Not long ago we use to refer to the local "Beer Festival Season”, but this distinction seems unnecessary now as festivals are being held throughout the year. The first area beer festival on our calendar this year is Top of the Hops in Biloxi, MS taking place this Saturday, January 24th at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center.
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2014 Top of the Hops Biloxi Official Flyer
We're barely into the new year, but the area's first beer festival is just days away. The 4th Annual Top of the Hops Festival in Biloxi, MS takes place this Saturday at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center starting at 5pm.
Attendees will receive a commemorative mug and the opportunity to taste two ounce samplings of over 150 craft beers. The festival will also feature the Brew University Education Area with beer seminars including Cooking with Beer, Food Pairings, Brewing 101 as well as other beer education sessions. Live entertainment, food, and games round out the day.
Among an impressive list of craft breweries attending will be local favorites Back Forty Beer Company out of Alabama, and Mississippi's own Lazy Magnolia Brewing Company and Crooked Letter Brewing Company. That's a great opportunity to support 3 local breweries all under one roof.
General Admission Tickets are $35 in advance. VIP Tickets are $75 in advance and include early entry to the festival at 4pm, access to the VIP area, the opportunity to sample beer selections not available to General Admission Ticket holders, and complimentary food from 5pm to 8pm.
Designated Driver Tickets are $15 in advance and include complimentary soda and water. VIP Designated Driver Tickets are $25 in advance and add early entry to the festival as well as access to the VIP area and complimentary food.
Tickets will be available at the door the day of the festival ONLY if not sold out.
If you're looking for something to do the Friday before the festival, a Four Course Beer Pairing Dinner presented by Goose Island Beer Company out of Chicago will take place at Lookout Steaks & Seafood at 7pm.
Beer Pairing Dinner Official Flyer
Keep up with any news or last minute changes by following the Top of the Hops - Biloxi twitter account or liking them on Facebook. For questions check out their FAQ page, or contact them via their official webpage.
Event Summary
Event: 2014 Top of the Hops - Biloxi
Location: Mississippi Coast Convention Center
When: Saturday, February 8th 5pm (last pour 8:45pm)
Cost: $35 General Admission, $75 VIP (tickets sold at door ONLY if not sold out)
Purchase Tickets: TicketMaster
Event: Four Course Beer Pairing Dinner
Location: Lookout Steaks & Seafood
When: Friday, February 7th 7pm
Purchase Tickets: TicketMaster
Why should you have to wait till spring to attend a beer festival that showcases over 150 world-class beers from around the world? You shouldn't and you don't, because the Biloxi, MS Top of the Hops Beer Festival takes place next Saturday (Jan 19th) from 5 - 9 pm.
The Festival will be held at the Mississippi Coast Convention Center so parking and weather should be a non-issue. Advance tickets are on sale and you can buy either General Admission tickets for $35 or VIP tickets for $75. Not only do both ticket levels receive a two ounce souvenir glass for unlimited beer samplings but also access to live entertainment, games, and the Brew University Area as well. The Brew University Area will be holding seminars on Cooking with Beer, Brewing 101, Pairing Beer with Food, and more. The VIP tickets get you into the festival an hour early, access to a VIP lounge, complimentary food (5 - 8 pm) and the opportunity to sample beers not available to general admission. Designated Driver tickets and VIP Designated Driver tickets are also available with the same respective access but without any beer sampling, instead complimentary soda and water will be provided.
Top of the Hops has already posted the list of attending breweries. The list includes breweries from around the world but I would highly recommend making sure you check out some of the wonderful Mississippi breweries, some of which do not distribute to the Pensacola area (yet!).
Lazy Magnolia
Mississippi's first brewery was founded in 2003 and is located in Kiln, MS. Luckily they do distribute to Pensacola and I hope most of our readers are very familiar with their beers. With the changes to MS ABV restrictions they have been able to add some great new offerings to their already impressive lineup, such as Timber Beast (an Imperial Rye IPA).
Lucky Town
Lucky Town Brewing Company is located in Gluckstadt, MS and just opened their doors this December. Their beer is currently available only in MS (Jackson metro area and Vicksburg). Their initial beer lineup consists of The Flare Incident (Oatmeal Stout) and Ballistic Blonde (Belgian Style Blonde Ale) and they will be bringing both to the festival.
Crooked Letter
Crooked Letter Brewing Company is currently a brewery in planning in Ocean Springs, MS but they are very close to opening day. When they start distributing they will be available along the MS Gulf Coast but they have plans to distribute throughout MS, LA, & AL. Though not available to us locally, the good news it that they will be another great brewery stop along the coast.
Live entertainment will be provided by local MS Gulf Coast singer/songwriter Greg Griffin and the Dry Creek Band. If you have any further questions regarding the festival, you can check out their FAQs and Info page. You will also want to go ahead and download the Festival Guide which includes a map of the breweries locations as well as a list of beers each brewery plans on bringing to sample.
You still have plenty of time to make plans to attend the festival, so get your tickets, call the kennel, babysitter, etc and kick-off 2013 with a great craft beer event.
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