4th annual Hop Fest
On August 25th we went to our favorite beach, Rexhame in Marshfield. After a couple hours of sun we went home to shower and then off to Plymouth to the 4th annual Hop Fest. We went to this same event last summer but it was in a different location, memorial hall. This year it was outside at Cordage Park. I was a little nervous leading up to the event as it was rain or shine but we ended up lucking out with a gorgeous night. We got there just after 5pm when the event was starting and waited in line. Our tickets were scanned, IDs checked and we got our wrist bands. This year they had the small little tasting glasses, but no lanyards like last year. All the brewers were lined up in a ring. Samples were unlimited. The British Beer Company were giving out soft pretzels with cheese and mustard dipping sauces, but soon ran out. Luckily we got some. There were also free bags of pork rinds in a couple different flavors but neither of us tried those. Oh, and some samples of beef jerky. Not really my thing but I tried a couple. After we tried some various beers we took a break to visit the food trucks. There were 3 trucks, Bombs and Dawgs, Mom on the Go and one other. I’ve been wanting to try Mom on the Go for a while now. It’s a grilled cheese food truck. We just got a regular to split and a caprese skewer. It was good, but nothing super special. I satisfied my curiousity. When we finished our food we went back to the sampling. We ran into my husband’s cousin and her husband so that was fun. We hung out with them for the rest of the event. Some of our favorite breweries were there: Mayflower, Night Shift, Castle Island, and Barrel House Z. In total there were probably about 15 breweries and they all had multiple beers to try. I feel like the event was smaller this year but I’m not sure. I heard from another local brewery that the brewers don’t get paid to be a part of this event. That was shocking to me. Tickets were just under $40/each. Where does all that money go if not to the people supplying all the beer? Well, it was very nice of the people who did go to volunteer their beer and their time. We stayed until the end (8pm) with only one stop at the porta potties. Luckily they had quite a few so the wait wasn’t long. After leaving, we went to our favorite burger spot on the south shore, Kkaties. We split some buffalo wings and a burger. Hit the spot before heading home to bed. Overall we had a really good time. I’m not sure I’d go again having done it a couple times now, but if you haven’t been, I’d recommend it.