One of the two beer tents that were packed during Saturday’s Great Falls Brewfest in Lewiston in 2016.
LEWISTON — Those who have a love of beer, food, outdoor games and live music will find it at Baxter Brewing Co.’s fourth annual Great Falls Brewfest this weekend.
On Saturday, June 24, from 2 to 6 p.m. (noon to 6 p.m. for VIP ticket holders) at Simard-Payne Memorial Park, brewfestgoers will be able to taste up to 185 different beers from 47 breweries. They can also munch on food from 10 food trucks, play classic summer games like cornhole and disc golf and listen to music from two live bands, The Van Burens, from the greater Boston area, and The Toasters, one of the U.S.’ original third-wave ska bands.
Event organizer Adam Platz said one of the highlights this year is that happy hour has been extended by an hour. For $20 extra, VIP ticket holders will now get two hours of beer before everyone else.
“It’s a real focus on high-end beer,” he said.
This year, organizers focused on expanding the festival. The result is the presence of 47 breweries versus last year’s 38, and a boost in maximum ticket sales from 1,500 to 2,000. As of Monday night, 1,700 tickets had been sold.
Platz said people shouldn’t expect to be able to get tickets the day of the event, because they will most likely sell out before then.
A a third tent will be added to accommodate the expansion and provide more “sun shade and elbow room,” Platz said.
A competition will be held among six breweries, all of whom use Lisbon-based Blue Ox Malthouse malt, to determine which company makes the best beer.
Fifteen vendors, both nonprofit and for-profit, and 10 food trucks from Androscoggin County, Portland and the midcoast areas will be on hand.
“People should expect a really good vibe at a Brewfest,” Platz said. “And the combination of location, at Simard-Payne (Memorial) Park, and just the nature of people in Lewiston, it will be a chill festival. There’s a high emphasis on beer quality and presentation.”
There won’t be a lot of waiting in line, he added, because there are no tickets. It’s unlimited pour.
Bear Bones and Gritty’s are assisting with the event again, and Platz said he’s “pumped to have them enthusiastically on board.”
The beers he’s most interested in trying are Lone Pine and One Eye Open Brewing Co. from Portland and Mason’s Brewing Co. from the Bangor area.
Platz said he’s excited that the festival is finally here after about five months of planning and execution.
“It culminates with a bang,” he said. “A lot of work on the final leg.”
Brewfest FMI:
• VIP Session Ticket, noon – 2 p.m.: Enjoy rare and special brews by all your favorite breweries. Tickets are $60 and are not available on the day of the event.
• General Admission, 2 – 6 p.m.: Be greeted at the Brewfest with a sampling glass and wristband and make your way through the food vendors, beer tents and craft artisan offerings. Enter to play in the cornhole tournament while listening to live bands. Try your hand at disc golf with a putting competition and win prizes. Tickets may be purchased in advance for $40 or on the day of the event for $45.
• Designated driver ticket: $15
• Food and products from a selection of vendors are available to purchase onsite, but are not included in the cost of admission.
• For a full list of breweries attending the Great Falls Brewfest, visit www.greatfallsbrewfest.com/breweries.
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