history. Founded in 1987 by brothers Jim and Russ Klisch, Lakefront Brewery grew from a small homebrewing operation into an established Milwaukee brewery with a broad portfolio of beers, seasonal releases and specialty offerings.

The brewery began in a former bakery in Milwaukee’s Riverwest neighborhood, where the Klisch brothers turned their interest in homebrewing into a business. Their early operation relied on used equipment and a practical approach to making beer, with production growing as more local drinkers discovered their offerings. Lakefront sold its first barrel of beer in December 1987, beginning a brewing story that would span decades and become part of Milwaukee’s modern craft beer identity.

Today, Lakefront Brewery produces a wide range of beer styles, including amber lagers, India pale ales, dark beers, seasonal releases and gluten-free offerings. Its portfolio reflects a willingness to experiment while maintaining familiar beers that customers can return to year after year. That balance between established favorites and limited releases is especially relevant to specialty offerings such as the Black Friday beer series.

Lakefront’s flagship and recognizable beers include Riverwest Stein Amber Lager, Lakefront IPA and New Grist gluten-free beer. Riverwest Stein has developed a following among drinkers who enjoy a malt-forward amber lager, while Lakefront IPA gives hop fans a more traditional option. New Grist has also played an important role in the brewery’s history, offering an alternative for consumers seeking beer made without gluten-containing ingredients.

Lakefront Brewery has continued expanding its gluten-free portfolio as well, with additional New Grist products helping the company reach more consumers. Its brewing program demonstrates that a regional craft brewery can work across multiple categories rather than focusing exclusively on traditional ales and lagers.

The brewery’s approach also extends beyond its packaged beer. Its Milwaukee location features a Beer Hall where visitors can enjoy Lakefront beers alongside food and brewery experiences. Situated along the Milwaukee River, the brewery has become a destination for locals and visitors interested in Wisconsin beer, regional food and the history of brewing in the city.

Sustainability and social responsibility are also part of Lakefront Brewery’s identity. The company achieved Certified B Corporation status in 2020, reflecting its commitment to standards involving social and environmental performance, transparency and business accountability. That recognition distinguishes the brewery within Wisconsin’s brewing community and complements its long-standing Milwaukee roots.

Special releases remain another way for Lakefront Brewery to explore different ingredients, aging techniques and styles. Barrel-aged imperial stouts, coffee-inspired beers and hop-forward specialty releases give the brewing team room to develop products that stand apart from the brewery’s everyday offerings. Such beers also appeal to collectors and drinkers who follow limited releases throughout the year.

The Black Friday 2026 collection fits that specialty-release approach. With bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, an imperial coffee and cacao nib stout, a five-year-aged imperial stout and a Triple Black IPA, the lineup spans several different drinking experiences. The releases also show how a brewery can use a shared annual theme while offering distinct beers for different preferences.

For fans of Milwaukee craft beer, Lakefront Brewery remains an important part of the region’s brewing community. Its history stretches back to the early years of modern American craft brewing, but its current portfolio continues to evolve through new products, seasonal offerings and specialty beer releases.

For brewery information, current beer offerings, events and official updates, visit the Lakefront Brewery official website.

Lakefront Brewery’s combination of Milwaukee brewing history, established beers and experimental releases makes it a brewery worth following, particularly when limited collections such as Black Friday bring together barrel aging, dark beer traditions and less conventional styles in one release lineup.

Lakefront Brewery Black Friday 2026

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