By Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer Published Jan 05, 2023 at 4:26 PM

As Westallion's owners leave for Marinette, Copper Turtle has opened in the Third Ward, meaning Milwaukee's brewery count stays the same.

Kim and Erik Dorfner opened Westallion Brewing in 2017, making it the first brewery in West Allis. Later, they were joined by Layman, Ope! and Perspective.

But they opened a new place late last year, also called Westallion, in Marinette.

That location opened in November and now the original one at 1825 S. 72nd St., is shuttering.

"This will be the last weekend our West Allis location will be open," the couple posted on Facebook. "We have loved the last six years as West Allis’ first brewery, and are sad to say goodbye, but are also excited about our future.

"We will be in our taproom most of the weekend to say goodbye to those of you that have supported us, and become like family to us. Kim and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts."

Find them in the brewery until 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday 4-9 and Saturday, 3-9.

If you find yourself in Marinette, look 'em up.

Copper Turtle
The Copper Turtle taproom. (PHOTO: Copper Turtle Facebook)
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Meanwhile, down in the Third Ward, Copper Turtle Brewery & Taverne has opened in the old Bavette space at 153 N. Milwaukee St.

The brewery fired up recently and began selling to-go beer in December, but now its taproom is open Tuesday-Friday from 4 p.m. and Saturday from noon, with closing times determined by how busy it is, the weather, etc.

Bobby Tanzilo Senior Editor/Writer

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.

He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.

With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.

He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.

In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.

He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.