State College’s Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest canceled weeks before event. What to know
State College’s Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest, an annual event that features upward of 70 breweries, announced abruptly Friday morning that it was canceling the festival just three weeks before it was set to take place.
In an email sent to customers and festival newsletter subscribers, organizers pointed to “lower-than-anticipated ticket sales” for the May 24 event at Panzer Stadium, the home of Penn State lacrosse. General admission tickets cost $85, VIP tickets $116.50 and designated driver tickets $25.50.
“This decision was not made lightly,” the email read. “Each year, our goal is to deliver a first-class experience that celebrates craft beverages and brings our community together. However, a combination of industry challenges and economic factors led to lower-than-anticipated ticket sales, making it difficult to produce the event at the level you’ve come to expect.
“Rather than scale back and compromise the quality of the festival, we believe it’s best to pause this year’s event and return when we can deliver the full Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest experience.”
The local Brewers Fest first burst onto the scene in 2024, when it drew more than 3,000 attendees from around the state as the festival took place at Beaver Stadium, the home to Penn State football. Breweries set up on the field, and attendees were able to walk on the grass while sipping beer, listening to music and chatting over small high-top tables.
But, by January 2025, it seemed Beaver Stadium couldn’t be used again as a location — reportedly due to its ongoing $700 million renovation. In 2025, the festival instead took place at Porter Lot North (near Medlar Field at Lubrano Park). And, this year, it was supposed to be hosted by Panzer Stadium.
Still, like most things, prices have risen since the first festival. Advance tickets for the first fest were $75 for general admission, then dipped to $65 the next year with a change in location. But, this year, general admission was slated to be $85.
The dates have also fluctuated each year. The first fest took place May 11, the second July 19 — and this year’s was supposed to be May 24, Memorial Day weekend.
An email from organizers said information about refunds this year will be communicated directly to ticket holders. And the official website noted that all ticket purchases “will be automatically refunded by Ticketmaster to the original card used at checkout.”
It wasn’t immediately known where the 2027 festival might take place — or if it’s definitely happening — but the email to subscribers and ticket holders intimated the 2025 fest wouldn’t be the last one.
“No decision has been made about whether Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest will return next year,” added Lesley Kistner, public relations director for Happy Valley Adventure Bureau. “In bringing any new event to the market, the HVSEA and HVAB are committed to ensuring a premier, high quality event that can grow in a manner that provides maximum value to the community, attendees and participants.”
Among the founding members of the festival include the Happy Valley Sports & Entertainment Alliance (HVSEA), Happy Valley Adventure Bureau (HVAB), Antifragile Brewing Co. and the Central PA Tasting Trail.
“Thank you for being part of the Hoppy Valley Brewers Fest community, we look forward to raising a glass with you again soon,” the email to subscribers concluded.
