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Hundreds gathered under the tent on Saturday for drizzly but fun Berktoberfest.

Hundreds Enjoy Brew Culture at Berktoberfest

By Joe DurwinSpecial to iBerkshires
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Participants tried their skill in the time-honored tradition of keg-tossing.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — More than 850 turned out to participate in the 4th annual Berktoberfest on Saturday, despite heavy rain early in the day, and chilling winds as the afternoon wore on.

Attendees purchased tickets to sample a variety of craft beers from breweries drawn from around New England. 

Massachusetts breweries included Wandering Star, Cape Ann, Barrington Brewery, Rapscallion, Lefty's, Element, Paper City and Berkshire Homebrewers, Long Trail and Woodchuck from Vermont, with Sea Dog, Shipyard and Peak Organic hailing from Maine. Rhode Island was represented by Narragansett, a co-sponsor of Pittsfield's recent Word X Word Festival, and Connecticut by Olde Burnside.

"Luckily, good beer goes with everything, including rain," said one attendee as he sampled a dark pumpkin stout by Cape Ann, poured from a tap in an actual pumpkin.

Pittsfield's Octoberfest style event was first launched in 2008 with the backing of Pittsfield Brew Works, formerly located on Depot Street across the from the McKay Street lot where the event has been held each year. After Brew Works closed in May 2010, Colleen Nixon and Lynn Lefebvre, brew enthusiasts who also hosted the pub's popular trivia night series, worked together to keep the event going.

A variety of beer-friendly cuisine was available from Baba Louie's Wood-Fired Pizza, Flavour's of Malaysia, and Brix Wine Bar and Bistro, who also happen to be three of the closest eating establishments to the location of Berktoberfest at the McKay Street parking lot.

Participants also enjoyed lively games such as keg-tossing, a Berktoberfest favorite, and musical entertainment from The Few and Noumenon. While the latter, with its cerebral, Pixies-meets-PJ Harvey-ish quality, may have raised an eyebrow from a few brew-sippers, it was highly appreciated by this iBerkshires correspondent.

Funds raised from this event will be parceled into donations to support Berkshire Brewing Heritage, the Elizabeth Freeman Center and Downtown Inc. in Pittsfield.

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Possible Measles Exposure at Boston, Logan

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed Wednesday that an out-of-state adult visitor who spent time in Boston and Westborough earlier this month was diagnosed with measles and was present in a number of locations.
 
This could have resulted in other people being exposed to measles virus.
 
The visitor arrived at Logan International Airport on American Airlines flight 2384 from Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas, on Dec. 11 at 2:39 p.m. They stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Boston-Westborough in Westborough and departed the state on Dec. 12 via Logan at 9:19 p.m. on JetBlue flight 117 to Las Vegas.
 
DPH is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and local partners to identify and notify those who may have been exposed to measles from this individual.
 
"Measles is a highly contagious, airborne disease, which has increased significantly in the United States because of the unfortunate decrease in vaccination rates. It is also a preventable disease," said Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein. "This current situation serves as an important reminder of the critical role vaccination plays in protecting our communities. While Massachusetts has not had a measles case this year, 2025 saw the highest number of nationwide cases in more than a decade — nearly 2,000 in 44 jurisdictions, and sadly, three deaths. 
 
"Fifteen years ago, measles had been considered eliminated in the United States, but that tremendous progress is at risk. Vaccines are one of the most important public health interventions ever — they are safe, effective, and lifesaving."
 
Measles is very contagious. However, the risk to most people in Massachusetts is low because the vaccination rate in the state is high. People who are not immune and visited any of the locations on the following dates and times may be at risk for developing measles.
 
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