This year's BrewFest was about more than beer.
The fifth annual BrewFest CK raised $7,266 for charitable organizations across the municipality.
Each of Chatham-Kent's participating breweries held its own festival in the summer, with a portion of the ticket sales going toward a chosen charity.
The proceeds of SummerFest, held at Sons of Kent Brewing Co. on July 11, will go toward the Ontario Student Nutrition Program. The money from EauFest, held at Bayside Brewing Co. on August 8, will go to the Erieau Community Association and the Erieau Yacht Club. Money raised at FarmFest, held at Red Barn Brewing Co. on September 5, will go toward East Kent Hot Rods for Hospice, in support of the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation. The money earned at RiverFest, which was held at Glasstown Brewing Co. on September 12, will support the autism initiatives at Community Living Wallaceburg.
"BrewFest CK has always been about four breweries working together for the communities that support us," said Denny Vervaet, co-owner of Red Barn Brewing Co. "Every person who came through the gate at one of this summer's festivals helped support a local cause, just by showing up."
With BrewFest CK 2026 and summer in the rearview, plans for WinterFest are already underway.
