Eau Claire, Wis. – September 10, 2013 – The Eau Claire Express baseball season may be over, but the team is excited to announce it will host a beer and barbecue festival, Hogs and Hops, for the third consecutive year. The event, scheduled for 3:30-10:30 PM this Saturday, will feature a change of location this year and will be held in the Bud Light Party Zone on the Country Jam grounds. Hogs and Hops Beer and BBQ Fest is sponsored by the Eau Claire Express, Leader Telegram, Country Jam USA, Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Right Way Shuttle, American Ice, Cesspool Cleaner Company and A1 Express Rentals.
Again this year, Hogs and Hops at the Ballpark will feature food selections from three vendors in the Chippewa Valley along with over 65 beers to sample for those over 21 years of age. Whiskey's Grill and Bar, Hickory Kist BBQ and Rainbow Catering will be on hand showcasing a variety of their barbecue products. Beer sampling will take place from 3:30 to 7:30 PM. A cash bar will be open and available throughout the event. Breweries to be sampled are listed below.
- Potosi
- Sand Creek
- Rush River
- Valkarie
- Lucette
- O'so
- American Sky
- New Belgium
- Shiner
- Goose Island
- Sam Adams
- Twisted Tea
- Angry Orchard
- Shock Top
- Abita
- Tall Grass
- Bear Republic
- Squatters
- Widmer
New this year is additional music entertainment beginning at 4:00 PM and concluding at 10:30 PM. Kicking off the live music acts is the Eau Claire Blues All-Stars at 4:00 PM. Rosewater, a Nashville artist, will follow at 6:00 PM. Country Fest main stage artist Lost Highway will finish things off beginning at 9:00 PM.
Tickets can be purchased in advance for $25 at either the Express or Leader Telegram offices, both located in downtown Eau Claire. In addition, tickets are available at www.eauclairexpress.com or by calling 715-839-7788. Ticket prices will increase to $30 on the day of the event. Full event tickets include $5.00 in tickets that can be used for food purchases. A $5.00 party pass is available in addition for general admission into the grounds. Food and beverage tickets can be purchased on-site. Event ticket sales will begin at 3:00 PM with gates opening at 3:30 PM. A portion of all proceeds will benefit the Hands Foundation. The Hands Foundation started the Homeless Veterans Project to help an estimated 200,000 homeless veterans in America. They collect quilts, sleeping bags and clothing to help the veterans survive. Over 13,000 items have been handed out thus far. Right Way Shuttle will provide shuttle service from Whiskey's Grill and Bar to the Country Jam grounds beginning at 3:00 PM and continuing hourly until 11:00 PM.