Special Event!
McNasby's St. Patrick's Day Festivities
and First Annual "Grog Off"

Friday, March 14

March 15, 2003--The mixologists of the Maritime Republic of Eastport (MRE) won the Annapolis Maritime Museum's "Grog-Off" at the Museum's St. Patrick’s Day festivities and First Annual Pusser’s "Grog-Off" on Friday, March 14.

A grand, rollocking party at McNasby Oyster Company building in Eastport was held to mark the anniversary of the Museum’s first event held in the old McNasby oyster packing house at 723 Second Street.

In planning for the event, Buck Buchanan, the Museum’s new chairman of the board of directors said, "We’ve come a long way in just a year. We even have heat now! This is a good time to see what we’ve accomplished, as well as a preview of the great things we’ve got planned over the coming year. Come help us celebrate with live music from a compendium of talented Chesapeake Bay musicians and sample some of Annapolis’ most creative ‘grog’ recipes."

Mixologists from some of Annapolis’ most prominent taverns and restaurants competed with their own personal best in the way of rum concoctions. The MRE winners of the contest were selected by a celebrity panel of judges, and they also won in the "Peoples’ Choice" category.

A donation of $10 per person included a sample of each recipe and a choice of other beverages and snacks as well.

The event was sponsored by Pusser's Rum. A special exhibit on the history of rum included an authentic rum tub, as used on Her Majesty's ships, and a variety of Pusser’s memorabilia was raffled off. Live music was provided by the "Maritime Jam," an odd assortment of odd musicians, headed by Them Eastport Oyster Boys.

The celebrity panel of judges included: