To help quench your thirst, we’ve rounded up a list of the best beer festivals at a country near you. From the UK to New Zealand the taps are a-flowin’. Be it pubs to microbreweries or the grandest beer festivals, we have you covered.
The OG beer festival
Oktoberfest, Germany
Oktoberfest, you know it, right? Munich hosts the world’s largest beer festival held in Germany over two weeks and celebrated by more than six million revellers every year. Fancy a little history?
The first Oktoberfest was on October 12, 1810, as a tribute to the marriage of the Crown Prince of Bavaria to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. Fast forward to today, and the celebrations haven’t stopped. Collectively, almost 76,000 hectolitres are enjoyed during the Festival in Germany each year.
Apart from beers, dress is a must for festival-goers. Dirndls over blouses, festive aprons paired with classic shirts, jackets and fine leather trousers are the traditional costumes worn – take your pick. The colourful attire dates back to the 19th century when first worn by farmers and workers. It may have peasant roots, however, today, they are adorned in a throw back to a love of German beer, Bratwursts and a celebration of this German tradition.
Australia
Oktoberfest in the Gardens
If you can’t make it to Germany, fear not. Oktoberfest in the Gardens is touring Australia, popping up in Perth, Sydney, Melbourne and Launceston in Tasmania. Taste your way across Europe with a selection of imported German beer, cider, wine and other delectable beverages on tap.
Plus, expect to eat mouth-watering beauties. From pulled pork and beef sliders, German pastries, and fresh pretzels. Beyond tickling your tastebuds, the festival replicates the traditional Munich event, with a wide range of German entertainers of yodellers, brass bands, accordion players and pretzel fräuleins.
The popular fete will have a Beer Hall, German Stage, a silent disco, live entertainment, competitions, roving performers, a sideshow alley and dodgeball featuring local bands and artists. Themed competitions, eating contests and a number of other customary German games will also be on display.
BeerFest
BeerFest is Australia’s longest-running beer soiree. It promises a celebration of all the good things in life including mates, music, comedy, food, family and of course, beer. There are more than 300 craft beers from more than 200 producers on tap, so beer and high spirits will be a go-go.
Taking place in Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and Tassie, there’s a brew-tastic affair bound for a city near you. To check out where beers will be flowing, head to beerfestival.com.au.
New Zealand
Hobbiton Movie Set Beer Festival, Waikato
A tour of Hobbiton at dusk paired with a beverage or two at the recreated Green Dragon would make any Rings die-hard fan quiver in excitement. With a range of themed beers, like the Hobbit Southfaring and the Middle-earth Wine, promising to keep you saturated.
You’ll be seated at a banquet table enjoying a sumptuous spread of customary Hobbit fare. With the accompaniment of themed interactive band, with much merriment and dancing throughout the night.
Ready to go on an adventure? Head to Hobbiton for more information.
Beervana, Wellington
Where weird and wonderful meet, Beervana is one of New Zealand’s oldest beer festivals. Self-proclaimed ‘Beer Wonderland’, it strives to excite and delight with outrageous breweries, fantastic food and mind-bending entertainment. Brewers from all over New Zealand, Australia and a few handpicked international breweries will showcase their craft beers, ciders, mead and ginger beer.
If you can’t make it to Beervana this year and don’t want to miss out, there are some Australian breweries that will be featured at the festival that you can try at home, like One Drop Brewing Co based in Botany, Sydney.
While Beervana’s core mission is to quench your thirst, the visual feast of bright colours and brilliant brewery displays, plus silent discos, creates an immersive experience like no other.
Ready to be Alice? Check out the wonderland of Beervana.
Craft Beer and Food Festival, Dunedin
Celebrating its 10-year anniversary, the Dunedin Craft Beer and Food Festival is a two-day fete, featuring more than 70 vendors and a great lineup of entertainment. As New Zealand’s leading beer event, it’s become a household name and a must for many. Check out the video below to see why.
United Kingdom
Great British Beer Festival
Beer and Brits are a tale as old as time. Held in Olympia London, The Great British Beer Festival is an annual beer exhibition that has been running since 1977, first held at Alexandra Palace.
Today the fest features more than 600 different beverages from ales, ciders, to international beers. Expect a showcase of craft beers from Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany and the United States, as well as featuring more than 450 UK brewers. Cin-cin!
USA
Great American Beer Festival
Celebrating 40 years of craft beer, the GABF is back and bigger than ever. The October fair features more than 500 breweries and more than 1500 beers on tap, ranging from sweet to sour and dark and funky, the event is sure to be a crowd pleasure for all beer fans.
Nothing makes good beer taste better than food, right? GABF have partnered up to offer quality bites that pair perfectly with beverages on tap. The list of acclaimed chefs on board will have every foodie drooling for the goodies to come.
For dates and deets, head to greatamericanbeerfestival.com.
So pack your bags and get going. And if near Edinburgh, don’t forgo a heady stock of beers in your hotel shower.
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