About Us

Robert K. Perlick was born in Germany, and in 1885, he immigrated to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his mother and five siblings. After years of working in tool shops, at the age of 41, Robert decided to venture out on his own. With a loan of $1,000 from his oldest son, Walter, and $1,000 of his own savings, he established his own business.

A milestone year as the R. Perlick Brass Works is established on 2nd Avenue and Reed Street in Milwaukee’s vibrant Third Ward. Specializing in the production of brass parts and battery terminals, Perlick served a diverse array of industries, catering to automobile, truck, tractor, and streetcar manufacturers, laying the groundwork for a legacy of precision craftsmanship and industrial innovation.

Prohibition marked a turning point as the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages were banned, with only “near beer” containing 0.5% alcohol remaining legal. Seizing opportunity, Perlick identified a lucrative niche as the sole manufacturer and distributor of brass dispensing products to Milwaukee’s breweries. This era saw the evolution of the R. Perlick Brass Company, when Walter’s brothers, Arthur and Hilber (H.R.), joined the business, further fortifying its position in the industry.

Prohibition’s repeal sparked a resurgence in Milwaukee’s beer scene amid the Great Depression. Perlick thrived as bars reopened, supplying essential dispensing products. Led by H.R., the company tripled in size, relocated, and introduced the direct draw pony pump, revolutionizing beer dispensing.

Perlick marked its 25th anniversary with a move to a modern facility on Meineke Avenue, setting the stage for further innovation, introducing groundbreaking products like the Dixie bottle cooler and the Black Beauty cabinet dispenser. Amid World War II, Perlick contributed to the war effort by machining aluminum parts for the U.S.

Perlick's Century Beer System made its debut at the 1964 New York World's Fair, showcasing its ability to transport perfectly balanced beer up to 100 feet—a groundbreaking achievement. With the third generation, Robert D. and Gordon Perlick, at the helm, the company relocated to its present headquarters and manufacturing facility on Good Hope Road.

Recognizing the shifting landscape of beverage sales towards taverns and restaurants, Perlick pivoted to become a leader in bar design. Revolutionizing the industry, Perlick introduced an innovative modular underbar system and a comprehensive bar package encompassing beer, back bar, and underbar components, solidifying its reputation as a bar design expert.

After investing in the latest technology, implementing continuous production, and adopting lean manufacturing principles, Perlick opened up an exciting new growth channel: premium residential refrigeration for the luxury home market. Starting in 2005, the Perlick line won three consecutive Platinum Awards for Design Excellence from Design Journal.

The meteoric rise of the craft beer movement and exploding interest in cocktails and mixology both brought new prestige and professionalism to the bar and restaurant business—and new opportunities to Perlick. In 2015, Perlick partnered with celebrity bartender and bar designer Tobin Ellis to develop the industry’s first ergonomic, zero-step bartending system.

Building on the guidance of previous generations, Perlick’s fifth generation of family members stepped into company leadership roles. Proudly remaining locally owned and family-operated for over a century, Perlick is committed to continued innovation and prosperity in Milwaukee for the next 100 years and beyond.