No caps. No cash. Just pour, taste, and repeat.
The NH Bacon & Beer Festival is a fundraiser organized by High Hopes Foundation of New Hampshire. Our guiding principle is to “make hope happen” for NH’s chronically ill children.
Just like the High Hopes Foundation Families we serve, at NH Bacon and Beer, we've got you covered!
🍺 Unlimited Tastings 🥓 Unlimited Bacon Creations ♬ Live Music & Good Times ✅ One Ticket = All Included
Date: Saturday, June 6th, 2026 – 1:30pm to 5:00pm (last pours at 4:30pm)
(VIP Festival Admission at 12:30pm | General Admission at 1:30pm)
Location: Anheuser-Busch Brewery — Outdoor Fields, 221 Daniel Webster Hwy, Merrimack NH
Relax and find your new favorite from over 60 local brewers. No punch cards or limited pours here, your ticket gets you unlimited drink samples.
Chef-inspired bacon creations from 20+ local restaurants are already included in your ticket. Local restaurants, food trucks and catering companies will share food samples that contain North Country Smokehouse bacon and fight for your vote in the People’s Choice contest.
VIP Presented by: Gate City Casino and General Admission ticket holders will be issued a keepsake sampling glass with continuous 3.5 oz pours.
Live music presented by The Slakas
On-Site Preparation:
Sampling Glass: Attendees will be provided a reusable and keepsake sampling glass to present to brewers.
Bacon Samples: Bacon Samplers will be located together to make them easy to spot. Check out the event map, posted on our Facebook page before the event and on-site throughout the event.
VIP Wristband: A VIP wristband is issued to VIPs and is required to access the Biergarten VIP lounge.
Vendors: A variety of dessert and merchandise vendors will offer products and services at an extra cost to attendees, In addition, some Bacon Samplers will sell larger servings after they have exhausted their free samples, so you can get more of your favorite offerings. Some vendors may take cash (no ATM on site), but most will take cashless payment.
Tickets: Four tiers of tickets will be released: VIP, VIP Designated Driver, General Admission & Designated Driver General Admission, with the following perks:
VIP Admission (Presented by: Gate City Casino): $120
$140 at Gate, if available
Limited number of tickets sold (2025 Sold Out Fast!)
1-hour early festival admission at 12:30pm
VIP Cocktail Hour from 11:30am-12:30pm with exclusive Pitmaster Buffet and VIP craft beer sponsor’s pours
Exclusive VIP lounge with rain cover, tables, seating
Exclusive VIP restroom use inside Biergarten
Continuous 3.5 oz. brew tastings
North Country Smokehouse bacon samples from 20+ samplers - vote on your favorite!
Keepsake take-home sampling glass
(1) bottled water
Premiere parking on paved lots (overflow parking across the street for late arrivals with shuttles provided)
Access to Entertainment
General Admission: $70 -
$80 at Gate, if available3-hour session from 1:30pm-5:00pm (last pours at 4:30pm)
Continuous 3.5 oz. brew tastings from 60 brewers
North Country Smokehouse bacon samples from 20+ samplers - vote on your favorite!
Keepsake take-home sampling glass
(1) bottled water
Free parking at venue with overflow parking across the street (shuttles provided)
Access to entertainment
Designated Driver VIP ENTRANCE $55 -
$75 at Gate, if available
Presented by: Heritage Home ServiceVIP Cocktail Hour from 11:30am-12:30pm with exclusive Pitmaster Buffet
Access into festival at 12:30
North Country Smokehouse bacon samples from 20+ samplers - vote on your favorite!
(2) bottled waters
Premiere parking on paved lots (overflow parking across the street for late arrivals with shuttles provided)
Access to entertainment
NOTE: We’ve updated our Designated Driver (DD) ticket options! This year, we’re introducing DD VIP and DD GA ticket types. Please be aware that DD GA ticket holders will not be able to accompany VIP ticket holders as in previous years. If you’re attending with a VIP guest, be sure to select the DD VIP ticket.
Designated Driver GA ENTRANCE $35 -
$40 at Gate, if available
Presented by: Heritage Home ServiceAccess into festival at 1:30pm
North Country Smokehouse bacon samples from 20+ samplers - vote on your favorite!
(2) bottled waters
Free parking at venue with overflow parking across the street (shuttles provided)
Access to entertainment
NOTE: We’ve updated our Designated Driver (DD) ticket options! This year, we’re introducing DD VIP and DD GA ticket types. Please be aware that DD GA ticket holders will not be able to accompany VIP ticket holders as in previous years. If you’re attending with a VIP guest, be sure to select the DD VIP ticket.
Logistics: ID Check will be at entrance for all attendees. Attendees must be 21+ to enter. Designated Drivers found drinking beer samples will be asked to pay extra to get a General Admission pass. No persons younger than 21 years of age will allowed into the festival area; this includes children and infants.
Event is held rain or shine.
21+ Event — no children or pets will be allowed into the event area, including babies in carriers.
No backpacks or large bags will be allowed — only small purses or fanny packs, which are subject to search.
No outside alcohol or weapons of any kind may be brought in.
Folding “camp” chairs are allowed.
