Beer Microbrewer promises a wide range of down-home tastes at this weekend’s Oktoberfest on MDI

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Andy Hazen has a love-hate relationship with his job as the sole proprietor of Andrew’s Brewing Co. in Lincolnville. On the one hand, he’s worked 1,800 hours since May, brewing and bottling his collection of microbrewed beer.

On the other hand, since his business is attached to his house, “I can get up early in the morning and check on the beer in my underwear,” Hazen says.

Now that’s living.

There’s a certain reverence for a guy who brews his own beer. Much like the shade-tree mechanic who can fix his own ride without getting gouged at the repair shop, someone like Hazen provides an invaluable service to himself and the public through a craft that started out as a hobby.

Hazen received his license as a microbrewer in 1992 and made his first sales in 1993, a time when microbrewed beer was making its mark in the Northeast, providing an alternative in a market loaded more with quantity than quality. And the beauty of his beer is that it has caught on just as much with Joe Six-Pack as with choosier chuggers.

“We’ve got the whole Fire Department drinking it, and those boys aren’t beer snobs,” says Hazen, who serves with the Lincolnville Fire Department when he’s not manning his six 31-gallon brewing tanks at his 160-acre property. “It comes down to buying a 30-pack for $7.95 with no taste or a six-pack for $6.99 that has a taste.”

Because he toiled so many hours this summer, Hazen created a backlog of chores for himself that won’t make the fall season any less hectic. But the chores will have to wait a little longer this weekend, all in the name of beer and business.

The Southwest Harbor-Tremont Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual rite of autumn, Acadia’s Oktoberfest & Food Festival, from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, at Smuggler’s Den Campground on Route 102 in the Mount Desert Island town of Southwest Harbor.

Hazen has cleared his calendar to be there.

He has served his suds at this event for all six years of its existence. And the best part about attending this ever-growing festival?

“Drinking beer,” Hazen says with a laugh. “Actually, for us it’s getting the brand out there a little bit. I like meeting people one-to-one so I can tell if they like the beer. You get to see people trying your beer and if they don’t like it you’re going to know.”

Andrew’s Brewing doesn’t do any advertising, so events such as Oktoberfest celebrations around the state are a good way to make new contacts and find new fans in a market that seemingly grows by the day.

That growth has been translated into an ever-expanding festival on the quiet side of Mount Desert Island, according to Bruce Carlson of the Southwest Harbor-Tremont Chamber of Commerce.

When the event began in 1996, only 300 people attended and it was held under one tent at the marina in Southwest Harbor. As breweries and the microbrew fan base grew, the festival drew 1,600 people last year and had to be moved to the campground under three tents. This year, Carlson said, the Chamber is hoping to draw 2,000 through increased promotion both on the Web and abroad.

This year’s Oktoberfest will feature a German band called Die Alte Schnaufern, comprising 15 men from around the state who play in lieu of donations to the Shrine Hospital. Decades, a contemporary band, also will perform after drawing rave reviews at last year’s festival, according to Carlson. And magician Alan Drew also is scheduled to appear, and maybe disappear.

Another aspect of the festival that is enticing people to make plans to attend is that the Chamber has joined with the state Department of Agriculture’s “Get Real, Get Maine” program. Everything available – from art to jewelry to food to beer – will have been made in Maine with Maine goods, by Maine people.

“We’re drawing a lot of people,” Carlson said. “We’ve had ads in The New York Times and the Boston newspapers. One gentleman called and wanted me to give him directions from just outside of Boston. It’s catching on.”

And why not? With 23 of Maine’s 25 licensed microbrewers expected to attend, pitching 81 flavors of handmade beer, the event is destined for success.

Hazen’s company will offer four of the flavors of the day, including English Pale Ale (his favorite – “I like anybody’s pale ale,” he says), St. Nick Porter, Northern Brown Ale and the seasonal Summer Golden Ale, some of which he set aside just for the Southwest Harbor event.

With all his success, Hazen isn’t in the business for ribbons or medals. Still he remains confident of his beer.

“If we didn’t have a good product, we wouldn’t have stayed in business for 10 years,” he said. “We hold our own.”

Admission to the sixth annual Acadia’s Oktoberfest & Food Festival, featuring 23 Maine breweries and countless artisans and musicians is $5 for nondrinkers, students or a single souvenir glass; $20 for a souvenir glass and 10 beer tickets; children 10 and under get in free. Leave your dogs at home as they are not allowed at the festival. For more information, visit www.acadiachamber.com, www.barharbormaine.net or e-mail quietside@acadiachamber.com.

Maine’s microbrewers at Acadia fest

Many of Maine’s top brewers will be shopping their suds at Acadia’s Oktoberfest & Food Festival from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6, in Southwest Harbor. This is a perfect opportunity to sample new and different beers. Some of these names you’ll recognize and others you may come to know after trying their microbrews. Check out these brewers:

. Allagash Brewing Co., Portland.

. Andrews Brewing Co., Lincolnville.

. Atlantic Brewing Co., Bar Harbor.

. Bear Brew Pub, Orono.

. Belfast Bay Brewing Co. Inc., Belfast.

. Bray’s Brew Pub, Naples.

. Casco Bay Brewing Co., Portland.

. Carrabasset, Portland.

. D.L. Geary Brewing Co., Portland.

. Freeport Brewing Co., Freeport.

. Gritty McDuff’s, Portland.

. Hallowell Brewing Co., Hallowell.

. Kennebec Brewing Co., Gardiner.

. Maine Coast Brewing Co., Bar Harbor.

. Narrow Gauge Brewing Co., Wilton.

. Oak Pond Brewing Co., Skowhegan.

. Rocky Bay Brewing Co., Rockland.

. Shipyard Brewing Co., Portland.

. Sea Dog Brewing Co., Camden.

. Sebago Brewing Co., South Portland.

. Sheepscott Brewing Co., Whitefield.

. Stone Coast Brewing Co., Portland.

. Sunday River Brewing Co., Bethel.