5 Reasons to Come to the Hood River Hops Fest

5 Reasons to Come to the Hood River Hops Fest    September 28, 2013 Noon-9pm Downtown Hood River, OR 1. Fresh Hops  Beer           If you haven't had beer made with freshly harvested hops, (which  frankly is hard for those of us who live here to believe) then you haven't had the pleasure of knowing all that great beer can be. And if you already know and love fresh-hop beer then you know there is no better festival than the Hood River Hops Fest, held every year on the last Saturday of September. The HR Hops Fest gives you a chance to try firsthand one of man's greatest inventions, and in one of the most beautiful places in the world-the Columbia River Gorge. 2. Amazing Brewery Line-up           With 44 Pacific NW breweries in attendance bringing 65 fresh-hop beers, the HR Hops Fest brings in the best of the best from around the area. From local favorites Pfriem, Double Mountain, and Full Sail, to regional heavyweights Oakshire, Ninkasi, and Deschutes, it's like all the stars align for the perfect beer experience. 3. Great Live Music All Day         From Noon-9pm at the HR Hops Fest, you will hear some of the best regional live music to pair perfectly with whatever beer you're sampling. We've got The Poor Sports, Tess Barr Band, Big City Wind Down, and Tony Smiley all lined up to entertain you. 4. You Can Bring the Whole Family        The HR Hops Fest prides itself on being family friendly. What does that mean? It means under 21 get in free and are welcome to stay until 5pm, we have a kid's zone for lots of fun outdoor play, and local food vendors bring their carts and serve up great food for carnivores to vegans and everyone in between (including kids). 5. It's in Spectacular Hood River        Seriously, is there really any better place to drink beer? We can't think of anywhere more suitable for a downtown party than beautiful Hood River. With views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, the Columbia River rolling by, and all that fresh air, you'd think beer was invented just so we can hold the Hood River Hops Fest. Need help planning your trip to Hood River?      Check out our online Visitor Guide, or call or email using the information below and we'll send you a guide for free.

Hood River to Offer Full Lineup of Fun at 10th Annual Hops Fest

Hood River to Offer Full Lineup of Fun at 10^th Annual Hops Fest

     Hood River, OR—Fresh-hopped beer will be the main attraction at this year’s 10^th annual Hood River Hops Fest on Saturday, September 28, 2013. As one of the best beer-tasting events in the Pacific Northwest, the Hood River Hops Fest features over 30 fresh-hopped beers from more than 25 Northwest craft brewers.  An expanded menu of local culinary favorites, a host of arts and crafts vendors, a great selection of Gorge wines, a children’s play area, and a day-long lineup of live music guarantees fun for the entire family.

     The Hood River Hops Fest runs from Noon- 9pm and is situated in downtown Hood River, Oregon between 5^th and 7^th streets and Cascade and Columbia streets. Visitors can supplement their beer tasting with great local cuisine, from wood-fired pizza to American pub fare to vegetarian dishes. This year’s musical lineup features The Poor Sports, Tess Barr Band, Big City Wind Down, and Tony Smiley. 

        NEW THIS YEAR, attendees may pre-purchase tickets at Brown Paper Tickets to secure quicker entry into the event. Also new is the VIP TICKET, which allows entry at 11pm for an early preview of the beers. 

      “Hops Fest started as a tribute to the great, fresh-hopped microbrews of the Pacific Northwest, and that still is the reason that thousands of people attend,” said Ashley Huckabee, Event Coordinator of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event.

Admission is as follows:

·         21 and over:

o    $10 General Admission includes beer-tasting stein and 4 taste tokens

o    $20 VIP Admission allows early (11am) entry into the event to preview the beers, and includes a beer-tasting stein and 8 taste tokens

o    $1 each for additional taste tokens

·         Wine drinkers and designated drivers: $4.00

·         20 and under: Free and welcome until 5pm

NOTE: Children are welcome throughout the afternoon until 5pm. The venue is open to adults only from 5pm until closing at 9pm.

“Hops Fest in Hood River has become a well-loved annual tradition for beer lovers, both local and from around the world,” said Huckaby. “It’s an event that brings a great group of people to downtown Hood River, and one the Chamber looks forward to every year.”

For information about beer vendors and event updates as they occur, follow the event on the Hood River Hops Fest Facebook page, #HRHops13 on Twitter, or visit the Hood River Hops Fest website.  

The Hood River County Chamber supports economic and tourism development for the region and provides promotional programs to its 430 members. As a county-wide organization, it supports businesses, organizations, and governmental agencies in Cascade Locks, Hood River, Parkdale, Odell, Pine Grove, and Mount Hood-Parkdale.