It’s an age-old dilemma in Beach Haven. Can’t decide between Kubel’s and the Black Whale for dinner. You’re curious see what new beers they have on tap, but you only have two nights in town. You have to stop in and see you’re your pals at the Chegg. Then the crew wants to rock the Shell tonight, but you want to be up early for a paddle on the bay. You’re craving Barry’s Do-Me-A-Flavor, but wouldn’t mind riding your bike north for lunch at the Veg or El Swell. And of course, you still haven’t been to Tuckers since you heard they started serving that World Famous LBI-branded hot sauce. Does that leave any time for your favorite Chowda?!
Maybe you need to make a point to be at the Taylor Avenue Waterfront on May 30 for the second annual Hop Sauce Fest where you can experience the best of LBI, and the region in general, all in one afternoon. Hop Sauce Fest takes great pride in curating this event and working with just the right partners to bring something fresh to the Island.
The non-profit Jetty Rock Foundation, Beach Haven’s Spice-It-Up, and Shore Point Distributors held the first Hop Sauce Fest last year, bringing together craft beers, gourmet hot sauces and delicious local food with a lineup of all original music. This year they’ve upped their game with even more brews, fire, and emerging regional bands, plus food from of your favorite LBI eateries. So now you can see all your friends in one place in addition to yumming up the Black Whale’s clams and oysters, El Swell’s fish tacos, the Chegg’s wings, Country Kettle’s Chowda, Buckalew’s sliders, Barry’s cheesesteaks, the Veg’s raw tacos, the Shell’s salsa and smoked tuna dip as well as Tucker’s truffle fries – all in $5 sample sizes.
The day starts with the Hop Sauce Tune-Up at 9 a.m., South End Surf N’ Paddle’s fun paddle race on the bay at Taylor Ave. Gates open at 11 for the true sauce and brew aficionados and the bands play all afternoon, finishing with headliner, Jukebox the Ghost, from Brooklyn, who recently played Conan. Then of course, there’s the after-party at Tucker’s.
For $40 you get entry and a tasting glass that lets you try all every fine craft brew on tap as well as all the delicious hot sauces. And if you’re the designated driver or just a hot sauce and music lover, a General Admission ticket is $10. This is the cutting edge early season festival that is sure to become a tradition.