Kiwanis Club of Metropolitan Milwaukee Nights

In 1999, Lisa Lennon, Vicki Weber, Amy Schmitz,and Bruce Beilfuss, all members of the Metro Milwaukee Nights Kiwanis Club at the time, volunteered for a beer tasting fundraiser to raise money for Easter Seals of Southeast Wisconsin. The event was at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in downtown Milwaukee in a small, intimate setting. The four members had a great time at the event, however, the highlight was when Lisa met the volunteer who was pouring beer for Lakefront Brewerly. Lisa asked about beer tastings in general since it was the first time we ever volunteered at such an event. In addition, we were looking for an annual club fundraiser since the Club was just chartered in August of 1999. Lisa was given the contact name of Jim Klisch, one of the founders of Lakefront Brewery. To make a long story short, Jim taught Vicki and Lisa everything he knew about organizing a beer tasting fundraiser. The wheels were put into motion, and the First Annual Metro Kiwanis Brew Fest was held on Friday, October 20, 2000. Although the turnout was small, $1,000 was raised and many lessons were learned during the first year of growing pains.

With one year under the belt, the Club was enthusiastic to take the Brew Fest to new heights in 2001. Sponsors were secured, and advertising began in the Shepherd Express, on TV news programs, in local community newspapers and on radio. The Second Annual Brew Fest was a roaring success raising $10,000!