AUGUSTA — The thirsty tasters at the Central Maine Brew Fest enjoyed their share of Maine-made cold brewskis Saturday, but the event wasn’t, despite what the name implies, all about the beer.
This year, in addition to sampling and comparing the virtues of, say, Allagash White Ale to the latest Hallowell-brewed offerings from the Liberal Cup, the 750 drinkers who attended could also do more of an apples to apples comparison.
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Like sipping a glass of Fatty Bampkins Hard Maine Cider made by Blacksmith Winery in South Casco, then ambling across the Augusta State Armory floor to try the hard cider fermented in Waterville by Downeast Cider House.
The two hard cider makers are the first to serve their alcoholic apple beverages at the festival, which is in its fourth year.
Downeast Cider House co-founders Tyler Mosher, Ross Brockman and Ben Manter started the company this year, with the goal of satisfying their own and hopefully others’ taste for a hard cider with a fresh-pressed taste.
Manter said Mosher’s dad had recommended the three young men, who attended Bates College together, get into the fledgling hard cider business. They tasted many of the varieties available but found them lacking — too sweet.
“They’ve got a lot of artificial sweeteners, and apple juice concentrate, while we wanted to make something that resembled fresh-pressed cider,” Manter said. “We tried to make something we liked. You shouldn’t have to train yourself to know if it tastes good. If you like it, you like it.”
Brockman said their cider, which is made in the CMP building in Waterville, next to the Hathaway Creative Center, is made from apple juice fresh squeezed from a special blend of apples by Ricker Hill Orchards in Turner.
Their creation appeared to be popular — attendees brandishing four-ounce sampling glasses lined up for cider on tap.
“I like it. It’s milder than other hard ciders, more smooth and drinkable,” said Dan Dyer, of Palermo.
Dyer, joined by his wife, brother, and sister-in-law, said it was the third year he’d attended the Central Maine Brew Fest. He said it’s a good chance to be able to sample different Maine microbrews and listen to some good music.
Splitting time on the armory stage and providing a soundtrack for the revelry were bands the Blues Prophets and fest regular Pat Pepin and her Blue Ribbon Band.
Jon Laitin, who described himself as co-head honcho of the event, with Joe Karter, owner of Jokas’ Discount Beverage in Waterville, estimated about 750 people attended, filling the parking lot and having him worried they could run out of glasses and wristbands.
“You get to taste all these different flavors from Maine microbrewers, not what you’ll get at the supermarket,” Laitin, of Thorndike, said of the event. “These brews compare favorably to any brews made anywhere else in this country.”
For the $25 admission price, participants got 12 tickets, each good for one 4-ounce sample.
Food was also available for sale, including from one business figuring beer drinkers just might also like her product — pizza.
Jessica Shepard, owner of Union-based Uproot Pie Co., served hot pizzas she pulled out of a home-made mobile, concrete pizza oven.
Keith Edwards — 621-5647
kedwards@centralmaine.com
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