Ben With His Dad Don Duirian at Today’s BeerFestival at Thompson’s Point
The Party Moved to Bissell Brothers After the Storm at the BrewFest And The Sun Came Back Out!
Vendors Hurrying to Get Out of the Storm’s Wet & Wild Way!
Craft Beer Lovers Partying at “BBB” Were: Tim Foster, Steve Huber and His Brother Kevin. (Note the Pallet Cleanser Around Steve’s Neck.)
By Carol McCracken (Post # 2,659)
It was one big outdoor summer party today at Thompson’s Point. That’s where over 2,000 attended the second Maine Brewer Guild ‘s Beerfest 2016.
– to check out 75 craft beers from all over everywhere. “It was a great event,” said Dan Durian, who came from Skowhegan to spend some time with his son, Ben. “We are pretty close as you can tell,” said Don who sampled more than 10 craft beers today. He said his favorites were Allagash County 16 as well as a Bissell Brothers beer. “We planned this ahead and are getting home by Uber. We are responsible people,” said Don.
The BeerFest occurred on the shores of the Fore River and under the metal roof that also serves as a protection for The Rink in the wintertime. Vendors were lined up in numerous rows facing the River as craft beer lovers walked up and down the aisles tasting beers new to them and some old favorites. Oxbow Bottling of Washington Avenue on Munjoy Hill had a presence at the Fest. “It was an awesome day,” said Anne Marisic,of Oxbow Bottling.
Around 3:45 pm the bright sunny weather took a rapid change for the worse. Dark storm clouds covered as everyone watched wondering if it pass over the Fest. It didn’t. Thompson’s Point. Organizers, including Sean Sullivan, executive director of the host Guild told the vendors they had to pack up and leave the Point because of the lightning storm overhead. .
The storm was particularly dangerous because of the metal structure under which the Fest was held. People were reluctant to leave, but a downpour and strong winds finally forced all to seek shelter in a nearby vacant building. But the storm didn’t stop this fun loving crowd from partying.
The partying continued across a field at “Spirits Row” at Bissell Brothers Brewery which received the overflow crowd from the stormed out BeerFest.
Steve Huber, wore a fish line around his neck with pretzels hanging from it. . It’s a “pallet cleanser” and really works Steve said. (He’s a high school chemistry teacher upstate, so he should know!) In between each beer, he cleansed his pallet with a pretzel – so he used up 24 pretzels. (His wife watching from nearby is the group’s designated driver.)
Party On You Party People!
Sean Steinhagen, Todd Sanchez with His Wife Jane at the BeerFest.