Toer de Gueuze
Belgium
Belgium’s lambic brewers pull out all the stops for HORAL’s yearly celebration of spontaneous fermentation. Grab one of the charter bus tickets to avoid driving and make the rounds of Lindemann’s, Boon, Oud Beersel, Tilquin, and the like. Or stray off the tour for special offerings at 3 Fonteinen and Cantillon. Just make sure to take an extra suitcase for the special bottle releases. —JB
Great British Beer Festival
London, England
Run by the Campaign for Real Ale for more than 4 decades now, this gathering of real ale, ciders, and international beers was the inspiration for the similar festival held on this side of the pond. This festival is a mix of the country’s beer history and present state and is a welcome reminder of the importance of the impact the United Kingdom has had on global brewing. —JH
Philly Beer Week
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
It starts with the Hammer of Glory relay, where it seems that the whole city gets involved in a giant bar crawl. From there, it’s a week of dinners, special beer releases, visits from out-of-town brewers, and more tap takeovers than seem reasonable. It’s also an all-encompassing sense of camaraderie and a great reminder of how strong our bond with beer can be. —JH
NERAx
South Boston, Massachusetts
The longest running cask-ale festival in the country is a chance to try real ale from brewers large and small. Roughly 50 percent of the tapped firkins are from the United Kingdom, meaning you get good samples from breweries that have honed the craft for decades. There’s beauty in the subtlety, and a visit to this gathering will demonstrate why the style has such a passionate following. *—JH *
Mikkeller Beer Celebration Copenhagen
Copenhagen, Denmark
Mikkeller does hype better than any event producer anywhere in the world, and this four-session festival is a pinnacle of what’s cool now, featuring an ever-rotating lineup of the freshest brewers from around the world. But it’s the surrounding events that make it worth the trip—the beer world descends on Copenhagen and goes hard. —JB
Michigan Brewers Guild Winter Festival
Grand Rapids, Michigan
If you’re going to drink like a local (only state-made beers are served), you might as well do it in the climate they call home. Held in the dead of winter and outside, this festival is not for the faint of heart. Hearty stouts and high ABV beers are the way to go while you stand around one of the many bonfires. *—JH *
Sidebar: Brewery-Run Beer Festivals Worth The Trip
Other Half Pastry Town
Brooklyn, New York | An unapologetic and delicious romp through over-the-top flavored beers.
Modern Times Festival of Dankness
San Diego, California | Gathers some of the country’s best hoppy beer makers together in SoCal.
Fort George Brewery Festival of Dark Arts
Astoria, Oregon | A February festival dedicated only to stouts. What’s not to love?
Schell’s Brewery Bock Fest
New Ulm, Minnesota | The temperature is usually well below freezing, so don’t pass up the chance to have a hot poker plunged into your mug.
J. Wakefield Wakefest
Miami, Florida | An early (February) spring break to South Florida for killer beer from some of the best.
Cigar City Hunahpu’s Day
Tampa, Florida | Renowned for an impeccable beer lineup and grown adults running across a field for it.
Voodoo Brewery Good Vibes Beer Fest
Meadville, Pennsylvania | An intimate, low-key fest with incredible breweries, beers, and good vibes.
Perennial Artisan Ales Midwest Belgian Beer Fest
St. Louis, Missouri | A focused kick-off to St. Louis Craft Beer Week with top brewers from around the country.
Mikerphone Smells Like a Beer Fest
Elk Grove Village, Illinois | New school collaborative kings tap a fresh lineup of great breweries every year.
WeldWerks Invitational
Greeley, Colorado | In its second year, already one of the best festivals in a state known for legendary ones.
Cambridge Brewing Co. Barleywine Festival
Cambridge, Massachusetts | Experience the boozy array of flavors and depth that this beloved style has to offer.
Anchorage Brewing The Culmination
Anchorage, Alaska | If you ever needed a beer-centric reason to visit Alaska, this is as good as it gets.