Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest to return in 2026 with new location, expanded lineup
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- The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest will return for a third year on May 24, 2026.
- The festival is moving to Panzer Stadium, Penn State’s lacrosse stadium.
- The formerly beer-exclusive event will now also feature wines, ciders and spirits.
A State College beer festival will return this spring with expanded offerings in a new location.
The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest will return for its third year on Sunday, May 24, festival organizers announced Monday. The formerly beer-exclusive event will now feature a broader range of craft beverages at Panzer Stadium, Penn State’s lacrosse stadium.
Roughly 75 local and regional breweries are expected to attend this year’s Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest. Organizers said adding wines, ciders and spirits to the event’s craft beverage lineup will help increase interest in local taprooms and tasting rooms.
“As the craft beverage market continues to evolve, we have heard growing interest from both consumers and producers to expand the festival beyond beer,” Antifragile Brewing Company owner John Schaffer said in a statement. “While our roots will always remain firmly focused on craft beer, adding wineries, cideries and distilleries allows producers to collaborate across categories, diversify our beverage offerings and connect with new audiences.”
The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest will also feature live entertainment and local food vendors to provide a “full-scale festival experience,” organizers said. General admission guests can attend the event from 2 to 6 p.m., while VIP guests will receive an additional hour of admission to get a head start.
Tickets sales for the festival will begin in limited quantities on March 2. General admission tickets cost $85 for 2025’s Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest, with VIP tickets fetching $116.50. Designated driver tickets, available for those who will not drink at the event, will cost $25.50 each.
Guests must be at least 21 years old to attend the event and sample drinks from vendors. No children or pets are permitted inside the event venue.
The Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest drew thousands to Beaver Stadium in 2024 when it debuted with support from Antifragile Brewing Company, the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance and the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. The event moved to the nearby Porter North tailgating lot in 2025 as Penn State’s football stadium began a major renovations project.
Prospective attendees are encouraged to visit hoppyvalleybrewersfest.com to receive updates on the event and tickets. The festival will also share announcements on its Facebook and Instagram pages.
Interested volunteers can apply to join the event’s staff by filling out a form online. Volunteers who complete at least one shift will receive free access to the festival for the rest of the day.
This story was originally published February 17, 2026 at 2:58 PM.
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