Dispatches

Get Cultured

A glimpse at one of the country's funkiest festivals

by


Beer. Cheese. Kimchi. Wine. Sauerkraut. Some of the finest things in life are the handiwork of those beneficent microbes that bring the funk and flavor. The annual Fermentation Festival and “Meet The Makers” event in Kennett Square, Pa., sets out to celebrate this ancient culinary art. This year’s party drew brewers, cheesemakers, vintners and more to demonstrated their craft for the hungry, thirsty, and curious masses. Couldn’t make it? Here are some images captured at the this year’s festival, which happened over the weekend. And take a moment now to set a calendar reminder to check the schedule next September. You don’t want to miss it again.

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    On September 28, vendors from all over the region displayed their fermented food and drink products at the Fermentation Festival and "Meet the Makers" event in Kennett Square, Pa.
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    Billy Rawstrom of Maiale Deli & Salumeria hands out samples of his Tuscan Salami during the festival. Rawstrom founded the handcrafted specialty sausage business four years ago, inspired by Armandino Batali's (yes, Mario's dad) store in Seattle.
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    Billy Rawstrom of Maiale Deli & Salumeria slices a version of his Tuscan Salami, made with ground pork, fennel, and red wine.
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    Kristian Holbrook, cheesemaker at Doe Run Farms, prepares his Saint Malachi, a soft, white wine cheese made from cow's milk.
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    An assortment of cow's milk cheeses presented by Kristian Holbrook, the cheesemaker at Doe Run Farm in Coatesville, Pa.
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    Molly Doran, a representative of Philadelphia's Art in the Age of Reproduction distillery, makes mixed drinks using their organic Snap spirit. The 80 proof spirit is distilled using blackstrap molasses and fresh ginger.
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    Art in the Age of Reproduction mixes their Sage spirit and tonic for guests at the "Meet the Makers" event. Art in the Age refers to Sage as a "garden gin" with historical a nod to the types of plants found in Thomas Jefferson's garden at Monticello.
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    Paul and Cheryl Schlenker of Media, Pa., enjoy the atmosphere during the "Meet the Makers" event.
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    Steve Hobson (left) and Scott Birney (right) of the Sin City Band from West Grove, Pa., entertain guests with original music.
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    Birchrun Hills Farm owner Sue Miller (right) and her cousin Ruth Statt (left) explain differences in the farm's cheeses. Miller and her husband have been dairy farming for 25 years in Chester Springs, Pa., recently adding cheese to their farm's products.
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    Ruth Statt holds a sample of Birchrun Hills Farm's Equinox, an alpine style cow's milk cheese.
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    The Fermentation Festival's "Meet the Makers" event is held on Sycamore Alley off State Street, across from the Kennett Square Farmers Market.
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    Frecon Farm representatives shares samples of their Grabby Granny and Hogshead hard ciders made with apples from their family-run orchard in Boyertown, Pa.
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    Hank Frecon of Frecon Farms mans the table of his family's hard apple cider and apple wine during the "Meet the Makers" festival in Kennett Square, Pa.
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    Kennett Square Farmers Market manager Abby Morgan buys Farmhouse Apple Cider as part of a gift for a friend's wedding.
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    Guests at the "Meet the Makers" event.
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    People enjoy the cool fall weather into the evening during the "Meet the Makers" event.
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    Scott Rudich of Round Guys Brewing checks his phone between pours. Round Guys Brewing of Landsdale, Pa., was founded in 2008 by Rudich and friend Rich DiLiberto and now distributes to bars and restaurants throughout Pennsylvania.
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    Scott Rudich pours samples of Round Guy Brewing's strong Buh-Nana Hammock Saison and four-month-old Wild Eye Series Sour.
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    Kaitlin Ricketts, farm manager of Meadowset Farm and Apiary, enjoys neighboring vendor Gerard Olson's Duke Pale Ale – a very dry, full tasting beer. Olson is the owner and brewer of Forest and Main's brewery and pub in Ambler, Pa.
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    Brian Fenstermacher purchases Fecor Farm's apple wine.
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    Mary Hutchins (left) pours a glass of Hickerwood wine while Julie Wehner introduces guests to her family's winery. Started by her father Ron Zampogna in 2000, Flickerwood now features a wine cellar/lounge in Kane, Pa., and a tasting room in Kennett Square.
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    Roger Powell (center) and son Steve Powell (center-right) wait to hear a guest's reaction to their Oaktoberfest beer. The father-son duo operate the 1.5 barrel Argilla Brewing in Newark, Del.
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    Guests at "Meet the Makers" festival in Kennett Square, Pa.

Photos by Michael Bucher.

 

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