Shooting some hops

Hoopfest is mixing some beers with its balling this year.

The world’s largest three-on-three basketball tournament in downtown Spokane is adding a beer festival called HOPFEST at Hoopfest as part of its new Friday practice round on June 26, before the official competition begins Saturday.

Ten practice courts and the beer garden will be set up along Post Street next to City Hall north of Spokane Falls Boulevard, across from the Gondola Meadow in Riverfront Park, where Hoopfest check-in takes place. (That section of Post will be closed, but Spokane Falls Boulevard will remain open.)

“Hoopfest is all about reunions,” says marketing director Bailee Neyland. “People might check in, then go find a court to practice on and then they may head to Jack and Dan’s to grab a beer. Instead, let’s keep them downtown.”

The festival will feature eight local breweries: Black Label, Iron Goat, No-Li, Orlison, Perry Street, River City, Steam Plant and Twelve String.

Admission will be $10, which includes a cup and two drink tickets (you get a 5-ounce taster for one ticket, 12-ounce pours for two). Additional tickets will be $3 each or $5 for two.

Both it and the practice session run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be cornhole games in the beer garden, along with DJ music throughout the day as well as a live performance by the Ryan Larsen Band from 4 to 7.