March 2010 Events
Feb. 25- March 27: Starkbierzeit, Munich, Germany
Starkbierzeit, which is German for "strong beer season," will take place at various locations in Munich. A number of breweries (the city's website has links to their websites) carry on the Lenten tradition of brewing doppelbocks and other strong beers. The first barrel will be tapped at the Paulaner Wirtshaus, where the annual celebration began, and the Loewenbraeukeller will offer a program of traditional Bavarian entertainment.
5-6: Horsforth Beer Festival, Horsforth, England
The Horsforth Beer Festival wil be held at St Margaret’s Church in Horsforth. Organizers expect to stock around 70 draft beers and ciders (TBA on the festival website) plus a range of international bottled beer and a specially brewed souvenir festival beer. There will be food and live entertainment as well.
6: Ballpark Beer Fest, Bryan, TX
The Ballpark Beer Fest will be held at Brazos Valley Bank Ballpark, the home of the Brazos Valley Bombers. This year's festival will feature more than 200 beers, along with a selection of wines; a fajita cook-off, live music, games and entertainment, and a kids' zone with inflatables. Admission is free.
6: Day and Night of the Living Ales, Chicago, IL
The Chicago Beer Society presents the sixth annual Day and Night of the Living Ales, which will take place at Goose Island Wrigleyville. There will be afternoon and evening sessions, each with about 40 casks of Real Ale from Chicagoland breweries and "some very special guests." Festival-goers will be able to vote for the 2010 Champion Real Ale of Chicagoland. This event is expected to sell out.
5: Glass City Brew Fest, Toledo, OH
The Glass City Brew Fest will be held at the Erie Street Market in downtown Toledo. This year's festival will feature more than 100 beers from over 25 microbreweries. Food will be available, and live bands will perform. All proceeds will go to The Arc of Lucas County and the Northwest Ohio Hemophilia Foundation.
6-7: Great Arizona Beer Festival, Tempe, AZ
AZBeer.com presents the Great Arizona Beer Festival, which will take place at Tempe Town Lake in Tempe. There will be a selection of microbrewed and craft beers (there were more than 100 at last year's festival), as well as food for purchase, games, contests, and giveaways. VIP tickets, with catered food and early admission, are also available.
6: Hops & Props, Oshkosh, WI
The EAA AirVenture Museum in Oshkosh will host the 2010 edition of Hops & Props. More than 100 beers from around the world will be available, along with hot and cold hors d'oeuvres from the area's restaurants and music from six live bands. VIP tickets, which include early admission and a "Beer School," are available. Proceeds from the festival will support the museum's community programs.
6: Liquorland New Zealand Beer Festival, Wellington, New Zealand
Liquorland presents the Wellington edition of the New Zealand Beer Festival, which will take place at Westpac Stadium. More than 20 breweries and 70 beers will be represented at the festival, featuring New Zealand-brewed beers along with "a few notable overseas visitors." There will be a range of international food and an eclectic lineup of live musical performers.
6: Philly Craft Beer Festival, Philadelphia, PA
The Philly Craft Beer Festival will take place at the Philadelphia Cruise Terminal inside the Navy Yard. Organizers promise a "better, not bigger" festival this year. There will be three tasting sessions, each with more than 120 beers from 50 breweries, along with special demonstrations, talks led by industry leaders, and food available for purchase. Festival proceeds will go to charity.
6-7: Zythos Beer Festival, St. Nicklaas, Belgium
Zythos, the Flemish beer consumers' organization, presents the Zythos Beer Festival, which will take place at Stadsfeestzaal in St. Nicklaas. About 200 beers from 60 breweries will be available; and there will also be food, a tombola, and a beer shop. Admission is free. The festival website is in Flemish only.
10-13: Leicester Beer Festival, Leicester, England
The Leicester Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Leicester Beer Festival, which will take place at the Charotar Patidar Samaj. This year's festival will feature more than 220 beers, along with special festival beers and about 40 ciders and perries. About 70 beers will be breweries within a 25-mile radius of the festival venue, and will be served at the LocAle Bar. English food and authentic curries will be available.
10-12: London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival, London, England
The North London Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival, which will take place at the Camden Centre, opposite St Pancras Station in London. Recent festivals have featured about 80 beers and ciders from the U.K., along with a selection of imported beers, with food available at all sessions. More details about this year's festival will be posted on the branch's website.
11-13: Six Nations Beer Festival, Sherborne, England
The Six Nations Beer Festival returns to Docherty's Bar at the Sherborne Brewery. The festival coincides with the Six Nations rugby competition. Last year's festival featured beers from each of the six competing nations. Admission is free, and food will be served at all sessions.
11-13: Sussex Beer Festival, Hove, England
The Sussex Branches of the Campaign for Real present the 20th annual Sussex Beer and Cider Festival, which will take place at the Hove Centre. Organizers expect to have more 220 Real Ales plus a large selection of ciders, perries, country wines and British and foreign bottled beers. One bar will pour only beers from breweries in Sussex. There will be live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, and hot and cold food plus vegetarian options will be available. This year's festival charity is Headway.
12-13: Winslow Beer Festival, Winslow, England
The Winslow Lions Club, in association with the Campaign for Real Ale, presents the fifth annual Winslow Beer Festival. The venue will be the Winslow Public Hall. Each of the three sessions will feature a selection of ales, lagers, and ciders (there were 40 at last year's event); and Six Nations rugby will be shown on the large-screen television during Saturday's matinee session.
13: Beertopia, Fort Mill, SC
The Grapevine, located in Fort Mill's Baxter Village, will again host Beertopia. This year's festival will be an afternoon tasting with 80 to 100 beers from at least 30 breweries, along with barbecue and live music. Part of the proceeds will be donated to Pints for Prostates.
13: Kona Brewers Fest, Kailua-Kona, HI
In March, the Kona Brewers Fest takes place at King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua-Kona. The festival, which is made possible by the Bill Healy Foundation, features beer from more than 35 breweries, live Hawaiian entertainment, food prepared by 25 Big Island chefs, and a "trash fashion show." The 2010 festival, which will be the 15th, will benefit local environmental and cultural organizations.
13: River City Brewers Festival, Memphis, TN
River City Management Group, LLC, along with co-sponsors Hardin-Sysco, Memphis Flyer, and Red Bull River, present the River City Brewers Festival, which will take place at Handy Park on Memphis's Beale Street. There will be afternoon and evening sessions, each with more than 25 craft beers (listed on the festival's Facebook page) along with live music. The festival is a benefit for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
14: The Brewers Plate, Philadelphia, PA
The Brewers Plate returns to Philadelphia's Penn Museum. This is an evening tasting that pairs beer and food from independently-owned breweries and restaurants located within a 150-mile radius of Philadelphia. The event is a fund-raiser for Fair Food, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing locally-grown food to the city.
17-18: Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase, Melbourne, Australia
The Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase will be held at the Atrium at Federation Square in Melbourne. Beer from more than 20 craft-brewed beers from Melbourne and the state of Victoria will be available, and some brewers will be in attendance. This event is supported by the Regional Development Victoria and the Victorian Association of Microbrewery Industry.
18-20: "Booze on the Ouse," St Neots, England
The Huntingdon Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents "Booze on the Ouse," the St Neots Beer Festival, which will take place at the Priory Centre in St Neots. Fifty or more Real ales will be available over the duration of the festival, along with Real Cider and bottled foreign beer. Hot and cold food will be served at all sessions, and there will be a CAMRA merchandise stand and an "Everyone's a Winner" tombola.
18-28: Charlotte Beer Week, Charlotte, NC
The inaugural Charlotte Beer Week will take place at various locations in and around Charlotte. The festivities begin with a kick-off reception at Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in uptown Charlotte. Other events include tastings of rare and exotic beers, showcases for local and regional breweries, food and beer pairing events, and appearances by major names in the brewing industry.
18-20: Leeds Beer, Cider and Perry Festival, Pudsey, England
The Leeds Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Leeds Beer, Cider and Perry Festival, which will take place at Pudsey Civic Hall. Organizers expect to have more than 150 Real Ales, including some with lunar-themed beers to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the first moon landing. In addition, there will also be Real Cider and Real Perry, a global beer bar with a dedicated fruit beer hand pump, and a "Mild Trail." Hot and cold food will be available, local musicians will perform, and there will be beer stalls and a tombola.
19-20: Bristol Beer Festival, Bristol, England
The Bristol & District Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the Bristol Beer Festival, which will take place at the Brunel Passenger Shed in Bristol. There will be approximately 120 Real Ales and 40 ciders and perries to sample, and food will be available at all sessions.
20: Blessing of the Bock 2010, Milwaukee, WI
Blessing of the Bock returns to Milwaukee with a new venue and format. The 2010 event, sponsored by Suds, Wine & Spirits, will take place at the Bay View Brewhaus in Milwaukee. It will be a "bock-only" event with imported, microbrewed, and home-brewed bocks, weissbcks, Maibocks, and Doppelbocks. Proceeds from the event will go to the Museum of Beer & Brewing.
20: Brewfest, Fort Wayne, IN
The inaugural edition of Brewfest will be held at the historic Masonic Temple in downtown Fort Wayne. This afternoon event will feature beer from several Midwest breweries, along with a judged homebrew competition.
20-21: Celebration of the Suds, Atlantic City, NJ
Celebration of the Suds, the fifth annual Atlantic City Beer Festival, will take place at the Atlantic City Convention Center. Organizers expect 75 breweries from around the world to be represented. There will also be food, live music and other entertainment, and guest speakers. In addition, a VIP judging event will be held at Harrah's Resort the evening before the festival. Last year's festival sold out.
20: East Orlando Beer Festival, Orlando, FL
Appliance Direct presents the East Orlando Beer Festival, which will take place at the Waterford Lakes Town Center in Orlando. This afternoon event will feature unlimited samples of the from around the world, free food samples from area restaurants, and live entertainment.
20: Fort Bragg Beer Festival, Fort Bragg, CA
The 14th annual Fort Bragg Beer Festival will be held at Eagles Hall. Members of the Fort Bragg Rotary Club will pour dozens of microbrews, and area restaurants will serve their favorite chowders. This event is part of the Fort Bragg Whale Festival, which celebrates the migration of the gray whales back to Alaska.
20: Hard Liver Barleywine Fest, Seattle, WA
Brouwer's Cafe, located in Seattle, will host its annual Hard Liver Barleywine Fest. At least 50 barleywine-style ales, most of them from Washington State and the West, will be available. The festival will begin at 11 am and continue until the barleywines are gone.
20: Marzenfest, Sacramento, CA
The Rotary Club of Arden Arcade presents Marzenfest, which will take place at Howe Park in Sacramento. German-style beer will be served under a large tent and in a beer hall and beer garden, and there will be food and live music. All proceeds will go to local charities.
20: Roar On The Shore, Kewaunee, WI
The Kewaunee Lions Club presents the third annual Roar On The Shore, which will take place at the Hamachek Historic Village in Kewaunee. This is a late-afternoon event with beer from a dozen breweries, wine from five local wineries, music, food for purchase, and a cigar bar in a separate building. Hotels are located within six blocks of the festival site, and there will be post-festival entertainment within walking distance.
20: Taste of Tomahawk, Tomahawk, WI
The Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce presents A Taste of Tomahawk, which will take place at the Inshalla Country Club. This festival is a tasting of microbrewed beers, wines, and and food. For more information call 800.569.2160.
24: Bock Beer Festival, Brownstown, MI
Germania Club Detroit/Downriver presents its annual Bock Beer Festival, which will take place at Germania Hall in Brownstown Township. A wide selection of bock beers will be available, along with German cuisine and a live German band.
24-27: New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX), Somerville, MA
The Cask-Conditioned Ale Support Campaign (CASC) presents the New England Real Ale Exhibition (NERAX), which will take place at the George Dilboy VFW Post in Somerville. The festival consists of six tasting sessions (all-session passes are available), each with about 80 cask-conditioned ales, equally divided between the British Isles and New England. There will also be musical entertainment and barbecue from Redbones.
26-28: Cincinnati Beer Fest, Cincinnati, OH
The inaugural Cincinnati Beer Fest will be held at the Duke Energy Center. This three-day event will feature more than 120 beers, with local brewers in attendance, along with live entertainment and hometown food. A portion of the proceeds from the event will benefit the Freestore Foodbank.
26-27: Mazer Cup Commercial and Home Mead Competition, Boulder, CO
GotMead.com presents the 2010 Mazer Cup International Commercial and Home Mead Competition, which will again take place at the Outlook Hotel in Boulder. The event will feature competitions for both professional meaderies and home mead enthusiasts from around the world.
26-27: Myrtle Beach Beer Festival, Myrtle Beach, SC
Surge magazine and Myrtle Beach Beer Festivals present the Myrtle Beach Beer Festival, which will take place at Market Common. More than 50 beers, most of them domestic craft brewery products, will be available for sampling, and there will be food and live entertainment.
27: Dairy State Cheese & Beer Festival, Kenosha, WI
The Dairy State Beer and Cheese Festival will be held at Dairyland Greyhound Park in Kenosha. This is an afternoon event featuring cheese from around Wisconsin, beer from more than 40 breweries, a biergarten food menu, live music, and the famous Klement's Racing Sausages. Admission to the festival includes entry to the dog track.
27: Greater Gator Beer Festival, Gainesville, FL
Appliance Direct presents 14th annual Greater Gator Beer Festival, which will take place at Magnolia Parke in Gainesville. This afternoon event will feature more than 100 beers on an all-you-can-sample basis, unlimited food samples from area restaurants, and entertainment.
27: Shadowbrook's Beerfest, Tunkhannock, PA
The Shadowbrook Inn & Resort will host the fifth annual edition of its Beerfest. This afternoon tasting, which will take place in the ballroom, will feature more than 30 different beers. There will also be food and live music.
27: Spring Craft Beer Festival, Uniondale, NY
Starfish Junction Productions presents the Spring Craft Beer Festival, which will take place at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale. There will be two sessions, each with more than 100 beers from over 50 breweries, including some from Long Island. Festivities will also include beer-infused food and special demonstrations, give-aways, and entertainment. This year's charities are the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Terry Farrell Firefighters Fund.
27: Sipping on Sheboygan's Shores, Sheboygan, WI
Sipping on Sheboygan's Shores returns to the Blue Harbor Resort Conference Center in Sheboygan. This is an afternoon event, featuring 30 exhibitors bringing microbrewed beer and wine to sample and food from local restaurants. Complimentary appetizers will be available, and there will be live music.
27: Washington Cask Beer Festival, Seattle, WA
In March, the Washington Brewers Guild presents the Washington Cask Beer Festival, which takes place in the Seattle Center. The festival consists of two tasting sessions, each with more than 50 one-of-a-kind cask-conditioned beers from regional microbreweries. Festival-goers can vote for the "People's Choice" awards.
29-April 5: National Cask Ale Week, United Kingdom
The Campaign for Real Ale, Cask Marque, and the Independent Family Brewers of Britain, in association with The Daily Telegraph, present National Cask Ale Week, a campaign to celebrate the importance and pleasure of drinking Real Ale in pubs. Last year's inaugural event, billed as "the world's largest ale festival," was celebrated at more than 6,000 pubs throughout the U.K.