There is no doubt that beer is best drunk in a cheerful company. And the more the company, the better. Fans of this popular foamy drink organize real festivals, where they pay homage to beer to their heart's content. At these large-scale celebrations, various companies present their varieties, and not only tastings are held here, but also competitions and other events on this topic.
The love for beer is so great that such festivals are held in almost all countries where its production and consumption are developed. The most famous holiday is Oktoberfest, which takes place in Germany, where 91% men and 67% women regularly drink beer.
But other countries can also boast of their famous beer festivals. And who said that beer is drunk only in summer or autumn? In the beer calendar, paying tribute to this foamy drink begins in January, and the series of festivals ends in late November!
1. Oktoberfest
This is not only the largest beer festival, but also the largest folk festival in the world. The event in Munich is visited annually by about 6 million people, who drink an average of a liter of beer per person. The festival was first held on October 12, 1810, as a five-day national celebration in honor of the wedding of the Bavarian prince Ludwig I. The site where the celebrations took place was named in honor of the bride - Theresienwiese. Its area was 41 hectares. And the festival begins on the last Saturday of September and ends on the first Sunday of October. If the end falls on the first days of the month, the holiday can be extended until October 3, because then the day of the unification of Germany is celebrated. It must be said that this time for the festival was chosen for a reason, because historically these days in Munich are warm and sunny. The scenario of the festival has long been determined and has practically not changed over the past 180 years. Everything begins with processions along the streets of the city, even the highest Bavarian officials take part in this parade. The festival itself begins with twelve volleys on the Theresienwiese. At this time, the plug is knocked out of the beer barrel, which serves as a signal for the beginning of abundant beer consumption. And each day of the festival ends strictly at 22-30. It must be said that the regulations regarding drinks are also quite strict. At Oktoberfest, only beer brewed in accordance with medieval rules is allowed to be poured. The foamy drink is usually poured into liter mugs. The average price for it has recently been 9.5 euros. You can drink as much beer as common sense dictates, but smoking is prohibited on the Oktoberfest grounds.
2. Volksfest
This German festivity is also called the People's Festival. It is the second largest festival in the world. After all, more than four million people come here. It is considered a lighter and more family-friendly version of the same Oktoberfest. And the Volksfest appeared from an agricultural fair that was founded near Nuremberg in 1818. The region had to be raised from the decline it fell into after the Napoleonic wars, and then the plague epidemic. This festival turned out to be only 8 years younger than its Munich neighbor. However, in this case, the beer festival in Stuttgart is subject to strict traditions and rituals. The festival also takes place in late September - early October. It opens exactly at 11 am, when the Lord Mayor opens the beer keg. As part of the large-scale festivities, not only do they drink beer, but they also demonstrate crafts, hold a carnival and numerous competitions. The symbol of the festival and at the same time the main landmark for guests is a huge column of fruit, reaching 26 meters. This colossus is installed in the central square. And the tents here occupy 16 hectares, they are dedicated to different themes, cuisine and style of decoration. To reserve a table here or even a place on the lava, you should apply several months in advance. Each pavilion has a stage where music is constantly playing.
3. Pilsner Fest
At the beginning of September, this festival takes place in the Czech city of Pilsen for three days from Friday to Sunday. It is the largest in the country. Of course, it cannot be compared with the German giants - about 60 thousand people gather here every year. This festival is a kind of birthday of the local brewery Plzeňskэ Prazdroj, which has been around for 170 years. Czechs enjoy drinking Pilsen beer, the most popular variety here is Pilsner Urquell. And all this is accompanied by an entertainment program. Music groups perform at the festival, and there is also a park for extreme sports enthusiasts. Competitions in non-traditional sports are generally held in high esteem here. And real professionals in pouring beer into glasses conduct their master classes. The festival features author's readings, and a concert of organ music is held in the local church on these same days. But all this is far from as popular with festival guests as drinking the "free barrel". Also inside the Pilsner Fest there is a sub-festival Gastrofest, dedicated to national Czech cuisine. It must be said that funny records are regularly set at this beer festival. For example, once the largest number of people simultaneously sipped beer from plastic cups.
4. Beer weekend in Belgium
And this event takes place on the first weekend of September. It is hosted by the Grand Place Park in Brussels, Belgium. The organizers of this festival are local beer associations and city authorities. The celebration has already become traditional, having a 15-year history. The festival opens on Friday evening, and the ceremonial part - a procession of beer carts along the city streets, is held on Saturday morning. The ceremony is accompanied by a parade of brewers and a tasting of the very drink to which the event is dedicated. The main drink here is lager, although there are also exotic ones. So, at the festival you can find beer brewed according to ancient monastery recipes. Cherry varieties Kriek, raspberry Frambinos are also presented here. In total, about fifty beer producers participate in the festival. It is curious that the usual currency - the euro, is not welcomed at the festival. It is converted here into the local - simple beer caps. The exchange rate will not let you get confused - for one euro they give one cap. And the most expensive beer here costs no more than three caps. Visitors to the beer weekend love to brag to each other about the number of varieties they have tasted.
5. London's Great Beer Festival
It is not difficult to guess from the name where this August event is held. It is organized by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). The festival is hosted by the local Olympia Exhibition Center Hammersmith Road, which has received the mocking nickname of the largest pub in the world. The event was first held in 1975, since then up to 70 thousand people come annually to try real ale. The festival emblem is unusual, as for a European capital - the Sumerian goddess Ninkashi. The fact is that she was considered the patroness of brewing in the Sumerian kingdom. At this beer festival, guests mainly drink cider, ale, ginger and wheat beer. In total, about three hundred local varieties are presented here and the same number of foreign ones. But the festival program is not only about tasting the drink, the entertainment part includes competitions, including an ancient drinking song, live music, and table football. There are attractions and expert tasters conduct their master classes. The winner receives the honorary title of "Beer Champion". They are not afraid to break glasses, because this only causes joy and applause from the rest of those present.
6. The Great American Beer Festival
Americans also love beer and hold their own festival in Denver in honor of this drink. It is no coincidence that the event in Colorado received the prefix "Great". After all, the largest number of beer varieties is presented here. It is no coincidence that the motto of the festival is the slogan: "Here you will find everything you want." The festival presents not only American products, but also imported varieties. Particular attention is paid to Czech and German varieties. In total, more than three hundred brewing brands take part in the famous festival, and more than twenty thousand people flock here every year. And the event has been held in October for more than 30 years. And the location of the festival was not chosen by chance - after all, the world's largest brewery, "Adolf Coors Company", is located nearby in Golden. More than 2.5 billion liters of beer are produced here annually. It is worth noting that the festival is held with truly American pomp, with competitions, concerts, a parade and even fireworks.
7. Chinese Beer Festival
This event is held in Qingdao, China. This place is one of the most beautiful resorts in the country, and there is also a large port, the fifth largest in China. Since 1991, this place has also hosted the largest beer festival in Asia. It starts on the second weekend of August, and the festivities last for two weeks. Back in the 19th century, Qingdao was a German concession, and this city was even unofficially nicknamed "Eastern Switzerland." There are no German colonists left here, but in memory of them, the Chinese received a Lutheran church and a brewery, which has now become a museum. The local beer "Qingdao" is brewed according to traditional German traditions. The drink has a soft taste, thanks to the local water. It is no coincidence that this beer is one of the most popular in Asia. Tens of thousands of tourists come to the festival every year. They are attracted not only by the cheap beer, which costs about a dollar a bottle here. The festival is a colorful event with concerts, fireworks and its own beaches. It takes place in the specially built Beer City, where admission is free. During the festival, the most popular Chinese toast "Gan Bi" is constantly heard here, which literally means "bottoms up!"
8. Peterborough Beer Festival
This festival is the second largest in England. Every year at the end of August, more than 40 thousand people gather in a small town in the east of the country. As a result, the population of Peterborough increases to 200 thousand for some 5 days. All the main world varieties of world beer are presented here, each of them has its own dedicated tent. The festival also pleases with a rather large menu. After all, here you can try not only beer, but also apple and pear cider. Live music is heard everywhere, and every year a new collection of exclusive glasses is presented. The place where the festival is held is essentially a separate town, because there is even a post office with a hospital and even its own drowning rescue service. There is a place to drown here - more than 350 types of ale are presented at the festival. Guests vote for the best varieties, after which the champion or the Best New Brewery is determined. This winner is obliged to treat all the guests of the festival with a new variety next year. This festival is already 35 years old, and it was organized by the same company CAMRA. There are also rules for survival in the conditions of continuous celebration - do not forget to eat, drink water, wear comfortable shoes and clothes.
9. Beer Mile
This festival has been held since 1996, and it takes place on the first weekend in August. The Beer Mile is one of the brightest and largest celebrations dedicated to the foamy drink. It is organized by the company "Prezenta" and the "Union of Private Breweries of Germany". The territory of the festival is conditionally divided into 21 beer regions. Visitors have free admission, but it is recommended to buy a 200 ml mug with the logo of the event, which costs 3.5 euros. But thanks to such a small volume, you can try many different types of beer. For each "test" you will have to pay from 1.5 to 2 euros. The festival is held along Karl Marx Alley, first for a mile, and now at a distance of 1600-2200 meters. Here along the pedestrian zone there are various tents and pavilions, where you can not only taste different types, but also try nuts, pretzels, sausages, hot dogs and other national dishes. And every hundred meters there are stages where live music is played. For three days the festival features German national tunes, rock and roll and modern pop music. And how could such a fun event be complete without folk dancing? This festival has a relatively short history, but it is visited by over 750 thousand people. More than 300 breweries from 86 countries present their products. Here you can try over two thousand varieties of beer, including from local breweries, whose products are simply not found on the shelves of large stores. And the host of the festival is the legendary beer king Gambrinus. He is the one who announces all significant events and records. For example, in 2011 the total length of the tables set a record of 2,200 meters.
10. Goibodenfest
Beer festivals are associated with Bavaria for many. But it is famous not only for Oktoberfest. The beer festival held in Straubing is even called the fifth season. This is the second largest festival in Bavaria after Oktoberfest, where more than a million guests arrive annually, which is a couple of dozen times more than the number of residents of Straubing itself. And the beginning of the festivities arose in 1812, when the King of Bavaria Maximilian I by his decree established an annual farm festival. Then the best domestic animals were shown here, their breeding methods were shared and even horse races were held. In 1949, Goibodenfest also opened a recreation and entertainment park for guests, with carousels and rides. Today, there are 7 large beer pavilions with 24 thousand seats. Each of these tents is unique, distinguished by its inimitable decorations, signature dishes, treats and even a unique musical program. The folk festivities open with a costumed procession - a procession of people in national costumes, carriages and carts with beer and decorated cars goes along the streets. The length of this column is about three kilometers. Festival guests also love the festive illumination show on the Danube. And if Oktoberfest is mostly visited by tourists, then Goibodenvolksfest is a folk festival, popular primarily among the Germans themselves.
11. From Russia with Love: The Great Moscow Beer Festival
Despite the fact that the festival was held in Moscow for only the eighth time, it is not inferior to its European counterparts in pomp and scope. Luzhniki greets guests with a huge open space with mummers, merry fair festivities, animals and clowns, pop stars and celebrities - that's Russian scope! The mayor of Moscow speaks at the festival every year (apparently to emphasize the solemnity of the event). At the Moscow festival you will find not only Russian beer and - surprisingly - kvass, but also malt drinks from Germany, the Czech Republic, and Ukraine. Since the festival is held in the middle of summer, and in recent years it has been fiery hot, then "live" beer will come in handy. And a real original spectacle will be a wonderful addition. As the saying goes: "I was there, too, drank honey - beer ..."
12. Country-Flavored Beer: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest in Canada
The Beer Festival in Canada is a real country festival with painted maple leaves, Canadians in national costumes and idyllic rural landscapes. The entertainment is also appropriate: skittles, folk dancing and singing. At the festival in Canada, it is customary to choose "Miss Oktoberfest", as well as her antipode - a man in women's clothing. The morning after the opening of the festival, guests are treated to a wonderful anti-hangover breakfast - pancakes with maple syrup. Interestingly, the town of Kitchener is something like a German ghetto in Canada. Previously, this city was even called Berlin - many local Canadian residents have German roots. Therefore, do not be surprised when you see a real Bavarian Onkel Hans on the festival emblem - a mustachioed fat man with a mug of beer and a pacifier at the ready.
13. Cabbage, chocolate… and beer!: Beer weekend in Belgium
Despite the fact that Brussels hosts perhaps the shortest beer festival – it lasts only one weekend – its program cannot be called unsaturated. And there is no shortage of festival guests: tens of thousands of people come to have a glass or two over the weekend. In just a couple of days, more than 400 types of Belgian drink from breweries from all over the country are presented to the guests of the event. In Belgium, centuries-old brewing traditions are honored, so they take the malt drink very seriously. They will not just pour you a glass of beer, but also select the right shape of the “container”, and also give you rules on how your drink should look (right down to the height of the foam). This is mixed with the entourage of the central square of Brussels, where the main action takes place: medieval flavor, floral scents... Fruit beer with the taste of blackcurrant, cherry, peach or grape is especially popular at the Belgian festival. Moreover, each establishment will offer you its own special drinks.
14. Miami Rum Renaissance Festival
Miami is well known for its wild parties, but in mid-April, this magical city turns into a rum lover’s paradise. However, this festival is not just for holidaymakers, but also for the companies that represent the industry, so there are plenty of competitions and workshops, as well as three separate tasting events. The festival’s slogan “Rum is Fun” is everywhere, and festival-goers can sample more than 100 types of rum. The festival is held at the Doubletree Hotel near the Hilton Miami Airport Convention Center, which provides free rides to the festival thanks to its partnership with Uber. What’s more, the festival coincides with Miami Cocktail Week, giving revelers the opportunity to attend a number of cocktail parties around the city.
15. Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
Every spring, thousands of whisky lovers head to the Speyside region of Scotland to sample the region’s finest single malts. The Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival isn’t held in one venue, tavern or conference centre, but rather across the region’s distilleries, bars, castles and villages, making for 400 different events. From distillery tours, tastings and conferences to auctions, outdoor entertainment and dinner parties, the festival offers a wealth of opportunities to have a great time. The whisky festival spans five wonderful, whisky-filled days. Plus, there’s no one-size-fits-all ticket. Instead, visitors can pick and choose the events that interest them and buy tickets for those.
16. Absinthe Festival (Fete de l'Absinthe)
In western Switzerland, there is a small town called Boveresse. For many years, this village on the border with France was famous for its wormwood cultivation. Every June, this small town fills with crowds of tourists who want to enjoy the annual absinthe festival. There are tastings, talks about its production, and traditional Swiss food. The main attraction is, of course, the “green fairy”, and visitors can also meet the owners of the most famous distilleries that produce this famous hallucinogenic alcohol. There is nothing cooler than enjoying absinthe at a high altitude in the middle of the Alps. Every year, a new poster is created for this event, so that you will remember this trip, even if you forget everything you did during it.
17. London Cocktail Week
It’s not a traditional festival, but it’s still a great excuse to get drunk while wandering the streets of the UK capital. London Cocktail Week takes place every year at the beginning of October. Cocktail tours are the most anticipated part of the week-long event. Visitors who purchase special wristbands can enjoy the world’s best cocktails for just five pounds. The wristbands cost just 10 pounds and offer the best prices on cocktails in London. Hundreds of bars and restaurants across the city take part in the event, making it possible to forget about the approaching gloom of winter for a week.
18. San Francisco Craft Spirits Festival
The San Francisco Spirits Festival attracts spirits producers from around the world to sample the finest spirits from all corners of the planet. Visitors to this festival will be able to smell and taste more than 150 types of elite alcohol. The festival takes place annually in mid-August and lasts for two days, during which it is attended by the largest producers in the industry. Anyone with even a passing interest in elite spirits should definitely visit the Golden Gate City during the festival. Regardless of whether you like whiskey, vodka, gin, brandy or any other type of alcoholic beverage, you should definitely attend this festival.
19. Kentucky Bourbon Festival
Like Scotch whiskey, American bourbon has its own holiday. The whiskey festival in Bardstown, Kentucky, is held in the first half of September and lasts for five days. In addition to tasting bourbon from American producers, the festival program includes whiskey barrel rolling competitions, a cocktail competition, and jazz concerts.
The festival features more than 100 bourbon producers, including Jim Beam, Heaven Hill, Wild Turkey and Four Roses.
