Mars Brew Fest draws visitors from near and far
Carissa Neary, of Beaver Falls, and Alana Costello, of Lisbon, N.Y., had a full itinerary planned over the weekend. First, the pair of friends traveled to Pittsburgh for the Taylor Swift concert Friday night, June 16. Looking for something to do on Saturday evening, they stumbled into the Mars Brew Fest.
The brews and buzzing atmosphere drew visitors from Butler and nearby counties to the annual Mars festival on Saturday, June 17, that boasted 18 local breweries. Mars Mayor Gregg Hartung said 800 tickets for the event were sold online, and even more were sold at the door.
Vendors from local breweries displayed a variety of offerings, from sweet smoothie beers, crisp and sour ciders, and hoppy pale ales. According to the festival website, pop-ups from four wineries and distilleries also were present.
“Meeting the brewers and the people that are actually brewing the beer is kind of nice,” said Austin Wilson, a Robinson Township resident.
“It’s nice that they have food and music, too,” Marissa Wilson said.
The Wilsons said they enjoy the atmosphere and weather at open-air events and try to attend whenever one pops up. In terms of specific beverages, the couple is divided in their preferences. Austin Wilson said he prefers traditional-style beers, “like a good lager,” while Marissa Wilson said she steers toward a fruity type of beer.
The variety of beverages catered to a range of tastes.
“We’re pretty particular,” Neary said. Something sweet, something sour and something fruity make the criteria for a good drink, she said.
Neary and Costello, who bought ciders from the Butler Area Society of Homebrewers, said they enjoy sampling the different options offered at Brew Fest.
Besides brews, booze and food, visitors could watch musicians perform — as The Noble Hops Band and Nick Bartley of Hunting Nostalgia took the stage. The sound of The Noble Hops, singer Jenifer Lynn Baker said, is inspired by “roots and rock, and leans heavy on original music.”
“’’Noble hops’ is a type of hops that they brew beer with. So it’s only right that we play,” Baker said. “I love music, making music and I love drinking beer.”
Baker said she most enjoys the people that come out for the Brew Fest.
“Mars is a great community,” she said.
Local businesses also were present among the crowds gathered on Pittsburgh Street and Grand Avenue. Pammie Erskine, owner of Rowdy Roots Salon, set up a table displaying jars of apple butter for sale. She wasn’t raising money for her own business, but for the Masonic Hall.
“We all down here, as business owners, try to support each other in different ways,” said Erskine.
Profits from the Brew Fest help fund the Mars New Year. Last year, 1,200 people attended and about $20,000 was raised, Hartung said.
