Polar Grill Fest parties for pantry - fosters.com - Foster's Daily Democrat

Polar Grill Fest parties for pantry - fosters.com - Foster's Daily Democrat

By Karen Dandurant news@seacoastonline.com

PORTSMOUTH — The seventh annual Polar Grill Fest at Redhook Ale Brewery Saturday brought out almost as many four-legged friends as those on two legs.

Dogs were in abundance at the event, a benefit for Gather, formerly the Seacoast Family Food Pantry. Event manager Meagan Cowan said everyone was behaving well, no matter how many legs they came in with.

"I had one person ask on the event page if they could bring their dog," Cowan said. "I said why not, as long as it is well behaved and on a leash. So people brought their dogs. There is even one here who is a foster, looking for a home. I think it's great."

Event supervisor Jim Touhig said highlights of the day included lawn games, music, food, and of course, beer.

"We are having a great turnout for an outdoor winter event," Touhig said. "The weather is pretty good and the people are out, having fun."

Thomas Peaver of Rochester said this is his first visit to the grill fest. "My sister told me about this," he said. "We decided to meet up here. I have tried the beers and the food and it's all good. We will come again next year."

Cowen said this year's event might be the biggest yet. She said the money raised from the admission fee, and a percentage of money from all the food and drink vendors will be donated to Gather.

"The Portsmouth Gaslight is here serving food and we have two food trucks," Cowan said. "I think we have seen about 500 people come through already."

The Gaslight was serving comfort food, a quesadilla or a grilled cheese sandwich with a bowl of tomato soup. Melt Poutine truck served its specialty poutine dishes and Travelin' Bones offered "low and slow barbecue."

"Ribs, brisket, pulled pork or barbecue chicken. We do it right," said Travelin' Bones owner Judd Cohen.

The grill fest offered something people do not see every day – an inflatable pub brought by Cisco Brewery of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Inside, patrons could try craft beers, and spirits like cranberry or blueberry vodka. Sam Herrick, one of the principles of Cisco said the inflatable pub is an exact replica of their brewery in Nantucket.

"We launched the pub in Somerville this past July," Herrick said. "Now it has been all over New England. It has been in Boston and New York. This is out first foray into New Hampshire."

Cisco Brewery has entered into a partnership with Redhook for contract brewing.

"They are bottling five of our flagship beers," Herrick said. "Our most famous is our Whale's Tale Pale Ale. I think this will be a great partnership."

"This is the first year we brought alcohol other than beer in," Cowan said. "We even have adult hot chocolate."