Hood River to Offer Full Lineup of Fun at 9th Annual Hops Fest

Hood River, OR—Fresh-hopped beer will be the main attraction at this year’s annual Hood River Hops Fest on Saturday, September 29,2012. As one of the best beer-tasting events in the Pacific Northwest, the Hood River Hops Fest features fresh-hopped beers from over 25 Northwest craft brewers. Some of this years’ brewers include Amnesia Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, Double Mountain Brewery, Pfriem Family Brewers, Laurelwood Brewing, and Logsdon Ales. 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.

“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 Kerry Cobb, Executive Director of the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce, which puts on the event.

The Hood River Hops Fest runs from noon to 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 Barlow Road, Tess Barr Blues Band, Tony Smiley, and The Quick & Easy Boys.

Admission is as follows:

·         21 and over: $6.00 (includes beer-tasting stein)

·         20 and under: free until 5:30pm

·         Wine drinkers and designated drivers: $4.00

NOTE: Children are welcome throughout the afternoon until 6pm. The venue is open to adults only from 6pm 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 Nancy Carlson, Event Coordinator for the Chamber. “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, #HRHops12 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 500 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.