Now in its fifth year, the Women’s Beer and Spirits Collective has built up great momentum. The group, created in 2022 by a handful of women in the brewing industry, now includes 13 women representing 18 breweries, distilleries and beverage brands.
The goal is to raise awareness and money to help advance women’s rights, and their busy season is March, Women’s History Month. This year, the collective has organized fundraisers at nearly 50 different bars and other establishments in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay and Appleton. The events range from happy hours and raffles to beer releases and monthlong drink specials.
“I had the highest hopes that this would continue to grow, but I had no idea it would get this big so quickly,” says co-founder Julianna Pierandozzi, a Milwaukee sales representative for 3 Sheeps Brewing. “To expand from four breweries to [what it is now] shows the positive response, but also the increase in women in this industry.”
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
In its first year, the group raised nearly $2,500 thanks to a smattering of events. Last year, a busy slate resulted in $20,000 raised for several Wisconsin charities. The organizations that will benefit this year are 9to5, Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Forward Please, Friendship Circle, Her Alliance, Lotus Legal Fund, the Oconomowoc Women’s Club, Pearls for Teen Girls, Sunshine Place and the Wisconsin Women’s Network.
Breweries participating in 2026 include local operations and Wisconsin-based representatives from national and regional breweries: 3 Floyds Brewing, 3 Sheeps Brewing, Athletic Brewing, Avery Brewing, Bell’s Brewery, Big Grove Brewery, Founders Brewing, Indeed Brewing, Lexington Brewing & Distilling Co., New Belgium Brewing, WarPigs Brewing, Young Blood Beer Co./Saturday Beer Co. and Yuengling.
“We are at a point where establishments are reaching out to us to do events, which is something I didn’t dream would happen only in five years,” adds Pierandozzi. “That shows that what we are doing is important and connects with everyone. Obviously, places have been doing their own women’s month events over the years, but our group has expanded those and hopefully shone a bigger spotlight on all establishments doing these events, whether they work with us or not.”
The schedule of fundraising events in March in the Milwaukee area includes the following. More details can be found on the group’s evolving event page.
- Friday, March 1: Sugar Maple (441 E. Lincoln Ave., Bay View) hosts a “Buzzed Spelling Bee” from 2 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 3: The Brass Tap (7820 W. Layton Ave., Greenfield) offers raffle prizes from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, March 4: Luau for the Ladies is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. at Station No. 06 (6800 W. Becher St., West Allis).
- Thursday, March 5: 3rd St. Market Hall (275 W. Wisconsin Ave.) is donating all month but having a kickoff happy hour with a raffle and prizes from 5 to 7 p.m.
- Friday, March 6: New Barons Brewing (2018 S. First St.) is releasing Loud As Helles, a lager that honors women in craft beer.
- Wednesday, March 11: Ferch’s Crafthouse Grille (418 N. Mayfair Rd, Wauwatosa) has trivia from 5 to 7 p.m. and is donating to the cause all week.
- Thursday, March 12: It’s an industry spotlight shopping night at Ray’s Wine & Spirits (8930 W. North Ave., Wauwatosa) from 6 to 8 p.m. This means swag bags and a raffle.
- Wednesday, March 18: Uncle Buck’s (1125 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.) is raising money during Pitch a Friend from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Friday, March 20: Walker’s Pint (818 S. 2nd St.) has music bingo and a raffle from 7 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, March 21: Bad Moon Saloon (4035 S. Clement Ave.), which is donating all month, hosts Bad Moon Burlesque.
- Wednesday, March 25: Highland House (12741 N. Port Washington Rd., Mequon) is donating all month and having a celebratory happy hour at 4 p.m.
- Saturday, March 28: The Crafty Cow (2675 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., Bay View) is gathering donations during its Bluegrass Brunch from noon to 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, March 31: Burnhearts (2599 S. Logan Ave.) is donating a portion of sales all week and hosting a happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. to wrap up the month.
Several establishments are donating a portion of their March proceeds to women-focused charities. These spots and ownership groups include Angel’s Share Hospitality Group, Bars & Recreation, Busby’s, Camino, Comet Café, Crafty Cow, Draft & Vessel, Dugout 54, Highland House, Honey Pie Café, Pomeroy, Steny’s, 3rd St. Market Hall and Zócalo Food Park.
