NORTHFIELD — The Brewery at Four Star Farms at 508 Pine Meadow Road invites beer lovers and agriculture enthusiasts to celebrate the start of hops harvesting at the annual Hop Harvest Fest on Saturday, Aug. 16, beginning at noon.
In a region where only a handful of commercial hop yards exist — most hops in the United States are grown in the Pacific Northwest — Hop Harvest Fest offers an opportunity to walk among the towering bines, breathe in the aromas that give beer its signature flavor and see firsthand the journey from field to pint.
“Hop Harvest Fest is a truly special experience. Since most hop production happens in the Pacific Northwest, this is our way of inviting the community in to experience the magic of hops season firsthand, right here in Massachusetts,” Liz L’Etoile, co-owner of The Brewery at Four Star Farms, said in a statement. “It’s a fun, hands-on opportunity to learn what hop farming is all about and to enjoy delicious beers brewed with ingredients grown literally steps away from the taproom.”
Hop Harvest Fest will feature fresh beer releases brewed with the farm’s own hops, live music, food trucks and lawn games. Event highlights include:
- Chalk It Up! (11 a.m. to noon) — This all-ages chalk art event will turn the brewery walkway into a giant canvas. Chalk will be provided.
- Hop Yard & Farm Tours (12:30 to 4 p.m.) — Visitors can learn how hops are grown, harvested and used in brewing.
- Hop Yard Carriage Rides (noon to 3 p.m.) — Attendees can enjoy a horse-drawn carriage ride through the hop yards (tickets required).
- Hop-Themed Activities — Compete in a hop-picking contest or a hop bine tug of war.
- New Beer Release — The new beer is called Hella Helles, a dry-hopped German Helles, made in collaboration with Post & Beam Brewing of Peterborough, New Hampshire.
- Live Music at 4 p.m. — Visitors can enjoy a performance by The Bandit Queen of Sorrows, blending 1960s jazz, 1920s blues and folk.
- Rough Chop Food Truck — Offering seasonal cuisine, made from scratch.
The event is free to attend and family-friendly. Visitors to asked to leave pets at home. For more information, visit fourstarbeer.com/events/hop-harvest-fest.
