POTSDAM — The weather was hot, but the beer was cold at the second annual Raquette River Craft Beer and Wine Fest, held Friday and Saturday at Fall Island Park.

The festival began as a way of introducing more north country residents to craft beer, held in conjunction with Potsdam’s SummerFest.

“We realized there was a lot going on in the craft beer industry that people might like to know about,” festival founder Larry C. Reece said.

Admission to the festival was $7, or attendees could purchase packages that included tickets tradable for beer and wine samples for $17 to $54.

“I think it’s awesome. It’s an awesome idea,” said Tim A. Ronan, Malone. “It’s a great location.”

Beer could be tapped directly from the side of a tractor-trailer, packed with bottles and barrels. Brews from all over the United States and Europe were on tap. The still-small local craft brewing scene was represented by the St. Lawrence County Brewing Co., which was offering free samples of four of its beers.

The festival marked one of the company’s first public outings. By January it will be located in its new brewery, under construction in Canton.

“We’re really looking to bring craft beer to the whole north country area, starting with St. Lawrence County,” company brewmaster Stephanie M. Russo said.

Its wares included a maple porter made with local maple syrup. The plan is eventually to brew some beers with local hops, Ms. Russo said.

While the more than 100 varieties of beer and cider were the focus of the festival, this year saw several additions. Local bands played throughout the event, and more than 60 brands of wine were available to try.

Mr. Reece’s daughter, Audrey Reece-Roberts, said the wine was there to attract a more mixed audience.

“We want to draw the ladies,” she said.

It worked. According to Mrs. Reece-Roberts, the wine area was busier than the beer truck for much of the day.

“It’s a good selection of beer, and great music, too,” said New Jersey resident Patrick S. McFadden, who was visiting Potsdam for Clarkson University’s alumni weekend.

Last year’s festival drew about 300 people, and this year surpassed that number by the middle of the second day, according to Mr. Reece. This is still a fairly small turnout.

Large craft beer festivals draw thousands, but they have not had much presence in the north country until now.

“This is not a profit-making enterprise,” Mr. Reece said.

Still, if the event becomes popular enough, it may move to a different weekend, no longer associated with Potsdam’s SummerFest.

“There’s been a lot of talk about making its own event,” Mr. Reece said, adding it would take about 600 attendees to make the switch.

“The ideal is to have at least 1,000 people,” he said.

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