Hickory – One month later than its typical mid-April slot, the 20th annual Hickory Hops Craft Beer & Music Festival takes place in downtown Hickory on May 11, 2024. This annual gathering of great craft beers, mostly from North Carolina, and several thousand craft beer lovers has become a much anticipated outdoor event for western NC and beyond.
Sponsored by local beer distributors RH Barringer and United Beverage, as well as FOCUS Newspaper and Olde Hickory Brewery, festivarians can expect a fun-filled afternoon centered around hand crafted, small batch beer of many styles and flavors. Hard ciders will also be available. Live music by 20/20 Band from the center stage provides an enticing backdrop for sipping small sample glasses (actually plastic per city rules) of almost every style of beer available.
The gate opens at 1PM. Advance tickets are $40 per person and are available at www.hickoryhops.com. They will also be available at the gate on May 11 for $50. Designated driver tickets are $10, but that means NO alcohol. IDs required. No children. No pets. Pre-planning your ride home is the smart way to enjoy the festival.
Brewers from across North Carolina will be there to answer questions and provide samples of their handmade wares. Under sprawling white tents, festgoers will find beer from the NC coast to the mountains.
Breweries participating in Hickory Hops for the first time include River Arts District Brewing (Asheville), Buck Bald Brewing (Murphy), Diatribe Brewing (Asheville), Blake’s Hard Cider and Hickory’s own City Walk Brewing. Olde Mecklenburg returns after missing the past few festivals.
Hickory Hops is the oldest running North Carolina beer festival for a good reason. Rain or shine, a good time is guaranteed for all. Don’t forget lawn chairs, sunscreen, and your dancing shoes.
