CAMDEN—Fifteen brewers and wineries were braving the cold in their fur-lined hoodies and mittens serving their best Maine winter beers and wine at last night’s Down The Chute Beer and Wine Tasting event held at Hosmer Pond.

The tasting got off to a somewhat rocky start earlier in the day when the tent initially collapsed under the immense snowfall, but by the time the event started, all was put back together and vendors were rarin’ to go.

The two “People’s Choice” winners of the evening were Rock Harbor Brewing Company and Cellardoor Winery. Dan Pease, of Rock Harbor Harbor, was serving up a new Double IPA, made a month ago, along with their Imperial Stout. Both brews were over 10% and were equally popular with the crowd.

Devon Salisbury of Cellardoor Winery said their Sweetheart Wine was the biggest hit. “It’s a Concord grape wine and we jokingly call it ‘Boozy Welch’s because it’s grape juice for grown ups,” she said.

Though the brewers outnumbered the vinters and mead makers, there were people who came just to taste the wines and meads. Sean Bailey of Fat Friar’s Meadery served up a sweet and hot The Fat Friar's Capsumel (12.5% Abv) which came on subtle and ended up hot, hot hot. The only thing left to do was sidle right up next to Ian Anderson of Downeast Cider and cool off the taste buds with their Cranberry blend of cider. “People are loving this,” he said.

New vendors to the tent this year included local brewer, Liberty Craft Brewing as well as Allagash Brewing Company, which provided a delicious taste of their newest Saison. Sweet, almost cidery, it was modeled after a Belgian. Also on hand were Boothbay Craft Brewing, which introduced their new 32-ounce can called “Nice Rack, Dexter Rippa"Red IPA, and Black Rocks Stout.

Food vendors this year were limited to State of Maine Cheese Co. and Bixby & Co. Fruit, Nut and Spice Bars, both of which paired very nicely with an array of stouts that most of the beer vendors provided, along with red wines from the vinters. Kate McAleer, owner of  Bixby & Co., is a sponsor of the toboggan championships, and proudly provided samples of her new Toboggan bar. Outside in the outdoor lounge area, which was new this year, members of the West Bay Rotary Club were busy grilling up hot dogs served with or without chili and potato chips for the hungry crowd.

All in all, it was a fun-packed night.  Good Beers. Good wines. Good crowd.

The Down The Chute Beer & Wine Tasting Event supports the Ragged Mountain Foundation & West Bay Rotary.

All photos by Kay Stephens. She can be reached at news@penbaypilot.com