Have a go at picking hops by hand.
When: 10th – 11th September 2016, from 10am
Where: Kent Life, Lock Lane, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent ME14 3AU
£: Admission on Saturday costs £12 for adults, £11 for concessions, and £8 for children. Sunday admission costs £10 for adults, £9 for concessions, and £8 for children. There’s a free pint of beer for all adult tickets booked online.
What is it?
The Kent Life rural heritage attraction, near Maidstone in Kent, will be hosting their annual Hops ‘n’ Harvest Beer Festival on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th September.
The festival honours old traditions by giving visitors the chance to have a go at picking hops by hand. Visitors can also see the last working coal-fired oast house in Britain, in full production for the festival weekend.
The event offers a unique chance to take in the sights and sounds of bygone years and meet lots of characters from Kent’s past, including the Oasties, the Tally man, and the Pearly Kings and Queens.
In the beer tent there will be a large variety of local and rare ales. Beers such as Canterbury Ales: The Millers Ale, Caveman: Megalithic, Millis Brewery: Dartford Wobbler, Rockin Robin: Hoppin Robin, and Hop Fuzz: Goldsmith will be available for tasting.
And if you’re not a beer drinker, the village hall bar will be serving cocktails and other refreshing beverages during the weekend. There will also be food available throughout the weekend from Dotty’s Tea Room, the Pantry in the Playbarn, and Grub on the Green.
There will be two live music stages at this year’s festival, with acts including the Biggin Hillbillies, Jamie Johnson, Jack Bowden, Phoebe Peek, and Gentlemen of Few performing.
Other entertainment over the weekend will include tractor rides, water zorbing, tug of war, family races, donkey rides, music workshops, and a vintage village.
More info: www.kentlife.org.uk