The 13th annual MASHOUT (Mid-Atlantic States Homebrew campOUT) took place on August 11-13 this year. Gracious hosts Chuck and Helen Popenoe had about 175 happy campers pitch their tents and enjoy a weekend of camaraderie, good food and great beer. The mountain property, located in Western Maryland, has served as the perfect MASHOUT site for several years in a row.

Most folks arrived Friday afternoon and wasted no time reuniting with old friends, making new friends, and sharing their brews. The famous Keg Row had many kegs and coolers of both homemade and commercial brews, as well as some homemade sodas. After dark, many campers gathered around the community campfire and either played or listened to fiddles, guitars and other instruments.

Saturday afternoon found many people either going to nearby Rocky Gap State Park for a swim, or bicycling, or sight-seeing, or staying at the site to socialize. Homemade beer, wine, mead and champagne flowed freely as people relaxed in good company. People played frisbee, volleyball and other games. There was a wheat beer competition which was won by -- who else? -- Dave Pyle. Doesn't anyone else enter these contests?

Wendy had a great time...
...and left her mark.

The Saturday night feast had barbecued meats (prepared by T.R. James Catering) and lots of other foods brought by attendees including corn on the cob, salads, pies, brownies, cookies and other foods. Nighttime brought more merrymaking as a live band played in the barn.

Sunday morning's brunch sent folks on their way with bellies full of pancakes, eggs, bacon, sausage, juice, coffee and potatoes. Tents, vehicles and people steadily disappeared during the only not-so-good part of MASHOUT: leaving. Parting is such sweet bitterness -- no, wait, that's beer.