With more than 40 beers on tap from 20 different brewers, the first Santa Cruz Hop n’ Barley Festival promises to score with lager lovers of all kinds.
The beer fest will be at Skypark in Scotts Valley from noon to 4:30 p.m. July 10.
Event mastermind Patrick Grube said the festival has been six months in the making, and he chose Skypark for its proximity to Santa Cruz and San Jose.
“We also picked the location because it’s near the Metro station, so people can get home safely,” Grube said.
Admission is free, but a $20 fee entitles a visitor to taste the beers on tap. Patrons will receive a special monogrammed beer mug to take around to the brewers’ booths. The festival is a benefit for the Community Housing Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, a nonprofit that expands and maintains housing and job opportunities in the county.
Live entertainment will be feature the local sounds of Acoustic Shadow, Ancestree and The URJ. Grube added that festival-goers are welcome to take their families and dogs.
“The park has a huge playground, and there will be craft booths set up by Child Connection in Scotts Valley,” Grube said.
Redwood Pizzeria in Felton will set up wood-fired ovens to bake pizza, and Heavenly Cafe will assemble gyros and salads on site, Grube said.
Grube’s own love of local brew planted the seed of the idea to put on the Hop ’n’ Barley Festival.
“Local brewing is great because it’s not shipped,” Grube said. “And there’s been a big drive for things organic and local.”
Local breweries include Boulder Creek Brewery, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, and Santa Cruz Ale Works, to name a few.
Gordon Biersch and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. will also have booths at the event.
“It’s definitely good to appreciate your hometown,” Grube said. “Especially when your hometown makes good brew.”
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