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Maine Beers on Tap at Augusta Brew Fest

April 18, 2010 - AUGUSTA -- When Jodi Dickens spotted the espresso amber beer offered by Peak Organic, she made a beeline to get a sample.


"It's awesome," she said. "I'm a huge coffee drinker and a big beer drinker, so together, it's like the perfect match."


Dickens, her husband, Steve, and their friend Iain Harkin drove from Derry, N.H., Saturday to attend the Central Maine Brew Fest at the Augusta Civic Center. About 1,600 beer lovers were expected to make the rounds at either the afternoon or evening session, said organizer Jon Laitin.


Now in its second year, the fest is modeled after a fall event held in Portland. Laitin said those in central Maine didn't like driving that far and that the April event could serve as a "cabin fever reliever."


That was certainly the case Saturday -- a miserable spring day that saw snow, rain and cold temperatures. Those who attended didn't have to feel guilty about spending the afternoon inside drinking beer.


"I certainly didn't want to be out in the garden," said I.J. Wilhelm, of Augusta.


Wilhelm and Jane Coryell, of Augusta, had just begun the sampling with a Belfast Bay Lobster Ale.


The day began just before 2 p.m. as participants were given a glass that showed the 4-ounce line and held 10 tickets to redeem at the booths. Sixteen brewers offered samples and Kennebec Home Brew Supplies showed off their wares as well.


Eight security guards and two Augusta Police Department officers were on hand to make sure there would be no beer-induced shenanigans, Laitin said.


Once the bell rang at 2 p.m., the beer started flowing. Pretzel leis were on sale for $1.


Ed Hamlin of Atlantic Brewing Co. in Bar Harbor said it does 20-25 of these type of events each year. He said now that microbrewing has been around for a while, the major national beer companies are trying to imitate the types of beer smaller brewers have perfected.


"You pay a little more, but you get all the aromas and flavors," he said.


by Susan M. Covers, April 18, 2010, Morning Sentinel

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