‘It’s going to be a great time.’ What’s on tap for Beaver Stadium’s first beer festival?
The newly created Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance has had a busy last year, helping bring multiple large-scale events to the region, such as, most recently, the 2024 Olympic Wrestling Trials. While athletics is a large focus for the nonprofit, though, an upcoming one-day festival shows the larger range of events it could offer the area, with the inaugural Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest taking over the Beaver Stadium football field on Saturday.
Eric Engelbarts, executive director of the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance, said talks of hosting a beer or wine festival were already occurring when he stepped into his role a year ago. Then, when Antifragile Brewing Company co-founder John Schaffer approached Engelbarts with the idea of hosting a beer festival at Beaver Stadium, it was the perfect opportunity.
The Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance stepped in as the event’s fiduciary and began working with other businesses and organizations — such as Breweries of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association, Happy Valley Adventure Bureau and Central Pennsylvania Tasting Trail — to pull together the festival over the last six months.
While Engelbarts said he believes there have been prior, smaller beer festivals in the area that took place pre-pandemic, this event will be the first of its kind for the region, with dozens of breweries in attendance, all with ties to the region, and an exclusive experience on the Beaver Stadium football field.
Engelbarts encourages attendees to arrive early to the stadium. Not only will that mean less waiting when the gates open, but there will be activities including ax-throwing outside as well as merchandise and tents set up.
General admission is 1-5 p.m. for the event, but attendees can arrive from 10 a.m.-noon for ID checks and ticketing lines (the event is open to only those 21 and older). VIP access opens at noon.
“When the gates open to Beaver Stadium, you’re able to walk through the south tunnel that the football team parades out of for football games, so you’ll get to experience what it’s like to be on the football team, coming through the gates onto the football field and seeing the stadium from a different standpoint,” Engelbarts said. “Then, that will open up to our 75 different breweries. We’ll also have a stage set up with five different acts throughout the afternoon.”
The event, Engelbarts suggested, is a perfect example of the nonprofit’s mission, blending entertainment with Happy Valley’s passion for Penn State athletics, and offering appeal to both locals and regional travelers.
“With the formation of the Happy Valley Sports and Entertainment Alliance, we’re able to provide to the region these exclusive events that lead to a higher quality of life, giving people things to do when they’re not working,” he said. “However, we can also then welcome tourists into our community that stay in hotels, eat at restaurants and shop in our businesses.”
Engelbarts said event capacity is capped at 5,000, and tickets sales “went right through the roof” when they became available for purchase. He anticipates another wave of sales as the event approaches.
“We’re expecting a good number,” he added. “It’s going to be a great time. There’s going to be plenty for people to do and they’ll have a great experience. We hope this becomes an annual event ... at Beaver Stadium.”
Standard, general admission pricing for the Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest starts at $75, plus service fees and inclusive of parking (day-of event general admission pricing starts at $95). Tickets come with a commemorative drinking vessel and complimentary 21-ounce branded water bottle. VIP tickets are also available, which provide early event access and a premium VIP gift package that includes a commemorative “dad hat,” event stickers and a bottle opener.
Performers will take the stage starting at noon:
Noon-1:30 p.m.: Revival Presents: Channing Wilson, Rob Snyder, & Dave Kennedy
1:40-2:20 p.m.: Caledonia
2:30-3:10 p.m.: The Cow Poke and the Poet
3:20-4 p.m.: Lowjack
4:10-4:50 p.m.: The Skoal Brothers
Want to experience the fun and festivities, but not exactly a craft beer fan? A discounted designated driver ticket is available and designated drivers receive access to an exclusive tent, where they can enjoy complimentary beverages.
See the full lineup of breweries and purchase tickets at www.hoppyvalleybrewersfest.com.
