When Brewers Bought Supper: The Pabst Legacy at Red Circle Inn

Long before Milwaukee’s skyline carried the Pabst name, the family made an unexpected move into the rolling hills of Lake Country.

The Red Circle Inn was not simply another property in their portfolio. It was a statement of taste, leisure, and the growing influence of Wisconsin’s brewing dynasties. Beer may have built their empire, but supper built their legend.

A Stagecoach Stop Turned Landmark

The Red Circle Inn began in 1848 as a humble stagecoach stop, serving weary travelers who crossed Wisconsin before the railroads arrived. Its location on the Watertown Plank Road made it a vital waypoint, offering rest, food, and conversation. By the late 1800s, as Milwaukee rose into one of the brewing capitals of the world, the Inn’s reputation stretched far beyond local travelers. It caught the attention of the Pabst family, who understood that dining and hospitality could be just as important as the beer poured alongside them.

The Pabst Vision

Captain Frederick Pabst had already secured his place in Milwaukee’s history through brewing innovation and civic leadership. Owning the Red Circle Inn allowed the family to extend that influence into Lake Country, where the wealthy and well-connected gathered during summer months. The Inn became a destination for elegant meals and celebrations, hosting an emerging class of diners who expected more than a quick bite. The Pabst's recognized that Wisconsin was ready for a place that married fine food with social prestige.

Lasting Impressions

The Pabst era left marks that remain visible today. The Inn’s grand bar, carved in 1889, is a relic of the period when craftsmanship mattered as much as what was poured into the glass. Diners gathered around for brandy cocktails, the drink of choice in Wisconsin then and now. Architectural details, preserved through each renovation, whisper reminders of the family who once treated the Inn as an extension of their cultural footprint.

A Tradition Carried Forward

Ownership has passed through several hands since the Pabsts, from agricultural magnates to family restaurateurs to Geronimo Hospitality Group today. Yet the thread of refinement they introduced still weaves through the experience. Prime rib dinners, celebratory gatherings, and evenings that linger into the night owe their tone to a legacy of hospitality that began under the Pabst name.

The Red Circle Inn is not only the oldest restaurant in Wisconsin. It is a living archive of the state’s most influential families, their ambitions, and their sense of what it means to gather around a table. The Pabsts may be remembered first for their beer, but their investment in supper created something equally enduring. Step inside today and you are still tasting history, one brandy old fashioned at a time.

"Beer may have built their empire, but supper built their legend."