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Top Ten Beer Festivals
1.
Great American Beer Festival,
Denver Colorado
The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) is a three-day annual event hosted
by the Brewers Association held at the end of September or the beginning of
October in Denver, Colorado. The GABF brings visitors from around the world
to sample more than 1,600 different American beers. Over 100 beer judges
from the United States and abroad participate in the evaluations of one or
more beer styles, ultimately judging 2,300 beers entered by more than 450
domestic breweries. Gold, silver and bronze medals in 69 beer-style
categories are awarded, though not every medal is awarded in each category.
2.
Oregon Brewers Festival,
Portland, Ore.
The OBF served 73 different craft beers from 18 states across the country.
The top selling product for the third year running was Cascade Brewing's
Razberry Wheat out of Southwest Portland. Another light, refreshing fruit
beer to sell out early was Hell or High Watermelon by San Francisco's 21st
Amendment Brewery. Portland's Widmer Brothers Brewing sold a large quantity
of its Full Nelson, an Imperial IPA brewed specifically for the OBF.
3.
Vermont Brewers Festival,
Burlington, Vt.
The Vermont Brewers Festival is the longest running outdoor brewers festival
in the East, and it's no wonder since Vermont is home to more breweries per
capita than any other state. Brewers' participating in this event do so by
invitation only, based on brewery capacity, distinctiveness, and quality of
their products. Enjoy a wide range of offerings, including traditional
lagers, ales, and unique products such as fruit beers, barleywines, and
Belgian-style white beers.
4.
Toronado Barley Wine Festival,
San Francisco, CA
The 14th Annual Toronado Barley Wine Festival in San Francisco is one of the
premier high gravity beer festivals in the United States. All the barley
wines are purchased by the owner and are judged by judges from around the
country. The owner trys his best to get as much as he can get of the best
barley wines around the world. All 46 taps at Toronado will be filled with
barley wine and they will stay that way until they run out.
5.
Great Taste of the Midwest,
Madison, Wis.
The Great Taste of the Midwest is one of the premier beer festivals in the
United States. Over one hundred brewpubs and microbreweries from the Midwest
attend each year to share beer and good times with five thousand patrons
overlooking beautiful lake Monona in Olin-Turville Park in Madison,
Wisconsin.
6.
World Beer Festival,
Raleigh and Durham, N.C.
The World Beer Festival is the largest celebration of national and
international specialty beers in the Southeast. 300 beers from 150
breweries, and is a benefit for charity. This year's festival will benefit
the Downtown Raleigh Alliance. The funds raised will go toward revitalizing
Downtown Raleigh.
7.
American Craft Beer Fest, Boston, Mass.
In keeping with their self-elected duty to bring better beer to the masses,
BeerAdvocate founders and brothers Jason and Todd Alström are crafting
something big. Held in June at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston, the
first annual "American Craft Beer Fest" (ACBF) will feature 3-sessions,
invite upwards of 75 breweries, and serve at least 300 craft beers with an
expected attendance of 15,000 appreciators of beer.
8.
Great Alaska Beer and Barley Wine Festival,
Anchorage, Alaska
Great Alaska Beer & Barley Wine Festival brings together 40+ breweries, 150+
beers and over 4000 folks to celebrate big winter beers in the midst of a
dark, dreary near-Arctic winter. A $30 entry fee buys you a commemorative
glass, beer tasting tickets and a very detailed program guide to all beers
at the event.
9.
Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Yakima,
Washington
For a brew to be considered a “fresh hop ale” for the festival competition,
it must be produced with hops that were picked no more than 24 hours prior
to brewing (talk about overnight shipping!). Fresh Hop Ale is produced
throughout the month of September, timing dependent on the growth of each
year’s hop harvest. Brewers then bring their freshly brewed kegs of beer to
the fest, where a panel of judges selects first, second and third place
Fresh Hop Ales. Festival-goers vote with their taste buds— a “Most Pours
Award” crowns the crowd favorite.
10.
Classic City Brewfest,
Athens, GA
The Classic City Brew-Fest offers a huge variety of beers to sample from all
over the world including world-class, gourmet, strong beers! This year's
festival will be an enjoyable, intimate and comfortable way to taste and
learn about these exciting beers. Details on beer brewing and styles are
stressed at the event -- along with information on responsible drinking.
Attendees can also enjoy live music, non-alcohol drinks, and purchase
delicious food items from the Athens Steam Company Pub booth.
Honorable Mentions
Extreme Beer Fest
- Boston
Cometh! The firestorm of creativity sparked by American craft brewers rages
on during the original, and 6th annual, Extreme Beer Fest in Boston, MA this
February 20 & 21, 2009! Discover big, bold, creative, and unique offerings
that will change the way you think about beer forever. Make sure to bring an
open mind & palate. Dare to drink different.
Philly Craft Beer Festival, Philadelphia, Pa.
Come experience the flavors of award-winning breweries from across the
country – from highly-acclaimed local beers by Yards, Victory, Nodding Head
and Dogfish Head to great brews from special guests like Rogue, Stone,
Ommegang, Southampton, and He’Brew. 50 Breweries and over 120 beers.
BockFest, New Ulm, MN
Outdoor winter festival on the grounds of historic Schell's Brewery in New
Ulm. They feature the seasonal "Bock Beer", music, food stands, medallion
hunt in the adjoining Flandrau State Park and great fun! This event has
become a winter tradition in New Ulm.
Hope for
Hops - Dunwoody Beer Festival,
Atlanta GA
The Dunwoody Beer Festival hosts a combination of over 150 beers, malt
beverages, and liquors from countries all over the world. All proceeds will
benefit Camp Twin Lakes, a non-profit organization. Camp Twin Lakes is
Georgia's only camping facility designed for children with a wide range of
physical and emotional needs. This caring environment was created to nuture
these children, to allow them to experience the therapeutic joys of camping
and recreation.
Belgium Comes to Cooperstown, Cooperstown,
N.Y.
Each summer, the brewery hosts a large beer-tasting event, known as Belgium
Comes to Cooperstown. The event, which occurs on a Saturday in July,
includes four hours of unlimited beer sampling of over 200 Belgian and
Belgian-style beers, followed by food, live music, and a bonfire.
Beer
Magazines and Newspapers
Ale Street News
Beer newspaper featuring news, articles, beer tours and calendar.
All About Beer
Magazine includes information about all beers imaginable, from Amstel Light to
Zima.
American Brewer: A
Premier Beer, Brewing and Microbrewing Magazine.
A beer publication covering the brewpub and Microbrewing industry.
Beer Across America
Features month's selected microbrew, newsletter and beer store.
Brew Your Own
Magazine
Brew Your Own is a how-to homebrew beer magazine for all levels of
brewers, from the beginner to the all-grain expert.
BrewingTechniques
BrewingTechniques. The award-winning magazine of craft
brewing. Always Online. Please join me in welcoming him as the new "face" of
BrewingTechniques.
Celebrator Beer News
US newspaper providing beer features, regional news and beer reviews.
Modern Brewery Age
Professional's source for beer brewing industry.
United States Brew
Newspapers
Great Lakes
Brewing News
Southwest Brewing News
Yankee Brew News
Mid-Atlantic Brew News
Northwest Brew News
Rocky Mountains Brew News
Southern Brew News
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