Beer festivals take place across every corner of the globe, celebrating local brewing traditions, emerging craft scenes, and iconic beer styles. From historic European beer weekends to large-scale international showcases in North America, Asia, Australia, and beyond, beer festivals offer travelers and enthusiasts a unique way to explore culture through beer. This guide brings together beer festivals worldwide, organized by region, to help you discover events, plan trips, and dive deeper into global beer culture.
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Beer & Food Attraction (Rimini, Italy)
Overview and Experience: Held in the picturesque coastal city of Rimini, Italy, Beer & Food Attraction is a unique festival that combines craft beer, gourmet food, and hospitality. Organized in February, the event is an international gathering that not only celebrates Italy’s emerging craft beer scene but also focuses on food pairings and culinary excellence.…
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Mondial de la Bière (Montreal, Canada)
Overview and Experience: Mondial de la Bière is one of North America’s most important beer festivals, drawing thousands of beer enthusiasts to the vibrant city of Montreal every summer. Established in 1994, the festival has grown into a five-day celebration of craft beer, cider, mead, and more. Held at the Palais des Congrès, the event…
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The Brussels Beer Weekend (Brussels, Belgium)
Overview and Experience: Held annually in the heart of Belgium, the Brussels Beer Weekend is one of Europe’s most renowned beer festivals, offering attendees a chance to experience Belgium’s rich beer culture in the country’s capital city. Hosted in the picturesque Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, this festival brings together beer lovers from…
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Copenhagen Beer Celebration (Copenhagen, Denmark)
Overview and Experience: The Copenhagen Beer Celebration (CBC), organized by the acclaimed Danish brewery Mikkeller, is a must-visit event for craft beer enthusiasts seeking cutting-edge brews and an international atmosphere. Held annually in the vibrant city of Copenhagen, usually in May, the festival has gained a reputation for showcasing some of the most innovative and…
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Great Japan Beer Festival (Tokyo, Japan)
Overview and Experience: The Great Japan Beer Festival, often referred to as BeerFes Tokyo, is one of Japan’s largest and most prestigious beer festivals. Held annually in the bustling city of Tokyo, this event attracts both local and international beer lovers eager to explore Japan’s burgeoning craft beer scene. The festival typically takes place at…
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Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend (Tallinn, Estonia)
Overview and Experience: Tallinn Craft Beer Weekend (TCBW) is the largest craft beer festival in the Baltics, and it has quickly earned a reputation as one of the best beer festivals in Northern Europe. Hosted annually in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, this event brings together beer lovers and brewers from around the world to celebrate…
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Zythos Beer Festival (Leuven, Belgium)
Overview and Experience: The Zythos Beer Festival is one of Belgium’s most beloved beer festivals, celebrated as a comprehensive showcase of Belgian beer craftsmanship. Held annually in the picturesque city of Leuven, just east of Brussels, the festival draws both locals and international visitors eager to explore Belgium’s exceptional brewing heritage. It’s a festival that…
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Berlin Beer Week
Berlin Beer Week is a city-wide celebration of craft beer, held every summer in Germany’s vibrant capital. Unlike traditional beer festivals that take place in a single location, Berlin Beer Week spans multiple venues across the city, including breweries, beer bars, restaurants, and pop-up events. This decentralized format allows visitors to explore Berlin’s diverse neighborhoods…
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Craft Brewers Conference & BrewExpo America (Various Locations, USA)
Overview and Experience: The Craft Brewers Conference (CBC) is one of the most important events in the craft brewing industry, attracting brewers, beer professionals, and industry insiders from around the world. Held annually in different cities across the United States, CBC is more than just a beer festival—it’s a comprehensive conference that includes educational seminars,…
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Oregon Brewers Festival (Portland, Oregon, USA)
Overview and Experience: The Oregon Brewers Festival (OBF) is one of the longest-running and most celebrated beer festivals in the United States. Held every July in Portland’s scenic Tom McCall Waterfront Park, the festival attracts tens of thousands of beer lovers who come to sample the best that Oregon’s renowned craft beer scene has to…
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The Edmonton International BeerFest
The Edmonton International BeerFest is one of Canada’s premier beer festivals, offering attendees the chance to sample a wide variety of local, national, and international beers. Held annually in downtown Edmonton at the Shaw Conference Centre, the festival attracts thousands of beer lovers each year, transforming the venue into a beer lover’s paradise. The festival…
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GABS (Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular) – Melbourne, Australia
Overview and Experience: GABS (Great Australasian Beer SpecTAPular) is more than just a beer festival—it’s a creative playground for brewers and beer lovers alike. Held annually in Melbourne, with satellite events in Sydney, Brisbane, and Auckland, GABS is one of the most innovative and experimental beer festivals in the Southern Hemisphere. Founded in 2011, the…
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Great Kiwi Beer Festival (Christchurch, New Zealand)
Overview and Experience: The Great Kiwi Beer Festival, held annually in the beautiful city of Christchurch, New Zealand, is one of the largest beer festivals in the Southern Hemisphere. Surrounded by lush greenery in Hagley Park, the festival attracts tens of thousands of beer enthusiasts who come to enjoy a day of sunshine, music, delicious…
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Pilsner Fest (Plzeň, Czech Republic)
Overview and Experience: Pilsner Fest is a celebration of the birthplace of the world’s first pale lager, Pilsner Urquell, which originated in Plzeň (Pilsen), Czech Republic. Held annually in October, this festival commemorates the creation of the beer that would go on to define a style enjoyed globally—pilsner. Plzeň itself is a charming town with…
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Qingdao International Beer Festival (Qingdao, China)
Overview and Experience: Often referred to as the “Asian Oktoberfest,” the Qingdao International Beer Festival is the largest beer festival in Asia and a cultural phenomenon in its own right. Held in the coastal city of Qingdao, China, this festival combines the best of Chinese and international beer cultures, creating a unique fusion of East…
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Belgian Beer Weekend (Brussels, Belgium)
Overview and Experience: Stepping into the Belgian Beer Weekend feels like walking into a celebration of history, tradition, and the world’s finest beer. Held in Brussels’ Grand Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, the festival showcases Belgium’s incredible beer culture. The event typically takes place in early September, transforming the iconic square into a beer…
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Great British Beer Festival (London, UK)
Overview and Experience: Imagine walking into a grand, historic venue in the heart of London, the Olympia Exhibition Centre, filled to the brim with over 900 real ales, ciders, perries, and foreign beers. The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF), organized by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), is one of the most iconic beer events…
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Great American Beer Festival (Denver, USA)
Overview and Experience: The Great American Beer Festival (GABF) in Denver, Colorado, is the premier event for beer lovers in the United States. It’s not just a beer festival—it’s the largest ticketed beer event in the country, an experience that any serious beer enthusiast should have on their bucket list. Hosted annually by the Brewers…
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Oktoberfest (Munich, Germany)
Overview and Experience: When you step into the world of Oktoberfest, you’re not just attending a beer festival—you’re immersing yourself in a living piece of Bavarian culture. It’s the largest beer festival in the world, spanning more than two weeks and drawing over six million visitors annually from all corners of the globe. Held in…