Hops and Props festival combines beer and boats

Downtown Manistee, Mich., will be brewing as the 3rd Annual Hops & Props Craft Beer and Classic Boat Show returns to the riverfront, Sept. 12-14. Tickets for all festival events went on sale August 1.

“Last year, we had close to 2,000 attendees and we expect this year’s event will be even bigger,” said Patrick Kay, director of the Manistee Main Street Downtown Development Authority.

The festival weekend kicks off on Friday with a reception at the Boathouse Grill, from 5-9 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are limited.

The list of participating breweries (thus far) is as follows:

– Right Brain Brewery
– Hideout Brewing Company
– Cheboygan Brewing Company
– Brewery Vivant
– Big Rapids Brewing
– Bells Brewery
– Dark Horse Brewing Company
– New Holland Brewing Company
– Saugatuck Brewing Company
– Shorts Brewery
– Tapistry Brewing Company
– The Livery
– Schmohz Brewery
– Founders Brewing Company
– Mountain Town Brewing Company
– Mitten Brewing Company
– Douglas Valley Winery 

Saturday’s festivities run throughout the day and include a Boat Show, featuring the Century Boat Club, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. along the Riverwalk. As many as 40 classic and wooden boats are expected to line the riverfront, both in and out of the water, in an event that has called Manistee home now for 57 years.

Saturday also features an Art’s Alive Art & Artisan Fair from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. directly beside the main event space and live music from noon to 6 p.m. in front of the Marina.

A VIP Beer Tasting begins Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and runs until 1 p.m. and includes 15 tasting tickets, a private gathering and lunch with the brewers, a commemorative tasting glass, custom polo shirt and admission to the main beer event. Limited tickets are available for this special preview, at $50 per person.

The Michigan Craft Beer Tasting takes place from 1 to 6 p.m. along the downtown streets. Tickets are $20 per person and includes 10 tasting tickets. Nearly two dozen Michigan breweries are expected to participate. Several downtown restaurants will also be featuring “Michigan Beer Tap Take Over” offerings, from 6 p.m. until midnight.

The weekend concludes on Sunday with a Boater’s Brunch from 9 – 11 a.m. in the lobby of the Ramsdell Inn. Tickets are $15 per person.

The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) of the City of Manistee is an independent, special taxing district created in 1982. The DDA encourages redevelopment and revitalization and is an active participant in economic development, marketing and the stimulation of private investment.