Brew fest lets the suds flow along the riverfront.

Byline: Lynne Klaft

FITCHBURG - Threatening skies and a cool June afternoon did not stop beer lovers from flocking to the city's first Civic Days Nashua River Brewers' Festival at Riverfront Park this past weekend.

Fifteen craft brewers and one import beer distributor poured sample glasses of beer to 900 tasters.

"Trevor (Bonilla), the Grand Poobah of brewers' festivals, and I went to the Connecticut River Brewers' Festival and got inspired," said David J. Streb, director of Community Development, of the idea to hold a beer-tasting fest in the downtown park.

"I like craft beers and have been going to brewers' festivals, and I thought what a good idea it was to raise money for the city. And folks are getting a really nice sampling for an inexpensive day out," said Mr. Bonilla.

Proceeds from the entrance fee and beer tasting will benefit the Riverfront Park and the Civic Days celebration.

Two of the 15 brewers come from north central Massachusetts: Wachusett Brewery of Westminster and the Gardner Ale House, the rest from Haverhill, Boston, Southampton, South Deerfield, Vermont, New Hampshire, and beyond.

Wachusett Brewery had samplings of its flagship Country Ale and its seasonal beer, Summer. The brewery, established in 1994, distributes its offerings in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island.

"We have a pilsner, a Bohemian style of beer, coming out this week, made in the traditional Czech style; it's light, crisp, clean with a bite, a soft hops aroma. We are using a Czech hops called Saaz," said David L. Richardson, brew master of the Gardner Ale House pub/brewery.

The Ale House pilsner will be entered into the Great International Beer competition in Providence next month.

Long Trail, a Bridgewater Corner, Vt., brewery just released its newest summer offering, Light Belgian White, a traditional Belgian style wheat based beer flavored with orange peel and coriander.

Opa Opa (means cheers! in Greek) is a family owned business in Southampton that had on offer Raspberry Wheat, IPA, Red Rock amber ale and Opa Opa Light.

"There are a lot of great breweries in Massachusetts and the quality is amazing. I hope this festival will become a tradition in Fitchburg; introducing quality beers and showing folks the true quality of life in Fitchburg," said Ken Jones, Mayor Lisa A. Wong's administrative staffer.

"We've reclaimed the river at Riverfront Park and we want to show people that the park is the gateway to Fitchburg with events like these," said Mr. Jones.

Ralph and Sylvia McManus came all the way from Framingham to sample beer.

"He smelled the beer and knew exactly what it was!" said a brewer of Mr. McManus' uncanny ability to identify different beers by sight and smell.

"Yes, I went to San Francisco to taste beer," said Mr. McManus of his San Francisco brew festival T-shirt. "She went to a wedding (pointing to his wife) and I came along to taste the real thing! I even got to meet the head brewmaster and he autographed it for me."

Nate Sanford, a beer connoisseur and home brewer, wore his "Beeriodic Table" t-shirt for the event.

"I experiment; I have made porters, stouts, IPAs, the latest is a Scotch ale. Some of the brews here are pretty good," said Mr. Sanford.

Sharon Bernard of Fitchburg and Steve Twining of Ludlow were more laid back and relaxed, bringing a picnic basket, lawn chairs and cooler to the event.

"I like beer and it seemed like a good way to support Civic Days," said Ms. Bernard.

The Tanglewood veterans brought tabouleh, dilled shrimp, crackers, cheese and pepperoni to accompany their beer sampling.

"We're going to sit back and enjoy the music, and if the music is not good, well, we brought books and magazines!" said Mr. Twining.

For those who did not have the forethought to bring their own appetizers, Country Good Takeout of Fitchburg was on hand with BBQ ribs, pulled pork, coleslaw, collard greens and baked beans.

"I learned to cook from my mother starting when I was 10 years old," said Shirley Jeffreys, owner of the country style eatery.

"Some of the recipes are based on my mom's. And the secret of good fried chicken? It's in the seasoning, which is a secret!" said Ms. Jeffreys laughing.

ART: PHOTO

CUTLINE: Chief cook Neal Connor (right) is assisted by Tammaris Mitchell Eat Country Good's grill at Fitchburg's Civic Days Nashua River Brewers' Festival at Riverfront Park last Saturday.

PHOTOG: LYNNE KLAFT