Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations Contributed photo

Swine and Stein Brewfest has been scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 9, on Water Street in Gardiner. General admission begins at 1 p.m., or come early for the exclusive VIP tasting hour at noon.
Gardiner Main Street is excited to return to a live Swine and Stein Brewfest event for 2021. After a pandemic hiatus, the beer festival in the streets of historic downtown Gardiner with all day tasting of craft beverages, a full line up of music, food vendors and entertainment.

Swine and Stein Brewfest, presented by Camden National Bank and Burke’s Roofing & Masonry, celebrates the diversity of craft beverage producers from across the state. Samples from over 15 of Maine’s breweries, wineries and distilleries will be available in an open air beer festival.

Event organizers have partnered with Johnson Hall to create an outstanding music lineup of Maine’s best and emerging bands. The event kicks of with the Oktoberfest German Band, followed by Pat Colwell and the Soul Sensations to get attendees dancing in the street and Ale House String Brand wraps up the event. For every event ticket sold, Gardiner Main Street will donate $1 to support their capital campaign for a fully restored 400 seat theater. Construction on this exciting project begins in April 2022 and donations will be matched thanks to Peter and Sandra Prescott and EJ Prescott Inc.

An array of food trucks and local restaurants will serve up incredible pork varieties, along with other creative dishes. The Blind Pig Tavern, hosts a pig roast and they’ll be joined on the street by Pinky D’s Poutine Factory, Smokey & Brines, Kabayan Philippine Foods, M&M’s Ice Cream, soft pretzels from Ruby’s Place Bakery and more.

Quirky games will include favorites and new additions. For the seventh year, men will groom, style, and dress their facial hair in the hope of being named “best in show” in the Beard and Mustache Competition. The intense Rock Paper Scissors Championship, Corn Hole, Giant Jenga and a Frozen T-shirt Race will be joined by newcomer Pass The Pigs tournament.

Participants include: Bateau Brewing, Bath Ale Works, Baxter Brewing, Black Pug Brewing, Blank Canvas Brewery, Chadwicks Craft Spirits, Definitive Brewing Company, Flight Deck Brewing, Freedom’s Edge Cider, Jokers & Rogues Brewing, The Liberal Cup, Maniac Hard Cider, Outland Farm Brewery, Sheepscot Valley Brewing, Sebago Lake Distillery, Threshers Brewing, van der Brew, Waterville Brewing and more.

General admission tickets cost $40 through Oct. 8 and $45 the day of the event. Access the premier VIP tasting hour from noon to 1 p.m. for $50 through Oct. 8 or $55 the day of the event. Thanks to designated driver sponsor Janet Slade State Farm Insurance, non-drinking tickets online and at the gate cost $10 and include unlimited soda and water. Children will be admitted for free, but must be with adult at all times.

Proceeds from the event support Gardiner Main Street’s mission to grow and sustain our historic downtown while celebrating our unique cultural heritage.

For more information, contact Melissa Lindley at info@gardinermainstreet.org or 207-582-3100 or visit gardinermainstreet.org.