Wine, Beer and Lots of Good Cheer at the Zoo

From the Zoological Society of Milwaukee:

It’s going to be an international evening when the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM) holds its annual Wines and Beers of the World fundraiser Thursday night at the Milwaukee County Zoo. You can visit apes and primates from Africa, Southeast Asia and South America as you sample wines from Australia, South America, California and other prime wine-growing regions.

But there’s more! Pair wines with gourmet cheeses. Enjoy Usinger’s Famous Sausage and Palermo’s® Pizza. Wash it down with cold beer. With your dessert wines, try sweets from Gourmet Cheesecake Shop & More or Cold Spoons Gelato. Proceeds from the event will help bring the Zoo’s animals into your homes through installation of Web cams in four animal areas and also will help purchase food for the Zoo’s animals. You can also order bottles of wine online until Feb. 10, 2012. A percentage of sales benefits the ZSM. Please note: Ape and primate viewing ends at 9:30 p.m.

What: The Zoological Society of Milwaukee’s Wines and Beers of the World.

When: Thursday, Feb. 2, 2012; 7-9:30 p.m.

Where: Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd., Milwaukee.

Details: Event features wines, beers, gourmet foods and desserts for sampling. View the Zoo’s apes and primates during the event. Purchase VIP tickets and enjoy early entry at 6 p.m. as well as entry into a drawing to win a behind-the-scenes tour of the Zoo.

Costs & Registration (through Feb. 2): Regular tickets: $40 for Zoological Society members and guests (registering at the same time as member); $50 for non-members. Register by phone (414-258-2333) or online at zoosociety.org. Online reservation will be accepted through Feb. 1, unless the event fills prior to that date. Space is limited; fees are non-refundable. Tickets can be picked up at Guest Services the night of the event.

Contributors: Special thanks to: Downer Avenue Wine & Spirits, MillerCoors, and Purple Feet Wines. Also thanks to: Alterra Coffee Roasters, Becky’s Blissful Bakery, Beta by Sabor, Blue’s Egg, Blue Moon Brewing Company, Café Hollander, Café Manna, The Cheesecake Store, Cold Spoons Gelato, Gourmet Cheesecake Shop & More, Horny Goat Brewing Company, Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company, Jean’s Cakes, Larry’s Market, Maxie’s Southern Comfort, Niemann’s Candy, OILERIE® BROOKFIELD, Palermo’s® Pizza, PepsiAmericas®, Rishi Teas, Sabor Brazilian Churrascaria, Sprecher Brewery, Stevens Point Brewery, Stir Crazy and Usinger’s Famous Sausage.

Other details: Visitors must be 21 years of age to attend. I.D. required at the door. Your fee, less $25, is tax-deductible and includes a complimentary, etched wine glass (5.6% WI sales tax included). Proceeds benefit the Zoological Society’s 2011-2012 Annual Appeal to install Web cams in four animal exhibits and purchase food for the Zoo’s animals.