The Thread City Hop Fest, a food and craft beer tasting event, took place at Jillson Square Park in Willimantic on May 21. Attendees enjoyed samples from more than 70 breweries, cideries and distilleries from throughout New England while the Hartford Hot Several Brass Band and Wild Rice Entertainment provided the musical backdrop. Organized by Willimantic Brewing Company on behalf of Willimantic Renaissance, Inc., proceeds benefited local charities, including The Windham Region No Freeze Project; Horizons, Inc.; Click; Covenant Soup Kitchen; Willimantic Renaissance, Inc.; Holy Family Home and Shelter; First Baptist Church; Grow Windham; CT Eastern Railroad Museum; Windham Textile and History Museum; Windham Area Interfaith Ministry; CATS Northeast; and the CT Brewers Guild.
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- The Thread City Hop Fest food and craft beer tasting event took place at Jillson Square Park in Willimantic on May 21.
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- John Ramos and Eric Fuerst, Boston Beer Co. showcasing Truly Wild Berry Hard Seltzer and Dogfish Head Blood Orange & Mango Vodka Crush.
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- Brenden Conlin, Stony Creek Brewery showcasing Stony Creek Save the Sound Light Lager.
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- Jessica Rice, Two Roads Brewing Company highlighting Two Roads Summer Heaven Tropical IPA.
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- Mike Vieira, Thimble Island Brewing Company showcasing Thimble Island Rita Margarita Style Gose Ale.
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- Jessica Pratt, Grey Sail Brewing of Rhode Island showcasing a Grey Sail Brewing growler.
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- Stacey and Bryant Infantas, Charter Oak Brewing Co.
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- Rob and Bridget Schulten, Owners, Fifth State Distillery.
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- Sean Juliano, Founders Brewing Co.
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- Tia Hrusa, Brand Ambassador, Litchfield Distillery showcasing Litchfield Distillery Batchers’ Strawberry Vodka.
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- Evan Connolly, Narragansett Beer highlighting Narragansett Atlantic Light Lager and Del’s Rhode Island Hard Tea.
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- Nick Bush and Tommy Smith, New England Brewing Co.
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- Greg Dwire, Brand Development Manager, Diageo highlighting Roe & Co Blended Irish Whiskey.
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- John Spillane, Jack’s Abby Craft Lagers showcasing Jack’s Abby Ray Catcher Rice Lager.
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- Kurt Delaney and Craig Douville, Outer Light Brewing Company.
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- Zach Washbond, East Rock Brewing Company.
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- Marissa Bentivoglio and Rodney Woodard, Lawson’s Finest Liquids.
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- Downeast Cider House’s Kevin Messer, and Brand Ambassador Cassandra Tambling.
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- Steve Turpak and Chris Freyberg, Stormalong Cider.
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- Collin Brady, Zero Gravity showcasing Zero Gravity Put a Lime In It Lager and Frankie Variety Pack.
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- Fred Johnson and John Stack, Sierra Nevada.
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- Kevin Randall, Lagunitas showcasing Lagunitas Hoppy Refresher.
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- Guests enjoyed craft beer from more than 55 local breweries at the Thread City Hop Fest.
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- A fresh pour for a festival goer.
Photos by Michael Leung.
