Pictured is a shot taken from the Taste of Hops tent at Hop Fest last year.
(Oneida, NY – Sept. 2014) The 19th Annual Madison County Hop Fest presented by the Madison County Historical Society will be held Sept. 12 and 13. The Madison County Historical Society is pleased to celebrate more than 200 years of hop heritage in Madison County.
Madison County’s own resident, James Coolidge, introduced commercial hop growing to New York State in 1808 by bringing a rootstock from New England. His success enticed area farmers who took up planting acres of hops. The hop industry in New York State exploded in 1828 with eleven counties raising hops. Madison, Oneida, and Otsego Counties raised the most- nearly 80 percent in the nation by 1880. The Madison County Hop Fest celebrates the past, present and future of the hop industry.
Hop Fest Weekend starts at the Kenwood and Vine located at 170 Kenwood Ave. in Oneida for the Hop Fest’s Paired Beer Dinner on Sept. 12.
Hop Fest continues Saturday, Sept. 13 at 11 a.m. on the grounds of the Madison County Historical Society 435 Main St. in Oneida.
Don Cazentre, Food & Drink writer for syracuse.com and The Post-Standard and new author will do a presentation and book signing on his new book, 2nd edition of New York Breweries at 11 a.m.
Also at 11 a.m. Steve Miller, NYS Hop Specialist from Cornell Cooperative Extension and crowned Madison County Hop King in 2013 will share research on the commercial hop industry in Oneida and Madison Counties.
At 2:45 p.m. Al Bullard, Hop Historian and crowned Madison County Hop King in 2005 will examine specialized farm implements used in the hop trade and highlight structures in the landscape that may have been buildings used in the 19th and 20th century hop industry.
This year’s Hop King will be crowned at 2 p.m.
Stop in the Hop Shop for some hop-related items.
Throughout the afternoon purchase your raffle tickets to win great beer related merchandise. Visit with the American Home Brewers Association, BIER, UNYHA, Clark Hollow Hops all day.
Stop by the North East Hop Alliance, Foothill Hops, Clark Hollow Hops tent to learn about hop growing.
Check out the Great Lakes Brewing News booth for beer related merchandise and visit with the Syracuse Women of Craft Beer to learn all about their organization.
From noon to 2 p.m. under the Taste of Hops Tent sample craft brews. Admission fees apply.
Proceeds from the Hop Fest support the educational programming at the Madison County Historical Society.
For more information about the 19th Annual Madison County Hop Fest contact the Madison County Historical Society at 315-363-4136, 315-361-9735 or www.madisonhopfest.org, email Sydney at sydney@mchs1900.org, or visit Hop Fest on Facebook.
There is no admission to attend the Hop Fest. Admission is charged for the Paired Beer Dinner, Taste of Hops and Craft Beer Sampling.
No one under the age of 21 will be permitted to enter the events where beer is served. Proper ID is required for entrance to all areas where beer is served.
Please do not bring children, strollers, or pets to the event. Tickets will be available for designated drivers (who must be 21 years of age) at the entrance of the craft beer sampling tent.