June 2010 Events
2-6: Mondial de la Biere, Montreal, QC, Canada
Mondial de la Biere will be held at the Windsor Station and Courtyard in Montreal. Last year's festival featured 350 beers, including 100 that were new to the festival and 15 that were specially brewed for the event. Quebec cider and other food items will be available for sale. Festivities will also include live entertainment, food and beer pairings, and talks by beer experts from around the world. Admission is free. More information about this event will be posted on the festival website.
3-5: Great Grampian Beer Festival, Aberdeen, Scotland
The Aberdeen Grampian & North Isles Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Great Grampian Beer Festival, which will take place at Richard Donald Stand at Pittodrie Stadium in Aberdeen. The festival features "the longest bar in North East Scotland," which organizers say will get even longer in 2010 with 100 beers, including "Saturday Specials," and twice as much cider and perry.
3-5: Southampton Beer Festival, Southampton, England
The Southern Hampshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Southampton Beer Festival, which will take place at Southampton Guildhall. Organizers expect to have 80 Real Ales, along with ciders, perries, and bottled beers from around the world. Recent festivals have also featured a "Hampshire Beer of the Year" competition, food, and live music at some sessions. More details about the 2010 festival will be posted on the branch's website.
3-5: Stockport Beer & Cider Festival, Stockport, England
The Stockport and South Manchester Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Stockport Beer & Cider Festival, which will take place at Edgeley Park. Recent festivals have featured 100 beers, ciders, and perries served at two venues (one of which will be a quiet area), hot and cold food, and a charity stall. More details about this year's festival will be posted on the branch's website.
4-5: Keswick Beer Festival, Keswick, England
The Keswick Rugby Club and Keswick Lions Club present the Keswick Beer Festival, which will take place at the Rugby Club. Recent festivals have featured about 250 beers and ciders, along with food and live entertainment; and proceeds have gone to the Rugby Club and the Lions Club. More details about the 2010 event will be posted on the festival website.
5: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, Richmond, VA
Trigger Agency presents Virginia's edition of the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, which will take place in Exhibition Hall at the Richmond Raceway Complex. More than 60 beers and 40 bourbons will be available on an all-you-can-taste basis, along with barbecue and live entertainment on the main stage. There will also be games and contests, seminars in the tasting theater, and a cigar tent. VIP tickets, with early admission, are available. This event sold out last year.
5: Blues 'n Brews Festival, Wilmington, NC
The Blues 'n Brews Festival will be held at Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville. This is a late afternoon and evening event featuring beer from more than 15 Southeastern breweries, along with down-home blues music. VIP tickets, with dinner, a private early pour, and a chat with the brewers, are available.
5-6: Great Japan Beer Festival, Tokyo, Japan
The Japan Craft Beer Association presents the Great Japan Beer Festival 2010, which will take place at Ebisu Gerden Hall. More than 120 microbrewed beers will be available for sampling.
5: Milwaukee Beer Barons World of Beer Festival, Menomonee Falls, WI
The Milwaukee Beer Barons present the World of Beer Festival, which will take place at Schwabenhof Pavillion in Menomonee Falls. Organizers expect to have more than 150 beers, including unusual VIP beers, with over 50 breweries represented, along with a homebrewing demonstration and Q&A, beer memorabilia on display, a guest speaker, and live music. Proceeds will benefit the proposed Museum of Beer and Brewing.
5: Monterey Beer Fest, Monterey, CA
The Night That Never Ends presents the Monterey Beer Festival, which will take place at the Monterey Fairgrounds. Organizers promise "the greatest assortment of Beer ever assembled on the Central Coast," with hundreds of beers from more than 70 breweries from around the around the world. The 2010 festival will introduce the Short Pour Film Fest, with films on the subject of beer (free admission to festival-goers) from film-makers around the world.
5: Mountain Brewers Festival, Idaho Falls, ID
The North American Brewers Association presents the Mountain Brewers Festival, which will take place at Sandy Downs Racecourse in Idaho Falls. Organizers bill it as "one of the nation's premier judging festivals." This a rain-or-shine event, held "under the big top." Last year, some 80 breweries were represented, and there was a food court and live music. More details about the 2010 event will be posted on the festival website.
5: Occombe Farm Beer Festival, Paginton, England
The fifth annual Occombe Farm Beer Festival, billed as "Torbay's only beer festival," will be held at Occombe Farm in Paginton. This is a two-day event featuring about 60 Real Ales from Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset (beer list TBA on the festival website), along with local ciders and perries. There will also be a Pimm's Bar, live music from local bands, and barbecue and a hog roast. The festival is a fund-raiser for the Torbay Coast & Countryside Trust.
5: SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, Washington, DC
The Brewers Association presents SAVOR: An American Craft Beer & Food Experience, which will take place at the National Building Museum in Washington, DC. Last year's edition featured more than 120 craft beers from 65 independent breweries, with brewery owners and brewmasters on hand; a reception-style presentation of sweet and savory foods; and directed tasted salons with the top names in beer and food. More details about the 2010 edition of SAVOR will be posted on the Brewers Association website.
6-8: Bierboerse, Doersten, Germany
Bierboerse, a series of beer festivals held across Germany, has added Doersten to the 2010 calendar. The event will take place in Doersten's city center. More than 1,000 beers from over 75 breweries, including hard-to-find German microbrews, will be served in a Biergarten atmosphere. Festivities also include food and live entertainment, breweriana, and artisans' stands. The Bierboerse website is in German only.
8-12: Thurrock Beer Festival, Grays, England
The South East Essex Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Thurrock Beer Festival, which will take place at Thurrock Civic Hall on Blackshots Lane in Grays. More than 120 Real Ales will be available, along with Real Ciders, Real Perries, and a selection of English country wines and meads. There will be hot and cold food and a CAMRA stand at all sessions, and an outdoor drinking and smoking area will be provided.
12-13: Food & Wine Fest at National Harbor, National Harbor, MD
Shows, Inc., presents Food & Wine Fest at National Harbor, which will take place at National Harbor, a waterfront development near Washington, D.C. There will be a Belgian beer cafe and appearances by beer experts, as well as boutique wines, cooking demonstrations, and artisanal products for sale.
12: Rockin' Brews, Silverton, CO
Rockin’ Brews 2010, billed as "the best kept secret beer festival in Colorado," will be held at the baseball fields in the mining town of Silverton. Beer from Western Slope breweries will be available, along with rum from area distilleries. There will also be food, and live music during this afternoon event. All proceeds will go the Silverton Family Learning Center.
12: South Placer Rotary Brewfest, Rocklin, CA
The Rotary Club of South Placer presents Brewfest, which will take place at Sunset Whitney Country Club in Rocklin. This is an afternoon event, with beer from area microbreweries served on the country club's patio and poolside area. Food will be available, and there will be live music.
14: National Sahti Brewing Competition, Lahti, Finland
Finland's most important sahti-brewing competition will be held at the harbor in the city of Lahti. (Sahti is a traditional Finnish beer.) This annual competition, organized by the national and regional sahti associations and by the city of Lahti, has taken place since 1992. At this day-long event, Finland's master of sahti brewing will be chosen from among winners of municipal competition. The festival website is in Finnish only.
16-20: Great Middle Europe Beer Festival, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Fibula Congress Agency presents the inaugural Great Middle Europe Beer Festival, which will take place at Emonika, in the center of Ljubljana. Organizers expect to serve beer from 30 or more Central European breweries. The festival will also feature a variety of live music and other entertainment. Admission is free, and the venue is close to the city's main bus and train stations and shopping district.
17-19: Tynedale Beer Festival, Corbridge, England
The Tynedale Lions Club and the Tynedale Rugby Football Club present the Tynedale Beer Festival, which will take place at the football club's grounds, Tynedale Park, in Corbridge. More than 110 beers and ciders will be available; food will be served; and there will be live music at all sessions. Proceeds will go to local charities.
18-19: Beer Advocate American Craft Beer Fest, Boston, MA
In June, BeerAdvocate.com presents the American Craft Beer Fest, which takes place at the Seaport World Trade Center in Boston. This is one of the East Coast's largest celebrations of American craft beer, with over 250 beers from 75 breweries; three tasting sessions; and beer education seminars and other events.
18-19: Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, National Harbor, MD
Trigger Agency presents the Washington, D.C., area's edition of the Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival, which will take place on the waterfront at National Harbor. This is a tented event, with more than 60 beers and 40 bourbons available on an all-you-can-taste basis. Barbecue teams from North Carolina, Texas, and Kansas will be on hand, and there will also be barbecue and homebrewing contests, seminars, and live music all day. VIP tickets, for either a special Friday evening session with unlimited barbecue or for early admission on Saturday, are available. This event sold out last year.
18-20: Bierboerse, Leipzig, Germany
The Leipzig edition of Bierboerse, a series of beer festivals held across Germany, will take place at Völkerschlachtdenkmal. More than 1,000 beers from over 75 breweries, including hard-to-find German microbrews, will be served in a Biergarten atmosphere. Festivities also include food and live entertainment, breweriana, and artisans' stands. The Bierboerse website is in German only.
18-19: Oregon Brews & BBQs, McMinnville, OR
Oregon Brews & BBQs, which debuted in 2009, returns to the McMinnville's historic Granary District. The festival, which benefits Habitat for Humanity, will feature local beer and wine (beer and wine lists TBA on the festival website). Barbecue and other food will be available, and live bands will perform both days.
18-20: Washington Brewers Festival, Kenmore, WA
The Washington Beer Commission presents the Washington Brewers Festival, which will take place at St. Edward State Park in Kenmore. Billed as "The Mother of All Father's Day Festivals," this event brings together more than 200 Washington-brewed beers, along with ciders and wines. Festivities include food and live music; games, including the "Brewers Keg Toss Contest"; a children's playground and root beer garden; and a craft market. More details about the 2010 festival will be posted on the Commission's website.
19: Slimbridge Beer Festival, Slimbridge, England
The Slimbridge Beer Festival will be held at the Slimbridge Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. There will be selection of local and national real ales; cider, wines, and Real Lagers (the beer list will be posted on the festival website); and hot and cold snacks. A number of local of bands will perform during the evening.
20: St. Paul Summer Beer Festival, St. Paul, MN
The St. Paul Summer Beer Festival will be held at Midway Stadium, the home of the St. Paul Saints baseball team. The 2009 festival featured beer from more than 50 craft breweries from Minnesota and beyond, along with food and live music. Organizers promise that the 2010 event will offer an even bigger lineup of breweries (TBA on the festival website). Tickets go on sale March 21; last year's event was a sellout.
25-27: Beer Passion Weekend, Antwerp, Belgium
Beer Passion magazine presents Beer Passion Weekend, which will take place at Groenplaats in downtown Antwerp. More than 150 beers, most of them brewed in Flanders, will be available; beer cuisine will be served; and there will be musical entertainment. The festival website is in Flemish only.
25-27: Bierboerse, Cologne, Germany
The Cologne edition of Bierboerse, a series of beer festivals held across Germany, will take place in the city center at Tanzbrunnen. More than 1,000 beers from over 75 breweries, including hard-to-find German microbrews, will be served in a Biergarten atmosphere. Festivities also include food and live entertainment, breweriana, and artisans' stands. The Bierboerse website is in German only.
25-26: Great Eldorado BBQ, Brews and Blues Festival, Reno, NV
The Eldorado BBQ, Brews & Blues Festival will be held in front of the Eldorado Hotel Casino in downtown Reno. The festival is billed as "Northern Nevada’s biggest batch of bbq, blues music and microbrews," with microbrewed beer from around the world, including Eldorado's own Brews Brothers' beers; live blues performers; and food booths offering barbecue and other items.
25-27: San Diego International Beer Festival, Del Mar, CA
The San Diego International Beer Festival will be held at the Chevrolet Del Mar Arena at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. The festival, which has been expanded to four sessions over three days, coincides with the San Diego County Fair. Last year's festival featured more than 300 beers from 17 countries and 20 states (this year's selection TBA on the festival website). There will also be beer and food pairings, cooking-with-beer demonstrations, a homebrew competition and roller derby.
26: Bell Tower Brewfest, Placerville, CA
Placerville's merchants present the Bell Tower Brewfest, which will take place downtown. This evening event will feature more than 40 microbrewed beers, along with several live bands performing on Main Street, which will be closed to traffic during the festival. This is a fund-raiser for the Placerville Downtown Association, and it is expected to sell out.
26-29: Bewdley Beer Festival, Bewdley, England
The Bewdley Beer Festival will be held at the car park at St George's Hall in Bewdley. This is a family-friendly and dog-friendly event, with about 50 Real Ales, along with 20 ciders and perries to sample. There will be live music on Thursday through Saturday, and hot and cold food will be available. Half price entry to festival-goers who arrive on the Severn Valley Steam Railway.
26: Brew Burn Beer Fest, New Bern, NC
Beer Army presents the inaugural Brew Burn Beer Fest, which will take place at the Riverfront Convention Center in New Bern's historic district. The festival, which coincides with the city's 300th birthday celebration, will focus exclusively on regional microbreweries. There will be two sessions, with early admission for premium ticket holders. Proceeds will go to Hope for the Warriors, which helps the families of killed and wounded American service members. Tickets go on sale March 1.
26-27: Great European Beerfest, Pittsburgh, PA
The Great European Beerfest will be held at the Sharp Edge Beer Emporium in Pittsburgh. Billed as America's "only all European Beerfest," this two-day event will feature about 135 beers, including 40 from Belgium. Importers' representatives will be on hand, and there will be homemade food, entertainment, and a drawing for prizes at all three sessions.
26: Nashua River Beer Fest, Fitchburg, MA
Beers for Good presents the Nashua River Brewers Festival, which will take place at Riverfront Park in Fitchburg. Beer from dozens of breweries will be served under two tents; the Allstonians, the Gobshites, New Pond Fondle, and Bunny's a Swine are scheduled to perform; and food will be available. Parking is free.
26-27: Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest, Leesburg, VA
Northern Virginia Summer BrewFest, billed as a "celebration of American beer," will take place at Morven Park in Leesburg. Beer from more than 50 of America’s best breweries will be available, along with a variety of food to complement the beers. Local and regional bands will provide live music.
27-28: Colorado Brewers' Festival, Fort Collins, CO
In late June, the city of Fort Collins hosts the Colorado Brewers' Festival, which takes place in the historic Old Town district. More than 40 Colorado breweries, including five from the immediate area, take part. There is also food and live entertainment. Proceeds from the festival benefit other events in Fort Collins.
TBA: Garden State Craft Brewers Guild Beer Festival, Camden, NJ
The Garden State Craft Brewers Guild presents its annual Garden State Craft Brewers Beer Festival in late June. In recent years, the festival has taken place aboard the battleship U.S.S. New Jersey, America's largest battleship, which is docked in Camden. Beer from 16 New Jersey breweries is served at this festival.
TBA: WYES International Beer Tasting, New Orleans, LA
For more than 25 years, New Orleans has been the site of the WYES International Beer Tasting. The festival, which is a benefit for WYES-TV, the city's public television station, takes place in June at the Riverfront Arena. Recent festivals have featured more than 150 foreign, domestic, and home-brewed beers.