Located in the Greater Knoxville, Tenn., metropolitan, Maryville, Tenn., offers a one-of-a-kind “beercation” experience this June. The inaugural Hops in the Hills festival will showcase more than 50 varieties of beer which will be poured, sampled and chugged at the event’s debut. Craft beer connoisseurs will enjoy hopping along a Brew Crawl Friday night (June 26). In addition to the plethora of craft brews on hand, Hops in the Hills’ main focus is celebrating the science and agriculture of the region. On Saturday (June 27), individuals can stop by two educational sessions: Craft Beer 101 and The Growing of Hops (with the help of a local hops farm). Tickets cost $40. On Friday evening, Knox Brew Tours will be conducting a brew tour. Ticket cost $10.
The biggest draw of the festival is its location. With America’s most visited national park it is backyard, Maryville attracts individuals and families of all backgrounds and interests. Festival goers can enjoy hiking through the hundreds of miles of trails in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, kayaking through the Little River, experiencing the Appalachian heritage in nearby Townsend, or taking in every ounce of serenity the Peaceful Side of the Smokies offers.
The Hops festival is part of a larger event going on that weekend, Summer on Broadway. The event features The Big BBQ Bash, a KCBS BBQ competition, The Maryville Farmers’ Market, Maryville Last Friday Art Walk, Napa Classic Car show and Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs. The streets around downtown will be shut down starting 6pm on Friday, June 26 till 8pm on Saturday, June 27th. There will be lots of music, crafts, food and family activities for everyone.
