It is time. It is time for a beer fest. Spring is here and beer fests are beginning to sprout every weekend. Sure, I could travel across the country, but why would I do that? The second largest beer fest in the United States, The Atlantic City Beer and Music Fest, is in my backyard.
This annual event gets bigger and better every year, and this year is looking to be the biggest and best so far. Jon Henderson, the “P.T. Barnum” of beer fests, and his crew bring in the best beers and music you will find at any fest. And with the explosion of breweries peppering all over the Garden State, there will be even more home-grown options.
[NickF]
Of course, to really showcase and wow the locals, these breweries will bring the best brews they’ve made this year. You may never see these beers anywhere else.
Four hours and more than 150 breweries can be intimidating. Bathroom lines will be long. And your body is going to need water. That’s why I have created this primer to next weekend’s Atlantic City Beer and Music Fest.
There will be more than 26,000 people are expected to attend the event. According to festival producers, about 700 runners will trail through the city Saturday morning for the Hops Trot 5K. To survive these two times of brews and music, you’re going to need some string, pretzels, water and maybe a costume. Cheers!
What’s new this year?
• The Hops Trot 5K will start at the Convention Center so runners have somewhere to leave their things during the race.
• Cooking demos from chefs like “Hell’s Kitchen” contestant Amanda Palomino and others.
• Beer-infused cocktail seminars presented by mixologists from The Iron Room restaurant.
• More beer stops during the Hops Trot.
What is returning this year?
• Acts will be performing during all three sessions. Session 1 (8 p.m.–midnight Friday) will be Flogging Molly, Session 2 (noon-4 p.m. Saturday) will be the Front Bottoms and Session 3 (6-10 p.m. Saturday) will be Streetlight Manifesto.
• Food vendors such as Vagabond Kitchen and Tap House, Chickie’s and Pete’s, and Harry’s Oyster Bar and Seafood
By the numbers:
3 four-hour sessions between Friday and Saturday
150+ participating breweries.
45 breweries from New Jersey
700 Hops Trot 5K runners expected
26,000 to 27,000 attendees expected throughout the weekend
30+ participating vendors
8 different eateries to choose from