Hops and Crops caps off the summer with suds and fun
Published 10:54 am Thursday, September 18, 2025
Long ago, brother and sister Alfred and Anna Olson hosted dances for friends in the cedar barn, feet stepping smartly to a relative’s accordion when the building was empty because it was not needed for farm work.
Back then, the farm had lumber in the yard. In the weaving shed Alfred built for Anna, she made rugs she would then cart to JCPenney in Auburn for sale.
But on the blazing hot day of Sept. 13 — instead of dodging cows, hogs and chickens, and weaving past sheds for blacksmith and carpenter tools, and other farm implements, or stepping it to traditional tunes as in the olden days — folks sipped small samples of local suds, chatted under the shade of trees and bushes, and listened to live music pumped out by by bands blending rock and roll, country and more.
Olson’s turn-of-the-20th century property north of the Auburn Golf Course once again served as the site of the White River Valley Museum’s popular Hops and Crops Beer and Music Festival.
Think of it as something of a local farewell to summer. Perhaps not as busy that day as it has been in past years, said attendees, but no doubt a wonderful thing.
“It’s good, and I’m happy to come back every year,” said Stoph Johnson of Kent, relaxing in the shade with his five rescue dogs from South Korea. “I wish there was more beer and a few more vendors. I’m not a big cider fan or a mead fan either. It’s just a fun event, and I’m glad to come back any time I have the day free.”
“It’s been great, the weather’s been beautiful,” said one woman who declined to give her name.
There were great breweries and cideries, such as Republic of Cider, 2 Towns Ciderhouse, Offset Ciderworks, Wheat Head Brewing, Top Down Brewing, Acorn Brewing, Rail Hop’n Brewing, Valhalla Mead, JötunnCiderhouse, Chateau Ste. Michelle, and Pelican Brewing.
“The people have been great, and the dogs have been friendly with one another. I can’t complain,” said Billy Jack Newman, co-owner and brewmaster of Rail Hop’n Brewing on East Main St.
Perhaps the big smile on Newman’s face had something to do with the brisk sales of his smooth Mexican lager and peppery jalapeno beer. That last is his own concoction, guaranteed to warm your gullet on its way down without scorching anything.
“A smaller crowd than last year,” said George Ptasinski of Republic of Cider, who’d come to be there all the way from Seattle’s SODO District. Everything it brews is organic, much to the delight of the steady crowd, many of whom walked away from the serving area with samples of its signature Rosy Pom, made to glide sweetly over the tongue and delight the palate.
Happy Chems, Sugar Bones, General Mojo’s and Jaws of Brooklyn supplied the music, and food trucks from Thai U Up, Longhorn BBQ, Stacks Burgers and Pizza Maniacs provided the food.
General admission was $35, which included 5 oz. taster glasses and six taster tickets.
