Prepare your palate for Rotary Brewfest

Posted: Feb. 1, 2012

City of Oconomowoc- Bend an elbow, help a child. The sixth annual Wine and Brewfest on Saturday, Feb. 11 provides attendees with the opportunity to do both.

Sponsored by the Oconomowoc Rotary Club, the event offers a perfect respite from winter doldrums by sampling numerous options while supporting charitable causes.

"Over 20 beer vendors with multiple products as well as five wine distributors will be on hand to share their knowledge and products," explained Megan Welsh, co-chair of the event.

The $40 ticket provides not only the chance to taste test the multiple beer and wine samples, but also includes appetizers, American and Italian fare and a chocolate dipping fountain dessert bar. Held at Olympia Resort, special hotel packages are also available.

"New this year, will be crafted soda samples along with free soft drinks for those who choose not to imbibe," Welsh said.

"There will be five wine vendors and 20 beer vendors and Rehorst Vodka. Something for everyone," she added.

The event raises money to support charitable causes both locally and internationally.

"While one half of the proceeds will support local efforts, one half supports the Polio eradication project in the world. Since 1998, the incidence of polio has plummeted more than 98 percent. The end of polio is so close, but the work is not done," Welsh explained.

There were still four countries in the world reporting live cases before last year: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. In 2011, there were no new cases in India, leaving just three countries.

"We are getting so close. There were under 700 new cases last year," she added.

Co-chair Mike Herro said there will be craft brewers from around the country and an international table.

"Styles offered will vary from traditional lagers and ales to fancy porters and exotic-flavored beers," Herro said.

"We will have Great Lakes Distillery offering samples of their gins and vodkas. Wineries from around the globe, with California being well represented, will offer a variety of both red wines and white wines to satisfy the pallets of the novice to the sophisticated wine drinker," he added.

Brewfest will run from 6 to 9 p.m.; appetizers including crudite with dip pretzels and snack mix will be available throughout the evening.

From 6 to 8 p.m. fest-goers can sample from both The Taste of Italy station offering a choice of pastas, marinara and Alfredo sauce, grilled chicken, Italian sausage, breadsticks, Parmesan cheese and crushed red pepper and the American Fare which features hamburgers, brats, potato salad, potato chips.

Brewfest is also happy to celebrate the success of a local brewer, a former Oconomowoc High School grad who is making a name for himself in brewing circles.

"This year we will have a special VIP beer tasting session beginning at 5:15 p.m. with local award-winning brewer, Mark Duchow," Herro said.

At a recent event in Madison that drew more than 3,500 people from all over the state, Duchow's beer took Best in Show.

"Mark will be speaking about the beer-making process, different styles of beer and about his new local brewpub Sweet Mullets set to open soon," in Oconomowoc, he said.

"Mark's presentation should be both educational and entertaining. Mark makes some of the best beers in the country, you don't want to miss this opportunity to meet him," Herro added.

Tickets will be $10 at the door for that pre-fest event.

Other highlights of Brewfest include raffles of gift baskets, hotel overnight stays, 99 bottles of beer and a 50/50 raffle.

Event organizers are expecting more than 400 people to attend this year's event.

More information on the event can be found at www.rotarybrewfest.org and on Facebook under Oconomowoc Brewfest.