Where there’s good water, there’s good beer, and Milwaukee’s primo location at the confluence of three rivers certainly had a hand in its vibrant brewing culture. In celebration of the city’s watery abundance, Milwaukee’s Discovery World science center recently unveiled THIRST Lab for Freshwater Innovation. While it’s dedicated to all things that freshwater can become (like tea and perfume), THIRST Lab’s most extensive program is all about the brew: Visitors are invited to tinker with ingredients and play on a one-barrel system with guest brewers from the MillerCoors Pilot Brewery, Lakefront Brewery and Leinenkugel’s. For those interested in the roots of beer, staff archeologist and ancient brewing scholar Kevin Cullen heads up Ales Through the Ages this spring, an adult education program where guests explore, brew and bottle historic beverages like ancient Egyptian ale and old Irish curim ale.

Milwaukee’s Best Tour: Beyond THIRST Lab, Discovery World offers “Legacies of Milwaukee Brewing” tours around the city, guiding participants through Milwaukee’s current brewing meccas and historic beer hideaways.