Local Fundraiser Breaks the Moonshine Myth

The warmth that filled the back room at the Stone Barn Friday night wasn’t from the fine bourbon, kegs of brew or swirls of smoke from robust cigars. Rather it spilled out in the words and laughter of Monroe residents and guests who gave up their evening to support the town’s Project Warmth.

Although the crowd was small, it was enthusiastic and vocal.

“This is a win-win situation,” said Monroe’s Richard Geremia. “You give more than you might ordinarily donate, it goes to a worthy cause, and you have a great evening.”

 Geremia came with Kevin Stephens, a friend who was deep in conversation on the joys of making home brew with Tom Meador, the rep from Monroe’s Maltose Express, a shop specializing in home brew and winemaking supplies. 

“The best beer I ever made,” said Stephens was called Wacky Raccoon, but these guys,” he said pointing at  Tom can give you the recipe for any beer.”

Tom held up a book. “Tess and Mark Szamatalski, Monroe residents and the owners of Maltose Express, have written three books on making beer and developed 400 recipes,” he said. Those recipes, he explained are for original beers, as well as clonebrews which are identical to favorite commercial beers like Heiniken, Sam Adams, Miller lite and others.

“The big breweries don’t care if you have their recipe and are making their beer in your basement,” he said. “You’re not going to put them out of business.”

Over at another tasting table Jessica Paul, spirit manager from Opici Wine Company of Connecticut, was handing out samples of  five aged bourbons from her spirit portfolio including 114 proof Noah’s Bill  and 111 proof  Rowen Creek.

“All bourbons are whiskey, she said, “but not all whiskeys are bourbon. Bourbon has to be aged.”  She held up a bottle. “This one, Kentucky Vintage, is 17 years old. It’s special, like this event.”

The event “Bourbon, Beer and Cigars” was launched by the Masonic Washington Lodge No. 19 Fellowship Club in Monroe after members Roy Nealon, Anthony Augusto and David Papp went to Town Hall to find a local program with a big need.

“That’s what we do as Masons,” said Nealon,. “Help out the community.”  

After learning about a number of charitable options from First Selectman Steve Vavrek, the Lodge chose Project Warmth. Their event in support of that Monroe program was held Friday night at the Stone Barn.

Attending the event in support of Project Warmth were town officials including First Selectman Vavrek, as well as State Rep. Debra Lee Hovey.

“Every year the need increases for fuel assistance,” said Vavrek. “The people who care about this town and their neighbors are here tonight.”

Those who attended discovered that whiskey isn’t the “fire-water” once depicted in old westerns and that it’s definitely not for men only. The cherry flavored whiskey by Evan Williams was as smooth as any after-dinner liquor. 

“And It makes a great martini,” said rep Mike Malvsa of Hartley & Parker distributors waving the bottle. However, it proved to be a favorite with both men and women “straight up.”

The whole Christensen family came to the affair- Judy, Ted and sons Eric and Brett. “We’re town helpers,” she said laughing. “We like to help the town, but we do like good beer and bourbon. We wanted to support Project Warmth.”

They sampled the beers brought in kegs from Berkshire Brewing in Massachusetts by the Glenro Spirit Shoppe- a light beer with a touch of citrus, a medium beer with a malt background and an Oktoberfest brew.

Throughout the evening fine bourbons and brew were sipped responsibly, delicious hors d'oeuvres were circulated by congenial Stone Barn staff and many a cigar from Cigarello Cigars was lit up outside on the patio in a cloud of nostalgia.  All for a good cause.

The cause, Project Warmth, is overseen by Monroe Social Services and provides energy assistance to local families in need. Applications are already being taken for this winter. Last year some 200 applications were processed and the number for this year is expected to be higher according to Director Barbara Yeager.

Residents who were unable to attend the Project Warmth fundraiser can still make a donation by mailing a check, made out to Town of Monroe and earmarked Project Warmth, to Monroe Town Hall, 7 Fan Hill Road.