Hop To It!

Attention craft beer lovers! The fourth annual Hop Fest will return on Saturday, September 21, at Jamesport Farm Brewery from 12:30 to 4 PM.

Produced by Starfish Junction, the same group that curates Pour The Core, Great Beer Expo, and more, the event will focus on locally grown hops and local breweries with specialty small batches just for the event. Fall flavors will come out, with previews of pumpkin and Oktoberfest beers, in addition to limited-release and seasonal, just in time for harvest season. Enjoy these brews on a 43-acre farm on the North Fork amid the famed wine region.

While many will stay true to their locally grown roots, there will also be national brew makers, all part of a forward-thinking community that makes up the craft beer industry. There will IPAs, DIPAs, even a chance to taste wet hop beers, which feature hops freshly picked and thrown into the kettle. Hard cider will be offered as well.

Andy Putman, a Long Island resident, will be performing live, covering the tunes of Dave Matthews, Sublime, Ed Sheeran, Bob Marley, Jason Mraz, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper, Coldplay, and others. There will be food available for purchase from Jamesport-based caterer Christopher Michael Catering.

Take a chance at one of the giant Pumpkin Chuckers. Enjoy some friendly competition with a giant slingshot and small pumpkins ripe for takeoff. See who can go the distance as you get low, perfect your angle, gather your strength, and let it fly. Other backyard games will be around, such as giant Jenga and cornhole.

Jamesport Farm Brewery is located at 5873 Sound Avenue in Riverhead. Tickets are $45 per person, with designated driver tickets for $12. This is a 21-and-over event, with photo ID required for entry. Grab your tickets at www.lihopfest.com.

nicole@indyeastend.com