October 2010 Events
Sept. 9-Oct. 31: Helen Oktoberfest, Helen, GA
The Greater Helen Chamber of Commerce presents the 33rd annual Helen Oktoberfest, which will take place in Alpine Helen, a Bavarian-style mountain village. Billed as "America's longest-running Oktoberfest," it will take place Thursday through Sunday between September 9 and 19, and daily from September 23 through October 31. The festival venue is the Helen Festhalle, with German bands from the United States and Europe, German beer and food, and dancing.
Sept. 18-Oct. 3: Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany
Oktoberfest is the world's largest and most famous beer festival. Need we say more?
Sept. 24-Oct. 10: Cannstatt Beer Festival, Stuttgart, Germany
The Cannstatt Beer Festival, billed as the "world's largest folk festival," will be held at Canstatt Wasen, Stuttgart's festival grounds. The festival, which dates back to 1818, begins with the ceremonial keg tapping and folkloric entertainment. The festivities also include beer tents, The Black Forest Experience, amusement rides, merchandise for sale, and fireworks and laser shows.
Sept. 24-2: Louisville Craft Beer Week, Louisville, KY
The inaugural Louisville Craft Beer Week will take place at various locations in and around Louisville. This is a nine-day event focused on "education, libation, and celebration in the name of craft beer." More details will be posted on the Louisville Craft Beer Week 's Facebook page.
September 24-3: New York Craft Beer Week, New York, NY
The third annual New York Craft Beer Week will take place at various locations in New York City. Events will likely include several festivals, beer dinners, food and beer pairings, pub crawls, themed walks, and more than 160 unique beers throughout the five boroughs. Passports, which are good for discounted pints at more than 80 participating bars and reduced admission to some events, are available.
September 29- 2: St Albans Beer Festival, St Albans, England
The South Hertfordshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents the 15th annual St Albans Beer Festival, which will take place at the Alban Arena. The festival, described as "one of the country's premier festivals," will feature as many as 350 Real Ales, along with Real Ciders, perries, and foreign beers, served at six bars. There will also be games, a tombola, a team quiz, and breweriana auctions.
Sept. 30-2: Stockholm Beer and Whisky Fest, Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholms Ol & Vin AB presents the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, which is held on two weekends in September at the Nacka Strand Factory in Stockholm. Recent events have featured more than 1,300 beers, wines, whiskies, and other beverages. The festival website is in Swedish only.
1: BrewFest, Green Bay, WI
The 18th annual BrewFest, a festival for "a really furry cause," will be held at the KI Convention Center/Hotel Sierra in Green Bay. This evening event will feature unlimited sampling of beer from more than 40 breweries and distributors, along with wine and soft drinks. Food from local restaurants will be available, and there will be a silent auction for merchandise. The festival is a benefit for the Bay Area Humane Society.
1-3: Broughton Festival of Beer, Broughton-in-Furness Area, England
Broughton in Furness, in Cumbria, presents the Festival of Beer, which will be held at various locations in and around Broughton-in-Furness. Last year's festival took place at eight venues and featured 90 Real Ales. In addition, pubs in the Broughton district will be open all day and mini-buses will travel among the pubs.
1-3: Fredericksburg Oktoberfest, Fredericksburg, TX
Fredericksburg, Texas, celebrates its German heritage at the 30th annual Oktoberfest. This three-day celebration, sponsored by the Perdenales Creative Arts Alliance, includes a beer tent with 30 varieties of domestic and imported beer, continuous music performed by 30 groups on three stages, German and Mexican food, arts and crafts, and children's activities.
1-2 and 8-9: New Ulm Oktoberfest, New Ulm, MN
The Holiday Inn and the Chamber of Commerce present the New Ulm Oktoberfest, which will take place at the Holiday Inn and downtown. The festival will feature locally-brewed August Schell beer; entertainment, including New Ulm's Concord Singers, German brass bands, and polka bands; German food; and specialty shops, horse-drawn trolley rides, and tours of the brewery and other New Ulm landmarks.
1: Modesto Oktoberfest, Modesto, CA
The Modesto Chamber of Commerce presents the Modesto Oktoberfest, which will take place at John Thurman Field. This evening celebration will feature domestic, international, and microbrewed beers; food, including Johnsonville bratwurst, sauerkraut, and potato salad; and live music.
1-2, 8-9, and 15-16: Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Leavenworth, WA
Projekt Bayern presents Leavenworth Oktoberfest, which will take place in the Bavarian-themed town of Leavenworth. There will be German food and beer; continuous live entertainment, featuring Leavenworth's own Musikkapelle and groups from the United States and Germany; a keg-tapping ceremony on Saturday; arts and crafts; and activities for the family.
1: Silver City Brewfest, Meriden, CT
The Silver City Brewfest will be held in downtown Meriden, next to the police and courthouse complex, This evening event will feature more than 25 international and microbrewed beers along with 25 wines, free hamburgers and hot dogs, a soup cook-off, and live music. The festival is a benefit for the Meriden Child Guidance Clinic.
2: Bluegrass Brewing Company Volksfest, Louisville, KY
The Bluegrass Brewing Company, located in Louisville, will host its fourth annual Volksfest. This is an all-day "People's Festival" with beer from breweries in Louisville and vicinity, continuous live music, German-themed food, and a showing of the film Das Boot at nightfall. More details will be posted on the festival's Facebook page.
2-3: Clayton Oktoberfest, Clayton, CA
The Downtown Clayton Business and Community Association present the seventh annual Clayton Oktoberfest, which will take place under Mt. Diablo. There will be a traditional biergarten, with German food and beer along with California wine; continuous live music featuring The Internationals; street performers; a carnival; and a large arts and crafts show.
2-4: Clun Valley Beer Festival, Clun, England
The ninth annual Clun Valley Beer Festival will take at seven pubs in and around Clun: The Anchor, The Crown Inn, The White Horse Inn, The Sun Inn, The Crown Inn, The Hundred House, and The Kangaroo Inn. Each pub will offer a special selection of beers, and some will have live entertainment. A bus service will travel between the seven pubs on Friday and Saturday.
2: Fresh Hop Ale Festival, Yakima, WA
The eighth annual Fresh Hop Ale Festival will be held at the Millennium Arts Plaza in Yakima. The evening event, which celebrates the area's hop harvest (the Yakima Valley provides 77 percent of the nation's hops), will feature fresh-hop beer from 16 invited local and West Coast breweries. Festivities will also include food, wine, homebrew demos, a cigar tent, two live bands, and an official after-party hosted by the 2nd Street Grill. All proceeds will benefit Allied Arts of Yakima Valley.
2: HOToberfest, Atlanta, GA
HOToberfest, "the nation's only consumer-judged beer competition and sustainability festival," will be held in Atlanta's Glenwood Park neighborhood. More than 130 craft-brewed beers will be available. Festivities will also include live music, food, voting for "Best Brew" awards, children's activities, and artists' stalls. All power will come from solar, wind, and biodiesel. VIP tickets, with early admission and other amenities, are available. Proceeds will go to Trees Atlanta and Dialogue Start One.
2: Lincoln Lager Barleyfest, Merrill, WI
The third annual Lincoln Lager Barleyfest will be held at the Merrill Area Recreation Center (Smith Center). This afternoon event will feature beer from more than 30 craft breweries, most of them from Wisconsin. Food will be available, there will be live music, and door prizes will be awarded. The Merrill-Go-Round bus service will be operating on the day of the festival. All proceeds will benefit the Humane Society and the Normal Park fund.
2: Quivey's Grove Beer Fest, Madison, WI
Quivey's Grove, a restaurant in Madison, will host its 17th annual Beer Fest. This is an afternoon event with more than 75 beers from over 35 breweries; hot food, including smoke-roasted items; and music by Westside Andy and the Mel Ford Blues Band. Part of the proceeds will benefit local charities.
2: The Off-Centered Experience, Scottsdale, AZ
The Beer for Brains Foundation presents The Off-Centered Experience, which will take place at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. The festival, a benefit for the Barrow Brain Tumor Research Center, will feature almost the entire Dogfish Head Craft Brewery lineup, many of them in aged kegs. A variety of food will be available; and the entertainment lineup will include three live bands, "off-centered" acts and films, live art, raffles, and games.
2-3: Taste of Brews, Irvine, CA
The inaugural Taste of Brews will be held in Hangar 244 in Irvine's Orange County Great Park. This large-scale, professionally-produced event will consist of two mid-day sessions, each with dozens of beers ranging from traditional to micro-brews. VIP tickets, with premium parking, an indoor/outdoor lounge, and other amenities, are available. More information will be posted on the festival website and Facebook and MySpace pages.
3, 10, 17, and 24: Stoudt's Oktoberfest, Adamstown, PA
Stoudt's Brewing Company will host Oktoberfest in the brewery's Gemutlichkeit Bier Garden. The opening weekend will feature German music by Alex Meixner along with beer and German food, Schuhplatter dancers, the Parade of the Pig, and women's and men's Cleevagheevin finals. Oktoberfest will also take place the first four Sunday afternoons in October with beer, food, music, and dancing.
7-17: Baltimore Beer Week, Baltimore, MD
The second annual Baltimore Beer Week will take place at various locations in around Baltimore. The festivities will begin with the Opening Tap at the Museum of Industry. There were more than 375 events during last year's Beer Week, including an Oktoberfest, a Real Ale festival, beer dinners, tasting events, and appearances by renown brewers. This year's events will be announced on the Beer Week website, and organizers plan to emphasize quality as well as quantity.
7-10: Bedford Beer & Cider Festival, Bedford, England
The North Bedfordshire Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale presents 32nd annual Bedford Beer & Cider Festival, which will take place at the Corn Exchange, St Paul’s Square. More than 100 Real Ales will be available, along with 30 Real Ciders and Real Perries and a wide range of foreign draft and bottled beers. There will also be live entertainment, hot and cold food, a CAMRA shop, and a tombola.
7-17: Los Angeles Beer Week , Los Angeles, CA
The second annual LA Beer Week will take place at various locations in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. This 11-day celebration will be anchored by the LA Beer Week Festival (listed separately on the calendar). Other events are expected to include beer dinners, tastings and releases, meet-the-brewer events, a pub crawl, and educational programs.
7-9: Stockholm Beer and Whisky Fest, Stockholm, Sweden
Stockholms Ol & Vin AB presents the Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival, which is held on two weekends in September at the Nacka Strand Factory in Stockholm. Recent events have featured more than 1,300 beers, wines, whiskies, and other beverages. The festival website is in Swedish only.
8: Brew Madness, Milwaukee, WI
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation presents Brew Madness, "A Prost to a Cure!", which will take place in Peck Pavilion at the Milwaukee County Zoo. According to organizers, this evening event is "developing into Wisconsin's premier beer tasting event." It will include beer sampling, with brewmasters on hand; food tasting; a silent auction and a raffle; and live entertainment. The festival is a fund-raiser for cystic fibrosis research.
8-9: Crossville Oktoberfest, Crossville, TN
The 20th annual Crossville Oktoberfest will be held at the Knights of Columbus grounds. This festival, which is one of the area's most authentic Oktoberfest-style celebrations, features German beer; food, including pork schnitzel, Kasseler Rippchen (smoked pork chops), and wursts; and continuous live music from German and polka bands.
8-16: Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest, Kitchener and Waterloo, ON, Canada
For more than 40 years, the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo have played host to the Kitchener-Waterloo Oktoberfest. This October event, billed as "the largest Oktoberfest celebration outside Germany," takes place at more than 15 festhallen with German food and entertainment. There are also more than 40 family and cultural events, including a parade to celebrate Canada's Thanksgiving Day.
9: California Beer & Wine Festival, Yuba City, CA
The California Beer & Wine Festival returns to downtown Yuba City. This is an afternoon event featuring California beer and wine. Last year's inaugural event attracted 15 breweries, which poured 40 beers (this year's lineup TBA on the festival website). There will also be live entertainment, and vendors selling food and merchandise. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold.
9: Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest, Timonium, MD
Trigger Agency presents the Maryland Brewer's Oktoberfest, which will take place at the State Fairgrounds. The event, which is billed as "Baltimore's largest beer festival," will feature more than 75 beers from 11 Maryland-based breweries; food, including German dishes and bratwurst; oom-pah bands playing German drinking songs; beer seminars in the tasting theater; and games and contests.
9: World Beer Festival, Durham, NC
All About Beer magazine presents the World Beer Festival, which will take place at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. There will be two tasting sessions, each with beer from more than 150 world-class breweries, including a cask and barrel tent. The festivities will also include tastings led by leading members of the craft beer community, food from local restaurants, live music, and children's entertainment. The proceeds will go to local charities. More details will be posted on the festival website.
14-16: Chorley Astley Oktober Beerfest, Chorley, England
The Rotary Club of Chorley Astley presents the Chorley Astley Oktober Beerfest, which will take place at the Territorial Army Drill Hall in Chorley. The festival will be opened by rugby union legend Bill Beaumont, and organizers expect to have 50 Real Ales and Real Ciders to sample. The festival is a fund-raiser for Rotary-supported charities.
15-16: Diss Beer Festival, Norfolk, England
The Friends of Diss Corn Hall and Buffy's Brewery present the second annual Diss Beer Festival, which will take place at the Corn Hall in Diss. The festival, which is a fund-raiser for the Friends, will feature "a small but beautifully put together selection" of 50 beers from "tiny tiny microbrewers" throughout England, along with locally-sourced food and live music. More details will be posted on the Corn Hall's website.
15-16: Hartlepool Round Table Beer Festival, Hartlepool, England
The Hartlepool Round Table presents the 15th annual Hartlepool Round Table Beer Festival, which will take place at Borough Hall. This year's festival will feature more than 50 Real Ales on tap, along with bottled beer, soft drinks, and wine. There will be live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, and a taster session on Saturday afternoon. All proceeds will go to local charities.
15-16: Mighty Matanuska Brewfest, Palmer, AK
The Mighty Matanuska Brewfest will be held at Raven Hall at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer. This two-day event will feature more than 50 beers, live entertainment both days, and barbecue and other foods. The festival venue is located in the scenic Matanuska Valley, surrounded by the Talkeetna and Chugach Mountains. More details about this festival will be posted on the Alaska State Fair website.
16: Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest, Murphysboro, IL
The Friends of Murphysboro present the inaugural Big Muddy Monster Brew Fest, which will take place at Riverside Park. The festival, which will introduce southern Illinois residents to craft beer and homebrewing, will include sampling, local food, music, a homebrewing competition, brewing demonstrations, and brewing supply vendors.
16-23: Cleveland Beer Week, Cleveland, OH
Cleveland Beer Week, an eight-day celebration of craft brews, will take place at more than 100 locations in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. More than 700 events are planned, including tastings, beer dinners, demonstrations, leisure activities, educational programs, and specials at 120 bars, restaurants, and specialty grocers. The celebration culminates in BREWzilla (listed separately on the calendar).
16: The Great Tucson Beer Festival, Tucson, AZ
AZBeer.com presents the The Great Tucson Beer Festival, which will take place at Hi Corbett Field in central Tucson. This evening event will feature hundreds of beers "from around the Southwest and around the world," along with live music; food from local restaurants; games, including horseshoes and "steer" roping. VIP tickets, with early admission and a specially catered dinner, are available. Proceeds will go to SunSounds of Arizona.
16: Lighthouse Festival, Wrightsville Beach, NC
Lighthouse Beer & Wine presents the Lighthouse Festival, which will take place at Hugh McRae Park in Wilimington. Beer from more than 70 breweries from all over the world will be available, and food vendors will be on the grounds. Shuttle service will be available to the greater Wilmington area after the festival. Part of the proceeds will benefit The Carousel Center.
16: Knoxville Brewers' Jam, Knoxville, TN
The 14th annual Knoxville Brewers' Jam will be held on the Performance Lawn at World's Fair Park. This year's event will feature more than 150 beers, along with food and live music. All proceeds will go to Community Shares of Tennessee.
16: Newtown Brewfest, Newtown, PA
The fifth annual Newtown Brewfest will be held at a new location, the Newtown Swim Club. This afternoon event, described as "Newtown's Original Beer Tasting Event," will feature beer sampling (recent festivals have had about 80 different beers), food, and live music. "Beat the Crowd" tickets, with early admission and complimentary food, are available.
16: Santa Barbara Beer Festival, Santa Barbara, CA
The Santa Barbara Beer Festival will be held at Elings Park, a venue with a view of both the city and the Pacific Ocean. This afternoon event will feature breweries from California's Central and West Coast (more than 30 were represented at last year's festival). Food will be served, and three live bands will perform. Proceeds will go to Elings Park and the Santa Barbara Rugby Association.
16: Tennessee Beer Festival, Nashville, TN
The inaugural Tennessee Beer Festival will be held on the grounds of Two Rivers Mansion in Nashville. This afternoon event will feature seasonal craft-brewed beers, food, and entertainment. Free parking is available at the festival venue. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Exchange Club Family Center and Fifty Forward Donelson Station.
16: Wisconsin Dells on Tap, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Wisconsin Dells on Tap will be held at the Festival Grounds in Wisconsin Dells. A "full spectrum of beer" will be available, and brewmasters will be on hand. Carr Valley Cheese and the National Mustard Museum will have displays. The beer festival is part of the annual Harvest Fest, a two-day celebration with a variety of family activities.
17: LA Beer Week Beer Festival, Los Angeles, CA
The second annual LA Beer Week Beer Festival will take place at historic Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. This afternoon event will feature beer from more than 70 local, national, and international craft breweries, and several of the beers will be brewed specially for LA Beer Week. The famous Los Angeles food trucks will be on hand, and there will be special presentations in the Fred Harvey Restaurant's show bar.
20-21: Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Regional Development Victoria and the Victorian Association of Microbrewery Industry present the Fed Square Microbreweries Showcase, which will take place at the Atrium in Melbourne's Federation Square. This two-evening festival will feature about 20 craft-brewed beers from Melbourne and regional Victoria. Tickets are limited, and festival-goers will be admitted on a "first in best dressed" basis.
22-23: Halifax Microbrew Festival, Halifax, NS, Canada
East Coast Event Management presents the inaugural Halifax Microbrew Festival, which will take place at the Halifax World Trade Centre. More than 40 Canadian craft beers, including beers from the Halifax area, will be available. The festivities will also include a homebrewing competition, food from local pubs and restaurants, cooking with beer demonstrations, a beer appreciation class, poker lessons and game, music by local performers, and other events TBA on the festival website.
23: Grilled Cheese, Beer & Wine Festival, Westminster, MD
Grilled Cheese & Company presents the first-ever Grilled Cheese, Beer & Wine Festival at the Carroll County Ag Center in Westminster. This afternoon event will feature a sampling of Maryland wines and microbrewed beers; live music; and, of course, grilled cheese sandwiches. The festivities will also include a grilled cheese cookoff, and local exhibitors will be on hand.
23: BREWZilla, Cleveland, OH
BREWzilla, "one monster of a beer tasting," will be held at The Galleria in downtown Cleveland. This festival, which culminates Cleveland Beer Week, will feature craft-brewed and imported beer from more than 50 breweries, along with food pairings courtesy of Heinen's and Winking Lizard. There will also be live entertainment as well as appearances by brewers including featured guest Greg Koch of Stone Brewing Company. All proceeds will be donated to the Malone Scholarship Fund.
23: Homebrewed Raleigh, Raleigh, NC
The Raleigh City Museum, Busy Bee Cafe, and New Raleigh present Homebrewed Raleigh, which will tae place at the museum. The festival will consist of two sessions, each with beer from 15 homebrewers from around the area. There will also be food and live bands. This event is a fund-raiser for the museum.
30: Blacksburg Brew Do, Blacksburg, VA
The Blacksburg Partnership, a non-profit economic development organization,
presents the second annual Blacksburg Brew Do, which will take place in Blackburg's First and Main shopping district. This afternoon event will feature beer tasting (more than 15 breweries were represented last year; this year's lineup TBA on the festival website), food from local restaurants, live entertainment, and the announcement of the winners of the Blacksburg Brew Do homebrew competition.
presents the second annual Blacksburg Brew Do, which will take place in Blackburg's First and Main shopping district. This afternoon event will feature beer tasting (more than 15 breweries were represented last year; this year's lineup TBA on the festival website), food from local restaurants, live entertainment, and the announcement of the winners of the Blacksburg Brew Do homebrew competition.
30: Tallahassee Brewfest, Tallahassee, FL
The Tallahassee Sunrise Rotary presents the fourth annual Tallahassee Brewfest, which will take place at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. This evening, indoor/outdoor event will feature unlimited tastings of more than 100 beers, live music by the Groove Merchants, food from local restaurants, and merchandise for sale. VIP tickets, with early admission and special samplings, are available. Proceeds will go to several charities.
TBA: Detroit Beer Week, Detroit, MI
The inaugural Detroit Beer Week took place last October at various locations in metro Detroit. Events included brewery tours, tasting flights, meet-the-brewer sessions, food pairings, and the grand finale, the Michigan Brewers Guild's Harvest Festival in Detroit.
Dates have not been set for this year's Beer Week; and currently, there is no website for this event. However, the Guild has announced that the Detroit Fall Beer Festival will take place on October 23.
Dates have not been set for this year's Beer Week; and currently, there is no website for this event. However, the Guild has announced that the Detroit Fall Beer Festival will take place on October 23.