7 reasons not to miss AC Beer and Music Fest (1,000 beers on tap is just one)

This year, the festival will host 174 breweries and showcase some of the area's local restaurants and food.

The Hops and Trot 5K will take place Saturday morning, finishing just in time for the first session of the day. 

Let's not forget the music. Taking the main stage over the two days will be The Descendents, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Pepper.

Check out these seven reasons to attend this year's festival. 

There are a thousand reasons for newbies and hop heads to walk the Atlantic City Convention Center floor. 

The beer: approximately 1,000 beers will be available for tasting during each four-hour session. 

"We want people to experience some of this great beer coming out of the Garden State and great beer that's coming into the city," said Henderson.

Just like last year, there will be a New Jersey section featuring 61 breweries that include the likes of Cape May Brewing Company, Dark City, Death of the Fox and Jersey Girl. 

Tuckahoe Brewing Company, along with the folks from Good Time Tricycle Productions, brewed the official beer of the festival, The Long Hug. 

Henderson's tip for this year's fest is to go discover new beers, then circle back to your favorites. "Expand your palate."

Want to get a free ticket to next year's fest?

Pick up a passport during your session and over the next 365 days have it stamped as you visit all the New Jersey breweries that participated in this year's festival.

Kicking things off on the main stage Friday night is the punk rock band the Descendents. 

Headlining the Saturday afternoon session will be The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, while Pepper closes out the festival during the evening session. 

If you get hungry while sampling all those craft beers, there will be plenty of Atlantic County food choices to pick from. 

Vagabond Kitchen and Tap House, Ernest and Son, and Broadway Burger Bar will be a few of the ten participating eateries.  

New this year is The Cow and The Curd, bringing their beer-battered Wisconsin cheese curds to Atlantic City.