Craft beer lovers and history buffs are invited to follow the journey of hops, one of NY’s original cash crops, from field, to brewery, to pint glass at Genesee Country Village & Museum’s Hop Harvest Festival, coming up on Saturday, September 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tour a working 19th-century brewery, taste historical beers and local craft brews, learn about historical uses for hops, enjoy live music and a Beer Garden, and so much more. All visitors 21 and older who intend to consume alcohol at the event must show valid identification with proof of age and will be given a wristband at the Beer Garden. Hop Harvest Festival is sponsored by C.P. Ward General Contractor. Tickets are on sale now: https://www.gcv.org/events/hop-harvest-festival/.
Tour a working 19th-century brewery
GCV&M is one of the only museums in the United States with a working 19th-century brewery. Grieve’s Brewery is a reconstruction of a circa 1803 brewery from Geneva, NY, with portions of Rochester’s Enright Brewery (closed in 1907) and an early timber-framed structure from West Bloomfield. Brewing demonstrations rely on gravity during much of the process, with liquids pumped by hand or ladled into troughs throughout the building. Visitors are invited to tour through all three levels of the brewery and learn how in 1850, New York State became a leading producer of hops. Beside the brewery, visitors will find a Hop House (built c. 1870 in Greece), surrounded by a small hop yard.
Sample historic beers and regional craft brews
At the Hop Harvest Festival (and all season long), visitors can enjoy two craft beers on tap in the museum’s historic Freight House Pub, both brewed referencing historical beer recipes by Rohrbach Brewing Co. Sample Stocking Hill Ale, an American Wheat Ale, and Fat Ox Ale, an American-style brown ale. Visitors can enjoy a sample, purchase a pint, or bring home a growler of either of these historical brews. Talking Cursive Brewing Company (Syracuse), Strange Design Brewing (Geneseo), 9 Spot Brewing (Rochester) and Rohrbachs (Rochester) will be pouring in the Beer Garden from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 9 Spot Brewing is Rochester’s newest brewery, tying together the legacy of brewing in New York State and the current excitement surrounding craft brewing in the region.
Explore historical uses of beer and hops
Visitors exploring the 19th-century Historic Village will discover the fascinating history of beer and brewing in the Genesee Valley Region. Learn what role women and migrant workers played in the hop harvesting and drying process, explore the medicinal purposes of hops, savor the aromas of sausages cooking in ale sauce in historic kitchens, purchase savory treats like steak and ale hand pies in the D.B. Munger & Co. Confectionery, and more.
Live music, traditional dance, and a Beer Garden
Visitors can spend the afternoon in the Beer Garden (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and enjoy beer tastings and pints from a variety of local breweries. Food specials will be available in the Pavilion Garden Restaurant (Sauerbraten sandwiches, German potato salad, peanut butter pie) and Terry’s Tips and Beef BBQ food truck will be in the Beer Garden to pair low and slow BBQ favorites with craft beverages. Live music in the Beer Garden will be provided by Rochester band Big Logic and the Truth Serum. Visitors can also enjoy traditional dances in costume on the Carport Stage by the Heindengold German Dancers and alphorn music on the Whislestop Stage.
Purchase tickets in advance and save
More information about Hop Harvest Festival and tickets can be found at https://www.gcv.org/events/hop-harvest-festival/. Advanced purchase tickets are $23 for adults; $20 for seniors (62+); $20 for students (ages 13-18); $17 for youth (age 3-12); and free for children two and under. Pre-purchase is recommended, as there will be a small additional fee for tickets purchased day-of at the door. GCV&M Member admission is free and guaranteed for this event, therefore reserved tickets are not required.
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