The Hops Rīga beer festival commenced in Riga on Thursday, featuring the participation of 20 Latvian and international beer producers and brewers.
The festival held in Esplanade Park took place from Thursday, the 06th of June 2024, to Sunday, the 09th of June 2024. It started from 11 am to midnight, except for Sunday, when it concluded earlier at 8 pm.
Hops Riga 2024 featured a diverse range of beverages, including beers from Bauska, Brūzis Manufaktūra, Bursh Brewery, Cesvaines, Craft Beer Station, Genys, Kokmuiža, Labietis, Leffe, Lido, Lielvārde, Madona, Mežpils, Mourbūdu cider, Paulaner, Stargorod, Tālavas, and Teikas, as well as brews from Uzhava, and Valmiermuiža.
My last beer festival visit was a while back at the COEX Beer Festival in Seoul, but I vividly remember enjoying the delicious food and the lively atmosphere. Although the Hops Riga beer festival lasted only four days, it was packed with fun activities like beer pong and beer tastings, tasty food, and free live music.
This event used a reusable cup system. When you buy your first beer, you’ll receive a plastic cup for a 2 euro deposit. You can then use this same cup to purchase beer from any tents at the event. To get your deposit back, simply return the cup to the designated black tent before you leave.
More than just a beer festival, HOPS RIGA served as a unique celebration of craft brewing, attracting beer enthusiasts from Latvia and beyond. The event procured a vibrant atmosphere and a summer kickoff with high-quality brews.