Bluegrass Band The Travelin’ McCourys to Perform Today at Empire State Plaza’s Annual Hops & Harvest Festival

Craft NYS Beers, Highlights of the State’s Harvest Season, and Bluegrass Music will Take Center Stage at Event

WHAT: Held for the first time by the New York State Office of General Services in 2018, the Hops and Harvest Festival celebrates the best of what autumn has to offer in upstate New York. It includes great beers crafted by several of the most innovative breweries in New York State, food, and amazing musical performances. During this year’s festival, a pie-eating contest hosted by Steve Barnes, Times Union's restaurant columnist and theater critic, will be held.

With free performances by headliner The Travelin’ McCourys, and special guests Gangstagrass and The McKrells, bluegrass fans will not want to miss this year’s Hops and Harvest Festival.

Adults with proper identification will be able to purchase a variety of New York State craft beers and ciders from the Ithaca Beer Company, Brown’s Brewing Company, Adirondack Brewery, Druthers Brewing Company, Wolf Hollow Brewing Company, Indian Ladder Farms Cidery and Brewery, and Brewery Ommegang.

WHERE: Empire State Plaza, Albany

WHEN: 5 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, September 18

Tentative Hops and Harvest Schedule

5:30 p.m.     The McKrell’s
6:30 p.m.     GangstaGrass
7:45 p.m.     Travelin’ McCourys
9:00 p.m.     End

Featured Beers and Cider

Brown’s Cherry Razz — This malt-forward amber ale is brewed with copious amounts of cherries and raspberries and pairs perfectly with spicy food.

Brown’s Oatmeal Stout — Engaging, dark, and bold, this ever-popular ode to the classic English stout earned Brown’s Brewing Company a prestigious World Beer Cup gold medal.

Druther’s All In — This hoppy, American-style India pale ale is dominated by Amarillo and Centennial hops, with Horizon hops providing a strong yet smoothly bitter finish. German, Vienna, and Munich malts provide balance.

Druthers Oktoberfest — This German-style beer has a toasty malt flavor and just enough hops to balance. 

Indian Ladder Cider Donut — This herbed cider has a touch of sweetness, tartness, and a beautiful aroma that reminds you of your favorite cider donuts, the cornerstone of any trip to an apple orchard.

Ithaca Country Pumpkin — This medium-bodied harvest ale is brewed with a medley of flavorful malt, pumpkin puree, Magnum hops, and a touch of the season’s spices, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, and allspice.

Ithaca Flower Power — This India pale ale is punchy and soothing, with a big body and a finish boasting pineapple and grapefruit.

Ommegang Farm Fresh Ale — Brewed following authentic Belgian practices, this beer captures inviting Wildflower aromas that reveal the delicate complexities of Ommegang Brewery’s house yeast and the natural wonders of open-air fermentation.

Ommegang Rare Vos — Brewed with orange peel and spices, this beer is Ommegang Brewery's take on the easy drinking ambers poured in cafés across Belgium.

Wolf Hollow Amber — This toasted American amber ale has a warm reddish hue and a toasty sweet malt profile, balanced by a cascade dry hop to prevent it from finishing too sweet.

Participating Vendors

• Food: Alaturco Mediterranean Gril, Alima's Cuisine, Given to Fry, Kona Ice, Margarita City, Menya Jiro Ramen, Reggae Boy Café, Robles Catering, Roy's Caribbean, The Plated Palette, The Skinny Pancake, and Umami Gallery

• Information: Goldfish Swim School, OGS Office Diversity and Inclusion, and Palace Theatre

• Retail: Jade & Geodes, New Scotland Spirits, The Bull and Bee, and The Jerky Hut

Sponsors of the event include DeCrescente Distributing Company, Times Union, Albany Renaissance Hotel and EQX.

Free parking is available in the East Garage, Madison Avenue, and Grand Street parking lots. Paid parking is available in the visitor lot underneath the Empire State Plaza.

For additional information and event updates, visit empirestateplaza.ny.gov, @EmpireStatePlaza on Facebook, and @plazaevents on Instagram, or call (518) 474-4759.

OGS is implementing a new emergency text alert system, which the public can use at Summer at the Plaza events to receive emergency notifications specific to the event they are attending. For the Hops and Harvest Festival, the public can text ESPHHF to 888777 to opt in and receive emergency messages.