Repurposed Buildings Become Tourist Draws-- Part 1: Brewhouse Inn

From the May 31, 2015, Chicago Tribune by Mary Bergin.

Some travel destinations are built from the ground up, but other times, old, unique buildings are taken and converted to other uses.  This is the dream of every preservationist.  Here are four Midwest examples:

BREWHOUSE INN & SUITES, MILWAUKEE

Pabst was one of the nation's largest brewers in the 1970s but was forced out of business by a change in ownership and rising competition.  Then the buildings sat unused for a length of time, but now Buildings20 and 21 are a 90-unit boutique hotel with a reception desk made of 1,550 beer bottles from Milwaukee-based brewers.  Rates start at $199

In the five-story atrium, you will find the copper tops of brewing kettles for Pabst.  King Gambrinus, the unofficial patron saint of beer is depicted on a two-story-tall stained-glass window.

You will also find Jackson's Blue Ribbon Pun attached to the hotel for those of you who get inspired for a taste.  One block downhill is Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery where visitors can down a free beer or root beer.  There is a gift shop and all of it is at the former Pabst headquarters.

What Did Tom T. Hall Say Anout Beer?  --RoadDog