At Crying Eagle Lakefront, beer isn’t just part of the experience; it defines it. Every pour represents years of planning, careful craftsmanship, and a deep respect for the brewing tradition. Brewmaster Ryan O’Donnell has been part of the vision from the start, and now he’s brewing on the state-of-the-art system he personally designed.
“I’m incredibly excited about brewing on the new brewhouse because I designed it from the ground up and have been anxious to have it fully commissioned for years.”
– Ryan O’Donnell, Brewmaster
This new system, custom-designed by Ryan, was built specifically to create the styles featured at the Lakefront: beers that celebrate technique, patience, and balance.
Crying Eagle Lakefront marks a new chapter for the brand, complementing the energy of the University location rather than replacing it.
“At our University location, I get to really dial up the creativity and come up with fun, exciting flavor combinations and experimental beer styles,” Ryan explains. “The Lakefront will be a showcase of technical brewing excellence. Though there will be no shortage of creativity, our particular focus will be on traditional lagers from around the world.”
Where the University brewery remains a hub for experimentation, Lakefront embodies patience and precision — both in its brewing process and its elevated guest experience.
“Every part of the experience here is elevated, and the beer is no exception.”
For Ryan, lagers are the ultimate test of craftsmanship.
“Unlike most ales, lagers leave no room for imperfection. Though they may seem simple to the uninformed beer drinker, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. They require utmost attention at every step, from grain to glass.”
Each lager takes between two and three months to produce, requiring both time and technical mastery. That’s why five of the Lakefront’s ten taps are dedicated exclusively to these clean, classic styles.
“Narrowing down to a total of ten beers was difficult,” Ryan admits. “We wanted to ensure that we had a wide variety and represented the most sought-after beer categories while still maintaining a focus on lagers. I couldn’t be happier with the lineup we settled on, and the quality of each is truly remarkable.”
Although the Lakefront lineup highlights lagers, it offers something for every palate.
“Whether you like lagers, IPAs, sours, stouts, or saisons, we truly have something for everyone,” Ryan says.
The team also designed separate draft and canned beer lists, giving guests a reason to explore both Crying Eagle locations.
“Offering some of our beers in cans was a great way to feature some of the crowd favorites from our University location while still maintaining a unique stable of draft beer offerings that can only be found at Crying Eagle Lakefront.”
From brewhouse design to recipe development, every choice made at the Lakefront brewery is about creating a memorable experience.
“There’s nothing like watching a guest experience our beer for the first time, especially knowing everything that went into it before it reached their table,” Ryan says. “Every beer tells a story about the part of the world from which the style originated, as well as the brewing team that created it.”
Each pour is an opportunity to share not just a beer, but a piece of the craft that shaped it.
When asked which beer he thinks will surprise guests the most, Ryan doesn’t hesitate.
“My money is on Dark Honey, our Munich Dunkel brewed with locally-sourced honey,” he says. “It’s a perfectly balanced, dark German lager that drinks far lighter than it appears. I have been perfecting that beer for over twenty years, and people always seem surprised when they try it for the first time.”
Dark Honey is a reflection of everything the Lakefront represents: tradition, innovation, and local character, all in perfect balance.
For Ryan, brewing at the Lakefront is about more than creating exceptional beer. It’s about honoring the process, the patience, and the people behind it.
“If I had to describe the Lakefront beer program in just three words, it would be: striving for perfection.”
That commitment shines through in every detail, from the brewhouse design to the final sip. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer fan or simply curious about lagers, each pint at Crying Eagle Lakefront tells a story. One brewed with patience, skill, and purpose.
