Craft beer lovers, renowned breweries and local bands will unite for the second annual Hops in the Hills festival June 24 and 25 in downtown Maryville, Tennessee. This year’s festival includes a who’s-who list of local and regional brewing icons, charming music from local groups and a brew crawl for craft beer enthusiasts.
The festivities begin Friday, June 24 with a craft brew crawl from 6 to 11 p.m. provided by Knox Brew Tours. Saturday’s events include a 2:30 p.m. beer seminar at Barley’s Taproom and Pizzeria led by local brewers and professors, followed by the brew festival from 4 to 8 p.m. Passes to the brew crawl cost $10. General admission tickets for Saturday are $40.
The list of participating breweries includes more than two dozen options that will appeal to a diverse range of tastes. East Tennessee participants include Blackberry Farm and Yee-Haw Breweries, which each won medals at the 2016 World Beer Cup, and other local staples such as Bluetick, Fanatic and Last Days of Autumn Breweries.
Big beer names from around the state will join the fun, including Yazoo, Fat Bottom and Tennessee Brew Works from Nashville, Wiseacre Brewery out of Memphis and Calfkiller from Sparta.
Regional beer makers such as Highland Brewing Co., Oskar Blues and Starr Hill will also participate in the festival. The slate even features small local brewers such as Fanatic Brewing Co. and the Blount County Home Brewers.
Hops in the Hills is also an opportunity for guests to enjoy historic Maryville, Tennessee, which serves as the gateway to the Smoky Mountains. The event is part of the Summer on Broadway celebration. It will take place at 121 West Broadway Avenue in downtown Maryville.
