A Traveler's Guide to the Best Beer Fests Worldwide

If you haven't thought of taking a beer festival vacation abroad, you should consider it. It's a great chance, whether you are a serious or casual beer drinker, to sample the best new and traditional beers from around the world while exploring a country from a different light. Plus if you plan ahead, it's an easy event to add to your itinerary. Or you can make it the main event. There are several beer festival package tours available online. To help you narrow down the choices, here are 10 beer festivals from around the world destined to satisfy your need for quality beer and good times.

1. AUSTRALIA
Tasmanian Beer Festival
http://www.tasmanianbeerfest.com.au/
November

Set at the Princes Wharf in Hobart, this is Australia's biggest beer festival offering over 100 beers to taste and test. Also available: live music and educational seminars on everything from the history of beer to how make your own brew.

2. BELGIUM
Zythos Beer Festival
http://www.zbf.be/nl/index.htm
March

This major Belgium beer festival held in Sint-Niklass (East Flanders) has over 200 beers available for tasting. Festival glasses are available with a deposit and patrons purchase tokens to exchange for beer samples.

3. CANADA
Mondial de la Biere
http://festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca/en/festivals/mondial_de_la_biere_montreal_2010/
June

Beer with a French Canadian twist, this Montreal beer festival,in addition to offering 5 full days of beer sampling, in 2009 offered cheese tasting along and live music. Although there was no entrance fee, tasting coupons cost $1 each and beer samples cost between $1 and $5 per sample.

4. CHINA
Qingdao Beer Festival
No website available
August

Featuring the local Chinese brew of Tsingtao along with international brews, this festival lasts for 16 days. Entrance fees are 10-20 RMB. Delicious Chinese and Western foods abound to accompany your beer. Furthermore, you join beer drinking contests. Another plus, it's near the beach!

5. GERMANY
Oktoberfest
http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/
Late Sept-Early Oct

Known by even non-beer enthusiasts, Oktoberfest has become synonymous with beer festival. Many "Oktoberfests" are held around the world but he German Oktoberfest in Munich is the original. It is huge and entrance is free. Of course, the beer and other attractions are not. The beer sold at Oktoberfest must meet the Bavarian Purity standard meaning that it is made using only water, barley and hops. It is anticipated that over 6 million liters of beer will be consumed during the 2009 festival. Music is featured in all the tents with live brass bands giving it their own flare. In addition to the beer and the music, there are rides for kids and adults alike including roller coasters and a ferris wheel. In fact, if you are considering making a family vacation of it, there are discounted fees on rides and more for families every Tuesday from 12pm to 6pm.

6. JAPAN
Great Japan Beer Festival-Tokyo-Osaka-Yokohama
http://www.beertaster.org/gjbf/date.htm
June-July-September

The Japanese beer festival has its own style and traditions. Japanese beer is known to be crafted for accompaniment with the unique Japanese cuisine. Therefore, it's taste tends to be lighter and crispier so not to overwhelm the already light Japanese meal. The Great Japan Beer Festival visits the Tokyo, Osaka and Yokohama with a staggered schedule. In 2009, the Festival was held in June, July and September respectively. Entrance fees are a bit high (approximately $37 to $43 in 2009) but with it comes a chance to sample over 120 beers at no additional fee.

7. SINGAPORE
Beer Fest Asia
http://www.beerfestasia.com/index.php
April-May

Although this is a new beer festival, it seems worthy of mentioning as you tour the world in search of the best beer fests. In 2009, more than 14,000 people showed up to sample beer from around the world as well as to showcase Singapore beers. International and Singaporean musical talent was an integral part of the festival along with food, games and rides. A single day entrance fee of $10 to $78 was required and beer tickets sold for $1 each.

8. PERU
Cusco Beer Festival
No website available
May

This is a 3-day event takes place in the Jardin de la Cerveza (Beer Garden). Featuring South American musicians, this is a great place to kick back and enjoy the beer, the music and the people of Cusco.

9. UNITED KINGDOM
Great British Beer Festival in London
http://gbbf.camra.org.uk/home
August

The Great British Beer Festival or GBBF takes place over an entire week. With over 500 beers and ales to sample, it provides you an opportunity to try out many different beers and ales. One of the largest beer festivals in the world, there is plenty to do besides taste beer. Listen to great music. Learn to taste beer like a pro. Find out how beer is made. Bringing kids with you? Entrance to the Family Room is free.

10. USA
Great American Beer Festival in Denver
http://www.greatamericanbeerfestival.com/
September

The Great American Beer Festival boasts a huge selection of beers at over 2,000. While you are trying some of them out, you may be seated next to a professional who is judging the beer as well. Entrance fees are $55 a day and package rates are available for those who will attend multiple sessions. Your designated driver's ticket is only $20.

You should now have an idea where to mix a little (or a lot of) beer and travel at the same time. As bringing your own beer mug may make your bag a bit heavy, you can leave it home. Don't worry, you will be provided with your beer tasting cup at each of the festivals which in most cases you keep as a souvenir for a small fee.

Additional Resources:

Belgium King-Top 10 Beer Festivals< http://www.belgiumking.com/top10beerfestivals.html> Accessed August 15, 2009.

Qingdao International Beer Festival :: August 15th - 30th, 2009. Accessed August 15, 2009.

Qingdao Beer Festival 2009: The Inside Scoop. < http://www.chinatravel.net/forum/Qingdao-Qingdao-Beer-Festival-2009-The-Inside-Scoop/2832.html> Accessed August 15, 2009.

A Journey to Perfection-The Great Japan Beer Festival. < http://www.geishablog.com/category/festivals/> Accessed August 15, 2009.

BeerBeer-Beerfest Asia 2009-from S$3. Accessed August 15, 2009.

Visiting Latin America-Beer Festival in Cusco-Peru Accessed August 15, 2009.

Catch It-Festival de la Cerveza Cusquena. Accessed August 15, 2009.