Scotts Valley Hop N’ Barley Fest with food, beer, and kids’ activities

On June 30, Sky Park in Scotts Valley hosts the 3nd annual Hop N’ Barley festival with many selections plus food — think lots of barbecue! — and kids’ activities. Hop N’ Barley festival organizers proudly state that this event is the “only beer festival in Santa Cruz County organized by a non-profit AND benefiting a non-profit.” Read details about the beneficiary non-profit, Community Housing Land Trust of Santa Cruz County, at the Land Trust web site. The organization is “…dedicated to providing a broad range of housing opportunities, with emphasis on ownership, that will remain affordable in perpetuity to very low, low and moderate-income residents of Santa Cruz County.”

More than 25 breweries are participating. There will be a kids area, skate park, free parking, bocci ball, four local bands performing live music, and it’s a dog-friendly event. Plus, there will be home-brewing demonstrations.

Food will be available to purchase from vendors including el Salchichero, Heavenly Café, Bruno’s Barbecue, and Cowboy Bar and Grill.

Gates open at 11:30 a.m., and tasting is from noon to 4:30 p.m. Music lasts from noon to 5 p.m. For those drinking beer, admission is $30 in advance/$35 at the door and includes a souvenir glass. There is also one ticket category which includes both beer and barbecue. The event has free admission for kids, designated drivers, and anyone else not drinking alcohol. Buy tickets online http://www.hopnbarley.org/tickets at http://www.hopnbarley.org/tickets.

Breweries offering tastings include local Santa Cruz Ale Works, Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing, Boulder Creek Brewing, Corralitos Brewing, and Seabright Brewery. Others include Gordon Biersch, Tied House, Kona Brewing, Full Sail, and North Coast.

Skypark is located at 361 Kings Village Rd, Scotts Valley, CA 95066

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