The triannual Poperinge Beer and Hop Festival in Poperinge, Belgium
“This elusive celebration takes place only every three years, which is why it has evaded me for so long. The breweries that participate must use Belgian hops. Westvleteren, De Struise, St. Bernardus, and, of course, Poperings Hommelbier are mainstays, to name a few of my favorites. It’s a time when
tradition and local pride shine, and I’d love to witness it at some point in my lifetime.”
—Michael Fava, operations manager at Sacred Profane Brewing in Biddeford, Maine
Hop selection at harvest time
“Your nose becomes consumed with all of the smelly smells. The scent of berries, grapefruit, pineapple, mango, pine, green pepper, and grass fill the air in its purest form, as hop oils smear across your hands while flakes of green cling to your hair from raising your hands to your face. Mountains kiss the sun in the morning, and in the evening you meet with fellow brewers who share the same love of the craft. Hop selection is every brewer’s dream. Hop selection is my dream … one day.”
—Breeze Galindo, lead brewer, Other Half Brewing in Brooklyn, New York
Brew with the best (and take home some GABF hardware)
“There are a ton of brewers I have looked up to for years and would love to get the chance to collab with—Brienne from Sacred Profane, Ashleigh from Bierstadt, Live Oak, and Three Floyds, to name a few. [Also], win a medal at GABF. It’s long been a dream of mine, since I started homebrewing. To have a group of professional judges say that a beer that you have designed and made is one of the best has got to be an amazing feeling.”
—Lauren Hughes, head brewer, Necromancer Brewing in Pittsburgh