Below we outline how to get the most out of Hopstock 2016, which kicks off today and runs through until Monday 18th April (while beers last)!
 

Partake over multiple days

Trying all 21+ beers in a single day is a great idea on paper, but a terrible idea in practice. Space out the fun over the generous 6 day event, remember the beers you taste fondly, and wake up happy for the next day of beerventues.
If you are hitting up many venues in a day due to time constraints, all of the bars will be providing tasting-sizes - so get amongst those!
 

Do the Trail

Not only is Hopstock a great opportunity to try some of the fresh hop brews from the 2016 hop harvest, but it's also an activity! Special Hopstock brochures will allow you to collect a stamp from the corresponding venue when you visit.

You can fill in your details and send completed brochures to us by Friday, 13 May 2016 to enter our Hopstock Prize Draw.

The trail
Prizes
 

Eat + drink non-alcoholic regularly

ALL of the venues provide food of some sort, and water for free, so take advantage of that. If you're all beered out then the trail doesn't end - you can keep roaming and collecting stamps for food and non-alc purchases.

If you want a full restaurant style experience instead of a quick bite, these Hopstock venues have a full kitchen and seat diners.

Hopstock Restaurants
 

Plan a route!

Plan your journey based on bar location and hours of operation... 7am pint of Hot Water Brewing's "IGA (India Green Ale)" at D4 on Featherston, anyone?
This'll save any unnecessary backtracking or a disappointing journey to a closed bar!

Google Map (GPS + directions)
Bar Profiles (hours & contact info)
 

Or let us plan it for you...

We'll serve your tasters, stuff you with great food, and guide you around half of the Hopstock venues (including on a private bus). We're working with the awesome Craft Beer College to bring you 4 guided tours across Friday to Sunday. Saturday has already sold out - get in quick for the others!

Book a tour online
 

Make the most of Hopstock Extra Events

If you're not too busy working on your Behemoth Brewing "Cheech" and "Chong" IPA colouring-in competition entry at Golding's Free Dive, then make the most of the other special events popping up during Hopstock.

Get in quick to book your 4-6 person Hopstock quiz team for Bebemos' and Tuatara's "Coneheads" Hopstock quiz on Thurs 14th.

Saturday sees Panhead Custom Ales fire up their pit smoker at Rogue & Vagabond for some tasty meaty action to pair with their Weedeater Experimental IPA! So head there for a bite and a brew before popping along to Hashigo Zake for North End's brew served-2-ways and some live music from The Rubberneckers - playing "outlaw country with a rocknroll limp".

Sunday's looking mighty fine! The Hop Garden launch their awesome new rooftop bar ft. Te Aro Brewing's "Kermit's Revenge" beer and a BBQ, Garage Project Taproom are hosting a live DJ and Tommy Millions pizza - plus their insane 63-hop-variety beer, "The Amazing Hop Boy", and Kelburn Pub have live jams from The Cosmonauts to accompany their 2 fresh-hopped Kereru brews.

Full details on all extra events
 

Choose a favourite beer!

For the first-time, Hopstock will have a people's choice champion. Make sure to note your favourite brew when sending in your trail brochure.
 

Have Untappd? Checkity-check yourself in!

We've worked with Untappd in the big ol' USA to set you up a custom Hopstock 2016 badge. Simply check-in at 5 Hopstock venues during the 6 day event to unlock it, and immortalise Hopstock 2016 in your badge library. Achievement unlocked!

Read about our badge on the Untappd Official Blog
 

Wear us close to your heart

Hopstock 2016 T-Shirts! With our much-lauded 2016 event logo, plus the option of having the full lineup printed on the back, "on tour" style!

Buy tees online
 

Take note of Closures

Not all bars open on Sunday and Monday, not even for Hopstock! These closures are noted on the official brochure.

Also worth noting is that The Bruhaus will be uncharacteristically closed on the Saturday due to inaccessibility. Make sure you get to these venues earlier in the week.

Be nice!

Hopefully we're all here to enjoy the great Hopstock beers and events together, so let's make it a great one for all involved!

Bars will be busy at times, which means it may get a little tight. This will also mean the bartenders are working extra hard.

Move around others gracefully, let people through (especially staff clearing glasses), be patient for service, and try not to raise your voice louder than necessary. If you feel like you're approaching your limit, head home or switch to non-alc instead of actually testing that limit. Essentially, "don't be THAT person".

Some people can lose track of themselves after a few beers, so please look after your friends and colleagues if they aren't looking after themselves.

 

That's all for now folks, remember to follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook for the latest Hopstock updates throughout the week!

Official Facebook event is here, join for any inside scoops!