CARRABASSETT VALLEY – Joe Karter, the long-time owner of Joka’s Discount Beverage in Waterville, has passionate customers. They routinely ask him how to select the best microbrew from the 100 or more that he stocks on his shelves. How to choose? Maine liquor laws prevented him from holding beer-tasting events in his Waterville store and the only way folks could sample a wide variety of beers was to organize a brew festival at a much larger venue.
Joe teamed up with Jon Laitin whom he knew from the Waterville Intown Business Association. They spent a year trying to find an appropriate space in Waterville and it wasn’t until Jon suggested the Augusta Civic Center that they turned their attention to the Augusta area. The Civic Center had an open Saturday in April of 2009 and the Central Maine Brew Fest was born.
Since 2009, the duo has produced four brew fests which have included two events at the August Civic Center, one event at Point Lookout in Northport, and a forth at the Augusta Armory. Their fifth venture will take place at the Sugarloaf Outdoor Center on Sept. 10 from 2-6 p.m. The event will be their first outdoor event and will feature 13 Maine brewers and music from the Pat Pepin’s Blue Ribbon Band and the Blues Prophets.
“It’s been a rewarding challenge,” said Laitin who has used his organizing and marketing skills to make the brew festivals successful. “The Maine brewers love the exposure and our customers enjoy the beer tasting, socializing, and listening to some of the most exciting bands in the state.”
Karter, who deals with the brewers and distributors on a daily basis from Jokas’ Discount Beverage, says the festivals have made his business a lot more interesting.
Joe and Jon are looking forward to the Sugarloaf Brews & Blues Festival as it will be their first outdoor event. “It’s a great location in a beautiful part of the state,” says Laitin.
Pre-purchased tickets are available for $25 per person ($30 at the door), and are available for purchase online now at www.centralmainebrews.com. Sugarloaf is also offering special event packages that include overnight lodging and festival tickets for just $80 per person.
For $148 per person, guests can book packages that include lodging at the Sugarloaf Mountain Hotel, festival ticket, greens fees at the Sugarloaf Golf Club, and breakfast at the Double Diamond Restaurant.
For more information on lodging packages, please visit www.sugarloaf.com, or call 1-800-THE-LOAF.
According to their website-Cancelled. :(