With people tossing kegs, holding steins and strolling around in alpine hats and lederhosen, it could only be The County’s Oktoberfest.
A summerlike day on Saturday drew more than 200 people to the Caribou Municipal Airport for the Central Aroostook Chamber of Commerce’s fourth annual beer- and wine-tasting celebration.
The event started out in 2021 as a small gathering featuring a few local beverage makers. This year it grew to its largest ever, with beers and wines from all over Maine and as far away as Virginia available for sampling. The weather was a definite high point and perfect for enjoying craft refreshment and games like the keg toss, vendors said.
“It’s a nice turnout,” said Kevin Stoneroad of Portland’s Allagash Brewing Company, a first-time participant. “The day is beautiful, so why not drink some beer and throw some kegs?”
While one of the brewery’s most famous products is its flagship Allagash White, 16 Counties proved to be its most popular on Saturday. The brew contains all Maine-grown grains, mostly from Buck Farms of Mapleton, Stoneroad said.
Orono Brewing Company co-founder Mark Horton also joined Oktoberfest for the first time. After introducing Orono’s brews in Aroostook County stores last year and participating in a Thursdays on Sweden in Caribou earlier this summer, the Oktoberfest had been on his calendar for a while, he said.
“We lucked out with the weather. It’s been a great day for it,” Horton said as he filled glasses.
Local staples First Mile Brewing Company of Fort Kent and Northern Maine Brewing of Caribou were on hand, as were The Parkhurst Siding Pub and Rodney’s at 436 Main of Presque Isle.
Geaghan Brothers Brewing Co. of Bangor and Heart of Maine Winery from Lincoln also made the trip north. Mason’s Brewing Company of Brewer and Chester Gap Cellars from Front Royal, Virginia, couldn’t come themselves, but shipped products in and chamber members manned their booths.
Darcy Haines, chamber member, poured for visitors at the Mason’s booth.
“This is a great new venue,” she said of the airport. “Attendance has been very steady.”
Inside the airport hangar, people strolled among vendors. Meanwhile, stalwart souls gathered outside for the popular keg toss, where nearly 25 participants accepted the challenge of tossing an empty 1/6 barrel keg, weighing about 27 pounds, to see who could lob it the farthest.
Kat Felch of Mapleton took first place for the women with her throw of 32 feet, 10 inches. Peyton Boles captured the men’s title with a toss of 55 feet.
Later on, 20 women and 10 men tried their hands — both of them — at stein holding, grabbing two water-filled steins and holding their hands out in front of them. As the minutes ticked by, shaking and sometimes spilling marked the end of contestant after contestant, until one remained.
Gary Marquis of Caribou took first place for the men, while Stephanie Raymond won for the women.
