If you love beer, then you absolutely must go to at least one of these amazing festivals! Not only will you get to taste some of the best beers in the world, but you will also have an awesome time with friends!
Whether you’re new to beer or a beer pro, there are some tips and tricks that will help you have the best experience possible. These will help you get the most out of your time at a festival!
1. Great American Beer Festival
A beer lover’s dream, the Great American Beer Festival is one of the biggest craft brew events in the country. The event is hosted by the Brewers Association, and features 500 breweries pouring 2,000 beers from around the United States.
The event is a must-attend for beer enthusiasts, home brewers, and aspiring breweries alike. It’s also a great chance to rub elbows with renowned beer sommeliers and learn more about your favorite libation.
Founded in 1982, the festival has evolved with the American craft brewing industry. As a result, the categories it awards medals in have changed as well. While Ales, Continental Pilsners, and Stouts were the original categories, these have been subdivided to match what is currently in vogue.
Another change is that non-alcoholic beers are now permitted at the festival. This includes ciders and seltzers.
To keep you hydrated, the Great American Beer Festival has provided free water stations at each session. You can also bring your own reusable, clear plastic water bottle (up to 32 oz) into the Colorado Convention Center.
A must-attend for any beer lover, the Great American Beer Festival is an annual event held in Denver. It is produced by the Brewers Association and has been voted the number one beer festival in the United States.
In addition to the beer tastings and competition, the event also hosts craft beer and food pairing sessions called PAIRED. These events pair local breweries with top chefs from across the country.
For more information about the Great American Beer Festival, visit their website. The event will take place from October 6-8, 2022. The event will be held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver.
2. San Diego’s Festival of Dankness
San Diego is home to some of the best breweries in the world, so it’s no surprise that they put on one of the top beer festivals in the country. The Festival of Dankness is a must-attend for any fan of hazy IPAs or sours, and it’s also a fun way to spend a Saturday in Downtown San Diego.
The Festival of Dankness is hosted by Modern Times and features a slew of breweries from across the country that specialize in hazy sour IPAs, as well as some other beer styles. Some of the beers that caught my eye were Boneyard Notorious IIIPA, De Garde Bruinette, Monkish Rara Avis and Selah, Phantom Carriage Mosaic Muis, Almanac Citra Sour, and Three Weavers Session IPA.
This was the first year that Modern Times hosted this event and it went off without a hitch. It was held at Waterfront Park in Downtown San Diego, which is easily accessible by bike, bus, and train and has plenty of shade to keep you cool.
What makes this festival stand out is that it’s a great way to sample some of the best hoppy beers in the world while also supporting a great cause. All proceeds from the festival go to BikeSD, a nonprofit that’s working hard to make San Diego a more bicycle-friendly city.
The Festival of Dankness also features a seriously choice smorgasbord of food trucks, plenty of water stations, and an impressive selection of luxurious merch. It’s a must-do if you’re a hoppy beer lover or want to check out some of the other top beer festivals in the country. You’ll also get to see a bunch of the latest and greatest in craft beer innovation, as well as some other exciting surprises.
3. Oktoberfest
If you are in the market for a beer festival that is not only an excuse to drink, but also celebrates culture and food, then Oktoberfest should be at the top of your list. It is an amazing experience that will leave you with memories for a lifetime.
It’s a family friendly event with many fun attractions that are perfect for kids. There are rides, games, and traditional Bavarian parades to keep everyone entertained.
However, not all Oktoberfests are created equal, so it is important to find one that is suitable for your needs. Some are more family-friendly while others are more adult oriented.
The festival begins in the middle of September and ends in early October, lasting three weekends. The best time to go is late September or early October because it is not too hot and there are no rainy days.
During the first week of the festival, there is a tradition where the mayor taps the first keg of beer and proclaims, “O’ zapft is!” (It’s tapped!) Then the official gun salute is heard and the festival is officially opened.
There are various types of beer to be found at each Oktoberfest. Some will offer local beers, while others are only authentic German Oktoberfest beers.
In addition to beer, Oktoberfest is a celebration of German heritage, so make sure to drink your fill of authentic Bavarian foods. Some of the most popular foods at the festival include Brezeln (pretzels), Hendl (roasted chicken), radishes, and sausages.
If you are looking for a beer festival that is a must-attend, then you must try the world famous Oktoberfest in Munich. There are many things to do at the festival and it is an experience you will never forget.
4. The Great British Beer Festival
If you love beer, then the Great British Beer Festival is a must-attend. It’s organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), and it hosts hundreds of beers from breweries around Britain. You can also sample cider and perry, as well as some international beers.
The Great British Beer Festival is a hugely important event for the beer industry, and it’s a good chance to sample a variety of beers from around the country. It’s also a fantastic way to meet other people who love beer, and there are plenty of games, live music, and traditional pub food on offer.
There is a huge variety of beers to choose from, so you will never run out of something new to try. Plus, you can learn more about the craft behind each of these beers by attending a number of beer-tasting sessions.
You can also take part in various CAMRA competitions, including the Champion Beer of Britain. This is an award that is very popular among beer enthusiasts, and there are plenty of prizes up for grabs.
The Great British Beer Festival has been running for 42 years, and it’s a must-attend for any fan of CAMRA and the craft beer industry. It is a great opportunity to taste some of the best beers in the country, and it’s a fantastic way to meet other people who share your passion for beer.
It’s also an excellent opportunity to support the brewers you love, as they will be donating their profits from the sales of their beer at the festival to CAMRA. You can also buy limited edition beers, which you can only find at this event.
5. The World Beer Festival
Whether you’re a beer lover or someone who’s just looking to try something new, the World Beer Festival should be at the top of your list. It is the largest beer competition in the world and showcases a wide variety of beers from all over the world.
It is also the perfect place to find out what beers are trending around the world and which styles are becoming popular. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to meet the brewers behind your favorite beers.
You’ll have a blast at this event, but you should know that it can be a little chaotic. There will be people cutting in line or stumbling into you, so just take it easy and be aware of your surroundings.
One of the most beloved beer festivals in the world, this event celebrates the birthplace of Pilsner Urquell and is a must-visit for anyone who loves the crisp taste of a good pilsner. It also gives you an excellent chance to sample the many different types of pilsner that have become famous throughout the world.
In addition to offering a huge range of beers, the festival also showcases other forms of alcohol, including hard seltzers and meads. This is a great way to try beverages that you may not normally get at your local grocery store and it’s a great opportunity to see some of the best brewers in the country.
While it may seem like the Broken Lizard sketch comedy group is a bit over the top, the show is actually quite funny and a great way to spend a few hours. Despite its scatological, gross-out sex and jokes, the show is more focused on witty banter and physical hi-jinks than it is on transgression.
