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Frank Wells and Candi Bregartner, Coram: ‘We love delicious beer … and Matt and Lauri’

Sun’s out, fun’s out.

On the warmest day of 2015 so far, Polonaise Park was packed as Moustache Brewing Co. celebrated its first birthday, bringing out close to 300 people.

The brewery, one of three in the downtown Riverhead area – in addition to Long Ireland and Crooked Ladder – opened its tasting room doors a year ago after first selling its wares at the Riverhead Farmers Market last spring.

Since then, the business owned by husband and wife Matt and Lauri Spitz has expanded its brewing capacity from five barrels to a 19-barrel system.

The couple said on Saturday that their goal in year two — beyond the obvious of simply making and selling beer — is to focus on expanding distribution to more bars and retail locations.

Part of the brewery’s celebration of its first birthday included a shaving of Matt’s beard which he’s been growing since last fall, back down to the good old fashioned moustache, which he jokes he was born with.

Or is he joking?

We asked people what their favorite thing about Moustache has been so far. Take a look at what they had to say below.

Some people like the people at Moustache:

Mercel Rosenfeld, Ridge and Mike Picciano, Middle Island: 'Matt & Lauri'
Mercel Rosenfeld, Ridge and Mike Picciano, Middle Island: ‘Matt & Lauri’
Michelle Demetillo, Ronkonkoma: 'That HOT brewer'
Michelle Demetillo, Ronkonkoma: ‘That HOT brewer’
Kyle Chandler, Centereach: 'Family'
Kyle Chandler, Centereach: ‘Family’

Other people like what Moustache sells:

Noelle D'Arrigo and Jared McLaughlin, Patchogue and  Michelle Demetillo, Ronkonkoma: 'The milk & honey'
Noelle D’Arrigo and Jared McLaughlin, Patchogue and Michelle Demetillo, Ronkonkoma: ‘The milk & honey’
Ben Bentley and Kimberly Gersic, Jamesport; Stephanie, Lena and Joe Coleman, Aquebogue: 'We love local craft beer, smiles and sunshine'
Ben Bentley and Kimberly Gersic, Jamesport; Stephanie, Lena and Joe Coleman, Aquebogue: ‘We love local craft beer, smiles and sunshine’
Cyndi Murray and Jason Zaweski, Manorville: 'Beer'
Cyndi Murray and Jason Zaweski, Manorville: ‘Beer’
Blaine Horm, Sound Beach: 'Wanderlust ESB is my favorite beer!'
Blaine Horm, Sound Beach: ‘Wanderlust ESB is my favorite beer!’
Sam Shiminski and Karen Reilly, Middle Island: 'We love Moustache IPAs and sunshine'
Sam Shiminski and Karen Reilly, Middle Island: ‘We love Moustache IPAs and sunshine’

Some people like both the people and the beer:

Frank Wells and Candi Bregartner, Coram: 'We love delicious beer ... and Matt and Lauri'
Frank Wells and Candi Bregartner, Coram: ‘We love delicious beer … and Matt and Lauri’
Nick Turano, Farmingville and Carine Marcon, Bohemia: 'You make a kick a** beer Matt & Lauri!'
Nick Turano, Farmingville and Carine Marcon, Bohemia: ‘You make a kick a** beer & Matt & Lauri!’

Or what’s in the tasting room beyond the beer:

Scott Zoldak, Wading River and Lori Miller, Farmingville: 'World's best bathroom'
Scott Zoldak, Wading River and Lori Miller, Farmingville: ‘World’s best bathroom’

Some people kept their messages simple:

David Gerber, Dix Hills: 'Happy 1st birthday Moustache Brewery!'
David Gerber, Dix Hills: ‘Happy 1st birthday Moustache Brewery!’

Others, not so much:

Jeff, Marty and Cat Sandlewski, Ross Cummings, and Patty Sandlewski, Riverhead: See list
Jeff, Marty and Cat Sandlewski, Ross Cummings, and Patty Sandlewski, Riverhead: See list

Some showed a tip of the cap to how welcome facial hair is at the brewery:

Jesse Holze, Lynbrook and Jennifer Hannett, Bay Shore: 'Beard friendly beer! Cutest bulldogs ever ... dog friendly. Great beer'
Jesse Holze, Lynbrook and Jennifer Hannett, Bay Shore: ‘Beard friendly beer! Cutest bulldogs ever … dog friendly. Great beer’

While one brewer’s mom is happy Moustache keeps him out of trouble — not to mention her hair:

Winnie Raffa, Bellport: 'Keeps Rob out of our hair! Great beer'
Winnie Raffa, Bellport: ‘Keeps Rob out of our hair! Great beer’

And this couple respected its roots:

Keith and Angela Elgort, Mt. Sinai: 'We love that a local couple started their awesome brewery on kickstarter!'
Keith and Angela Elgort, Mt. Sinai: ‘We love that a local couple started their awesome brewery on kickstarter!’

And of course, we had to get what the owners like about their business:

Lori Spitz: 'You guys'
Lauri Spitz: ‘You guys’
Matt Spitz: Beer
Matt Spitz: Beer

Happy First Birthday, Moustache!

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