HOT TRUB@BEER BASICS

HOT TRUB@BEER BASICS.COM

Vol. 03 No. 25 --- 9 October 2002

A newsletter of special interest to brewers,

members of the brewing community, chefs, restaurateurs,

and members of the media that cover the beverage alcohol business.

If you wish to be dropped from this list please respond to this posting to peter.lafrance@beerbasics.com

Include the word “remove” in the Subject: line.

(The subscriber list is the sole property of the publisher and will not be sold, given or otherwise distributed.)

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Publisher: Peter LaFrance

Editor: Deven Black

From Behind The Bar: Chris Halleron

On The Loose: Kurt Epps

On The Beat: Alan Wax

Travel: Sharon McDonnell

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FROM THE PUBLISHER

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LATEST NEWS:

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DWI CASE REFINES UNDERAGE DRINKING LAWS

Next month, Judith McCloskey, 42, will be sentenced for involuntary manslaughter. She was convicted last month of allowing a 19-year-old man to leave a party and crash his sport utility vehicle, killing himself and two passengers.

Although she did not provide the beverage alcohol, she was found guilty of manslaughter in a drunken driving death. Another adult who bought the kegs for the party pleaded guilty to furnishing minors with alcohol and was fined $1,000.

McCloskey acknowledged that she had allowed her two teenage daughters to have a party in her Bangor, ME home, but said she was unaware the youths gathered in her basement were drinking.

The case is the latest in which prosecutors have sought to expand the criminal responsibility of third parties in drug and alcohol deaths.

According to the Associated Press, McCloskey's attorney, Gary Asteak, said the case sets a dangerous precedent.

``It would put parents in the role of being probation officers for their children, and would ultimately leave them responsible for everything their kids do, whether they see them doing it or not,'' he said. He plans an appeal.

Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli said McCloskey bears added responsibility because she was in the house where the drinking took place.

``We aren't going to try to criminalize parents who are absent from the home when their kids have a party, or who are asleep upstairs while the kids are drinking in secret,'' he said. ``She was on the premises. She had a duty to make sure that kids didn't drink on the premises, and it was reckless conduct when she didn't.''

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NEW GLARUS GETS TO HORSE AROUND

The village of New Glarus, WI has agreed to let New Glarus Brewery set up a horse drawn distribution system.

New Glarus Brewery owners Dan and Deb Carey finalized a lengthy petition process recently when the New Glarus village board voted to approve their conditional-use permit application to build a barn and house two horses on brewery property. When the horses are mature enough, they will be used to deliver beer to local establishments on weekends.

There were two conditions: review of the Careys' set-up in two years and satisfactory arrangements for manure removal.

The discussion of manure removal resulted in the dissenting vote of one of the council members. Nevertheless, the board approved the permit with the plan commission's conditions.

http://www.themonroetimes.com/a1002ngv.htm

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A-B WINS ITALIAN BUD BATTLE

Last week The Italian Supreme Court gave Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. the exclusive right to use the Budweiser and Bud names in Italy. The court also ordered Czech brewer Budejovicky Budvar to stop using the names in that country, and dismissed Budejovicky Budvar's claims against Anheuser-Busch. The legal battle began in 1985 when lawyers from Anheuser-Busch began challenging alleged trademark infringements in markets worldwide.

"Anheuser-Busch began using the Budweiser trademark in 1876, 19 years before Budejovicky Budvar was established," said Steve Burrows, president and chief executive officer of Anheuser-Busch International, Inc., in a statement.

http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2002/09/23/daily67.html

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SPECIAL REPORT:

THE 21ST ANNUAL GREAT AMERICAN BEER FESTIVAL

By Jeff Sparrow

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For one weekend of every year Denver, CO is the center of the brewing universe. The first weekend of October saw around 20,000 thirsty beer drinkers gather for the 21st running of the Great American Beer Festival at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver. With 1,200 beers on tap from over 300 U.S. breweries on the Festival floor the GABF holds the Guinness world record for most beers tapped in one location. That's quite an increase from the Festival's inception in 1982. At the first Festival, held at the Harvest House Hotel in Boulder, there were 22 breweries, 40 beers and 800 attendees. The Festival moved to Denver in 1984. The 10th Festival was held at the Denver Merchandise Mart. There were 150 breweries, 500 beers and 7,000 attendees. Certainly more than size has changed in the Festival's 21 years.

Everyone agrees that the quality of beer brewed in America has increased over the past 21 years and those served at the GABF are no different, "The beers at the Festival are stupendously better than in the past," says Greg Hall, President of the Goose Island Beer Company

Competition always seems to bring out the best in brewers. The Festival's Professional Judge Panel evaluates many attending beers and awards gold, silver and bronze medals recognized around the world as symbols of brewing excellence. One downside is that the winning beers were not always available on the Festival floor. For Festival attendees, though, competition has increased the quality of the beers they pay to consume.

That didn't happen a moment too soon. Tom Nickel, the franchise brewer for Oggi's Pizza and Brewing in southern CA, has been attending the Festival for over 5 years. He feels the crowd keeps getting more sophisticated and expects better beer. "They have better style knowledge, know what breweries are in attendance and what beers they are looking to drink. They even know what beers to drink first, before they run out," comments Nickel. The brewers take notice of that consumer appreciation. More and more each year they man their booths to chat and get feedback. After all, it doesn't matter how good the beer is if no one drinks it. While the quality of the beers has changed so has the complexion of those making the best beers. Says Nickel, "It used to be all the bigger breweries and now it's the brewpubs as well."

While beer quality has increased, so has the control over the sample size of each beer. The 1 oz. sample, thought by some to be too small, has become rigidly enforced. Joe Preiser, from the Chicago Beer Society, describes the enforcement as militant. "During the Saturday afternoon session the volunteers were so afraid of over pouring that I was getting many 1/2 oz. samples."

Brewer Vinnie Cilurzo of Russian River Brewing in CA has attended for over 10 years and also feels, "they have become much tighter, rules-wise." But Association Of Brewers employee Gary Glass defends the sample size. "A 1 oz. sample allows you to try more different beers."

Despite this controversy the GABF was, nevertheless, a great time for all in attendance. Thursday evening and Saturday afternoon still tend to be smaller and with more of the brewer and beer connoisseur crowd, while Friday and Saturday evenings are popular with those wanting to let loose a bit after a long week of work. The crowds, though, are not necessarily constant. "It just feels smaller,” says Steve McKenna, also representing Russian River, “It used to be shoulder-to-shoulder on Friday and Saturday nights in Currigan Hall a couple of years ago." More elbowroom is certainly a welcome treat to long-time Festival attendees. Todd Ashman, head brewer at Flossmoor Station located near Chicago, sums it up saying, "For twenty years this event has sought to promote, educate and celebrate great beer and it has done a wonderful job." I concur and raise a glass to many more successful years. Just don't drop yours or you'll hear it from the crowd.

(Jeff Sparrow is a freelance writer on beer and brewing whose credits include regular contributions to Great Lakes Brewing News and Zymurgy. He is an organizer of beer-related events including the competition organizer and a cellarman at the Real Ale Festival in Chicago. He is a GABF judge and is rated a "Master" judge within the BJCP. He has travelled extensively to research different beer styles.)

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SPECIAL REPORT:

GABF TURNS 21: SAISON OF DISCONTENT FOR THE FESTIVAL?

By Christopher Brooks

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Is the Great American Beer Festival no longer relevant? Heresy though the question may be, it is a natural one given that every region of the country now boasts microbreweries, and celebrates that fact with one festival or another throughout the year.

None of those, of course, is on a scale with the GABF, and its gargantuan size, with more than 300 breweries and in excess of 1,200 beers, makes it the beer event of the year. Even the most jaded of beer lovers can be overcome by a look of glassy-eyed confusion—or is it fright?—on first seeing the vast confines of Denver’s concrete canyon of a convention center overflowing with brewery stands. “Where do I start?” “How do I get through this mob?” “I can’t possibly taste even a fraction of these beers” may be some of the thoughts passing through such a person’s mind at that moment.

And yet there is more to the spectacle than meets the eye. Much of what makes the GABF a must-attend industry event takes place away from the convention center. One example: the brewers reception held at the Wynkoop the night before the festival opened. The upstairs billiard hall was packed like an overstuffed hop sack with so many brewers it seemed to some as if every participating brewery sent three or maybe even four representatives. If you were lucky or lithe enough to snake through that throng there were some intriguing beers to be had, including New Belgium Brewing’s Wout, based on a mixed-bacteria fermentation and flavored in part with kaffir leaves, an India Pale Ale from Sierra Nevada, and a wet hop ale made by Longmont, CO’s Pumphouse Brewery. Between sips we bumped into the ever-affable Jeff Mendel, of Tabernash and Left Hand Brewing, who is slated to wed a Dallas damsel, Daphne Hall, next month. After a 10-day Hawaiian honeymoon the couple will reside in Boulder.

There was more elbow room at the media luncheon hosted by Great Divide Brewing the following day in spite of the recent installation of a much larger brewhouse. Hosts Tara and Brian Dunn picked up the H.C. Berger 50-barrel system at auction. It will replace their current 17-barrel system. “That will make us a lot more efficient and sets us up for good growth,” Brian observed. In addition to sumptuous eats, Great Divide offered guests a chance to sample an unfiltered, cask-conditioned version of its delicious Denver Pale Ale. Asked about Fence, the wet hop ale served at the same event a year earlier, Brian noted in a serious tone, “Didn’t you hear, there’s been a drought in Colorado. Our hops didn’t do too well.” Great Divide fared better, netting a gold medal at the festival for its Denver Pale Ale. Tara Dunn informed us between bites of smoked salmon and prosciutto that with her hours at the brewery dwindling, she plans to attend law school. The better to defend trademark disputes?

Real Beer and New Belgium Brewing shared the spotlight at a tasting and dinner Friday evening, staged at New Belgium’s beautiful new brewery. That’s right, New Belgium has already outgrown its 100-barrel brewhouse, contending with production bottle-necks five times this past year, according to brewmaster Peter Bouckaert. The new system is two-and-a-half times as large as the one it replaces, with an ultimate annual capacity that will reach 700,000 barrels.

The tasting itself was a four part affair, with the eminence grise of beer scribes, Michael Jackson, kicking things off with a rambling reminiscence of his settling in London as a youth from Yorkshire, and how he came to love the beers of Youngs and Fuller’s. This proved an artful segue into a sampling of Fuller’s Vintage Ale, featuring years 1999 through 2001. Bouckaert took the floor next, introducing three beers that had been drawn from different wooden barrels. He explained that the brewery’s distinctive La Folie, which was awarded a gold medal the next day at the GABF in the Belgian-style sour ale category, is composed of blends of such samples. We were invited to test our own blending skills, with humbling results.

Belgian brewer Frank Boon followed, offering tastes of his near-legendary lambics, the first of one year’s age, the second being a young kriek, with a three-year-old lambic finishing matters off. After that, Kim Jordan, co-founder of New Belgium, stepped forward to formally ink a deal with Boon that will provide New Belgium with Boon kriek. Those barrels should be delivered sometime next year, and they will serve as building blocks for still further creative artistry from New Belgium. Talk about burying the headline! Pete Slosberg, of Pete’s Wicked Ale fame, was also on hand to introduce his latest project, a line of chocolate bon-bons, dubbed Cocoa Pete’s, aimed at the gourmet market.

The Boston Beer Company staged a brunch at Gumbo’s Louisiana Café, where the rich, creamy crawfish Eddie almost stole the show. That owed in part to the absence of Jim Koch, who was reportedly in Cincinnati attending to his ailing mother. Brewer Grant Wood was a more-than-capable substitute MC, however, and he described the process by which he crafted Utopias, an intensely complex beer of 24 percent alcohol that comes across as remarkably smooth and balanced. Rumors that proceedings would be simulcast by a local radio station proved to be unfounded.

It is well to remember, though, that satellite events wouldn’t exist without the planet they orbit around. And the GABF is one colossal entity, the Jupiter of beer blasts. Everybody knows the numbers: 300 breweries, 1,200 beers, and one-ounce pours. Even if you add all the tasting sessions together, it can seem sort of futile, like attacking a ton of Jello with a teaspoon. Yet from the sudsy mass some intriguing trends can be discerned. “I’m relieved to see that those wheat-based fruit beers seem to be going away,” noted Andy Tveekrem, brewmaster at Maryland’s Frederick Brewing. Indeed, a high percentage of the fruit beers on hand this year seemed to be sharpened through some sort of lactic bacterial action.

Microbrewed pilsners appear to be on the rise, judging by the great number of breweries offering them this year. Whether the trend has legs may depend as much on where the micro is located as consumer education. “Our Barmen Pilsner is in ten accounts around town and we could sell to a lot more if we had the capacity,” said Tom Hail, brewer at Denver’s Sandlot Brewery at Coors Field. Barmen, incidentally, earned a silver medal as a Bohemian-style pilsner.

Pilsners remain a tough sale, on the other hand, in Oregon, reported John Harris, the brewmaster at Full Sail’s Portland location. “People in the northwest are still looking for ales, not lagers,” he remarked. Which is not to suggest that Harris has given up on the category. Not at all. As something of a pilsner pioneer among the micro ranks, Harris and Full Sail continue to produce their fine example of the style on an occasional basis. Moreover, the company has recently issued Capsize Double Pilsner, which was available at the festival. Weighing in at a hefty 7.1 percent alcohol, Capsize displays a huge malty palate, with a notable Saaz follow-through. “Kind of like a malt liquor with character,” one wit cracked.

Belgian-style brews were also well represented, continuing a trend that began a couple of years ago. Every third brewer seemed to have a tripel, dubbel or wit on hand—and some had all three—many quite well crafted indeed. Up-and-coming is the saison sub-segment, though there appeared to be no consensus on what goes into one. A particularly savory sample was served up by Scott Morrison, brewmaster at McKenzie Brewhouse, which opened in Glen Mills, PA, last December. Inspired by Saison Dupont, Morrison said he goes with a “straight line approach” that involves no spicing.

As in years past, Charlie Papazian, president of the Association of Brewers, which sponsors the beer festival, was easily accessible at an Association booth. Even as the Saturday afternoon crowd began to fill the hall and kegs were being drained, the ever-serene Papazian looked ahead to the 22^nd GABF next year, expressing concern that a continuation of the economic downturn will depress attendance, which he concedes is down from two years ago. “We can’t forget that the whole festival is new for 25 percent of the people attending, and that’s indicative of the whole market,” he said. “So the story about the diversity of American beers needs to be told over and over again.”

Papazian voiced interest in moving to a larger venue, not, though, to squeeze in more breweries. “It used to be unlimited, it was up to 450 [breweries] at one time,” he recalled. “And with the expense of the equipment and volunteer needs, what were we gaining? 1,200 beers are enough for a tasting.” More to Papazian’s palate would be an upgrading of the available food at the festival. His ultimate aim? To have restaurants from around Denver, “or the United States,” come in and prepare their specialties. “That would be a wonderful addition to this festival,” he said.

So, yes, the GABF is indeed still relevant--as if there were ever any doubt. And the notion that the great beers there may someday be paired with food of similar caliber already has us licking our lips in anticipation of next year’s event.

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SPECIAL REPORT:

THE JERSEY SHORE

By Sharon McDonnell

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Jersey -- one of the quirky Channel Islands 15 miles off the coast of Normandy and 100 miles south of England, that is --lends its name to our Garden State, a breed of dairy cow, a style of knitwear and a potato, the Jersey Royal. Should you find yourself there be sure you don't miss The Star & Tipsy Toad Brewery.

One of the anthropomorphically named pubs forever gracing the British Isles, The Star & Tipsy Toad is a spacious white brewpub with unusualy large windows and outdoor seating. Located in the town of St. Peter, The Star & Tipsy Toad’s in-house brewery is clearly visible from the dining area. Daily tours and tastings are held in this former warehouse, which became The Star & Tipsy Toad in 1992. Its award-winning beer is Jimmy's Bitter, the bronze medal winner in the cask conditioned ale category in the Brewing Industry International Awards in 2000, where brewers judged over 700 entries from 40 countries.

Other beers brewed are Tipsy Toad Ale, Tipsy's Stout, Horny Toad, Dixie's Wheat Beer, Naomh Padraig's Porter, and a seasonal brew called Festival Toad. Specialties include fresh cod in real ale batter, and this comfortable family-style pub has a children's menu and live music.

Less than an hour's flight from London, the other Jersey offers many surprises. Palm trees, semi-tropical flowers, like echiums, waist-high purple cone-shaped flowers brought from the Canary Islands centuries ago, and orchids (one of the world's biggest orchid collections, the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, creates orchid hybrids), some of the best beaches in the British Isles, and a mild sunny climate, warmed by the Gulf Stream, sometimes make you rub your eyes in disbelief.

My memories of pink granite cottages with gardens in lush bloom, coastline cliff walks with dramatic views of sheltered bays, tunnel-like narrow country lanes topped by tree canopies, and "hedge-veg,” roadside stands selling surplus strawberries, potatoes, flowers and jams with "honesty boxes" for payment, will linger longer than "sights" like the world-famous Jersey Zoo or the island's Neolithic ruins. The 45-mile-square-mile island has 350 miles of roads and lanes, ideal for walking and bicyling, including "Green Lanes" with speed limits of 15 miles per hour.

The Channel Islands are a quixotic mix of French place names and surnames and loyalty to the British Crown. Called "pieces of France which fell into the sea and were gathered up by England" by Victor Hugo, their most famous resident, who lived here in political exile for 18 years after protesting the French government, the islands belonged to the Duchy of Normandy when William the Conqueror seized Britain in 1066. But after Britain lost Normandy in 1204, the Channel Islands stayied loyal anyway, an eternal thorn in the side of the French, who persisted in attacking them.

Considered a "Peculiar" of the British Crown -- only one of many oddities here -- the stubbornly independent islands are not part of the United Kingdom nor the European Union, and have their own laws, parliaments, and currency. Everyone speaks English, but a patois of archaic French and Norse is still spoken by some of the 140,000 citizens.

During the English Civil War in the 17th century, King Charles II took refuge on Jersey with the help of a local nobleman, Sir George Carteret, who was later rewarded with joint ownership of the land now known as New Jersey. The current Lord of the Manor of St. Ouen still has the original deed.

The Jersey Zoo is known for its breeding program to save rare and endangered species from extinction. Gorillas, orangutans, tamarins, lemurs and marmosets roam in open uncaged areas on 31 acres of parkland. Opened by writer Lawrence Durrell's late brother, Gerald, the zoo is maintained by the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. (You can adopt a rare animal for a modest monthly fee, and receive photos and regular reports on its progress and momentous life occasions.)

Called one of Europe's finest prehistoric monuments, La Hougue Bie in the town of Grouville features a burial mound dating back to 3,800 B.C. One of Britain's best-preserved castles, Mont Orgeuil -- which protected Jersey from invaders from the 13th century on -- crowns the edge of Jersey's east coast. The castle towers over Gorey Village, where Jersey Pottery, a well-known ceramics studio and shop selling high-end, artistically-designed pottery is located.

Another surprise in Jersey is the gourmet food -- must be that Gallic flair. In Jersey during the annual Food Festival in May, I had excellent meals everywhere I went. At the Salty Dog Bar & Bistro, which has strong Asian and Caribbean influences, I had roasted lobster and shrimp in a garlic black beer and oyster sauce, a coconut Thai curry risotto with scallops, and a sticky toffee pudding dessert so tasty my eyes widened in sheer pleasure. My afternoon tea with scones was at Longueville Manor, a former 13th century manor on 15 acres of gardens and woodlands, now a Relais & Chateaux Hotel whose restaurant is Michelin-starred. Dinner was at the Atlantic Hotel, a small deluxe hotel, overlooking a Mediterranean-style view of palms, flowers and the sea. Lunch the next day was at Jersey Pottery's Garden Restaurant, where I had pan-fried fillet of sea bass with grilled squid, lemon and roasted peppers in a lush conservatory setting.

The only part of the British Isles occupied during World War II, the Channel Islands were occupied for four years by Germany, who intended to make them impregnable fortresses. A fascinating museum in Jersey is the German Underground Hospital, where tunnels were excavated by forced and slave labor with the goal of building a bomb-proof casualty clearing station. A moving series of exhibits tells the stories of islanders' hardships, escapes, efforts to rescue slave workers, and delirious liberation in 1945 at the Pomme d'Or Hotel in St. Helier, next to the harbor.

For more information, contact Jersey Tourism at www.jersey.com . Free walking guides and guided group walks and bicycling tours are available.

Sharon McDonnell welcomes travel story ideas; contact her at sharonfmc@compuserve.com

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Letters To The Publisher

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Peter,

Nice e-publication and thanks for all the info that comes via HotTrub. I

would like to include our Oktoberfest in your listing of events. The

information is as follows:

October 12th - Capitol City Brewing Company's 3rd Annual Oktoberfest- an

outdoor event featuring over 30 breweries from the Mid Atlantic and beyond

with Oompah bands and food from local restaurantsand other vendors. Contact

Bill Madden 703-578-3888.

Thank you in advance,

Bill Madden

Head Brewer

Capitol City Brewing Company

703-578-3888

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NEW PRODUCTS - PROMOTIONS – EVENTS – DINNERS:

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SUNDAY JAZZ BRUNCH AT CBC

On Sunday, October 6, Cambridge Brewing Co began hosting a Jazz Brunch every Sunday. Cambridge Brewing Co., 1 Kendall Square, Cambridge, MA Call: Phil Bannatyne - 617-494-1994.

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ALASKAN BREWING TAKES TWO BRONZE AT GABF

Alaskan Brewing Company brought home two medals from the prestigious Great American Beer Festival in Denver, Colorado this weekend.

Alaskan Smoked Porter and Alaskan Pale both won bronze medals for their respective categories.

"Receiving one medal at this event is a tremendous honor. Having two medals hanging around your neck is a great feeling," said Alaskan Co-founder Marcy Larson. "We couldn't be prouder of these awards. It brings national recognition to Alaska."

The Juneau-based brewery produces Alaskan Amber, Pale, ESB and Stout year round.

Alaskan Winter Ale, Summer Ale and Smoked Porter make regular appearances in limited amounts.

Distribution extends throughout the Pacific Northwest encompassing Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Northern California and Northern Nevada.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Kristi Monroe or Cindy Burchfield

907-780-5866

info@alaskanbeer.com

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FISH BREWING COMPANY RELEASE

OLYMPIA, WA — On October 1^st the Fish Brewing Company, announced the release of Fish Tale Winterfish Seasonal Ale in draft and in six packs of twelve-ounce bottles. To a heavy malt bill drawn from pale and honey malts, Fish Brewing makes three additions of Yakima Chinook hops for 70 i.b.u.’s of hop character. Winterfish will be available at pubs and stores throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Fish Brewing Company

Fish Tale Ales

515 Jefferson Street S.E.

Olympia, WA 98501 USA

www.fishbrewing.com

Crayne Horton 360/943-6990

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GREAT INTERNATIONAL BEER FESTIVAL & GREAT INTERNATIONAL BEER COMPETITION

The Great International Beer Festival and the Great International Beer Competition return to Providence, Rhode Island on November 8 and 9. This year marks the ninth year for the festival and the sixth year for the competition, both held at the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Previously named the Great Northeast International Beer Festival and the Great Northeast International Beer Competition, the two events are greatly expanded in scope this year, bringing in more beers from around the country and around the world. This expansion necessitated the dropping of the word Northeast from the events' names.

The Great International Beer Festival, held on Saturday, November 9, expects to attract approximately 5,000 people during the afternoon and evening sessions. Over 300 beers will be offered from at least 60 breweries.

The Great International Beer Competition, taking place on Friday, November 8, expects to draw several hundred professionally brewed domestic and imported beers and ciders. The beers and ciders will be judged in blind tasting panels by professional brewers. Gold, silver and bronze awards will be awarded in style categories.

Information about the Great International Beer Festival and the Great International Beer Competition is available from Festivals of America: www.click2beers.com , 401-274-3234. Brewing News.com is the media sponsor for both events.

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OCTOBER

10 – Johnston Beer & Wine Tasting, Johnston Community Center, Johnston RI. 7-9 pm. Information: 401-272-3460

12 – Capitol City Brewing Company's 3rd Annual Oktoberfest - at the Arlington, VA brewery and restaurant.Contact Bill Madden 703-578-3888.

11-19 – Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Kitchener and Waterloo, Ontario, Canada,

888-294-HANS, www.oktoberfest.ca

12 - 14 – The NBC Octoberfest - Newport Yachting Center, Newport, RI.

12 – Waffles and Puppets at Brewery Ommegang, Cooperstown, NY, 607-547-8184,

www.belgianexperts.com

12 – Acadia's Oktoberfest and Food Festival, Southwest Harbor, ME, 800-423-9264,

www.acadiachamber.com/oktoberfest.html

12-13 – Harpoon fest in Vermont, 888-HARPOON x31, www.harpoonbrewery.com