By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Feb 15, 2017 at 11:52 AM

Gathering Place Brewing Company, a new brewery taking root in Riverwest and expects to open in late spring, has launched a Kickstarter campaign which has reached half of its $25,000 goal in just seven days. And it is requesting a final push from friends, neighbors and anyone interested in supporting a new craft brewery.

The brewery is currently renovating a building at 811 E. Vienna Ave., which will become its production brewery and tasting room. Funds raised through the campaign will be used to offset costs for a walk-in cooler and tasting room bar.

"We are really excited at the outpouring of support for the Kickstarter campaign," said Joe Yeado, founder and president of Gathering Place Brewing Co. in a press release. "We established the brewery with a pledge to help the community, so it’s incredibly rewarding to see that the community believes in our mission and is willing to back us."

Gathering Place is taking a unique approach to connecting with the community. "Gathering Place will donate at least 1 percent of quarterly sales to different non-profit organizations in Milwaukee," said Yeado. "We want the community to grow and prosper as we grow and prosper."

The Kickstarter campaign runs through Wednesday, March 9. Thank you gifts include branded pint glasses, T-shirts to tickets for tours and the brewery’s grand opening, along with the opportunity to name a brewing tank and to brew a custom beer with the Gathering Place team.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.