The second annual Hop Sauce Festival in Beach Haven was a roaring success with more than 5,000 attendees. The “hop” in the name is short for hops, indicating craft beer; “sauce” is short for hot sauce, combining the two for a gathering of local spice and beer enthusiasts. Next year’s festival is set for June 4, 2016.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Entertainment included live music and rounds of corn hole, and with the option to come and go (bracelets allowed for re-entry), guests could enjoy the offerings of Fantasy Island Amusement Park and a special two-for-one mini golf game at Adventure Golf across the street. And there’s always the beach!
Photo by Joanna Buffum
THE BEER
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Hop Sauce offered a range of craft beer labels, including big names like Magic Hat, Brooklyn Brewery, Flying Fish, Long Trail, Otter Creek, Samuel Adams, Sierra Nevada and Blue Moon. But local, independent brew houses made a strong stand, including Tuckahoe Brewing Co. based in Egg Harbor Township.
Ship Bottom Brewery, though now located in Wallingford, Pennsylvania, made its first batch of beer using a home brew kit in a Ship Bottom garage.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
A few of Ship Bottom’s brews include the Barnacle Bottom Stout, with notes of coffee, chocolate and oatmeal, and the nostalgic Shack IPA; a musky, earthy, citrus drink brewed in tribute to the old Causeway Shack, an LBI landmark that was washed away by Hurricane Sandy.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Another local microbrewery, 902 Brewing Company, started in a Washington Street apartment in Hoboken, was also on deck.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Forgotten Boardwalk, based in Cherry Hill, entices drinkers with its pink Growler the Cat mascot and catchphrase, “Curious Ales and Tall Tales.”
Photo by Joanna Buffum
THE FOOD
With unlimited samples of craft beer, there were plenty of local food offerings and samples to keep attendees happy and full.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Local beach resort and tiki bar the Sea Shell, located down the street in Beach Haven, offered hungry patrons plenty of free samples, including the Florida Keys Fish Dip (above), made from house-smoked Mahi Mahi fish, and the Smoked Yellow Fin Tuna Dip (below), served with red onion and jalapenos.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
There were a few sweet selections to complement the savory. Country Kettle Fudge in Beach Haven served up a special Mexican Mole recipe: a spicy double chocolate fudge with a hint of Key lime.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
This pulled-pork sandwich and slaw was only $5 from Buckalew’s Restaurant and Tavern.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Kettle Brand, a sponsor of the festival, supplied endless free bags of Kettle Sea Salt potato chips.
THE SPICE
Though the Sriracha recipe is mimicked by plenty of Jersey restaurants, the popular Thai chili hot sauce made an appearance offering portable “2GO” squeeze bottles on key chains and even temporary tattoos.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
The Philadelphia-based Lord Darnley’s Bloody Mary Mix packed just the right amount of punch, and can be enjoyed by itself, as a drink mixer, meat marinade, dip and more.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Messy Brine, a New Jersey-based pickling start-up, offered samples of its tasty, locally farmed ingredients.
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There’s CauliKraut (a cauliflower and Vidalia onion sauerkraut), Jalabeano Carrots (pickled green beans and carrots in a jalapeño juice, suggested as a snack or Bloody Mary topping), the Deli Pickle (a Rye Bread & Butter recipe with crinkle cut pickles) and the Salt & Vinegar “Chips.”
Photos by Joanna Buffum
It seemed each hot sauce had a story to tell. Graham Connolly and Lindsay Otto were married on Long Beach Island in 2013, and passed out bottles of their signature hot sauce “LBI Love Potion” as party favors. After encouragement from friends and family, the couple launched World Famous Hot Sauce, which now includes Old Barney’s Lighthouse Hot Sauce and World Famous Hot Shake.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Speaking of weddings, a newly married couple arrived on the scene, with the wedding party in matching flip flops, suspenders and bow ties.
Photo by Joanna Buffum
Now that’s hot!