“I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts…and beer.”
– Abrewham Lincoln
On October 24th, Dogwood Alliance and Terrapin Beer Co. heeded the heralded words of honest old Abe and teamed up again for Hop Harvest: a celebration in Athen’s backyard with music, munchies, love of trees and a special release of fresh-hop beer So Fresh & So Green, Green. As this was the 6th-annual Hop Harvest, our Dogwood Alliance team has come to look forward to the party every year. Here are the 7 best things, old and new, about Hop Harvest:
1. The killer team of creative brewers at Terrapin
Spike and John, founders of Terrapin Brewing Co., are making one of the best contributions to the burgeoning Southeastern craft beer scene around.
2. The belief of brewing for a cause
Brewed for the nature lover in all of us, Tree Hugger Ale is blossoming with flavor. Behold the amber color of the “Altcentric” ale and celebrate the majestic balance of both hops and malt. Even better, the beer is dedicated to Dogwood Alliance.
3. The down-to-party crowd at Hop Harvest
We love hanging out with people who like to drink local, drink fresh and drink now. We like it even better when they want to sign our petitions.
4. The freakin’ beer, man.
We aren’t ashamed. The beer at Terrapin Brewing Co. is something to talk about. Not only did Terrapin showcase their newest beer, So Fresh and So Green, Green, they also had 12 casks to choose from. We aren’t complaining.
5. The live music.
Jamming to some funky tunes while talking to folks about forests is one of our favorite ways to spend some time.
6. The munchies
Yep. ‘Nuf said.
7. The fact that we get to dress up in capes and be Forest Defenders
Our group of Forest Defenders at the Hop Harvest Festival!
We are already counting down the days until the next Hop Harvest Festival!
Starting with sitting in the middle of her brothers’ board games, Rita is a lifelong hellraiser. A proponent of sustainability, social equity and environmental justice, Rita joined Dogwood Alliance following the launch of her organizing career at Green Corps. Rita mobilized hundreds of activists and allies for the Our Forests Aren’t Fuel campaign in Savannah, GA. She is an advocate for participatory social change and movement building. Rita holds a BA in Political Science from the College of Wooster and runs half marathons with her brothers.