So many local beers — and wines — to choose from; so little time to choose them all.
The craft brewery and winery craze has fully engrossed Johnson County. Longtime staples Mallow Run Winery and Taxman Brewing have been joined by new ventures such as Nailers Brewing Co. and River City Winery.
Classic styles such as amber ales and crisp lagers are joined by experimental chocolate stouts and double IPAs. People can not only sip Riesling and Traminette wines, but try ciders sweetened with cherries or blueberries.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The creative spirit of the county’s wineries and breweries is worth celebrating, and one of Franklin’s newest festivals does just that. Hops & Vines is a gathering of 16 producers from around the area, offering examples of their unique offerings to longtime fans and newcomers to the craft scene.
People will have the opportunity to purchase small samples of a variety of beverages, and once they find one they like, buy full pours as well. The festival is a chance for Franklin to showcase the downtown area as well as create a new tradition around one of the county’s booming businesses, said Emily Snyder, executive director for Discover Downtown Franklin.
“We definitely like to support the local breweries and wineries the best that we can, while promoting a new community tradition here in downtown,” she said. “It’s a great way to taste new beers and get some information about who these breweries are.”
Of downtown Franklin’s many community celebrations — events such as the Franklin Fall Fest and Smoke on the Square — Hops & Vines is the newest. The festival grew out of an event formerly known as the Beer & Bluegrass Festival, with organizers deciding to keep the focus on breweries while adding wineries to the mix as well.
“One of the reasons we put on festivals is to create and promote community traditions. All of the festivals we put on go back to that,” Snyder said. “We want to promote a tradition in downtown Franklin. This is one of the newer ones, but this is definitely an event that people come back to every year.”
A cordoned-off beer and wine garden will be set up where people can do their tasting. The special area comes with a $5 admission and is for those 21 and over only, Snyder said.
Once inside, people can purchase $1 sample pours from a variety of breweries and wineries. If they find one they enjoy, pints and glasses of wine are available for $5.
An expanded area will allow people to take their beverages out into the general festival to listen to music, eat food and sit with their families.
“We wanted to make sure that people could be together and watch the band, even if some family members aren’t 21,” Snyder said.
While breweries such as Sun King Brewing and MashCraft Brewing have been taking part in the festival for years, others offer a new perspective that people might not be familiar with, Snyder said. Nailers Brewing Co. opened in the Whiteland area earlier this year and brings an easy-drinking selection of lagers, ales and pilsners.
Riverfront Brewery, based in Shelbyville, features options such as the Cornfield Cream Ale and Afternoon De-lite, as well as the Phat Cow milk stout.
By nature, a festival devoted to beer and wine is going to be adult-oriented. But organizers have also planned activities for all ages so that the event can be a family event, Snyder said.
Headlining band Flashback Rockshow formed around what they call the golden age of rock music: the period between 1964 and 1974. Listeners get a little bit of everything that made rock so powerful.
Setlists include British Invasion bands such as the Beatles and Rolling Stones, as well as American classics the Byrds and Lovin’ Spoonful. The more dance-oriented audiences will enjoy selections from Motown artists such as Aretha Franklin and Otis Redding. Other selections include Cream, Led Zeppelin and David Bowie.
Food vendors are signed up to offer everything from pizza to tenderloins to barbecue pork. A classic cruise-in will bring the area’s best hot rods and specialty cars downtown for people to ooh and ah over.
The Historic Artcraft Theatre is scheduled to be screening one of the most popular family films of all time, “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” throughout the weekend.
And downtown shops will be open late so visitors can see all of the one-of-a-kind clothing, home decor and vintage items that have made Franklin a destination, Snyder said.
“It’s a chance for people go in the shops and eat in the restaurants, basically to shop local during the event,” she said.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”If you go” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
Hops & Vines Festival
What: A celebration of local beer and wine producers, with 15 scheduled to serves samples and full servings of their products.
When: 5 to 10 p.m. Saturday
Where: Downtown Franklin
Participating breweries and wineries:
- 450 North Brewing Co.
- Ash & Elm Cider
- Bier Brewery
- Hoosier Brewing Co.
- Mallow Run Winery
- Mashcraft Brewing Co.
- Nailers Brewing Co.
- Planetary Brewing Co.
- Quaff ON! Brewing Co.
- River City Winery
- Riverfront Brewery
- Shale Creek Brewing
- Simmons Winery
- Sun King Brewing Co.
- Taxman Brewing Co.
- Wooden Bear Brewery
Cost: Festival is free to attend, but admission to the beer and wine garden is $5. Must be 21 to enter beer garden. Sample pours are $1, and full pints or glasses of wine are $5.
Schedule of events
2:30 and 7 p.m.: “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” Historic Artcraft Theatre, 57 N. Main St.
5 p.m.: Beer, wine and food vendors start serving; classic car cruise-in starts on North Main Street
7 to 10 p.m.: Music by Flashback Rock Show
Information: discoverdowntownfranklin.com
[sc:pullout-text-end]
