Nicole Gearhart - ngearhart@dailypress.net
Daily Press, Escanaba, MI, 10/9/2006
Matt Westerberg lifts a pitcher of beer at local brewer John Beck's table as friends Jeremy Mason, left, and Paul Irving prepare to enjoy a sample at Saturday's UPtoberfest Microbew Festival. The three were part of a larger group that traveled from downstate for the event.
(Daily Press photo by Nicole Gearhart)
ESCANABA - Downtown Escanaba played host to the UPtoberfest Microbrew Festival Saturday, giving beer lovers a chance to sample new products, vote on their favorites, and enjoy food and entertainment, all while supporting a pair of local charities.
The only event of its kind held in the Upper Peninsula, Saturday�s UPtoberfest was sponsored by Escanaba's Altrusa International as a fund-raiser for the Youth Assistance Program and Bonifas Fine Arts Center.
As a first-year event, organizers didn't know what to expect, but had hoped attendance levels would reach 200, said Altrusa president Linda Hood. So they were pleasantly surprised when an estimated 400 people passed through the gates.
"I think it turned out very well,%quot; Hood said. "I was surprised at how many people came and just stayed. I thought maybe they would come in and sample and leave, but they really seemed to be enjoying themselves."
The various brewers and distributors taking part in Saturday�s microbrew contest seemed to also get caught up in the festivities.
"It's not so much of a competition as it is a chance to get together and have a good time for a couple of hours under the tent," said Richard Gray, co-owner of Keweenaw Brewing Co., Houghton.
Beyond just having a good time, though, was the opportunity for people to try new products, said Andy Johnson of Escanaba's Johnson Distributing.
"I think the most important thing about an event like this is that people can try a beer that they've never tried before and were too afraid of to pick it up at the store," Johnson said.
Gray agreed with Johnson's assessment, adding that UPtoberfest came at an excellent time for his business.
"For us, coming to Escanaba was pretty important, because we're expanding and wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to bring our product into the area," said Gray.
It seems it was worth the trip, as Keweenaw Brewing took home two People's Choice Awards, winning first place with its " Lift Bridge" brew and third with its "Pick Axe Blonde." Hereford and Hops took second with "Octoberfest."
"People were very excited, and there was a lot of cheering," said Hood.
The success of Saturday's festivities bodes well for the idea of UPtoberfest becoming an annual activity, said Hood.