Sugarbush Resort has always been a leader in Vermont beer festivals. Our Brew Grass Festival just celebrated its 10th anniversary this past June and regularly draws over 1,000 participants. But we also felt like it was time for something new. So this year we are happy to present Vermont’s first ever Fresh Hops Festival, taking place on Sunday, October 10th from Noon to 4:00 PM in Sugarbush’s Lincoln Peak Courtyard.
Vermont’s craft brewers offer an incredible selection of some of the finest beers in the country. Connecting these brewers with Vermont’s local hops growers, Wicked Bines and Champlain Valley Hops, only seemed a natural fit to produce a “Wet Hop” or “Fresh Hop” beer.
Different from most beers on the market, a wet hopped beer is produced using fresh hops harvested right off the vine, resulting in a refreshingly different flavor profile and varying alcohol content than most beer on the market brewed using dried hops. This style of brew is only available around the harvesting season since fresh picked hops have a very short window to be used – usually less than 36 hours from vine to brewing.
Brewers this year include Lawson’s Finest Liquids, Collaborative Brewing, Weird Window Brewing, Upper Pass Beer Company, Lucy & Howe Brewing Company, Kraemer & Kin, 14th Star Brewing Co., Goodwater Brewery, Black Flannel Brewing Company and Eden Specialty Ciders.
It is our hope to make this a yearly tradition with more hops growers and brewers collaborating on this very special brew. Music by the Vermont Bluegrass Pioneers (formerly The Starline Rhythm Boys) and tasty treats from our renowned F&B team will make this a memorable event.
We look forward to seeing you all there!