BrewFest to offer more than 100 beer samples

From the familiar Samuel Adams to the locally-known Liquid Hero Brewery, more than 60 breweries will be offering samples of their craft beers at the eighth annual Mount Hope BrewFest.

"We really like to think of it as a celebration of craft beer," said Candace Smith, director of sales and communication with Mount Hope Estate and Winery in Lancaster County.

The event started as a way to highlight local breweries, and it has expanded to include malt liquors from across the country. More than 100 beers will be offered at this year's festival, and those who attend can sample them to see what they like, Smith said.

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With all of the sampling available, guests will be able to eat food for free: barbecue pork sliders with coleslaw, bratwurst with sauerkraut, pizza, brussel sprout salad, or chicken buffalo macaroni and cheese with panko crust, just to name a few.

Entertainers from central Pennsylvania will perform a variety of music include classic rock, blues, classic country, funk, and more. Performers include Great Big House, Mark DeRose & The Dreadnought Brigade, Silver City Rodeo and The Coteries.

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Here are seven breweries that are traveling the farthest for BrewFest: 

• Coney Island Brewing Company from Brooklyn, New York
• Traveler Beer Company from Burlington, Vermont
• Twisted Tea from Cincinnati, Ohio
• BOAKS Beer from Pompton Lakes, N.J.
• New Belgium Brewing Company from Fort Collins, Colorado
• Sprecher Brewing Company from Glendale, Wisconsin
• Deschutes Brewery from Bend, Oregon

To help festival-goers be responsible, the event is offering a special parking lot for those who are being dropped off and picked up. It also will help to keep traffic moving, Smith said.

Guided tours of the SBC Brewsmiths brewery will be given during the event. That requires a separate ticket. It costs $6. It will include four samples of Swashbuckler beer and a souvenir glass.

If you go

What: 8th annual Mount Hope BrewFest

Where: 2775 Lebanon Road, Rapho, PA 

When: May 14

Sessions: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 4:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Cost: $45 in advance or $50 at the gate; for designated drivers, it's $25 in advance or $30 at the gate. No one under the age of 21 is allowed at the event.

Website to order tickets in advance: www.parenfaire.com/brewfest