Brewfest - The Beer Thrillers

Hoppy Valley Brewfest Returns for 2025

B. Kline — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 14:30:39 +0000

Hoppy Valley Brewfest Returns for 2025

The Hoppy Valley Brewfest returns for its second year in State College, Pennsylvania; this time on July 19th, 2025. Last year, the inaugural Hoppy Valley Brewfest occurred on Mother’s Day weekend in May (on the Saturday therein). (You can see that article here: The Hoppy Valley Brewfest.) Last year it was announced in very early February (this year it was just announced today – March 18th.) Also, last year’s event was held inside Beaver Stadium on the football field. This year it will be held in a parking lot next to Medlar Field (the baseball field across from Beaver Stadium).

Hoppy Valley Brewfest 2025

Just a bit ago on their Facebook and Instagram accounts, the Hoppy Valley Brewfest announced the brewfest’s return for its second year.

They released this announcement:

We’re back! 🍻🎉 Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest 2025 is coming to Porter North Lot on July 19! Don’t miss out on an unforgettable night of craft beers, live music, and great vibes. Tickets are officially on sale now, get yours today!
#hoppyvalley #hoppyvalleybrewfest #happyvalleypa #hoppyvalleybrewersfest #craftbeer #craftbeercommunity

–Hoppy Valley Brewfest Announcement – via Reel

They also created an event page on Facebook, which you can find here: Hoppy Valley Brewfest – July 19, 2025 – Event Page.

No announcement has been made yet about breweries appearing at the event. Nor has any specific breweries announced attending yet (insofar as we know of at time of this article, which is shortly after the brewfest announcement). Also no breweries have announced special beers yet for the event (like last year’s Troegs / Sworn / Antifragile / Warwick Farm collab – Storm the Field). (Beer Review: Storm the Field.)

Medlar Field

The Medlar Field is the baseball field across from Beaver Stadium. Its where Amy’s Alzheimer’s Walk for the State College area occurs each year. Last year I was in charge of the Porter North Lot and directing traffic (because it coincided with the Trump Rally that day).

Here is how to find it on Google Maps: Porter North Lot at Medlar Field – State College, PA.

Last year’s event was held inside Beaver Stadium, on the football field. This was primarily due to the fact that following the event they were going to be tearing up the field and replacing it. There was hopes that if the event returned for a second year, it would at least be held in the concourses of Beaver Stadium, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Instead, the event will be in the parking lot on July 19th. This is still a nice location and you will be able to see Beaver Stadium loom in the background. As the AC Beer Fest found out in the past few years (even dropping the event last year), its hard holding a brewfest in July sometimes; due to weather and temperature. (AC Beer Fest has always annually been in March / April inside at the Convention Center, but post COVID it moved outside to Bader Field in July, and then for two years they were holding one event in March at the Convention Center and then another in July outside at Bader Field; however in 2024 they ended up cancelling the July event at Bader Field, but kept the indoor one in March.)

Our Past Articles

You can read these past Hoppy Valley Brewfest articles:

For More Information

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, auctions, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

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Hoppy Valley Brewfest Tomorrow

B. Kline — Fri, 10 May 2024 12:39:31 +0000

Hoppy Valley Brewersfest Brewery Guide

Hoppy Valley Brewersfest is Tomorrow

Are you ready? Are you going? Did you get your tickets yet? The Hoppy Valley Brewersfest is tomorrow!

We first reported it here: Hoppy Valley Beerfest. This big daddy, 75+ brewery event, happening right on the field of Beaver Stadium, is going to be one massive party. The brainchild of Antifragile Brewing Company, as well as several other breweries and with a ton of great and fantastic collaborations (Antifragile, Sworn, Warwick Farm Brewery, and Troegs Brewing collaborated to make ‘Storm the Field’ as well as Antifragile doing collaborations with other breweries).

You can still get tickets here: Hoppy Valley Brewersfest – Tickets.

Ironically, my “memories” has been flooding with past years events of the Mt. Hope Renaissance Faire Brewfest – which has typically happened every year in May, but has been cancelled and this is the first year this event has stopped. (Read more here: Mt. Hope – Renaissance Faire brewfest was announced to be cancelled).

Are You Going?

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 11, 2024

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Arrive early! I.D. Check/Ticketing Lines

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: VIP (Early Access)

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: General Admission

Brewery Guide

Here is your full list of breweries involved:

Our Town Brewery
Well Crafted Brewery
Von C Brewing
Michaeux Brewing
Other Half Brewing
YAH Brew
Wolf Brewing
Adroit Theory
Blonde Bistro Brew Works
Bru Daddy
aslin Beer Co
Second Sin Brewing
Last Minute Brewing
Greater Good Brewing Company
Tin Barn Brewing
Hemauer Brewing
Lolev Brewing
Wallenpaupack Brewing Company
Levity Brewing
Fourscore Beer Co.
Ever Grain Brewing
Otto’s Brewpub
Stick City Brewing
Hidden Stories Brewing
Cartel Brewing and Blending
The Warbler Brewing
Juniata Brewing Co.
Grey Sail Brewing
Boxcar Brew Works
Old Thunder Brewing
Collusion Tap Works
Lost Tavern Brewing
ZeroDay Brewing
New Trail Brewing
Succession Fermentory
Rural City Brewing
Axemann Brewery
Pineknotter Brewing
Mechanistic Brewing
Lancaster Brewing Company
Stable 12 Brewing
Boom City Brewing
Dewey Beer Co.
Dancing Gnome Brewing
Pilger Ruh Brewing
Robin Hood Brewing
Troubles End Brewing
Hidden River Brewing
Boal City Brewing
Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks
Sworn Brewing
Antifragile Brewing
Warwick Farm Brewery
Troegs Brewing
Braeloch Brewing
The Dead Canary Brewing
Shy Bear Brewing
Ten7 Brewing
Wild Brewing Co.
Clarion Brewing
Trace Brewing
Sunset Hill Brewing Co.
Levante Brewing
Floating Feathers Brewing
South County Brewing
Rooster Street Brewing
Grist House Brewing
Appalachian Brewing / Prototype Brewery and Meadery
Prison City Pub and Brewery
Four Quarters Brewing
Victory Brewing
Von Lieus Brewing
Cinderlands Beer
Rough Edges Brewing
Free Will Brewing
Eleventh Hour Brewing

Hoppy Valley Brewersfest Brewery Guide

For More Information

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

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MAPS OF BREWERIES

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The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

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Two Years Later – Brewfests with Anxiety

AmyMWolfe — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 17:44:43 +0000

A selfie at the Cushwa Brewfest (Amy and Ben)

Two Years Later – Same Brewfest – Same Anxiety

I went to another Brewfest and didn’t have a panic attack. Two years later and it’s still a major win. A crowded event is always a stressor, even just a crowded restaurant can send me into a tailspin. Coming back to the Cushwa Brewing Co for the 7^th Anny Brewfest celebration I was reminded of the 5^th anniversary two years ago. (Brewfests with Anxiety)

Cushwa Brewfest Glassware

The 7^th Anny was held at the Cushwa Brewing Co. tasting room shared with Rad pies. It was a congested area and bumping into other Brewfest goers was inevitable. I think by the end we all were done apologizing to each other for it.

It was a decent weather day for a Saturday in January. I was so glad we could take advantage of the picnic benches outside of the tasting room. For some reason I had an idea in my head that I needed to feel as carefree as I did two years ago; that I had to absolutely not feel any anxiety about entering a crowded event space. I am not sure why we build these unfair expectations in our minds sometimes but it’s a silly waste of energy.

Also it’s been a crazy two years since the last Cushwa Brewfest: I got a new job, I moved in with my boyfriend and we had a baby together. I’ve had a rough time adjusting to motherhood in my forties and I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have him.

The beers at the brewfest were absolutely wonderful. We loved the RAR offerings, the Crooked Crab barrel aged beers were fantastic, Fidens was a good TIPA, and there were so many different options and different styles. It was nice to see that it wasn’t just “here’s an IPA” “here’s another IPA” “and oh look, another IPA”, there were lots of varieties and different styles, and from breweries from all over which was a nice change of pace too.

Ben Taking Over

Amy has been working on this column piece since… pretty much since we got back from Cushwa and Williamsport, MD. After the brewfest we did a small share with friends at the hotel, just like we had two years ago, and the day after we hit a few breweries on the way back home (we hit Interchange Brewing, Amani Brewing, Thick n Thin Brewing, Upper Stem Brewing, and Fourscore Beer). She asked me to help finish our the column for her since she’s been struggling with it a bit. Its certainly not easy doing weekly columns, and especially about one with such a serious and delicate issue – and even moreso because of how close it hits to the bone on this one.

This is a serious matter, and one that is definitely not to be taken lightly or a joke. Anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, etc are all big deep issues, and something many, many, many, many, many people face. Most without having someone to talk to about it. Most without having a chance to discuss their very serious issues and thoughts with someone.

Thank you to Amy for talking about her issues, and her fight against anxiety. Its great to see her being able to step out of that, to overcome it, and get to go have fun at events like this. Her Brewfests with Anxiety post is perfectly worded and she does an absolutely amazing job of discussing it.

The Overnight Walk

Dealing with mental illness is NOT easy either by living with it yourself or supporting a loved one living with mental illness. This summer I will be walking 16 miles overnight in Boston in the out of the darkness walk. This walk is very important and supports the American Foundation for Suicide Prevent in Funding Research for Suicide Prevention, Create and Distribute Education Programs, Advocate for Public Policy and Support Those Affected by Suicide. Please consider donating here: https://www.theovernight.org/participant/45186

Amy’s Column Series

Since getting back to writing for the blog after a short hiatus, Amy has started up a weekly column style writing for the blog. You can find these articles here:

(And please take a moment to fill out Amy’s survey on her ‘Holiday Weekend and Bomber Bottles‘ column.)

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Hoppy Valley Brewfest

BKline — Fri, 02 Feb 2024 13:38:42 +0000

Hoppy Valley Brewfest (logo) – May 11th, 2024

Hoppy Valley Brewfest

Want to visit Beaver Stadium, walk the field where some of the best of the Penn State Alumni played football, while drinking craft beer? Come May 11th, that can be a reality for you. Introducing the “Hoppy Valley Brewfest”. The inaugural brewfest is looking to kick off on May 11th and will be hosting 75+ breweries to deliver their craft beer suds on the field of Beaver Stadium.

One of the largest stadiums in the country will host what could potentially be one of the largest brewfests in the country. An attempt to rival the Great American Beer Festival in Denver, “The East Coast GABF” as one insider told me, this brewfest is looking to make monumental waves on the industry.

Less than a full day after the Mt. Hope – Renaissance Faire brewfest was announced to be cancelled – the Hoppy Valley Brewfest was officially announced. (We had previously discussed it as ‘unofficial’ rumor news here on the site.)

Antifragile Brewing Company, in collaboration with Breweries of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, is joining forces to host a historic event at the fourth-largest stadium in the world – Beaver Stadium!

Be one of the first to score a tasting of handcrafted beers ON THE FIELD at the home of the most electrifying atmosphere in college football. Immerse yourself in the diverse offerings from an expected 75+ exhibitors, featuring a wide selection of beverages catering to every palate.

The festival will also showcase local food vendors and entertainment, ensuring that there is something for anyone and everyone. Make sure to join us for an unforgettable blend of flavors and fun at the inaugural Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest!

“What to Expect” – Hoppy Valley Brewfest

Schedule of Events

Saturday, May 11, 2024

10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Arrive early! I.D. Check/Ticketing Lines

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm: VIP (Early Access)

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm: General Admission

A Brewfest Comes to Beaver Stadium

Hoppy Valley Brewfest

Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster. To stay updated on when tickets go live, stay tuned to our blog, as well as the official website of the brewfest: “Hoppy Valley Brewfest“.

There will be entertainment as well, but more information will be released as the lead up to the event happens. Stay tuned to their website for more information on that as well.

Penn State Athletic Director Patrick Kraft wants to stage more events at Beaver Stadium, which is undergoing a $700 million renovation. Beaver Stadium will host Luke Combs’ “Growin’ Up and Gettin’ Old Tour” on April 27, two weeks after the Blue-White Game. In 2023, Beaver Stadium hosted a yoga class and showed “The Lion King” on the stadium screen. Beaver Stadium also has hosted a pop-up version of TopGolf.

Sports Illustrated as well as numerous other outlets have covered the brewfest as happening. (Sports Illustrated does have an error in which they state Breweries in PA is a sponsor when its the guild of breweries in Pennsylvania – the Brewers Of Pennsylvania who is in fact a sponsor.) The sponsors for the event are – PR&LA, Brewers of Pennsylvania, Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance, The Happy Valley Adventure Bureau, and Antifragile Brewing Company.

As well as the “Official Sponsor” – Hello Social Co.

The event will run from 12 – 5 PM for VIP attendees and from 1 – 5 for general admission attendees. A price point hasn’t been discussed yet on their website, but a number thrown out has been “100$”, not sure if this is for the VIP or for the General Admission cost. (Tickets are also sold through Ticketmaster so there will be more costs then afterwards.)

We will keep our blog – The Beer Thrillers – updated with more information as we get it.

Home of the legendary Penn State Nittany Lions football program, Beaver Stadium seats 106,572 fans, making it the second-largest football stadium in the United States.

You will be entering the festival through the south tunnel of Beaver Stadium – just like the team does! Picture yourself coming out to the cheers of 110,000 people, and get ready for an experience unlike any other.

Hoppy Valley Brewfest – Beaver Stadium

The announcement of the brewfest comes with 75+ known breweries. Some of which include:

Antifragile Brewery
Sworn Brewing
Warwick Farms Brewing
Troegs Independent Brewing
Ten7 Brewing
Fourscore Beer Company
Second Sin Beer
Trace Brewing
Prison City Brewing
Tin Barn Brewing
Dewey Beer
Hidden River Brewing
Other Half Brewing
Grist House Brewhouse
Sunset Hill Brewing
Dancing Gnome Brewing

Brewfests

This is a very exciting brewfest coming to the greater Central PA area and we cannot wait for it. Coming in May, it is a time when typically the Mount Hope Brewfest (pre-COVID) was usually held. And it will fall between the two dates of the AC Brewfest (the indoor brewfest being in April, and the outdoor brewfest being in June). So this will be a wonderful huge brewfest in the Spring timeframe. Definitely put this on your calendars and expect a great time. We are looking forward to getting more information.

We had previously stated on here how Troegs Independent Brewing – Antifgraile Brewing – Sworn Brewing – and Warwick Farms Brewing – met up at the Troegs Brewery to start hammering out a collaboration beer details for this brewfest. See that article here: “Troegs, Antifragile, Sworn, and Warwick Farms Meet For Collaboration Beer”.

Brewery News

Interested in finding out about many other brewery openings, new locations, closings, movings, and in general brewery news? You can check out our links below:

Thank You For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including news, beer reviews, travelogues, maps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

MAPS OF BREWERIES

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. As well as our brand new Tumblr page. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Top 7 Beers from the AC Brewfest (2023)

B. Kline — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 18:02:30 +0000

A List of the Top 7 Beers We Tried at the AC Brewfest (2023)

The 17th Annual AC Brewfest and Music Fest

The 17th Annual AC Beer and Music Fest just wrapped up this past weekend (June 3rd and June 4th), and once again – it was an absolute blast. This year was headlined by Dropkick Murphy’s and 311.

My buddy Drew (Knights of Nostalgia) and I went – as we’ve done for the past several years (of course excluding the COVID – 19 / pandemic / coronavirus year of 2020). And once again we had a great time, just as we’ve had every other year we went.

The 7 Best Beers We Had At The AC Beer and Music Fest

Here is the seven best beers we had this weekend at the AC Beer and Music Fest. In a rather loose order of ranking, but with the final beer definitely our 100 percent favorite.

7. Doppelbockalayna by Readington Brewery & Hop Farm

Doppelbockalayna by Readington Brewery and Hop Farm

Beer: Doppelbockalayna
Brewery: Readington Brewery & Hop Farm
Style: Bock – Doppelbock
ABV: 8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Blank
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.65

Why we chose it: This was a very pleasant surprise. Readington Brewery and Hop Farm (on Sunday when we got to their tent) was tucked in the very wee corner by the acoustic stage, and this was like finding a hidden gem. In a brewfest over flowing with IPAs, sours, kolsches, and other light beers, its fun to get to try a few different darker beers.

6. Juicy Pebbulls by Bolero Snort Brewery

Beer: Juicy Pebbulls
Brewery: Bolero Snort Brewery
Style: IPA – New England / Hazy
ABV: 6%
IBU: 20
Untappd Description: Who’s ready for some breakfast?After a bit of a hiatus waiting on the right hops one of our faves returns! We’ve really been dialing in the process on our hop forward beers since opening our Meadowlands digs for a softer, juicier beer, the result…JUICY PEBBULLS – Brewed with Cashmere, Lotus, Mich Copper and Cryo Citra and finished with freshly zest lime. Fluffy tropical fruit punch.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.81

Why we chose it: Returning again this year, a favorite of ours – both the brewery and the beer. This is a delicious, well done New England IPA, hazy, and very tasty. Definitely a full pour (or two) keeper at the brewfest.

5. Blueberry Brunch by Neck of the Woods Brewing Company

Blueberry Brunc by Neck of the Woods Brewing Company

Beer: Blueberry Brunch
Brewery: Neck of the Woods Brewing Company
Style: Sour – Fruited Berliner Weisse
ABV: 5%
IBU: 12
Untappd Description: Brunch style sour ale brewed with oats, blueberries, vanilla beans and maple syrup.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 4

Why we chose it: Firstly… why wouldn’t we choose this one? It was absolutely delicious! Like breakfast in a glass (if your breakfast was blueberries smothered in vanilla and maple syrup). This is soft, sweet, tasty, and not much more than tart. A wonderful beer on Sunday when it got a bit warmer.

4. Brux Royale Belgian Chocolate Stout by Ross Brewing Company

Brux Royale Belgian Chocolate Stout by Ross Brewing Company

Beer: Brux Royale Belgian Chocolate Stout
Brewery: Ross Brewing Company
Style: Stout – Imperial / Double
ABV: 11.7%
IBU: 50
Untappd Description: Rich, Decadent Belgian Chocolate Stout is a unique take on a dark and roasty beer. With actual 70% Belgian Chocolate in the mash, molasses in the boil and more Belgian Chocolate in the tank, Cacao Nibs and Vanilla give this beer a truly complex body and aroma. Belgian Abbey yeast provides a unique finish on this one of a kind stout. Decadence is the word. Treat yourself.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 4.02

Why we chose it: On Sunday at 3 PM Ross Brewing Company did a special bottle tapping of this beauty. This is a wonderful rich, strong, dark chocolate, going somewhat on the bitter side of chocolate. Not very sweet, but very heavy, strong, and a wonderful aroma. This was a definite treat to have right near the end of the brewfest.

3. Doughnut Soles by Departed Soles Brewing Company

Doughnut Soles by Departed Soles Brewing Company

Beer: Doughnut Soles
Brewery: Departed Soles Brewing Company
Style: Stout – White / Golden
ABV: 5.8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Our collaboration with the epic folks at Montclair Bread Company. Brewed to mimic our favorite type of doughtnut, the classic chocolate frosted, this white stout boasts a light, hazy tan body like the brioche baked confection, and is conditioned on milk sugar and Wilderness Poets Sweetened Cocoa Nibs, as well as Modcup coffee co Cold Brew, to elicit memories of sweet chocolate frosting and stouts (while looking nothing like either).
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.76

Why we chose it: This was just delicious. Was the first one we had after our 5K run to start off the Sunday beer fest session. (We both did the 5K in under 40 minutes, including the 7 beer stops, and the line up at the Chickie Pete’s stop that took up 1 minute, plus the one water stand.) This had a nice doughnut, coffee, morning wake up call taste and flavor. Was a great way to kick off the brewfest on a just before noon Sunday morning.

2. Vanilla Scoop by Southern Tier Brewing Company

Southern Tier sign at the AC Beer and Music Festival

Beer: Vanilla Scoop
Brewery: Southern Tier Brewing Company
Style: Strong Ale – American
ABV: 8.6%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Southern Tier is proud to partner with our Western NY neighbor, Perry’s Ice Cream. We used their delicious signature vanilla and milk sugar to deliver a creamy, full-bodied beer unlike anything else.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 3.94

Why we chose it: Ever had a vanilla scoop of ice cream? But… it was really beer? Then you had this beer didn’t you?! Because thats exactly what this is. This would probably mix perfectly with a root beer, to give you a root beer float. (Drew was told to skip Sixpoint Brewery’s tent and go here instead, so we did, and definitely don’t regret it.)

1. PB & Cookies by Three 3’s Brewing Co.

PB & Cookies by Three 3’s Brewing Co.

Beer: PB & Cookies
Brewery: Three 3’s Brewing Co.
Style: ‘Other’
ABV: 4.8%
IBU: N / A
Untappd Description: Yippie skippy! This outlandish take on a Vienna ale is dry nutted with an absurd amount of roasted peanuts and conditioned on that chocolate sandwich cookie from our childhood. Smooth and creamy with all that nutty goodness.
Global Average Untappd Rating: 4.1

Why we chose it: Where the other six beers could be moved around a bit, this one is a guaranteed lock at number one. (Though Drew argues this and the Vanilla Scoop could co host as ties for first.) Either way, this is an absolutely banger of a beer. It tastes exactly like what its describing. And that right there is always a plus. At 4.8% its also not going to be knocking you on your ass, making it great to have a pint of… or two. (Hell, maybe even three!)

The Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival

Once again, just want to say how great of a time we had. There were some complaints about longer than usual wait times on Saturday, and port – a – pot related issues, but it kind of happens every year. This year was a sell out (first I remember that happening in a while), they did have Dropkick Murphy’s performing after all.

All in all, it was a blast, just like every other year. Thanks for reading, and thanks for checking out our other AC Beerfest articles.

Thanks For Reading

If you like this article, please check out our other many articles, including AC Beerfest recaps, and much much more. We greatly appreciate everyone visiting the site!

Cheers.

-B. Kline

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

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The Beer Thrillers on LinkTree can be found here: The Beer Thrillers LinkTree.

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #8 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. (As of January 2023.) Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

If you would like to reach out to us for product reviews, beer reviews, press release writing, and other media – please contact us at thebeerthrillers@gmail.com. Thank you.

Autos and Ales: November 4th, 2022

B. Kline — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 11:28:20 +0000

Autos and Ales – Friday, November 4th, 2022 – at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA

Everyone’s Favorite Friday Brewfest

Its time yet again to get your drink and car fun on. Thats right, its time for the annual Autos and Ales. Everyone’s favorite Friday brewfest! (Also, will most likely be my list big event for a wee bit, since their due to induce Amy on the 9th.)

Last year was an absolute blast. You can read the article for last year’s here:

Autos and Ales – Craft Beer Festival (November 5th, 2021)

It is honestly a great and fun brewfest, encompassing two levels and letting you walk around looking at all of the cars. Everyone is very laid back, theres food in the basement area, band (or bands) playing, and lots of older folk getting ‘their groove on’.

The Details

With 2021 in the rearview mirror, the AACA Museum, Inc. is excited to welcome the return of Autos & Ales, one of the Hershey area’s oldest and most enduring craft beer festivals. Friday, November 4th, from 6 to 10 pm, the event kicks off with live music, food, and dozens of breweries, all within the galleries of our award-winning transportation museum.

Featuring

Regional craft breweries with dozens of craft brewed beers for sampling

Live music by local favorite Smooth Like Clyde

Delicious food prepared by C&J Catering

VIP hour from 6 to 7 pm (VIP ticket holders can remain through the close of the event at 10 pm.) The VIP hour features the debut of our 2022 event’s signature beer and its brewer Englewood Brewing

General Admission access to all breweries from 7-10 pm.

AACA Auto Museum – Autos and Ales

They also have a Facebook event page, which states:

A world Class Automotive Experience with Cars – Buses – Motorcycles & More! Cruise through time as you travel through various exhibitions from the 1890s-1980s! A proud Smithsonian Affiliate.

7th annual Autos and Ales with beer, music, and wings!

http://www.aacamuseum.org/autos-ales/
Autos and Ales (Facebook Event)

Tickets

Make sure you purchase your tickets now, they can be purchased here:

Autos and Ales – 2022 – Tickets

There are three available tickets:

General Ticket: 55$ (7PM to 10PM)
VIP Ticket: 65$ (6PM to 10PM)
Designated Driver: 20$

Participating Breweries

Aldus Brewing
Anchor Brewing
Appalachian Brewing Company
Artiface Ales and Meads
Bald Birds Brewing Company
Beatbox Beverages
Big Bottom Brewing
Big Oyster Brewing
Big Truck Brewing
Boneshire Brew Works
Blake’s Hard Cide
Boom City Brewing
Cellar Works Brewing
Conyngham Brewing
Cox Brewing Company (CBC)
Crook and Marker
Desperate Times Brewing
Englewood Brewing
Fat Bat Brewing
Fat Heads Brewing
Flying Embers
Grateful Goat Brewing Company
Highway Manor
Howling Henry’s Brewing
Howie’s Spiked Tea
Iron Hill Brewing Company
Jackass Brewing Company
Isaac’s Brewhouse
Lebanon Area Fermenters – Home Brew Group
Last Minute Brewing
Lindgren Craft Brewery
Logyard Brewing Company
Mount Gretna Craft Brewery
New Trail Brewing Company
Pilger Ruh Brewing
Press – Premium Alcohol Seltzer
Raven Beer Brewing Company
REHAB – Home Brew Group
Rotunda Brewing Company
Shy Bear Brewing Company
Sign of the Horse Brewing Company
Snitz Creek Brewery
Sons of Alchemy – Home Brew Group
Spring Gate Brewery
Stewart’s Spiked
Troegs Independent Craft Brewing
The Brewery at The Vineyards of Hershey
The Vegetable Hunter
Whitehorse Brewing Company LLC
Winding Path Brewing
Yuengling Brewery
ZeroDay Brewing

Special Commemorative Beer

Every year Autos and Ales likes to make a specialty beer just for the event. Last year they had Snitz Creek Brewery do the honors. This year it will be Englewood Brewing from Hummelstown / Hershey PA. From their Facebook about it:

We try to connect beer and automotive history each year at Autos and Ales through a special transportation-inspired brew crafted by one of our participating breweries. On Friday, November 4th, our friends at Englewood Brewing will debut “Merlette Swan, a Schwarzbier Lager. Head brewer, Jesse Prall, is a Cadillac guy as evidenced by his tattoo and the naming of his beer. The “merlette swan” was a component of Cadillac’s original 1902 logo and has been on and off the company’s crest over the decades. The beer is on its way and promises to be easy to drink and dark like motor oil. Check out the photos from brew day and note the rubber ducky in the tank (Jesse says no swans were available); then get your tickets for this not to be missed annual event!
Autos and Ales – Englewood Beer (Facebook)

Links and Resources

Thanks For Reading

Thank you for reading everyone! Always appreciate everyone stopping by and checking out the blog. Lots of big news going around here at the blog! A big Phillies win last night (7 – 0 !!!) with five home runs last night. What an amazing game that was! That makes the series now 2 – 1 Phillies, as they go into game four tonight in Philadelphia. Citizens Bank Park will be rocking! Also today is Wednesday, so another new episode of Andor, so that means its another Star Wars Wednesday, so another Star Wars themed beer review. (Also, with it being a Phillies game, that also means there will be a Phillies themed beer review. Whew, do I have my work cut out for me today.)

Also, as the norm with November, I do an article a day. My version of NaNoWriMo. So every day in November there will be at least one brand new article. So make sure you are stopping by the blog to check out everything that is going on. As there will be lots of beer reviews, book reviews, hike reviews, and other things to check out here.

And on the homefront even bigger news. We got told yesterday that they will be inducing Amy on the 9th. So looks like Scarlet Emma will be coming sooner than expected! (Original due date was November 22nd.) Things will be getting hectic from the 9th on, thats for sure! I’ll try and fit my writing in around the baby. So bear with us on all things blog related in that time frame.

Also, hopefully I’ll get to see you guys out at the Autos and Ales on Friday. Drew Scott and I will be there, Amy is most likely just going to be DD (designated driver), she might stay, or she might just be dropping and picking us up. Who knows yet. It is after all only five days before the induction.

Well, anyway, as always, thanks for reading, and make sure to root the Phillies on tonight!

Cheers!

-B. Kline

You can check out our different directories here: Beer Reviews, Hike Reviews, Book Reviews, Brewery News, Brewery Openings, Brewer Interviews, and Travelogues.

Please be sure to follow us on our social media accounts – Facebook, Facebook Group, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Influence. Please be sure to also follow, like, subscribe to the blog here itself to keep updated. We love to hear from you guys, so be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think!

The Beer Thrillers are a blog that prides itself on writing beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, news (especially local to the Central PA brewery scene), as well as covering other topics of our interests – such as hiking, literature and books, board games, and video games which we sometimes stream with our friends over at Knights of Nostalgia. We are currently listed as #7 on FeedSpot’s “Top 100 Beer Blogs” and #9 on FeedSpot’s “Top 40 Pennsylvania Blogs”. Thank you for reading our site today, please subscribe, follow, and bookmark. Please reach out to us if you are interested in working together. If you would like to donate to the blog you can here: Donate to The Beer Thrillers. Thank you!

Ephrata Brewfest (June 25th, 2022)

B. Kline — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 12:30:00 +0000

The Ephrata Brewfest is this Saturday – June 25th, 2022. (Photo courtesy of Ephrata Brewfest’s Facebook page.)

Beer me!

Its brewfest time again in Ephrata everyone! This Saturday is the yearly Ephrata Brewfest. This year looks to have another killer lineup for everyone. The brewfest will be on Saturday – June 25th (2022) – from 1PM to 4PM in Ephrata, Pennsylvania.

So far, they’ve announced twenty breweries, meaderies, and cideries on their promotional website page. (Their Facebook and other social media pages may have a few extras as well.)

You can check out their websites here:

Tickets are 40$ for drinkers and 10$ for designated drivers. (One of the best rates around for DD’s, especially with some brewfests no longer even offering designated driver tickets…. cough Mount Hope…. cough…).

Breweries

Who all is going to be there? Here’s a tentative list from their site (subject to change):

Big Dog Craft Brewing
Boneshire Brew Works
Downriver Brewing Co.
Fetish Brewing
Lebanon Valley Brewing
Meduseld Meadery
Mount Gretna Craft Brewery
Nomad Distillery
Oakbrook Brewing
Pour Man’s Brewing Company
Seven Sirens Brewing Company
Old Republic Distillery
Pilger Ruh Brewing
Compass Mill Tap House
Lancaster Brewing Company
Black Forest Brewery
2D Distillery
Rural City Brewing Company
Truth Beer Co.
Miley’s Handcrafted Kombucha

You can see their list of breweries here: Ephrata Brewers.

Looks to be a good time

So come on out and check out the breweries, distilleries, meaderies, and cideries. Looks to be a great time!

Brewery News

For more brewery news and brewfests news in the area, check out some recent articles we’ve done:

Thanks For Reading

Thank you all for reading! Hope you enjoyed the article. We have plenty more here on the site, including news, beer reviews, brewery reviews, travelogues, hikes, hike reviews, book reviews, board game reviews, and much more. Tomorrow wraps up the Obi-Wan Kenobi show and will wrap up our Star Wars Wednesday beer reviews. So be sure to check in for that!

Cheers All!

-B. Kline

Prototype Brewery Invitational

B. Kline — Sat, 23 Apr 2022 23:17:00 +0000

Prototype Brewery Invitational – 4.30.22

A Brewfest Two Years in the Making

In a lot of ways, this is a brewfest two years in the making. Its also kind of a brewfest filling a void that got left open two years ago.

See, there was this little thing called… “covid” or as we knew it better then – “coronavirus” two years ago, and that pretty much put a lockdown on everything in the brewery industry. As a result, the Prototype Brewery Invitational in 2020 got put on hold, hiatus, seemingly cancelled, until now. Also as a result of that (as part of many factors), the Harrisburg Beer Week also came to a close.

So now we fast forward to 2022, and in one week we are finally getting the long awaited Prototype Brewery Invitational.

Prototype Brewery and Meadery

The Prototype Brewery and Meadery has been in ‘start up’ mode for two (two plus) years now. Partly the love and brain child of Kevin Keller (also the event organizer for this), of Evil Genius credit and fame. The brewfest is partly celebration of all their friends that they are hoping to do collaborations in the future with (and ones Kevin has done work with in the past) and sort of a kick off to whenever they finally open. (No date yet.)

Prototype Brewery and Meadery has been pouring at events for a bit of time now, most notably was recently at the Cushwa 5th Anniversary. Kevin Keller is good people, and I love the idea of both a brewery and meadery in one, so I am eagerly awaiting their opening.

The Brewfest

List of Breweries for the Brewfest

This is absolutely looking like a killer brewfest lineup! Check out this lineup from their ticket page:

Abomination Brewing Company

Against the Grain Brewery

Aslin Beer Company

Beat Street Beer Project

Boneshire Brew Works

Bottle Logic Brewing

Burnish Beer Co.

Cellar Works Brewing

Chatty Monks Brewing

Cinderlands Beer Co

Civil Society Brewing

Collusion Tap Works

Cushwa Brewing Company

Dancing Gnome Beer

Dewey Beer Company

Dream State Brewing

Ever Grain Brewing Co.

Fourscore Beer Co.

Funguys Brewing

Great Notion Brewing

Grist House

Hidden River Brewing Company

Hidden Springs Ale Works

Hitchhiker Brewing

Imprint Beer Company

Ingenious Brewing Company

Lovedraft’s Brewing Co.

Narrow Gauge Brewing Company

New Trail Brewing Company

North Country Brewing Company

Ology Brewing Company

Other Half Brewing Company

Pilger Ruh Brewing

Rotunda Brewing Company

Short Throw Brewing Co.

Species X Beer Project

Tripping Animals Brewing Co.

Vitamin Sea Brewing

Wolf Brewing Co.

Yah Brew

That is a killer lineup! Other Half, Tripping Animals, Vitamin Sea, Ology, Great Notion, Civil Society, Grist House, Hitchhiker, Bottle Logic, Aslin, Cushwa, Fourscore, Dewey, Against the Grain…. …..some absolute amazing breweries.

Me and my buddy Drew have our tickets, and we got the VIP tickets to be in an extra hour. (I fully suggest going this route if any are available.)

Tickets

Tickets for the brewfest come in three types:

DD (15$)
General Admission (1PM – 4PM) (55$)
VIP (12PM – 4PM) (75$)

Additional information on each:

General Admission: GA will grant you access to samples from over 40 breweries from around the nation from 1-4pm. I’m addition, there will be live music, food vendors and plenty of brewery swag (While supplies last). A special edition tasting glass will be included in this package.
VIP: Early Entry tickets will grant you access to the sampling, music, food vendors and brewery swag an hour early from 12-4p. Select breweries will have limited beers that will be available exclusively during this hour. Have a certain brewery you absolutely need to sample beer from? Here is your opportunity!

Location

The brewfest will be at the Zembo Shrine in Harrisburg. This is a great venue for brewfests. Harrisburg Beer Week has done their Little Big Beer Fest there in the past, and other events have been there before. Its a lovely venue. Parking isn’t horrible, but its not the best. I obviously highly highly highly highly recommend Uber or Lyft or getting dropped off, but if you do have a DD, there should be enough parking.

Some general rules and FAQ:

– Each ticket is permitted one entry.

– Must be 21+ to consume alcohol. Must have valid proof of ID.

– Must 21+ to attend

– No ticket or event wristband sharing is allowed.

– We ask that you please do not arrive before 11am

– No backpack or large bags allowed in venue

– No Pets allowed

– No refunds on any ticket sales

– Event is rain or shine

– Tickets are not transferable

– Parking Information TBA

To get your tickets you can go to their Eventbrite page here: Prototype Brewery Invitational – Tickets.

They have hinted that in the upcoming days before the brewfest that they will be posting a beer tap list for each brewery. Can’t wait to see what these amazing breweries will be pouring!

(Post notice: I just saw that their ticket page list of breweries isn’t inclusive of some of the later additions, or they just missed putting some on it. But the logo pictures I have at the top of the heading show all of the 46 breweries that will be there. Some more notable breweries are Heist Brewing, Human Robot, and Hop Butcher!)

For More Information

For more information on the brewfest and to stay connected, check out the following pages:

Thanks For Reading

Are you going to the brewfest? If so what breweries are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments! I think I’m gonna be wearing my Mandalorian RAR shirt, so see if you can find me and we can clink some glasses together.

Cheers all!

-B. Kline