The 13th annual Rising Pint Brewfest took place at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford on May 11. Brands from more than 60 craft breweries were on tap for guests, along with eats from popular food truck vendors, including Spot on Tacos, Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ, The Big Cheese, Hop Häus, Randy’s Wooster St. Pizza Shop, Big Enzo’s BBQ, Big Bad Wolf, Sno ‘N’ Dough and Scatz Holy Smokez BBQ. Bands BooYah and 7 Below played live music during the afternoon. The sold-out event was created by longtime friends Brett Hollander, Hartford Distributors, and Heather Schold, Greystone Event Management, out of a mutual love of craft beer, music and giving back. Proceeds benefited the Reach Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by Mark and Wendy Wilson in 2000 that helps children in need through programs, advocacy and more, including its annual “Shop With a Cop” holiday toy efforts.
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- The 13th annual Rising Pint Brewfest took place at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford on May 11.
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- Brands from more than 60 craft breweries were on tap for guests, along with eats from popular food truck vendors, with proceeds benefiting the Reach Foundation.
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- Jaclyn Gunn and Michael Esposito, Counter Weight Brewing Co.
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- Glenn Hellthaler and Hannah Comparone, Thomas Hooker Brewery.
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- Brand Ambassador Melissa Bokoff highlighting Dunkin’ Spiked Original Iced Coffee.
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- Dylan Gailvis, Heineken showcasing Heineken Silver.
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- Thimble Island Brewing Company’s Mike Vieira and Max Condon. highlighting Thimble Island Thimble IPA.
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- Brand Ambassadors Mary Helen Smith showcasing Smirnoff Ice Red, White & Berry and Richard Lafontant highlighting Smirnoff Ice Smash Tea in Hard Lemon and Hard Peach.
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- Latitude Beverage Co.’s Adrian Lianos highlighting 90+ Cellars Rosé and Rachael O’Connell showcasing Mija White Sangria.
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- Corvus Vodka’s Ty Law Jr., Raymond Howard and Jesse Ferrell.
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- Black Hog Brewing Co.’s Kaylee Feldblum highlighting Black Hog Break Time IPA and Tyler Mills.
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- Alexandria Whitmore, Brewery Representative and Eric Fuerst, District Manager, Boston Beer Company.
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- Jessica Rice, Central and Northeast CT Sales Manager and Dion Hall, Two Roads Brewing Company.
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- City Steam Brewery’s Cindy Cole showcasing City Steam Jungle Crush IPA.
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- Jon Ladd and Meg Riel, Back East Brewing Company.
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- All from Lawson’s Finest Liquids: Marissa Bentivoglio, Joe Orsini and Margot Littlefield.
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- Tommy Smith and Gordon MacGregor, New England Brewing Co.
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- Tim Raymond and Ed Cavallaro, Captain Lawrence Brewing Company.
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- Nicole Ginnitti and Brian Ayers, Elicit Brewing Co.
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- Whalers Brewing Company’s Mike Moalli and Julie Melnyk showcasing highlighting Whalers Rise APA and Muse IPA.
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- Larisa Wilbur, Athletic Brewing Co. showcasing Athletic Upside Dawn Golden Ale.
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- Tomas Nenortas, Founder and Savannah Blouin, Quiver Spirits.
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- Steve Turpak and Tim Chamberlain, Stormalong Cider.
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- Brand Ambassadors Ashley Thompson showcasing The Finnish Long Drink in Peach and Erin Hopkins.
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- Mike Hollis, Hartford Distributors highlighting Long Trail Ale and Blackbeary Wheat Ale.
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- Zach Washbond, East Rock Brewing Company pouring a selection for a guest.
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- Dan Pareisi and Spencer Shankle, Firefly Hollow Brewing.
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- Max Godlew showcasing Wicked Weed Brewing Dr. Dank Mango Wowie and Kevin Pierson highlighting Wicked Weed Brewing Perni-Haze.
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- Elizabeth Pliska, Senior Brand Representative, Owl’s Brew showcasing Owl’s Brew Boozy Tea English Breakfast & Lemon.
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- Brand Ambassador Nayda Flores showcasing NOCA Too Turnt Boozy Iced Tea.
