September 2008
August 29-September 1: Berea Labor Day Oktoberfest
Location: Berea Fairgrounds, Berea, OH
Presented By: Kiwanis Club of Berea
Highlights: Four days of authentic German beer and food; local and regional musicans and German dance groups; a variety of events, including wiener dog races, a celebrity keg tapping, sand sculptures, marionettes, and a 5K run.
August 29-September 1: La
Fete Bieres et Saveurs
Location: Fort Chambly, Chambly (near Montreal), QC,
Canada
Presented By: Desjardins
Highlights: Venue is a national historic site on the
banks of the Richelieu River; festival features microbrewed
beers as well as wine, cider, cheese, and other Quebec
products; entertainment, including acrobats, musicians,
magicians, and jugglers.
August 31-September 1: Festival of Iowa Beers
Location: Millstream Brewing Company, Amana, IA
Highlights: Beer from 10 craft breweries, with brewers in attendance, and seven homebrew clubs; cooking with beer demonstration; live music and local food.
September 4-6: "Raiders of the Lost Cask," the Jersey Beer Festival
Location: People's Park, Island of Jersey, England
Organized By: Jersey Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Twentieth annual event; more than 130 Real Ales plus ciders, perries, and continental beers; food provided by Channel hotels; live music Saturday evening.
September 4-6: Ulverston Beer Festival
Location: Coronation Hall, Ulverston, England
Organized By: Furness Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Past festivals have feature about 60 beers plus ciders an perries, a darts competition, and a no-smoking environment. More details about this year's festival will be posted on the branch's website.
September 4-7: Silloth Music & Beer Festival
Location: The Green, Silloth-on-Solway, England
Organized By: Silloth Festivals, Limited
Highlights: Festival venue is a large, grassy area between the town and the Esplanade; last year's festival featured more than 90 Real Ales and Real Ciders; musical entertainment, featuring The Searchers, supported by local favorites The NightRiders.
September 4-6: Tamworth Beer Festival
Location: Tamworth Assembly Rooms, Tamworth, England
Organized By: Litchfield, Sutton & Tamworth Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: About 100 Real Ales from all over the country, including beers brewed specially for the festival; Real Ciders and Real Perries; bottled beers from all over the world; food and live music; Beer of the Festival competition.
September 5-6: Anglesey Beer Festival
Location: Wylfa Sports & Social Club, Cemaes Bay, Anglesey, Wales
Organized By: Anglesey Central Lions Club
Highlights: New venue this year; ales, ciders, and perries; dancing and live entertainment at all sessions; camping available; proceeds benefit Anglesey Central Lions Club charities.
September 5-7: Ashford Beer Festival
Location: Ashford Rugby Club, Ashford, England
Highlights: A three-day event featuring Real Ale, music and rugby; 40 Real Ales, including beer from UK breweries rarely found in Kent; Real Ciders; an eclectic mix of live music; rugby matches with all levels represented.
September 5-6: Beer Summit Samuel Adams Oktoberfest
Location: The Castle @ Park Plaza, Boston, MA
Highlights: VIP session, with guest speaker Jim Koch, Friday evening; Oktoberfest on Saturday; at least 15 different styles of Samuel Adams beer; food, including German sausage and pretzels; music provided by three bands.
September 5-7: Belgian Beer Weekend
Location: Grand'Place, Brussels, Belgium
Organized By: Belgian Brewers Association and the Knighthood of the Brewers' Mash
Highlights: Tenth annual event, with beer from Belgian breweries of all sizes, served at reasonable prices; festival events (free admission) include a celebration of St. Arnold, the patron saint of brewers and consecration of the beer; a display of historic brewery carts and beer wagons; and a brewers' parade in the city center.
September 5: Brew at the Zoo and Wine, Too, Denver
Location: Denver Zoo, Denver, CO
Hosted By: Denver Zoo's Wild Things Committee
Highlights: Beer, wine, and hors d'oeuvres from more than 50 Colorado breweries and restaurants, music and dancing at the zoo after dusk; event is a fund-raiser for the zoo's Red Apple Fund for life-long learning.
September 5-6: Bruegala
Location: Interstate Center, Bloomington, IL
Benefit For: Community Health Clinic
Highlights: "A festival of international beer" with more than 200 beers, including home-brewed beers from the Abnormal Brewers; six live bands; single-elimination bag tournament.
September 5-6: Brew NZ–Beervana
Location: Overseas Terminal, Wellington, New Zealand
Organized By: Brewers Guild of New Zealand
Highlights: Three sessions, featuring more than 200 New Zealand and international beers (list TBA on the festival website); BrewNZ 2008 Awards, with an awards night celebration the evening before the festival; new this year: "Beervana," a food and beer educational program; corporate/ VIP admission tickets include a special tasting of 2008 award-winning beers and food prepared by Wellington chefs to pair with them.
September 5-7: Connecticut River
Brewers Fest
Location: Holyoke Canoe Club (on the banks of the
Connecticut River), Holyoke, MA
Highlights: Last year's festival featured ore than 100
beers from 30 regional microbreweries, poured in a scenic
festival venue; continuous live music; and food provided by
Burnt Offerings BBQ. Details of this year's event will be
posted on the festival website.
September 5: Emerald
Coast Beer Fest
Location: Seville Quarter, Pensacola, FL
Organized By: Escambia Bay Homebrewers
Highlights: Beer from 20 Southeastern microbreweries
and brewpubs; bottled specialty beers and a selection of
homebrewed beers for sampling; food and music by the
McGuire's Irish Pub Pipe Band.
September 5-7: Glossop Beer Festival
Location: Star Inn, Glossop, England
Organized By: High Peak and North East Cheshire Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Thirty-seven Real Ales, including festival special brews, plus 15 traditional ciders and perries; barbecue, entertainment, and Victorian festivities (period dress encouraged).
September 5-6: Great Canadian Beer Festival
Location: Royal Athletic Park, Victoria, BC, Canada
Highlights: Fifteenth annual event; beer from more
than 40 craft breweries from across Canada and the American
Northwest; continuous entertainment by local performers; food
from local restaurants and caterers.
September 5-6: Hopps of Fun Beer & Wine Festival
Location: Conkling Heritage Park, Mackinaw City, MI
Organized By: Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Waterfront venue; more than 50 Michigan microbrewed beers, along with over 40 wines from Michigan’s four internationally recognized wine regions; brewmasters and winemakers in attendance; area entertainers, sponsored by the Odawa Casino; a variety of food.
September 5-7: MainStrasse Oktoberfest
Location: MainStrasse Village, Covington, KY
Presented By: MainStrasse Village Association
Highlights: Thirtieth annual event; Oktoberfest-style celebration in a restored German village, featuring German beer and food, a variety of entertainment, works by artisans and crafters, and a Kinderplatz.
September 5-6: Shrewsbury
Real Ale Festival
Location: The Music Hall, Shrewsbury, England
Organized By: Shrewsbury & West Shropshire Branch,
Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: A wide selection of beers, including
locally-brewed products (this year's theme and beer list
TBA; see branch's website); ciders, country wines, and
perries; live entertainment.
September 5-7: Snowshoe Mountain Oktoberfest
Location: Snowshoe Mountain, Snowshoe, WV
Highlights: Oktoberfest celebration with traditional German food and German-style beer, live music, and dancing in the evening; village entertainment, including scarecrow building and pumpkin carving contests, in the afternoon.
September 6-7: Bierfest 2008
Location: Teutonia Maennerchor (across from Sarah Heinz House), Pittsburgh, PA
Benefit For: Alpen Schulplattler
Highlights: Beer sampling, including Spezial Rauchbier, EKU Hacker Pschorr, and Weltenburg; Lustige Almdudler German Band; Alpen Schuhplattler dancers; food available in the Rathskeller.
September 6-7: Black Creek Brews Fest
Location: Black Creek Pioneer Village, Toronto, ON, Canada
Highlights: A celebration of Ontario's brewing heritage; beer tasting, with brewmasters in attendance; tutored tastings; food and beer pairings; "Story of Beer" walking tour; beer history exhibits; food and live music; luncheon with beer writer Stephen Beaumont.
September 6: Clearwater Beer Festival
Location: Eau Claire Expo Center, Eau Claire, WI
Presented By: The Coffee Grounds
Highlights: More than 100 microbrewed and imported beers to sample; attendees will receive a free one-year subscription to Draft magazine; food available for purchase.
September 6: Fall Brew Review
Location: Robinson Park, Wisconsin Rapids, WI
Benefit For: Lions Club Leader Dogs for the Blind
Highlights: Unlimited sampling of your microbrewed beers and music from live bands. Contact the Lions Club at 715. 423.0669 for more information.
September 6: Fall Festival of Beers and Chili Cook-Off
Location: Crested Butte Mountain Resort, Crested Butte, CO
Presented By: Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association
Highlights: Beer tasting, featuring Colorado microbrewery products; chili cook-off with local contestants; hot pepper eating contest.
September 6: Ithaca Brew Fest
Location: Stewart Park (on Cayuga Lake), Ithaca, NY
Sanctioned By: New York State Brewers Association
Highlights: Beer from 30 craft breweries, most from New York State; music by three live bands; part of the proceeds will go toward to revitalization of the park.
September 6-7: Japan Craft Beer Festival–Yokohama
Location: Osanbashi Hall, Yokohama International Passenger Terminal 1, Yokohama, Japan
Organized By: Japan Craft Beer Association and Beer Taster Non Profit Organization
Highlights: More than 120 craft beers available for sampling.
September 6: Maidstone
Beer and Hop Festival
Location: Museum of Kent Life, Cobtree, England
Organized By: Maidstone and Mid-Kent Branch, Campaign
for Real Ale
Highlights: Last year's event featured more than 90
beers including more than 20 from Kent, traditional hop
picking, live entertainment, and family activities. More
details of this year's festival will be posted on the
branch's website.
September 6: Sacramento Summerfest '08
Location: Miller Park, Sacramento, CA
Presented By: Viva Supermarket
Highlights: Beer and wine tasting; live music; silent auction of works by local artists; barbecue; vendors; event supports the Alzheimer’s Association's Sacramento Memory Walk.
September 6:
Village Fest
Location: Kern County Museum, Bakersfield, CA
Benefit For: CARE for the kids of Kern County
Highlights: Expanded festival venue this year; more than 100 beers from 60 North American breweries; wine from more than 20 Central Coast region wineries; live entertainment presented on four stages; food provided by 30 Bakersfield restaurants.
September 9-13: Chappel Beer Festival
Location: East Anglian Railway Museum, Chappel, England
Organized By: Exxex Branches, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Four hundred beers, ciders, and perries; Belgian beer bar; hot and cold food; live music; festival admission includes access to railway exhibits during the daytime; event benefits the railway museum.
September 11-13: Birmingham Beer Festival
Location: Aston Students Guild, Gosta Green, Birmingham, England
Organized By: Birmingham Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Three all-day sessions (noon to 11pm); around 90 Real Ales plus ciders, perries, and foreign bottled beers; food, including bratwürsts and French crepes; live music; tombola.
September 11-13: "Booze on the Ouse," the St Neots Beer Festival
Location: Burgess Hall, St Ivo Centre, St Ives, England
Organized By: Huntingdonshire Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Last year's festival featured more than 40 Real Ales plus ciders, perries, and foreign bottled beers, food, and a CAMRA stand and tombola. Details of this year's festival will be posted on the branch's website.
September 11-November 2 (weekends in September, every day in October): Helen Oktoberfest
Location: Alpine Helen, GA
Presented By: Greater Helen Area Chamber of Commerce
Highlights: The world's longest-running Oktoberfest, held in an Alpine-style mountain village; authentic German beer, food, and music in the large Festhalle.
September 11-14: Mt. Angel Oktoberfest
Location: Mt. Angel, OR
Highlights: Traditional Biergarten, Weingarten and
Alpinegarten; continuous live music (more than 30 groups) on
four stages; free Kindergarten with rides and shows; Friday
and Saturday night street dancing; more than 50 Alpine food
chalets serving ethnic foods; arts and crafts show; "Cruz-n
Car" show; RV and tent camping.
September 11-14: Severn Valley Railway Beer Festival
Location: The Station, Bridgnorth, England
Organized By: Bridgnorth Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Festival marks the 200th anniversary of the invention of the first passenger locomotive (a replica will be on display); more than 50 beers, ciders, and perries; pig roast on Saturday and Sunday.
September 12: Arbor Brewing Company Oktoberfest Block Party
Location: Corner of Main and Washington Streets, downtown Ann Arbor, MI
Organized By: Arbor Brewing Company
Highlights: Beer; food, including meat and veggie bratwurst; live music by Spass, with dancing; no cover.
September 12-13: Chester Autumn Beer Festival
Location: The Guildhall, Chester, England
Organized By: Chester & South Clwyd Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: About 45 beers from all over the UK, plus a selection of ciders and perries; prize tombola; traditional pub games, including a skittle alley; music at all sessions; food, including pork baps.
September 12-13: Columbus Microbrew Festival
Location: Farmers' Market Plaza, North Market, Columbus, OH
Highlights: Beer from Columbus-area breweries, with representatives on hand; Friday evening session added this year; live music both evenings; Saturday activities include a vintage scooter line-up and face painting.
September 12-14: European Beer Festival
Location: Carlsberg Vesterfælledvej 100, Copenhagen, Denmark
Presented By: Danish Beer Enthusiasts
Highlights: Festival venue is part of the old Carlsberg brewery; Europe's largest beer festival, more than 2,000 beers from over 450 breweries from throughout Europe; in addition to the festival itself, organizers plan a number of satellite events.
September 12-13: Hinckley CAMRA Beer Festival
Location: Masonic Hall, Hinckley, England
Organized By: Hinckley & Bosworth Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Inaugural event, with more than 40 Real Ales plus ciders, perries, and fruit wines; food available at all sessions; ample parking.
September 12-13: Lytham Beer Festival
Location: Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, England
Organized By: Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Ninety 90 Real Ales, plus ciders, perries, and a wide selection of foreign bottled beers; light refreshments available at all sessions; family room.
September 12-14: Madison County Hop Fest
Location: Madison County Historical Society, Oneida, NY
Benefit For: Madison County Historical Society
Highlights: Events include a Friday evening brew dinner (at the Ye Olde Landmark Tavern in Bouckville); Saturday sampling of beer from 20 area craft breweries, an expanded food and brew pairing session, presentations on hop culture, and prize raffles; and a Sunday Hop Heritage and Cuisine Tour; this year's festival marks the 200th anniversary of the introduction of commercial hop growing in New York State.
September 12-13: Minneapolis Oktoberfest
Location: Along the Mississippi River near St. Anthony Main and Riverplace, Minneapolis, MN
Highlights: "Munich in Minneapolis," with traditional German music, polka dancing and food and beer; free admission and music; games, including a beer barrel roll and the Hammerschlagen (nail driving); most of the events will held under tents.
September 12: New York Brewfest
Location: Piers 16 and 17, South Street Seaport, New York, NY
Presented By: Heartland Brewery
Highlights: More than 300 craft-brewed beers, most of them from New York State breweries, with brewmasters and brewery representatives on hand; music by four bands throughout the evening; most of the festival venue is covered; proceeds benefit the New York State Brewers Association.
September 12-14: Swan Inn Beer Festival
Location: Swan Inn, Village Green, Parson Drove (near Wisbech), England
Highlights: Elgoods best ales along with five other selections; food available; music on Saturday and Sunday, and family fun day on Sunday. Call 01945 700291 for more information.
September 12-14: Telluride Blues
& Brews
Location: Telluride Town Park, Telluride, CO
Highlights: Outdoor music venue with mountain peaks
for a backdrop; beer from 50 breweries during Saturday's
Grand Tasting; nationally-renown blues artists (this
year's performers TBA); a variety of food and crafts
vendors; festival continues in late-night juke joints and
after-hours jams. Tickets go on sale March
3.
September 12-13: Washington Beer Commission Oktoberfest
Location: Pyramid Alehouse Parking Lot, Seattle, WA
Presented By: The Washington Beer Commission
Highlights: "Over 30 breweries under one big tent", including WABL Beer, an exclusive beer brewed specially for the festival by Lazy Boy Brewing Company; live entertainment.
September 13: Beer in the Plaza
Location: The Plaza, Downtown Healdsburg, CA
Presented By: Soroptomist Club of Healdsburg
Highlights: Beer from more than 30 breweries; sausages and other food; live music by the Shannon Ryder Band; silent auction; proceeds fund Soroptomist Club projects.
September 13-October 25 (weekends): Big Bear Lake Oktoberfest
Location: The Convention Center at Big Bear Lake, CA
Highlights: Oktoberfest-style celebration, featuring America's highest-elevation biergarten; authentic German Food; bands and dance groups every weekend; activities, including log-sawing and stein-holding contests; new Midway Fun Zone for children and families.
September 13: Brass City Brew Fest
Location: Library Park, Waterbury, CT
Presented By: Main Street Waterbury
Highlights: More than 250 beers from 50 domestic and 50 international breweries; special-entry Belgian tent; music provided by three bands; food available; classic car cruise (free admission) before the festival.
September 13-14: Brews on the Bay
Location: The U.S.S. Jeremiah O’Brien at Pier 45, San Francisco, CA
Presented By: San Francisco Brewers Guild
Highlights: Fifth annual event, featuring more than 50 beers from all seven of San Francisco’s artisan breweries; food and live music; festival venue is a historic World War II Liberty Ship.
September 13: Capital City Invitational Beer Festival
Location: Appalachian Brewing Company, Harrisburg, PA
Highlights: Beer from more than 20 breweries from Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, and New York; three tasting sessions; food buffet and live entertainment.
September 13: Great
Lakes Beer Fest
Location: Racine on the Lake Festival Park, Racine, WI
Benefit For: Kilties Drum and Bugle Corps
Highlights: Lakeshore venue; last year's festival
featured more than 250 craft beers from over 100 breweries, a
complimentary pint to first 1,000 paid admissions, live music
on two stages, a homebrew championship, and special VIP
packages. More details of this year's event will be posted
on the festival website.
September 13-14: Festival Bruxellensis
Location: Glacieres de Saint-Gilles, Brussels, Belgium
Highlights: A festival of authentic and characterful beers from small, independent breweries selected by festival organizers; this year's event will also include breweries from outside Belgium; food available.
September 13: Hop in the City
Location: Schlafly Tap Room, St. Louis, MO
Highlights: More than 40 styles of Schlafly beer; barbecue food and local live music; local vendors, with product samples and demonstrations.
September 13: Lehigh Valley Brewfest
Location: Scott Park and Larry Holmes Drive, Easton, PA
Benefit For: Equi-librium, a therapeutic riding program
Highlights: New venue this year; beer from area microbrewries (list TBA on the festival website); live entertainment.
September 13: Platte River Parkway Fall Festival
Location: Between Mike Lansing Field and Crossroads Adventure Playground, Casper, WY
Benefit For: Renovation of the Tate Pumphouse
Highlights: Beer from Rocky Mountain area microbreweries; barbecue feast; great live music; the Great Duck Derby; and children's events including face painting, balloon tying and story time.
September 13: Smyrna Hops & Barley Beer Tasting
Location: Smyrna Market Village, Smyrna, GA
Benefit For: Owen T . Wheeler Pediatric Cancer Foundation
Highlights: Hundreds of local and international beers; live music by the Parrotheads; DJ Lethal Rhythms; food from area restaurants.
September 13: Steel
City Big Pour
Location: 214 North Lexington Street, Pittsburgh, PA
Presented By: Construction Junction
Highlights: "Three Hours of Beer, Live Art, and Music"; last year's festival featured beer from 20 breweries, live music, food, "kegerator art," and a "not so silent auction." More details about this year's festival will be posted on the Construction Junction website.
September 13: Suds on the Green
Location: William Land Park, Sacramento, CA
Presented By: Sacramento Eagles Professional Golf Team and Creative Cats Presents
Highlights: Beer from more than 30 breweries, served at the final hole of the National Golf League Sacramento Team Golf Shootout; free post-festival concert by Aroarah; event benefits First Tee of Greater Sacramento.
September 13: Taste of Wisconsin
Location: Downtown Beaver Dam, WI
Presented By: Beaver Dam Chamber of Commerce
Highlights: More than 50 beers and dozens of cheeses, all made in Wisconsin.
September 13: Thirsty Troll Beer Festival
Location: Grundahl Park, Mt. Horeb, WI ("the Troll Capital of the World")
Highlights: Intimate beer sampling, featuring more than 100 craft-brewed beers by over 35 brewers; live music; food served by area restaurants; get your picture taken with Ivan the Thirsty Troll.
September 13: Treasure Coast Beer Festival
Location: Downtown Fort Pierce, FL
Benefit For: Learn to Read of St. Lucie County< br>
Highlights: Inaugural event, and Treasure Coast's first-ever beer tasting event, with more than 50 beers.
September 14: Jenkintown Jazz and Beerfest
Location: Jenkintown Town Square, Jenkintown, PA
Presented By: Jenkintown Community Alliance
Highlights: "Red hot jazz and ice cold beers"; outdoor festival featuring premium hand-crafted beer along with foreign bottled beers, live jazz and blues music, food vendors, and a root beer garden for the kids.
September 14-15: Lytham Beer Festival
Location: Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, England
Organized By: Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Inaugural event; around 60 Real Ales plus world beers, ciders and perries; light refreshments and family room available at all sessions.
September 15-16: Bruges Beer Festival
Location: The Belfry, Central Market, Bruges, Belgium
Presented By: Brugse Autonome Bierproevers VZW (Bruges Beer Tasters) and the City of Bruges
Highlights: Inaugural event; more than 100 beers from over 40 breweries and beer suppliers, including five Trappist breweries and artisanal Gueuze blenders and brewers; brewers will be in attendance; beer cuisine, with four guest chefs each day; carillon concerts; beer education programs; and family activities. Website is in Flemish only.
September 17-19: Berghoff Oktoberfest
Location: Adams Street at Dearborn Street, downtown Chicago, IL
Presented By: Berghoff Brewery, Harris Bank, Pepsi, VINTELLECT Chardonnay, and Johnsonville Brats
Highlights: Outdoor festival; beer and food; live music, including oom-pah music and a variety of other performers; prize raffle to benefit the Breast Cancer Network of Strength.
September 18 (yes, Thursday): Beer Experience
Location: Terrace on the Park, Flushing Meadows Park, Queens, NY
Presented By: The Brewz Brothers
Highlights: More than 200 craft-brewed and imported beers; special beer- and brewing-related learning sessions; musical entertainment by Hat Trick and appearances by celebrities; event is held in conjunction with the Empire State Beer Distributors Association.
September 18-20: Burton Beer Festival
Location: Burton Town Hall, Burton-On-Trent, England
Organized By: Burton Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: About 90 cask-conditioned ales, plus ciders, perries, and continental bottled beers; hot and cold food; live music Friday and Saturday evening; proceeds will aid a new operation at the site of the Museum of Brewing in Burton.
September 18-20: Darlington Rhythm 'n' Brews Beer Festival
Location: The Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington, England
Organized By: Darlington Branch, Campaign for Real Ale, in association with The R 'n' B Club
Highlights: Approximately 50 beers plus ciders, perries, and imported bottled beers; live music during evening sessions.
September 18-21:
Frankenmuth Oktoberfest
Location: Heritage Park, Frankenmuth, MI
Presented By: Frankenmuth Festivals
Highlights: Plenty of cold beer; traditional Bavarian
entertainment, including Schuhplatter; German food; wiener
dog races; Sunday German worship service; children's
activities.
September 18-21: Pivolend ("Beerland")
Location: Skopje, Macedonia
Highlights: Inaugural event; beer from a variety of brewers, along with food from local restaurants; entertainment, including live performers from throughout Europe, music animation, and costumed characters; beer-related activities; arts and crafts for sale.
September 18-20: South Devon CAMRA's Beer Festival
Location: The Racecourse, Newton Abbot, England
Organized By: South Devon Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: More than 120 Real Ales, lagers, and local ciders, including rare beers and festival specials; live music Friday and Saturday evenings; food and soft drinks available at all sessions; camping available.
September 18-20 and 25-27: Stockholm Beer & Whisky Festival
Location: Nacka Strand Factory, Stockholm, Sweden
Organized By: Stockholms Ol & Vin AB
Highlights: More than 1,300 beers, wines, whiskies, and other beverages. Website is in Swedish only.
September 19-21: Chippewa
Falls Oktoberfest
Location: Northern Wisconsin State Fairgrounds,
Chippewa Falls, WI
Organized By: Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company and
others
Highlights: Traditional Oktoberfest celebration, begun
with the ceremonial keg tapping; a variety of musical
performers and other entertainers; children's activities;
all-German car show; scavenger hunts.
September 19-21: Fremont Oktoberfest
Location: Along the Fremont Ship Canal, Fremont District, Seattle, WA
Benefit for: Fremont Chamber of Commerce
Highlights: More than 70 beers from 35 breweries, served in three beer gardens; a variety of live entertainers; food and craft vendors; kid's area; activities, including a chainsaw pumpkin carving competition, 5-K run/walk, and "street scramble" scavenger hunt.
September 19-20: Independence Brew-B-Q
Location: River Walk Parks, Independence, IA
Benefit For: Big Brothers and Big Sisters Mentoring Program
Highlights: Saturday beer tasting in the beer garden, with regional, national, and imported beers; Brew-B-Q & Bike Ride; barbecue contest, sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society; live entertainment; free admission to festival site.
September 19-20: Langford Beer Festival
Location: Langford Sports Ground, Steeple Langford, England
Benefit For: Langford Sports & Community Centre and Cardiac Risk in the Young
Highlights: Forty Real Ales from a wide variety of breweries; live entertainment; festival venue is in the scenic Wylye Valley.
September 19-21: Manhattan Cask Ale Festival
Location: Chelsea Brewing Company, Pier 59, New York, NY
Presented By: Chelsea Brewing Company and The Gotham Imbiber
Highlights: At least 40 cask ales, including some rarely found; six beers from Chelsea Brewing, the others from guest brewers; free admission; all beers served on a first-come, first-served basis.
September 19-20: Midwest Brewfest
Location: Friday dinner venue TBA; Saturday tasting at Century II Exhibition Hall, Wichita, KS
Presented By: Wichita Chapter, American Institute of Wine and Food (AIWF)
Highlights: Beerfest dinners Friday evening (details TBA on the festival website); grand tasting Saturday with more 400 beers, beer-friendly food, DJ Ronnie Choy, and silent auction for the benefit of Starkey, Inc. The event is a fund-raiser for the AIWF Culinary Scholarship Fund.
September 19-21 and 26-28: Oktoberfest on Larimer Square
Location: Ballpark Neighborhood (between 20th and 22nd Streets), Denver, CO
Highlights: Event is modeled after Munich's Oktoberfest; German attractions, music from national touring groups, performances by international dancers, children’s activities, heritage booths selling German good; traditional German food; children’s activities.
September 19-October 6: Qingdao International Beer Festival
Location: Various locations, Qingdao, China
Highlights: A wide variety of beer to sample; festival events include opening and closing ceremonies, karaoke, Chinese and Western-style food, varied musical entertainment, and events such as a beer-chugging competition. Follow the link to read a review submitted by Chad Pearson, a regular attendee of this event.
September 19: San Diego Festival of Beer
Location: Columbia and B Streets, downtown San Diego, CA
Benefit For: San Diego Professionals Against Cancer
Highlights: Outdoor downtown venue; more than 150 beers from over
60 area microbreweries; wine also available; food; music provided by Len
Rainey and the Midnight Players and Night Shift.
September 19:Septembeerfest
Location: Community Center, Oak Creek, WI
Highlights: More than 200 malted beverages to sample; grand prize raffle; food available; entertainment tent, featuring music by Mt. Olive.
September 20-21 Alnwick Beer Festival
Location: Town Hall, Alnwick Market Place, Alnwick, England
Organized By: Alnwick & District Round Tables
Highlights: New venue this year; more than 30 Real Ales from 15 breweries, all located in the north of England; food and live entertainment; event is held in conjunction with the Alnwick Food Festival.
September 20: Ballpark Beer Festival
Location: Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park, Charleston, SC
Presented By: Mellow Mushroom
Highlights: More than 100 American specialty brews, plus a wide variety of malt beverages, wine, and liquor; food and live entertainment.
September 20: Brew-Ha-Ha - Davenport
Location: LeClaire Park, Downtown Davenport, IA
Benefit For: WQPT-TV, Davenport's public television station
Highlights: More than 200 beers; snack table; musical and comedy entertainment; college football on television at the Sports Corner; festival venue is on the banks of the Mississippi River.
September 20: California Brewers Festival
Location: Discovery Park, Sacramento, CA
Organized By: Rotary Club of Point West-Sacramento
Highlights: More than 155 microbrews by over 65 brewers from all over the West; live bands, performing in a tree-shaded park; a variety of traditional, Mexican, and southern foods, and a cigar vendor; professionally-judged beer competition, with awards in 13 categories; event benefits local children's charities.
September 20: Cruisin' Calistoga Beer & Wine Festival
Location: Napa County Fairgrounds, Calistoga, CA
Presented By: Win-Rods, Inc.
Highlights: Beer and wine tasting; car show; food events; and items for sale.
September 20: Big Lake Brewfest
Location: Wessman Arena, Superior, WI
Benefit For: Junior Achievement
Highlights: Beer from 25 area breweries; outdoor beer
garden; games and contests.
September 20-21: DIY Street Fair
Location: Southeast quadrant of Nine Mile Road and Woodward Avenue, Ferndale, MI
Highlights: Inaugural event; beer garden with products from 12 Michigan microbreweries and food from local restaurants; 36 independent bands on the main stage, plus street performers and exhibitions; arts and crafts and eco-friendly products; beer-free area for children and families.
September 20: Great Smokies Craft Brewers Brewgrass Festival
Location: Martin Luther King, Jr., Ballfield, Asheville, NC
Hosted By: Great Smokies Craft Brewers Association
Highlights: Beautiful mountain setting; more than 100 beers from 30 American breweries; national and regional bluegrass performers, featuring award-winner Jim Lauderdale; a variety of food vendors; event benefits Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Western North Carolina.
September 20-October 5: Munich
Oktoberfest
Location: Theresienwiese, Munich, Germany
Highlights: The world's biggest beer festival...need
we say more?
September 20-21: Oktoberfest
Zinzinnati
Location: Downtown Cincinnati, OH
Highlights: America's largest Oktoberfest; German
beer, music and food; famed for the world's largest Chicken
Dance and world's largest kazoo band; free
admission.
September 20-21: Rocky Mountain Oktoberfest
Location: Kavanagh Field, Woodland Park, CO
Highlights: German food, wine, and beer; entertainment, including musical performers and folk dancers; children's activities; arts and crafts and business booths.
September 20: Rome Beer Tasting Festival
Location: Heritage Park, Rome, GA
Benefit For: Rome Council for the Arts
Highlights: Inaugural event, with more than 50 beers; food vendors and live entertainment; special after-festival meals at downtown restaurants on Saturday evening.
September 20: Steamboat Brewers' Festival
Location: Torian Plum Plaza, Steamboat Springs, CO
Highlights: Beer from 15 or more Colorado breweries; "Brewer's Choice" and "People's Choice" awards; live music, food vendors, and root beer for kids.
September 20: Suds on the Green
Location: William Land Park, Sacramento, CA
Benefit For: The First Tee
Highlights: Beer from local breweries, as well as brands supplied by Marktein Beverage Company, an event sponsor; food and live music; festival-goers will be able to watch the Sacramento Eagles professional golf team.
September 21: Addison Oktoberfest
Location: Addison Circle Park, Addison, TX
Highlights: A four-day authentic German-style celebration, and one of the largest outside Munich; beer, food, and music; a variety of entertainment, including dachshund races, a German cuisine tour and spelling bee, and a "German Idol" yodeling competition.
September 21-22: Northwich Beer Festival
Location: Northwich Memorial Hall, Northwich, England
Organized By: Cheshire Branch, Campaign for Real Ale, The Rotary Club of Northwich, and The Rotary Club of Northwich Vale Royal
Highlights: More than 70 beers, ciders, and perries from throughout the U.K. (this year's theme is "Beers of the North East"); live bands at Friday and Saturday evening sessions; festival proceeds go to local charities.
September 21: Silver City Brewfest
Location: Next to the Police and Courthouse Complex, Downtown Meriden, CT
Benefit For: ARC of Meriden-Wallingford
Highlights: More than 25 imported and microbrewed beers; a selection of 25 wines; free hamburgers, hot dogs, and music; chili cook-off featuring local restaurants.
September 24-27: Ipswich Beer Festival
Location: Ipswich Corn Exchange, Ipswich, England
Organized By: Ipswich Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: The largest beer festival in Suffolk; last year's festival featured more than 200 draft beers plus ciders, perries, and imported bottled beers; food available at all sessions; live music during evening sessions; family area and quiet drinking zone.
September 24-27: St Albans Beer
Festival
Location: Alban Arena, St Albans, England
Organized By: St Albans Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: More than 350 British Real Ales, plus
foreign beers, ciders, and perries; breweriana auctions; a
variety of entertainment, with quiet sessions Wednesday and
Friday evenings; and a team quiz Saturday
afternoon.
September 25-27: "Ale at Sea," the Redcar Beer Festival
Location: Coatham Memorial Hall (Redcar Boxing Club), Redcar, England
Organized By: Cleveland Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Thirty themed beers plus ciders, perries, and fruit wines; "meet the brewer" sessions; live music on Friday and Saturday nights; hot and cold food and snacks.
September 25: Festiv-Ale
Location: Goose Island Brewpub, Chicago, IL
Benefit For: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Highlights: "A celebration of beer," with microbrewed beers from 15 Chicago area- and Midwest-based providers; all-you-can-eat "heavy appetizers"; live music; silent and live auctions and a prize raffle.
September 25-27:
Keighley
Beer, Cider & Perry Festival
Location: Victoria Hall, Keighley, England
Organized By: Keighley & Craven Branch, Campaign
for Real Ale
Highlights: Twentieth annual event; more than 100 Real
Ales plus a range of ciders, perries, and foreign bottled
beers; musical entertainment; tombola; "Beer of the
Festival," with judged and public vote competitions; proceeds
benefit charity.
September 26-27: Ascot Beer Festival
Location: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England
Organized By: Berkshire South East Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: More than 125 beers, lagers, perries and ciders, including Summer Lightening from Hop Back Brewery, last year's "Beer of the Festival," awarded by racegoers; hot and cold food; music between races provided by an English folk band; Friday's racing card includes the Watership Down Stud Sales race, Saturday's includes the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
September 26-27: Greeley's Oktoberfest
Location: Lincoln Park, Greeley, CO
Highlights: Friday evening: beer, free live music, life size beer pong, and food, and beer. Saturday: beer garden, a variety of musical entertainment, food, craft and novelty vendors, "Kid’s World," and contests.
September 26-27: Llanbedr Beer Festival
Location: Snowdonia National Park, near Llanbedr, Wales
Highlights: Tented venue; beer from Welsh breweries; food and live music. Additional information to be added to the festival website.
September 26-October 4: Oktoberfest, USA
Location: Various locations, La Crosse, WI
Highlights: Tapping of the "Golden Keg," German food
and entertainment; a variety of activities including a
lederhosen luncheon, the honorary royal family, a torchlight
parade, and games and contests.
September 26-28: North Cotswold Beer Festival
Location: Moreton-in-Marsh Cricket Club, Moreton-in-Marsh, England
Organized By: North Cotswold Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Inaugural event; 40 Real Ales, along with ciders; food and soft drinks; camping available.
September 26-27: Rochester Mills Beer Company Autumn Festival
Location: Rochester Mills Beer Company, Rochester, MI
Benefit For: Make-a-Wish Foundation and YMCA North Oakland County
Highlights: Oktoberfest-style celebration, with special autumn beers from the brewery; German food, music, and dancing; sauerkraut-eating contest; children's activities, including carnival rides, a petting zoo, and live performers.
September 26-27: The Return of the Belgian Beer Fest
Location: The Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, Boston, MA
Presented By: BeerAdvocate.com
Highlights: Friday evening: "The Night of the Funk", featuring more than 50 "funky" beers, including spontaneously-fermented beers and beers inoculated with wild yeast strains. Saturday: afternoon and evening tasting sessions, each with more than 100 Belgian and Belgian-inspired beers and beer education programs.
September 26-27: Wessex Beer Festival
Location: Royal Bath and West Showground, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England
Presented By: Rotary Club of Somer Valley
Highlights: More than 100 Real Ales and Real Ciders; wine and soft drinks available; hot and cold food stalls; live entertainment; proceeds will go to charity.
September 27: Autumn Brew Review
Location: Warehouse Lot, Grain Belt Brewery Complex, Minneapolis, MN
Presented By: Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild
Highlights: Historic brewery venue; beer from area breweries, most of them based in Minnesota (brewery and beer list TBA on festival website); food and live music.
September 27-October 12: Cannstatt
Beer Festival
Location: Canstatt Wasen, Stuttgart, Germany
Highlights: Billed as the world’s largest folk
festival; features beer tents along with a Black Forest
Experience tent, amusement rides, and laser shows and
fireworks.
September 27: Central Florida Beer Festival
Location: Central Florida Fairgrounds. Orlando, FL
Hosted By: Orlando Young Professionals in association with
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Florida
Highlights: Indoor, air-conditioned venue; more than 200 varieties of beer, distributed at over 80 booths; food sampling; live music and other entertainment; brewing seminars; prizes; and safe rides after the festival.
September 27: Charlotte Oktoberfest
Location: Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Benefit For: Local charities
Highlights: Tenth annual event, held this year in a new venue; more than 300 craft-brewed beers from Southeast and around the world; live musical entertainment throughout the day; food provided by local Charlotte vendors; fun and games at the Creative Loafing Beerlympic Village.
September 27-28: Clayton Oktoberfest
Location: Clayton, CA
Presented By: Downtown Clayton Business and Community Association
Highlights: Fifth annual event, held under Mt. Diablo; traditional biergarten with German food and beer and California wines; continuous live music; other entertainment, including street performers, marionette shows, and carnival rides; large arts and crafts show.
September 27: Das Best Oktoberfest
Location: National Harbor, Oxon Hill, MD
Highlights: Oktoberfest celebration, with 150 different beers, German food, and music on two stages. More details will be posted on the festival website.
September 27: Fair Oaks'toberfest
Location: Fair Oaks Park, Fair Oaks, CA
Presented By: Creative Cats
Highlights: "More of a brew fest than an Oktoberfest," with beer from more than 25 California and West Coast breweries; food and live music; event benefits the Fair Oaks Recreation Foundation.
September 27: Fall Fest at Victory Brewing Company
Location: Victor Brewing Company, Downingtown, PA
Highlights: A German-themed community celebration, with food and live music; children's activities; brewery tours; and music by The Lukens German Band, Steve Liberace Trio, Zing Kings and the Kiwi Band.
September 27: Heart of the Valley Beer Festival
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds, Corvallis, OR
Organized By: Heart of the Valley Homebrewers, Corvallis/Albany Chapter
Highlights: Event, formerly known as the Oregon Homebrew and Microbrew Festival, features Oregon and Northwest microbrewed beer.
September 27-28: Hunter Mountain Microbrew and Wine Festival
Location: Hunter Mountain Ski Lodge, Hunter, NY
Organized By: Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Beer from more than 15 breweries, most from New York State; wine tasting; specialty foods and delicacies, arts and crafts vendors, farmers' market, and live entertainment.
September 27: Great Tucson Beer Festival
Location: Hi Corbett Field, Tucson, AZ
Benefit For: Sun Sounds of Arizona
Highlights: Beer from more than 50 breweries from all over the Southwest; live entertainment, silent auction; VIP early admission and sampling tickets are available.
September 27: KC Beer Fest Session I
Location: Kansas City Power & Light District, Kansas City, MO
Benefit For: Kansas City Free Health Clinic and AIDS Service Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Highlights: Hundreds of beers from more than 70 local, national, and imported beers, with some brewers in attendance; food and live music.
September 27: Lakes Region Brew Fest
Location: Point Sebago Resort, Point Sebago, ME
Hosted By: Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce
Highlights: Fifth annual event; beer from more than 20 Maine microbreweries, local wines, food and live music; festival is held on conjuction with the Point Sebago Artisan’s Craft Show.
September 27: Leaf Peepers Oktoberfest
Location: Davis, WV
Highlights: Festival brews from Blackwater Brewing Company, Mountain State Brewery, and Bluegrass Brewing Company, with brewmasters in attendance; festival events surrounding the Oktoberfest include 5K and mountain bike races, carnival rides, canoe rentals, and craft fairs.
September 27-28: Maryland Beer & Food Fest
Location: Ripken Stadium, Aberdeen, MD
Benefit For: Harford Habitat for Humanity
Highlights: Maryland's largest beer festival, with hundreds of domestic and international beers; a selection of wines; live music, ranging from rock to New Orleans funk; food, including gourmet items, fresh produce, and dishes from local restaurants; food and beer pairing hosted by local chefs; unusual outdoor activities, including sumo wrestling and obstacle course competitions.
September 27: Maryland Microbrewery Festival
Location: Union Mills Homestead, Westminster, MD
Highlights: Historic venue; beer from Maryland microbreweries; food and continuous live music and entertainment; crafts and merchandise vendors; beer seminars; free parking.
September 27-28: Northern Virginia Fall Beerfest
Location: Special Events Center, Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA
Presented By: Vintage Restaurant and Brew Lounge
Highlights: Beer from more of 40 of the world’s best breweries pouring their beers; food; entertainment provided by local and regional bands.
September 27: Oaktoberfest IV
Location: River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa, Paso Robles, CA
Presented By: Firestone Walker Brewing Company and River Oaks Hot Springs & Spa
Highlights: An "oak-inspired" variation of Oktoberfest, with Firestone Walker and German beer tents; local wine; festivities, including the tapping of a special barrel of beer, live polka music, and a "Beer Olympics"; traditional Oktoberfest-style food; proceeds benefit the Hospice of San Luis Obispo County.
September 27: Philly Oktoberfest
Location: 23rd Street Armory, Philadelphia, PA
Highlights: Philadelphia's first large-scale Oktoberfest, featuring Spaten beer and 50 other beers from the United States and Germany; authentic German food and music; special VIP tickets available; a portion of the proceeds benefit breast cancer research.
September 27: Quivey's Grove Beer
Fest
Location: Quivey's Grove, Madison, WI
Highlights: Last year's fest featured more than 70
beers from 30 breweries, and live music. Details of this
year's fest will be posted on the Quivey's Grove
website.
September 27: Ski Sundown Brewers Fest
Location: Ski Sundown, New Hartford, CT
Highlights: Beer from microbreweries and brewpubs in Connecticut and beyond; music provided by River City Slim & the Zydeco Hogs; food available.
September 28: Sippin' By the River
Location: Festival Pier, Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA
Benefit For: Philadelphia/Delaware Valley Chapter, Crohn's & Colitis Foundation fo America
Highlights: Beer and food tasting inside the Philadelphia Brewing Company pavilion; wine tasting, with experts in attendance; cooking demonstrations; live music provided by DAME, and the Sounds of Sinatra from singer Carlo Morelli; special VIP tickets available.