Are you the type of person who loves tasting new beers from around the world? Do you have a treasured favorite but want to sample some new brews from companies you have never heard of before? The top beer festivals in the world give you the chance to enjoy your love of beer, sample some new brews and maybe even make some friends at the same time.
Brewgrass Festival
People around the world know that Asheville is a North Carolina city with a quirky reputation. Known for its laid back atmosphere and artsy locals, the city is also home to the annual Brewgrass Festival. Founded in 1997, the festival brings together renowned musicians and local beer makers for an event that you shouldn’t miss. Past performers included Yonder Mountain String Band and String Dusters, while brewers like Hi-Wire Brewing and Altamont Brewing Co. come back year after year.
New Zealand Beer Festival
Founded in 2006, this festival in New Zealand originally started with just a handful of beer
companies and a few hundred people in attendance. Every year since it launched, the lineup has been expanded. Thousands of people now pour through the gates every year. More than 20 breweries bring dozens of beers to the festival.
Oktoberfest
It’s nearly impossible to think about festivals from around the world without thinking about Oktoberfest. More than 6 million people visited the festival in 2012. Event organizers believe that the number will keep rising. Located in Munich, the festival begins at the end of September and runs through the beginning of October. More than a dozen beer tents let visitors sample beers brewed right in Munich.
Bock Fest
Bock Fest is one of the oldest festivals of its type in the United States. The first event took place in 1987 and was the brainchild of Schell’s Brewery. Locals, who loved the beers brewed by the company, turned out in droves. The popularity of the festival quickly grew as people from neighboring states made the trip to Minnesota. More than 6,000 people turn out to sample brews from this local company.
Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival
If you need an excuse to visit Alaska, look no further than the Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival. Admission to the festival gives you tickets that you can use to sample beers, and you’ll receive a unique commemorative glass every year too. More than 40 breweries come out for this event, which sees more than 4,000 visitors annually.
Belgian Beer Weekend
The marketplace in Brussels becomes the home of Belgian Beer Weekend every September. More than 300 different types of brews are available to sample over the weekend. Food stands and live music located around the marketplace give you a break and the chance to rest your feet.
These beer festivals provide visitors with some of the best beers in the world. No matter where your travels take you, you’ll want to check out one of these festivals.
