Unfortunately, we learned about this one too late to join in, but thanks to a chat with a participant, we can tell you a bit about it.

Earlier today, the Bighead Harvest Craft Beer Shindig celebrated the local hop harvest at Bighead Hops with locally grown food, music and, of course, beer. Three craft breweries from the area (and one from that city to the south) featured their wares at the shindig:

Kilannan Brewing Co. – an actual “Meaford” brewery, based just this side of the municipal line at Rockford. Read our feature article from last Christmas.

Maclean’s Ales, from Southwest Grey County.

Collingwood’s Northwinds Brewery, the newest kid on the block, which will launch its first brew, Corduroy Rye IPA, next month.

And Junction Craft Brewing, from Toronto, brewers of Conductor’s Craft Ale.

Meaford’s organic Bighead Hops, owned by Nicholas and Monique Schaut, are enjoying a growing reputation among craft brewers, and have even lent their name to Northwind’s Bighead SMaSH, coming soon. The shindig, held among the 20-foot hop plants, was also a chance to show off Nicholas’s new harvesting equipment.

If it happens again next year, we will make sure not to miss it!