Craft Beer Adventures

First Night Northampton, Mass.: A New Year’s Eve Delight

by Deb C January 11, 2024

First Night Northampton, Mass: A New Year’s Eve Delight

It used to be that my husband and I would celebrate New Year’s Eve at a neighborhood party at a couple’s house we could walk to. Sadly, the hosts, and many of our neighbors and friends have since moved away. Some years, we have ventured the six hour drive North to Eastport, Maine, for it’s fun and unusual celebration. Searching for something a bit closer to home this past Dec. 31st., 2023, we found First Night Northampton, Mass., which is a New Year’s Eve Delight.

First Night Northampton, Mass.: A New Year’s Eve Tradition

First Night Northampton is a festive New Year’s Eve tradition going back decades to 1985. We live near Boston, Mass. which has a well known First Night, but we were unaware of Northampton’s. Like Boston, Northampton is a walkable city, and has a multitude of entities that participate in the festival. It’s grown to the point of 23 odd venues. Smith College, businesses, and churches, as well as traditional entertainment establishments, provide the necessary spaces for all the entertainers and audiences. Even a bank offers a warming center with bathrooms and hot beverages.

How it works: You purchase a button which admits you to all venues. Performances and activities are scheduled on the hour, beginning at 12 noon. They run for approximately 45 minutes so you have 15 minutes to walk to the next one.

Sometimes the settings are as enjoyable as the acts themselves. The Academy of Music building houses a wonderful vintage theater built in 1891 where Harry Houdini and Mae West and other legends once performed.

First Night Northampton, Mass.: A New Year’s Eve Delight for Young and Old

First Night Northampton has activities and entertainment for all ages and multiple interests. This festival of arts starts at noon with child-oriented entertainment, which is then a part of each hour’s eclectic performances until 6 p.m. Each event/activity/entertainment lasts about 45 minutes. About as long as many kids can sit still. Family activities this past New Year’s Eve included: a circus, a “mad” scientist, comedy magic, a juggler, face painting and balloon making, a yoyo guy, storytellers, and a puppet show.

The shows most likely to appeal to senior citizens wrap up by 9 p.m.

No staying up late or being awakened by fireworks! They start at 6:15, so that everyone can be in bed at a reasonable hour.

The fireworks are shot off a parking garage in mid-downtown. They can easily be seen from cars in nearby public parking lots and from many convenient vantage points, including in strollers. Once the show is over, it may be only a block or two walk to your parked car. There’s free on-street parking and in municipal lots, except for the downtown parking garage.

First Night Northampton, Mass.: 12 Hours of Musical Performances and Special Acts

Whether you’re seeking a day or evening filled with lively energy or a more laid-back experience, Northampton’s New Year’s Eve extravaganza has it all.

The contemporary performers at First Night run from amateur ensembles, such as The Raging Grannies, the AEIOUkes who are a mix of amateur and trained musicians, to professional musicians and groups of note. Some of the musicians and singers play or played with headlining Rock Bands and received Grammy nominations. Then there’s the delightful Ardaigh, an Irish band, and Klezamir, a rockin’ klezmer band as well as Happy Valley Guitar orchestra and the Offbeat Womyn’s Drumming Ensemble.

The Raging Grannies delivered their political commentaries in clever, whimsical, or poetic manner set to familiar tunes. We weren’t familiar with them, but chose them as the name appealed to us.

The casual upbeat atmosphere at First Night Northampton 24 lent itself to literal dancing in the aisles whether the two-step or the hora. For those who were in the mood for more dancing during the later evening hours, there was the Peace and Rhythm Dance Party.

As midnight approaches, it’s traditional to gather at the Hotel Northampton for the iconic raising of the ball. On Dec. 31, 2023, Steve Sanderson of WRSI hosted the Midnight Countdown with Peace & Rhythm DJs getting folks on their feet dancing.

Navigating First Night Northampton, Mass.

First, we went to FirstNightNorthampton.org.

We later picked up a newspaper that had a full page devoted to the event:

The website has all kinds of helpful information. We downloaded the performance schedule.

The next thing we did was look at FirstNightNorthampton.org to read the descriptions of all the performers and acts. They were impressive. My husband and I marked halfway across the box of which ones appealed to us with contrasting yellow and green highlighters. For most of the hour slots, we found performers we both agreed upon. We downloaded and printed out the map with the key to all the venues. As it was half the size of a letter size piece of paper, we then enlarged it to a full sheet. We highlighted the venues where we needed to go on the map. By and large, most weren’t that far from each other.

As you can see from the wear and tear of the the performance schedule and downtown map, we got a lot of use out of them.

Once we were sure we could commit to going, we bought our buttons online. We had to pick them up in person day of, but we saved $4 each by purchasing ahead of time and where we picked them up was in the heart of downtown. They also offered a discount for buying before Dec. 31, seniors, and adult day only (until 6 p.m.) buttons. There was a lower price for kids up to 10 and only 2 were free.

Finding parking was easy and plentiful when we arrived in Northampton on Dec. 31st., which was about 11:20 a.m. As we walked towards the Downtown, we could hear a lively band playing al fresco. Thorne’s Marketplace, where we could pick up our buttons, is in the middle of Main St., and just a few blocks away. We had no problem finding the First Night Box Office (tables set up in a hallway) and waiting in line wasn’t a trial.

As soon as we claimed our buttons, we attached them to our coats. Each venue had Greeters/Checkers at the door looking for buttons. It was very casual and easy as people just walked through entrances without pausing, much easier that using ticket takers. Checkers tended to be senior citizens and there was one in a wheelchair.

Note that, for those with children or finicky bladders, in addition to two designated warming centers with restrooms and hot beverages, several of the entertainment spaces allowed use of their bathrooms.

First Night Northampton, Mass.: Plenty of Shopping, Food and Drink Options

Downtown Northampton, Mass. boasts a charming downtown. It’s main and side streets are lined with charming shops and businesses. Thorne’s Marketplace, a circa 1873 historic three story commercial building, is home to an array of independent, locally-owned retailers and restaurants lining a sort of in-door wooden-floored alley. You could easily spend a day there. Check out ShopNoho and Northampton.live for more information about Northampton’s businesses. We walked by several vintage shops that I hope to explore someday.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you know that we are fans of craft beer. Whenever we go somewhere, we seek out breweries. Northampton has several, some steps away from where we parked. When it was time for a break, we went to Northampton Brewery Bar and Grill, western New England’s original brewpub.

It’s not only brewery, but also has a full bar and boasts a fireplace and rooftop beer garden. Unlike some breweries that have a sparce food menu, it offers a wide variety of appetizers, salads and soups, burgers, fish fry, and a kids menu. The food and beer were just right and service was quick and friendly. TV’s were placed so we could catch the end of the afternoon football game.

After catching the fireworks, and a few more performances, we found Progression Brewing Company on a side street off Main Street and just blocks away from our parked car. They had a more limited menu, but still better than many others. We split a handmade pretzel and enjoyed a flight of IPA’s. They were gearing up for a New Year’s Eve party with live band before we left for our hotel.

First Night Northampton, Mass.: A Fantastic Way to Spend New Year’s Eve

If you are looking for a fun and different way to spend New Year’s Eve, as we were, seriously consider First Night Northampton. What an incredible variety of entertainment and venues! What a reasonable price – $16 – for 12 packed hours! My only regret is that we didn’t go a day earlier to experience more of what the downtown had to offer. We were so busy moving from one performance to the next that we didn’t have time to take in much, except quick glances at the shop windows and signs. My other regret is that I wish we had gone a day earlier. If we didn’t drive there day of, we might have had the extra energy to go to the later dance parties and been part of the countdown and ball raising at midnight.

Do you have a favorite way of spending New Year’s Eve? Or a fun place to spend it? Please comment below.

So many beers and breweries, how to keep track?

If you want to keep more detailed records of where you went and what beer you enjoyed, you might like Keeping Up with Craft Beers: A Journal for Your Tasting Adventures. You can list up to 100 beers, as well as list breweries and brew pubs you liked as well as beer festivals.

Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

Want or need help with your blog or website? I’ve found inexpensive help on Fiverr.

Check out our Etsy shop, GrandmotherstrunkUS

January 11, 2024 0 comment

Native beaded bib artifact, Sheldon Jackson State Museum, Sitka, Alaska

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What I Learned on a Cruise to Alaska

by Deb C September 30, 2023

What I Learned on a cruise to Alaska

First, what I learned on a cruise is that Alaska is much, much larger than I ever realized. The typical map that shows the Continental U.S. and then insets off to the side with Hawaii and Alaska do Alaska a disservice.

During the cruise we were on, a retired U.S. Park Ranger gave some lectures. In one, she showed a map of the Continental U.S. with Alaska superimposed upon it. Yikes! Alaska, with it’s island possessions, stretches from Florida and covers an incredible amount of the U.S. land mass up to the Canadian border. It was truly a bargain purchase from Russia.

What I learned on an cruise is that Alaska is more isolated than you’d think.

Much accessible only by plane or boat.

Parts of it are not attached to either the larger land mass where Anchorage and Mt. Denali are or to the Continental U.S.

In other words, you have to cross through Canada if you want to go even part way via land.

The cruise to Alaska didn’t take us to the larger land mass where the bulk of the population lives, but only to coastal and island towns. So, while you may cruise to Alaska, you are only cruising to a tiny portion of it. You can only reach Juneau, the capital of Alaska, by sea or air. No roads lead to the city.

I learned that parts of Alaska, those along the coast, are more moderate in temperature and less snowy than expected. A tour bus driver mentioned that they only got about 16 inches of snow, as a rule. It may be more misty and rainy, than snowy.

Because you can only access some of Alaska by sea or plane, prices for food and supplies are high. In Hoonah we heard that milk is $17 a gallon and it’s hard to get eggs, unless you own or know someone who owns chickens.

What I learned on a cruise is that Alaska is much more than glaciers and Polar Bears

The part of Alaska that we visited is very sea-oriented. Some of the places we visited were actually islands, not the mainland. The population hugs the coastline. There are bears, but not Polar Bears, who are struggling to survive much farther North.

Where we visited, much of the population seemed to be involved in the tourist industry. Icy Strait Point, we were told, was basically created by the locals to capitalize on the cruise ship visits to the area. They only open when a ship is in port. Attractions include a restored 1912 Alaska salmon cannery and museum, nature trails, restaurants, 100% Alaskan-owned retail shops, zipline, whale and wildlife watches, and more.

Here’s part of the display of the vintage cannery machinery at the Cannery Museum in Icy Strait Point:

It also capitalized on the steepness of the terrain with the SkyGlider gondolas that ascend to 1,600 feet of elevation at Sky Peak. The 54 cabins each hold eight passengers, all enjoying window seats. The cabins accommodate wheelchairs. The SkyGlider almost soundlessly moves above a magnificent rain forest and offers a great view. Unfortunately we were there on a rainy day, but still enjoyed the experience.

Note: there is a free Transporter gondola service that gets Wilderness Landing cruise ship guests closer to the Cannery area and Ocean Landing cruise ship guests close to the SKYGLiDER to reach the top of the mountain.

For those with mobility issues there is a shuttle service from the piers to the gondolas.

After riding the Skyglider, we took a shuttle bus ($5) into the town of Hoonah. We checked out two restaurants that we found along the waterfront. They both only had outside, if sheltered, seating. As it was a raw, windy and rainy day, we ended up for the inside warmth of Icy Strait Brewing, which is also where the shuttle bus leaves from to take us back to our starting point.

It was surprising to find a brewery in such a humble town, but the selection and taste of the beer was great. The price was in line with those in the New England area.

Alaska has several similarities to Maine

People from all over the U.S. fall in love with the area and move there, despite the challenges. Which we have found in DownEast Maine.

The seacoast and reliance on shipping and ocean-related industries is similar. The salmon industry is also prominent to both coasts.

Sea and land creatures and vegetation are of general similar appearance: whales, birds, trees. Whales seemed a little more common, at least where we traveled. Seagulls and robins, or robin like birds, were similar to the eye.

The mountains in Alaska are higher and the crevices in between deeper, at least to the eye, but it’s as if the mountains in Alaska are enlarged and more snow capped than in Maine.

What I learned on a cruise is that Alaska’s Indigenous People are much more than Eskimo or Inuit

I learned that Alaska’s Indigenous People are resilient and of more different groups than Inuit. The museums we went to had astounding and enlightening artifacts from dozens of tribes.

In Sitka, we visited the Sheldon Jackson State Museum. It is in a very modest looking octagonal building that doesn’t reflect the extensive and fabulous collections inside. The curators make excellent use of the space, and tells stories through the exhibits of Alaskan Native Peoples of many nations and tribes. Traditional clothing, masks, baskets, totems, and kayaks and more delight, stun, and educate.

Remembering hearing that Native People use everything from animals, there’s proof in the clothing and useful items made from the skin, gut, and intestines of larger sea animals. An example is a baidarka, a traditional skin-covered watercraft used by the Aleut and Alutiiq people. They made bags out of gut and bladders.

In Juneau, we visited the Alaska State Museum, which also displayed an incredible variety of artifacts from Alaskan Native Peoples.

Totem poles are very much a part of Alaska’s cultural heritage. Sitka in particular has a totem park and a walking trail of totem poles. The museums also feature examples.

Indigenous craftspeople still spend months making them.

What I learned about Alaskan Wildlife while on a cruise

While when you think of Caribou, you think of Canada, they actually also live in Alaska, and thousands, upon thousands migrate from northern Alaska across Canada.

Salmon: there are several varieties of salmon in Alaska. Like the Atlantic salmon, those in the Pacific are also threatened by man affecting their habitants.

It’s very common to see whales, even from the shore. We saw multiples of Orca surfacing and blowing and then diving with a flip of their tails. We also saw them as we were cruising from the ship when we were along the Alaskan coast. You didn’t have to take a special tour to see them.

What I learned on a cruise about Glaciers in Alaska

First of all, our cruise itinerary included Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Well, we got to see icebergs from the glacier, but not the glacier. We were partially through the fjord when the ship’s captain announced that we were turning around. It seems that he was alerted that there were too many icebergs in the narrows and that it was unsafe to proceed. Our joke about seeing Alaska before it melts was unfortunately not a joke. Evidently the glacier was calving at a rapid rate.

When we got off the ship in Juneau, we signed up for a city and glacier tour by bus. Well, the city tour was brief and then the bus took us off to Glacier national Park, which was stunning. The driver was, half Irish and half Indigenous extraction. He told local cultural stories about the bear and raven as he drove along.

We were dropped off in the parking lot near the Mendenhall Glacier where there is access to several walking trails. We followed several of the lower trails and viewed the glacier and the lake that it is calving into. The Mendenhall Glacier was eerie looking, like a river that was flash-frozen.

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center offered several amenities and a short film. The trails we took were all relatively easy. The Trail of Time, which connects to East Glacier Loop, includes historical signs and handicapped accessibility. We had plenty of time to wander and take in the Mendenhall Glacier and the Visitors Center before the bus returned.

To wrap up what I learned on a cruise to Alaska

I learned that I should have studied up more about Alaska before the cruise. I did leaf through an old cruise book, that covered the usual ports: Sitka and Skagway and Juneau, but it didn’t prepare me for where we actually were going. I confess I didn’t realize that we would only experience a fraction of the state. Also where we were docked was touristy and we didn’t get much of the local culture, with some exceptions. Taking the shuttle bus to the community of Hoonah, as opposed to the “made for tourist consumption” restaurants and shops was seeing a bit of the “real” Alaska.

Waiting to sign up for excursions until we landed worked for us, as the weather was a factor as far as enjoyment.

Also, our itinerary was changed due to unforeseen circumstances. Icy Strait Point was substituted for Skagway. A Seattle Uber driver told us that Skagway had some dock issues and there was construction on the piers. We did enjoy Icy Strait Point so not upset in the substitution. As mentioned, we didn’t get to see the Dawes Glacier, which was a big disappointment.

Some of the things that we thought wouldn’t be that interesting, turned out to be fascinating and educational.

In the end, I learned that an average cruise to Alaska is just enough to whet your appetite, and more time is needed to truly appreciate the 49th state.

Have you visited Alaska? What were the high points of your trip?

Please comment below.

So many beers and breweries, how to keep track?

Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

Want or need help with your blog or website? I’ve found inexpensive help on Fiverr.

Check out our Etsy shop, GrandmotherstrunkUS

September 30, 2023 0 comment

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Fun Things to Do in Greenfield Mass.

by Deb C September 30, 2022

There’s many fun things to do in Greenfield, Mass.

We had never been or heard of Greenfield, Massachusetts. It’s out near Amherst, Mass, off of Rt. 91, along the Mohawk Trail. When we looked for things to do one weekend, we came across “Greenfield Vintage Days.” We unexpectedly found many fun things to do in the city of Greenfield, Mass.

Greenfield Vintage Days, Greenfield, Mass.

Greenfield Vintage Days event was on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. We went on Saturday as there were the most things to do. The core of the event, and where we started exploring Greenfield, was in Court Square. Free parking was available in nearby city lots. Several of the shops lining Main Street had Sidewalk Sales. It’s easy to navigate across streets with pedestrian traffic signals. We hopped a free Trolley Ride to visit historic and vintage places around the city.

The Farmer’s Market is a fun thing to do in Greenfield, Mass.

The Farmer’s Market boasted several stalls of freshly harvested local produce as well as crafters. The Taco Food Truck attracted a long line of customers. During Greenfield’s Vintage Days, a group of vintage tractors attracted a lot of interest. There was also a blacksmith demonstrating his craft over an open flame. Members of the Historical Commission were in period costume.

Finding art on Main Street is a fun thing to do in Downtown Greenfield, Mass.

The Downtown is alive with color: sidewalks, parking meters, the sides of buildings are all brightened by vivid paintings of all kinds. Even parking meters pop with color.

Chairs in the park offer a bright rainbow of seats:

Then there’s the sidewalks. Here’s one with a bee theme:

The sides of buildings with wide alleys beckon the eyes with their murals:

A Fun thing to do in Greenfield, Mass. is to “bee” on the lookout for bees in painting and sculpture

Why bees? Greenfield was the home of Lorenzo Langstroth, pastor of the Second Congregational Church during the mid-1800s, who is known worldwide as the “father of modern beekeeping.”

Reverend Langstroth was the inventor of a revolutionary moveable-frame beehive, patented in 1852. The hive made it easier to inspect the hive and harvest honey. He wrote the first American manual on honeybees and beekeeping. First published in 1853, and reprinted multiple times since, it’s still considered the “Beekeeper’s Bible.”

We discovered that a Langstroth Bee Fest is celebrated downtown with a parade, children’s activities, bee-related displays and talks, and more fun. In 2021, six large bee sculptures painted by local artists were installed around the downtown area and were unveiled during the Bee Fest. More have been added since then.

Here’s the Celtic Bee:

There are other bee-related features, such as the cross-walk shown earlier in this post, as well as paintings like this incorporating bees:

Browsing vintage, secondhand, and thrift shops is another fun thing to do in Greenfield, Mass.

There are several vintage, secondhand, and thrift shops within walking distance of each other in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Many are on Main St. Each of them has their own personality. During Greenfield Vintage Days, many had sidewalk sales and specials. They all had unique personalities and plenty to browse. One, John Doe, Jr. specializes in vintage vinyl records.

Down on Hope Street, which is off Main Street, you will find a Salvation Army Thrift Store and Innovintage, a woman-owned vintage and artisan collective. Innovintage is located in an old brick mill complex. The vendors offer a variety of vintage and antique furniture and furnishings, vintage accessories, upcycled wedding decor, and handmade items. Unfortunately, the trolley tour we were on only allowed us time for a brief peek at the goodies. We thought the prices we saw on vintage wooden items along the deck were very reasonably priced. There was plenty of parking and the day we were there there were also several vendors set up in the parking lot.

The Historical Society in Greenfield, Mass. is a fun place to stop in

The Greenfield Historical Society is housed in a well-kept Victorian building. The displays are well thought out with lots of informative signage. For a small museum, it packed in a lot of items. I’ve owned a vintage shop, bought and sold antiques and collectibles for decades , attended auctions since I was eight, and I saw things there I’ve never seen elsewhere.

This self-propelled wheel chair, circa 1890, is unique in my experience.

One room is devoted to children’s items and pastimes. They are invited to sit at a wooden desk and look at stereoscope slides.

Here’s a few other displays at the Historical Society in Greenfield:

The Museum of Our Industrial Heritage is another fun thing to visit in Greenfield, Mass.

The Museum is rather small, tucked into one part of an old mill building, but makes good use of the space with family friendly displays.

Call ahead as it’s open Summer Saturday afternoons and by appointment. Visit industrialhistory.org for information and group programs. The museum has a library of past technology that researchers may request access to.

Dining out is a fun thing to do in Greenfield, Mass.

Some restaurants in Greenfield, Mass. may have bee or honey-themed art or specialties. The ones we saw popped with personality and pride.

There’s Bonnie B’s Restaurant:

It was hard not to stop in at the colorful Rise Above Bakery and Cafe, but we wanted to be on time for the Trolley Tour:

We did end up having bread from the Rise Above Bakery when we had a late lunch at The People’s Pint, a family-friendly brewpub, on a side street in Downtown Greenfield.

They offered sidewalk seating, as well as indoor booths. Sorry that the sun was so bright that day, it affected my outdoor photo. Here’s some photos of the interior, food, and a beer flight:

They brew their own beer, bake their own desserts, and source from local farmers and suppliers. They are very environmentally conscious, not using disposable plastic, minimal paper goods, composting or recycling everything they can. The brewery grain is fed to pigs and goats in Gill, Mass.

So many fun things to see and do, you’ll “bee” sure to have a fun time in Greenfield, Mass.

Know before you go:

We went when there was a special event and many venues were open for it that have limited hours. We also went in early fall on a bright warm day. The Trolley Tour was a special part of the event and not regularly offered. Greenfield Vintage Days was a brand-new event and it will probably return with many new features. For those who like old fire department equipment, Greenfield is planning on a museum and raising money for it.

Check the City of Greenfield’s website for any events. Also be sure to check this website: Visit Greenfield, MA.

Plan ahead by checking to see if the places mentioned in this post are indeed open, or schedule an appointment, if they offer that option.

There are many more things to see and do than we knew about, or had time for. OH, and the Franklin County Fairgrounds are nearby, so you could coordinate a trip to the fair and the city. See also Wikipedia for more information about Greenfield, Mass.

Also check the local newspaper, the Greenfield Recorder, for information about special events and venues.

If you go…please let me know and leave a comment below.

Want to learn how to start a blog?

Here’s some courses to get you started: Start A Travel Blog

or Start A Blogging Business.

Keeping Track of Craft Beers

While many use an app for tracking their brewery visits, physical journaling is very popular, too. Consider: Keeping Up with Craft Beers: A Journal for Your Tasting Adventures, for yourself or for a gift for a friend. You can keep more detailed records of where you went and what beer you enjoyed. You can list up to 100 beers, as well as list breweries and brew pubs you liked as well as beer festivals.

September 30, 2022 0 comment

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Downeast Maine Fourth of July Fun

by Deb C July 1, 2021

Head to Way Downeast Maine for Fourth of July fun, fireworks, and patriotism.

If you like to celebrate the Fourth of July while skipping crowds, head to small town Downeast Maine, for fun, fireworks, and patriotism. The local Fourth of July committees put together a surprising number of events to enjoy. There are enough parades and fireworks that you can see several during a July 4th weekend. There’s even one town where you can see two fireworks displays on the waterfront at the same time.

Downeast Maine Fourth of July Fun for All

There’s something for everyone to enjoy during Downeast Maine Fourth of July celebrations. From crate and lobster boat races to frog jumping contests. There’s doll carriage and bike decorating contests and Miss Fourth of July contests. Plus lots of music by local musicians. There’s also plenty of local food and Farmer’s Markets. For a very small town of about 1300, Lubec, Maine offers an incredible amount of home town style events. You can find the schedule for 2022 here.

And, there’s also local breweries, for those who like craft beer. Lubec’s brewery has a beer garden, to boot. There’s a new brewery on Eastport’s waterfront, Hornrun Brewing, that we look forward to trying.

Downeast Maine Fourth of July Fun includes good food

Look for signs like this one along Rt. 1 and outside churches for a great and memorable meal.

Churches, like the West Methodist Church in Lubec, offer up a special lunch or bean supper. The West Methodist Church is known for having it’s annual fish chowder and pie sale on July 3rd. Except for 2020, during the Pandemic, they also have a Bazaar and offer sandwiches for a dollar. In 2020 they cleverly offered chowder and pie through a drive-thru set-up. The chowder came with crackers and you had a slice from a choice of a couple of pies. The chowder is always full of fish and very flavorful. Here are photos of the chowder and pie we brought back to our cabin to enjoy. The chowder came in a plastic tub hot and fresh from the pot and we couldn’t wait to enjoy it.

Usually at the West Methodist United they have tables set and you can sit down and enjoy the chowder in the lower church hall, as well as the camaraderie of the church volunteers and other chowder lovers. In 2021 and 2022 they are back to sit-down serving. And, they have a mouth-watering, really, selection of slices of homemade pies to chose from. You can’t just chose one and walk away. And it’s hard, so hard to choose. We usually buy four to go and cut them in half to share over the next two meals. Maybe.

Downeast Maine Fourth of July Fun includes parades, lots of them

Even the very small towns in Downeast Maine seem to muster enough participation for a parade. They may not be long, they may not have a band, but they have heart, humor, and patriotism. Many of the floats reflect the fishing culture and some local subjects to maybe slyly poke fun at. They may have them at different times, or on July 3rd, not the 4th, so that you can take in more than one in a day, or weekend.

Some towns have a “horribles” or in Lubec’s case, a shirttail parade in addition to a traditional parade. Eastport has a torchlight parade the night of July 3rd in addition to it’s big parade. Click here for Eastport’s 4th of July weekend schedule.

Different years, we try to see different parades. We’ve enjoyed the Jonesport parades, Cutler, Machias, Eastport and Lubec. We hope to see Pembroke’s parade some year. It has conflicted with some other events we like to attend.

Here’s photos from the 2020 Machias fourth of July parade:

Unfortunately I didn’t think to cross the road and take photos with the sun at my back. But this was also during COVID and we were keeping our distance.

The Downeast parades often have groups of go-carts and other mini-sized vehicles manned by groups that are part of the Anah Shriners of Bangor, Maine. Machias had several last year. The go-carts sometimes do tricks going up and over a ramp mounted on a car.

Here’s some pictures of Lubec parades:

The float above was a creature made from beach trash.

Eagle Float in Lubec, ME July 4

Depending upon the timing and transportation, you can see both the Lubec and Eastport parades. They are about 45 minutes apart by car, 20 -25 by boat. Then there’s by air. Both Lubec and Eastport have small airports. In 2020, Senator Susan Collins made use of air and water to participate in both parades as well as the one in Jackman Maine.

Downeast Maine Fourth of July Fun Fireworks

What’s the Fourth of July without fireworks and Maine has lots of them. The newspapers print lists of them. Eastport is known for having the biggest of all in Maine. Not only can you see them while in Eastport, but also from Campobello Island and Lubec. In addition, private parties also have their own displays along Eastport’s waterfront so there’s lots to enjoy. On Campobello, people congregate on the beaches to watch.

If you go down to Lubec’s waterfront, you can see in the distance the area where the fireworks are set off. While some may say it’s not as good as being in Eastport, or on Campobello, it’s still a good experience. Unfortunately, in 2021, U.S. citizens can’t go to Campobello until the Canadian and U.S. governments allow it, due to COVID.

On Johnson St., which winds along Lubec’s waterfront, you can see Eastport across the Bay. About midway on the horizon in the above photo is about where the fireworks are set off in Eastport.

Some years Lubec and Eastport have fireworks on the same night, weather permitting, and that is when you can see two town’s fireworks at the same time. It’s a great experience as the fireworks are reflected on the water.

The area is known for its fog, the Quoddy Mist, and it has caused fireworks to be postponed more than once. In 2020, as the clear sky was growing pink as the sun set, the mist silently started rolling in.

Someone must have made the decision to start the fireworks early due to the sudden appearance of the mist. The result was a very different effect, but very engaging. I tried to capture some photos of the fireworks in the mist.

Downeast Maine Fourth of July Fun worth the trip

This post touches on just some of the many delights and activities that you can enjoy while Downeast, especially the eastern most part, around the Fourth of July. One local source is The Quoddy Tides newspaper, which is published twice a month and provides news about the most eastern part of Washington County, and adjacent Canadian towns plus Campobello and Grand Manan. As you drive along Rt. 1 there are so many beautiful as well as funky things to see. I’ll write about some of them in another post.

Have you visited Downeast Maine during the Fourth of July? What do you like about the celebrations? Please comment.

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Keeping track of your craft beer adventures

The Maine Brewers Guild distributes a free Maine Beer Trail brochure. You can either download one from their website or pick up a hard copy at member breweries. Get rewarded for visiting breweries if you have a brewery staff member checkoff, sign and date the brochure when you visit. You can earn a hat, t-shirt, or a prize pack, if you visit 10 or more breweries.

July 1, 2021 0 comment

Craft Beer Adventures Travel outside the United States

Oktoberfest History and A Virtual Beer Tasting

by Deb C October 27, 2020

Combining Oktoberfest History and a Virtual Beer Tasting

Fall is the time for the biggest folk festival in the world, Oktoberfest, held in Munich, Germany in late September through the first week in October. Several smaller versions are held around the world and especially in the United States. Breweries brew up seasonal beers in the German style. Bars, brewpubs, restaurants, and organizations celebrate with special draft lists, menus, and Oktoberfest influenced events. Some break out traditional German music and lederhosen and dirndls.

Sadly, due to COVID19, this year’s Oktoberfest, and generally most other celebrations and gatherings are cancelled.

But, the breweries are still brewing. And people can still enjoy German or German-inspired beer. And, like many other activities, beer tasting and socializing has gone virtual. In lieu of cancelled Homecoming events, Framingham State University (FSU) organized a virtual alumni event combining Oktoberfest History and a virtual beer tasting.

Organizing the Oktoberfest Virtual Beer Tasting

The Framingham State Alumni Relations Office reached out to Exhibit “A” Brewing Company in Framingham, MA. A staff member has a connection to the General Manager, Kelsey Roth. Kelsey signed on to do a virtual presentation highlighting Oktoberfest.

I am a member of the FSU Alumni Association Board. As a fan of craft beer, and the publisher of a beer journal: Keeping Up with Craft Beers, I helped with some promotion and preparation for the online event. In addition, if anyone buys a journal on Amazon through Dec. 31st and emails the receipt to [email protected], the proceeds will be donated to the FSU Alumni Leadership Scholarship Fund.

Kelsey put together a special four pack of Exhibit “A” Beers for the virtual beer tasting. He included: Briefcase Porter, an American Porter; Wandering Thoughts, a Double Dry Hopped (DDH) Double IPA; Goody Two Shoes which is a German Style Kölsch, and their German inspired Focal Point Munich Dunkel Lager Beer.

All the Exhibit “A” beers, including the special limited time 4 pack, are available by online ordering for pickup at their taproom at 83 Morton St., Framingham, MA.

Prior to the event Jenn DeFronzo, the Director of FSU Alumni Relations, asked me to put together a list of Octoberfest beers. I wasn’t sure about that, but I learned a lot, about the seasonal beers, and more about Oktoberfest itself.

I am going to share what I learned, and the lists I came up with, thanks to my online research and Wikipedia.

Oktoberfest: THE German Folk Festival

First of all, my husband and I went to the Oktoberfest in Munich years ago. We weren’t prepared for how large it was and that it was much more than beer halls. We were stunned by all the amusements: the rides, and booths, and splendid displays. Just walking around was so entertaining. We still think that it is on a par, or better than DisneyWorld and Universal Studios. Just on such a different level. We couldn’t get over how large the beer tents are. And how many. They can hold several thousand people. Incredible! And the waiters and waitresses are amazing. Heart cookies of gingerbread, costumes, pretzels, sausages, and of course, beer, are plentiful. We hope to go back some day.

Oktoberfest is, according to Wikipedia, the largest volksfest (beer festival and traveling funfair) in Germany. It’s always held in Munich, Germany and for 16-17 days in September through the first Sunday in October. Originally it was held in October and the name stuck. It was pushed back to enjoy the warmer September weather. Its origins were a public celebration upon the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (1786–1868), later King Ludwig I (reign: 1825–1848), to Princess Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen on 12 October 1810. The site was originally a horsetrack. The marriage celebration included a horse race and various activities. The horse race and activities were expanded on the couple’s first anniversary, including children performing in the traditional dress of the various Bavarian regions . The celebration became annual and snowballed. No more horse racing, but horses are prominent in the opening parade. Generally over six million people attend and drink about the same amount in liters of beer.

What kind of beer do they serve at Oktoberfest?

As Kelsey Roth can tell you, only breweries within the Munich city limits can participate in Oktoberfest. And only beer conforming to strict regulations limiting the ingredients, and brewed within the city limits of Munich, can be served at the Munich Oktoberfest. Beers meeting the criteria are designated Oktoberfest beer, although the name ‘Oktoberfest beer’ also denotes two distinct beer styles: a traditional Marzen lager and a paler, ‘Festbier’ that is now what is served at Oktoberfest itself.

The Munich breweries that can produce Oktoberfest beer are:

Oktoberfest Beer is a registered trademark by the Club of Munich Brewers, which consists of the above six breweries. So other breweries have to use Octoberfest with a “c” or “Oktoberfest-style, or other variations.

About the Marzen Lager Beer

“Marzen” means March in German. Due to a strict Bavarian ordinance, no beer could be brewed in the summer, so beer was brewed in March, and aged or “lagered” in cool cellars or caves over the summer. Then in September the “March” beer was brought out and enjoyed. The Oktoberfest traditions and the beer evolved as well.

Oktoberfest and Exhibit “A’s” General Manager, Kelsey Roth

On October 22, Kelsey Roth, Exhibit “A” Brewing Company’s General Manager gave a virtual presentation about the origins of Oktoberfest, German style beers. Along the way, he and viewers sipped and savored Exhibit A beer representing a variety of styles.

The presentation was recorded and posted on the Framingham State University Alumni Facebook page. The presentation is a little over an hour and full of information about Oktoberfest and beer from a beer expert’s point of view. Kelsey gives a more detailed overview of Oktoberfest than this blog post. He also explains the ingredients and brewing process. He mentions that scientific analysis revealed that long ago, the lager yeast used in German beer somehow made its way there from Patagonia, Argentina. If you thirst for knowledge about beer, as well as beer, give Kelsey a listen.

Exhibit “A” Brewing Company, Framingham, MA

You will find Exhibit “A” at 83 Morton St., a side street adjacent to Rt. 135 in South Framingham, MA.

In the warmer months, it operates a beer garden across the street. A rotating list of food trucks provide a delicious variety of complimentary snacks and meals. The food truck schedule is posted on their Facebook page. In addition to their beer, they offer wine, hard cider, hard seltzer, bottled water, seltzer, and soda. There is parking on the street and along and behind the brewery.

These photos were taken just as the beer garden was opening for the afternoon. The tables and benches fill quickly. And, well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Currently, Exhibit “A” beers are available by online ordering for pi ckup at their taproom at 83 Morton St., Framingham, MA. You can also do an online search to find where their beer is available on tap or in a store. Their Cat’s Meow, an IPA, is a favorite.

Fall and Octoberfest Inspired Beers

Big Note: Octoberfest beers are different from pumpkin beers but appear on tap and in stores around the same time.

Here’s an alphabetical roundup of notable U.S. Oktoberfest beers that appear on the lists of beer experts and bartenders:

Athletic Non-Alcoholic Oktoberfest Bier – Athletic Brewing Co, Stratford, CT
Brooklyn Oktoberfest – Brooklyn Brewery, Brooklyn, NY
Clawhammer Oktoberfest Märzen – Highland Brewing Company, Ashville, S.C.
Copper Legend Octoberfest – Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers, Framingham, MA
Dry Dock Docktoberfest – Dry Dock Brewing, Aurora, CO
Festbier Märzen – Victory brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
Founders Oktoberfest Marzen – Founders brewing Co., Grand Rapids, MI
Great Lakes Oktoberfest – Great Lakes Brewing Company, Cleveland, OH
Karbachtoberfest – Karbach Brewing Company, Houston, TX
Left Hand Oktoberfest – Left Hand Brewing Co. Longmont, CO
No Label Oktoberfest – No Label Brewing Co. Katy, TX
Old Zahm Oktoberfest – Market Garden Brewery, Cleveland, OH
Oktoberfest Märzen – Wallenpaupack Brewing Co., Hawley, PA
Rahr and Sons Oktoberfest – Rahr and Sons Brewing Company, Ft. Worth, TX
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest – Boston Beer Company, Boston, MA
Schlafly Oktoberfest – Schlafly, The St. Louis Brewery, St. Louis, MO
Shiner Oktoberfest – Spoetzl Brewery, Shiner, TX
Sierra Nevada Oktoberfest – Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Chico, CA

Here’s an alphabetical roundup of some Massachusetts breweries and their Octoberfest, Fall, or Pumpkin Beers:

Important: Call or check their websites or Facebook Page before you go because beers, availability, and hours may change.

CraftRoots Brewing, Milford – The seasonal Autumn Ale is “brewed with real pumpkin and a very light touch of pie spice.”
Ground Effect Brewing, Hudson – Oktoberfest – a golden Festbier lager
Jack’s Abby, Framingham – Keller Series – Munich Fest – Munich Style Festbier & a Marzen Kellerbier
Exhibit ‘A’, Framingham – Focal Point Munich Dunkle Lager
Flying Dreams Brewing Co., Marlborough, MA – Oktoberfest
Harpoon – Boston – Octoberfest – a Marzen, Dogtoberfest – Festbier and Dunkin’ Pumpkin – coffee & pumpkin ale
Kells Beer Co., Natick – The Pumpkin Royale ale
Lost Shoe Brewing & Roasting Company, Marlborough – Festbier and Eastwitch – a Pumpkin Ale
Medusa Brewing, Hudson – Simon – a fest bier and Hecubus – an Oktoberfest Marzen
Night Shift, Everett – Steinbier – German Marzen
Purgatory Beer Co., Northbridge – Double Dutch “Autumnal” Brown Ale
Rapscallion – Acton – Sturbridge – Concord – O-fest
Redemption Rock, Worceste – Thackery – an Octoberfest lager and I Can’t Even – a pumpkin spice latte stout.
Start Line Brewing, Hopkinton – A variety of seasonal beers in cans, including the Honey Harvest Saison.
Treehouse Brewing Company – Whisper – Octoberfest-Style Lager and Brisk Oak – conditioned Oktoberfest Lager
True West Brewing Co. – Acton – Artistic Hocus-Pocus – Pumpkin / Yam Beer
Wachusett Brewing Co., Westminster – BOO-YEAH! – A Scary Good Spiced Pumpkin Ale and Octoberfest – Rich Amber Harvest Ale
Wormtown Brewery, Worcester & Foxborough, MA – Octoberfest Marzen and Fresh Patch Pumpkin Ale and Table Talk Pumpkin Pie Ale

For more information about Mass. and New England beer and breweries, pick up a copy of Yankee  Brew News at a brewery or brew pub, or go to http://yankeebrewnews.com/ and also https://massbrewersguild.org/.

For information about U.S. and international breweries, go here:  https://www.brewersassociation.org/directories/breweries/

Keeping Track of Craft Beers

Fun Gifts for Beer Lovers

Need a gift for someone who likes beer? How about a mug or mask?

Prost! Ein Toast!

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October 27, 2020 0 comment