Hickory Hops 2015

It looks somewhat updated... I don't remember Flat Top, Hi Wire, Innovation, Lost Province, Lynwood, or Thirsty Monk being there last year... and some of the logos have been changed as well.

I would hope the website has all of the people on there that will be there... not sure though.

 

The brewery list looks updated to me. Just none of the beers they are bringing have been updated (with a few exceptions). I love this fest! Very laid back and a great time. This will be my 5th year and I have yet to not have fun!

 

Well, its certainly my favorite festival in Hickory Seriously though, I do really enjoy Hops. Living in Hickory certainly makes it a no-brainer, but every year its been a day of great drinking and great fun (even the year it was raining and extremely windy).

I just have no idea what I'm going to do now that the Schnitzel Haus out on 70 is closed. For the last couple years its been the go-to for me after the festival and its really wrapped the day up well. I really don't feel like fighting it out with the close-in restaurants (Taproom, Station, Josh's, Crescent Moon)

 

This will be the 1st Hickory Hops I've missed in 4 years. One of my favorite festivals, hardly any lines, great beer and friendly crowds. Only draw back, no food within the festival grounds. Someone would make a killing if they allowed a few food trucks. Anyway, I plan on being back next year.

 

You're right on that. I think I've asked in the past and it was down to the way event's are licensed maybe. Based on the fact that they pretty much use all of their space though, I'd think it would cut out a couple breweries though... And possibly require more porta-potties.

 

The organizers told me that since the festival has limited space (and they moved into a larger spot a couple of years ago), that there is a waiting list of breweries. When I brewery can't make it, or declines, it then opens up for someone else. Though, the downside of that is once a brewery leaves, it's hard to get back in because of the waiting list. My favorite fest. small, great beer, great people.

 

There are also a number of breweries who opt not to attend because this is one of the remaining festivals that do not pay for the beer.

 

It's also the festival where you get to try almost all the beers in the Carolina Beer Championship, Always a few surprises.

 

Has it switched that quickly? I thought there were still only a couple of festivals that did buy their beer, not the other way around.

 

It's been a pretty remarkable change the last few years. Even festivals that were once thought of as A-B heavy like World Beer Fest now start the conversation with, "We buy all the beer." I try to limit myself to such festivals; seems like breweries and distributors bring better stuff (and fresher stuff) when the beer is bought versus cleaning out the inventory for freebie kegs.

 

Been the past 2 years but have to miss this year. Superbly organized festival with plenty of local brewers represented. Just remember to eat before you go in or you'll be hunting for spare pretzel necklaces (I speak from experience). We drive in from Atlanta and haven't been disappointed yet. I'll be back next year for sure.

 

That might make sense, but don't the ticket prices have to go up to reflect that?

 

I knew that, just didn't want to type it.

 

They do, though, with the money going for the beer, there is less money for perks for the brewers (hotels, free meals, etc.)

 

To a degree, although spread over all tickets sold, it's pretty nominal, and in my experience makes for better quality of product from the brewers and distributors (I've heard distributors say donated beer means "clean out the back corners of the warehouse" time).

 

And I didn't mean to be nasty or call them out, I just know a lot of festival goers who care to know.

 

Noda hasn't been there for a couple of years now and I don't remember Fonta Flora being there in the past. I did miss Fullsteam and Mother Earth though.

Even so, minus the epic fail with the departing shuttles back to the convention center, I thought the event went very well and I enjoyed myself.