Mak Sprague, Portland Brew Festival Organizer.
By Carol McCracken (Post # 1,502)
The third annual Portland Brew Festival is back on Munjoy Hill for the third consecutive year. It’s scheduled for August 30 – 31 and will be held at Portland Yacht Services, 58 Fore Street, according to Mak Sprague, organizer of the event.
Some of the breweries returning this year include Old Burnside, Angry Orchard, Boston Beer, Cisco, Clown Shoes and Harpoon. Popular beers from New Hampshire will also be on hand, including Smuttynose, Tuckerman, Woodstock and Moonlight Meadery. Rhode Island and Vermont will also be well represented with Narragansett, Long Trail, White Birch and Woodchuck.
Maine beers, meads and ciders will play an important role at this event as well. Representatives from about 20 local breweries will attend the Festival. That figure includes local favorites such as Baxter, Bunker and Funky Bow, Infidel. Organic Peak and Maine Beer. A full listing of participants is available at www.portlandbrewfestival.com.
The Maine Island Trails Association, a non-profit located at the Portland Yacht Services complex as well, is a sponsor of the event. In honor of their 25th anniversary, the Maine-based Rising Tide will be serving a special release. In addition, Rising Tide will also participate in the”Beer ME. Cheese ME” fundraiser for the Maine Brewers Guild. This special event will feature rare and distinctive beers paired with local artisan cheeses. This is a separate event and tickets may be ordered at http://portlandbrewfestival.evenbrite.com/ The event starts at 11 am and ends in time for attendees to be first in line for the festival. It’s open to anyone interested in home brewing, but space is limited so those interested should head to the website and secure their spot.
The first session is scheduled for Friday, August 30, 5:30-9:pm. That’s a fantastic way to kick off Labor Day Weekend. Additional sessions are scheduled for Saturday, August 31, from 12:30-4pm and 5:30-9pm. In the past there has been a shortage of food vendors, but this year there will be an expanded array of local food vendors on hand.
Tickets are on sale now for $35. each at wwwportlandbrewfestival.com. Event sponsors include Portland Yacht Services and MITA. Anyone interested in volunteering at the Festival can contact portlandbrewfestival@gmail.com