Beer festivals are a fun way to drink beers, meet brewery owners/workers and more. Although many local, smaller beer festivals have ceased as that trend has waned in the past few years, there are a few larger or more curated festivals in cities around the country that deserve your vacation time. These are the cream of the crop.
Great American Beer Festival
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is one of the largest beer festivals in the world with hundreds of independent breweries participating every year from around the country. It’s always held at the Colorado Convention Center in downtown Denver in the fall. Although it’s gotten smaller since COVID, it’s still an awesome place to try new to you breweries that you may haven’t heard of before. In 2024, the festival will be held Oct 10-12 and you can buy tickets here.
One of my favorite beer festivals of the year is held in Chicago every November.
The Festival of Wood and Barrel-aged Beers
One of my favorite festivals is the Festival of Wood and Barrel-aged Beers (FoBAB) in Chicago, put on by the Illinois Brewers Guild. Beers that have been aged in any barrel be it wine to liquor to neutral oak can be served at this festival. Many of the best breweries in the country also compete at its competition, which announces the winners during the afternoon session. It’s a festival I recommend you pace yourself at though, as many of the beers served here have ABVs north of 12%. November is a great time to also visit Chicago as there is a chill in the air and the tourist season is long gone. This year’s festival will be November 22-23, later than normal which means you may be in time to also visit the free German-style Christkindlmarket with its biergarten, music and merriment.
Great Taste of the Midwest
A Madison, Wisconsin staple, Great Taste is an old school festival at its finest. The event sells out every year and most of the tickets are sold in person, although there is an online lottery but that is not a guaranteed way to get access. This in-person ticket sale approach creates a lively, locals only festival feel. Although it is sold out for 2024, I highly recommend going in future years if you can snag a ticket.
Barrel and Flow is more than just a beer festival with artists, vendors, music and more.
Barrel and Flow
Another festival that happens the same day as Great Taste is Barrel and Flow, which is more than just a beer festival. Highlighting Black owned breweries from around the country, Barrel and Flow is also a concert, an artists’ spotlight, a place to try collaborations between breweries, a conference, and more. Held every year in Pittsburgh on the 2nd Saturday in August (always around the date that hip hop was invented), Barrel and Flow feels more of a celebration than just a beer festival. Named one of the best beer festivals in the world by USA Today, Pittsburgh also is an excellent city to visit with a wonderful beer scene and excellent museums. The event happens August 12, you can purchase tickets here (I’ll see you there!).
Firestone Walker Invitational
Held every June in Paso Robles, CA, Firestone Walker’s Invitational is a joyous event that brings together some of the Firestone Walker’s (the host brewery) favorite friends from around the world. Want to try New Zealand’s best beers? They have you. Want to meet some of your favorite brewery’s owners? They will be pouring and happy to chat with you. This is a real “beer industry luminary” festival. Don’t sleep on this one and get your tickets the minute they are announced as it sells out quickly.
These are just some of the amazing beer festivals held throughout the United States. As a reminder, please remember to enjoy beer responsibly and to drink with those you care about and who treat you well. Cheers!