It’s been four years since the North Hop street food and craft drinks festival was last held, and excitement is building ahead of its return.
But what can visitors expect when the event finally kicks off at Aberdeen’s P&J Live on Saturday September 24 2022?
That question is easier to answer now organisers have released the festival’s full line-up of breweries, food trucks, distillers, bars and makers from the length and breadth of Scotland.
And to help, we have put together a guide to everything that is going on at the 2022 North Hop festival.
Whether you are looking for a cold lager, a hoppy IPA, a spicy bite to eat or a delicious cocktail, we’ve got you covered.
Plus, we’ve collated all the other important info you need to make the most of the North Hop’s return to Aberdeen, and its debut at P&J Live in Dyce.
When can you go to North Hop?
Taking place on Saturday September 24, the festival will run across two sessions. The first will kick off at 1pm until 5pm and the second will open from 6pm to 10pm.
North Hop festivalgoers will get the chance to meet and speak directly with the owners behind the various businesses.
Who from the beer world will be there?
In terms of beer, visitors will be spoiled for choice.
“Something for everyone, really,” says festival director Michelle Russell, who has booked 10 breweries for the show.
Standouts include local boys Fierce Beer, who started out in Dyce back in 2016. The brewery now has bars in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, while remaining a loyal supporter of North Hop over the years.
Meanwhile, Dalkeith’s Otherworld Brewing is new on the scene and well worth checking out.
Don’t forget that the idea of North Hop is to bring fans closer to the people that make their favourite independent food and drinks brands, so get over to the stalls for a chat.
Full list of breweries:
- Fierce Beer
- Vault City Brewing
- Dog Falls Brewing Co
- 71 Brewing
- Brew Toon Microbrewery
- Spey Valley Brewery
- Two Towns Down Brewing
- Windswept Brewing
- Otherworld Brewing
- Seidear – The Wee Scottish Cider Company
What bars will be there?
There are more bars than ever before at North Hop including Highland Boundary’s Wild Cocktail Bar and North Point Distillery’s Rum Bar.
Michelle says she is keen to try some of the newer canned cocktails from some of the producers, including Angel Dare’s 10%-abv ones.
Full list of bars:
- Highland Boundary (Wild Cocktail Bar)
- Drink Me Events (Fizz & Fizz Cocktails)
- Dunnet Bay Distillers (Rock Rose Gin & Holy Grass Vodka Serves & Cocktails)
- North Point Distillery (Rum Bar – Serves & Cocktails)
- Angels Dare Cocktails (Canned Cocktails)
- Blackford Craft Distillery (Gin, Vodka & Liqueurs)
What food is on offer at North Hop festival?
Ticketholders will be able to choose from a host of street vendors including wood-fired pizza from The Gaff and The Seafood Bothy’s local seafood dishes.
Bombay Grillz is on hand to deliver a bit of spice in the form of Indian street food. And if lamb tacos are your thing – and they should be – check out El Tajin’s authentic Mexican food.
Full list of food stalls:
- The Gaff (epic wood fired pizzas, your way)
- Paella Escocia (paellas, patatas bravas, churros)
- Seafood Bothy (locally landed seafood dishes)
- Lolly’s Ice Cream (ice cream E-bike)
- Bombay Grillz by The Catering Collective (Indian street food specials)
- Vintage Koffie (barista coffees & fresh pancakes)
- El Tajín at Home – Authentic Taste of Mexico (Jarochita – authentic Mexican dishes & frozen margaritas)
- Cafe’ on the kerb (yummy kerbside delights)
Who else will be there?
A raft of makers and producers will be there to speak to. Go grab some samples and talk to the business owners.
Try some of the new flavours launched by D!p, a Bridge of Don company looking to bring the same variety of dipping sauces to the UK as there are in North America.
You can also taste some of Raw Culture’s kombucha (or ask for more tips on how to make your own) while also checking out another local maker, Singularity Sauce Co.
Full list of makers:
- Peat
- The Knotty Chick
- Raw Culture Ltd
- Surya Luna
- Doric Skateboards
- Highland Tide Designs
- D!P Club UK
- Pure Bakery
- Singularity Sauce Co.
- MOOCDU
- Pure Decadence by Loch Aurora
- Perfect Scents Highland
- Picky pencil
What do you suggest for a first-timer?
Michelle has plenty of advice for a first-time visitor.
“I would suggest visiting the smaller breweries and trying some of their half pints of beer,” she says. “After that, go and get a selection of different dishes from the street food vendors so you are able to get a feel for what’s on offer.
“All the street food vendors will do smaller portions because the whole concept of the festival is to try lots of different things. There will be a lot of stuff that people won’t have had before.
“And don’t forget to go and chat to the brewers and meet the makers. That’s the whole idea.”
Where can you buy tickets?
Tickets are on sale now and available from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.
They are priced at £18 per person without fees, which will be added at the checkout.
Included in the ticket price is a branded North Hop glass on entry. The event is over-18s only.
I hear there is going to be music?
Yes, music plays a central role in the North Hop festival, but the full line-up of acts won’t be announced until later in the year.
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