Beer vendors, including Thimble Island Brewing Company, Smuttynose Brewing, Stubborn Beauty, Shebeen Brewing Company, Troeges Craft Brewing and many others, poured samples for approximately 1,300 brew lovers and connoisseurs to support the historic Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford. The ShakesBeer Festival, in its third year running, was able to donate $30,000 – about $10,000 more than last year – back to the historic theatre, which has been out of commission for the last 30 years, to help with revitalization efforts.
The ShakesBeer Festival is organized by Steve Bilodeau, Beer Manager of Wines Unlimited, Pete Rodrigues, Manager of Captain’s Keg, the Town of Stratford and The Stratford Arts Commission, with help from many breweries and distributors. Food vendors were parked along the road and guests enjoyed musical entertainment from local bands.
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- Co-founders of the ShakesBeer Festival Steve Bilodeau, Beer Manager, Wines Unlimited and Pete Rodrigues, Manager, Captain’s Keg of Stratford.
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- ShakesBeer Festival. The historic Shakespeare theatre is in the background.
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- John Williams, Sales Representative CT and Western MA, Brooklyn Brewing.
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- Sean McQuade, Connecticut Regional Sales Manager, Narragansett Brewing Company with “Narragansett Girl” Tonya Plefka.
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- Caitlin Guelakis, Sales Manager Western Connecticut, Two Roads Brewing Co.
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- Matt Thomas, Connecticut and Rhode Island Regional Sales Manager, Dogfish Head Craft Brewing.
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- Stuart Slocum, Sales Manager, Black Hog Brewing with Kimberly Samperi, Brand Ambassador, Black Hog Brewing.
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- Elyse Noccilo with Zack Gregory, Representatives, Duvig Brewing Co.
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- Christina Calhelha and Joline Schilling, Representatives, Sam Adams.
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- Pat Morin, Event Representative, Back East Brewing with Michele Morin, Brand Ambassador, Back East Brewing.
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- Larry Golia, Craft Beer Manager, G & G Beverage Distributors.
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- Blake Gilson, Representative, Revival Brewing Co.
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- Rich Loomis, partner, Firefly Brewing Co with Jessica Ruebin, representative, Firefly Brewing Co.
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- Mark Brewer, author and illustrator of Brewology, an illustrated dictionary for beer lovers. He was signing books during the event.
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- Scott Vallely, Founder and President of Charter Oak Brewing.
