Fresh Hop Festival

This weekend, the series of fresh hop "tastivals" kicks off in Hood River. I missed these last year, so I can't speak from personal experience--but they look cool.

• Roughly two dozen breweries with at least one fresh-hopped beer, many with more than one.
• Food, Columbia Gorge wines, and craft vendors.
• Live music and a children's play area (kids welcome from noon-6:30 pm)
  

The event is situated in downtown Hood River between 5th and 7th streets and Cascade and Columbia streets. Admission to the grounds is free. To taste beers, visitors must buy a 14-ounce commemorative tasting mug for $5, and taste-tokens -- $1 for a 3-ounce taste, $4 for a fill. Food and crafts vendors also set prices separately. Noon - 9pm.

Future Tastivals:
Oct. 18 – Hopworks Urban Brewery, Portland , Noon – 9 p.m.
Oct. 25 – Ninkasi Brewing Company, Eugene, Noon – 9 p.m.

Incidentally, I did make it to Belmont Station last night, and I'll have my thoughts on fresh-hop beers from Ninkasi, Double Mountain, Full Sail, and Hopworks later.