America's Best Beer Festivals for 2026
The United States boasts some of the world's most exciting beer festivals, from massive celebrations featuring hundreds of breweries to intimate gatherings showcasing local craft scenes. Here are the ten festivals that should be on every beer lover's radar for 2026.
1. Great American Beer Festival (Denver, Colorado)
When: October 2026
Why Go: The Super Bowl of American beer festivals
GABF is simply the largest and most prestigious beer festival in the United States. With over 800 breweries pouring 4,000+ beers and the highly coveted GABF medal competition, this is where American craft beer shines brightest. Tickets sell out within hours of release, so mark your calendar and be ready.
Pro Tip: Join the American Homebrewers Association for early ticket access.
2. Firestone Walker Invitational (Paso Robles, California)
When: June 2026
Why Go: Curated excellence in wine country
Unlike festivals where any brewery can buy a booth, every brewery at the FW Invitational is hand-selected. The result? Possibly the highest average beer quality of any festival in America. Set against the beautiful backdrop of Paso Robles wine country, this intimate event features around 50 of the country's best breweries.
Pro Tip: Book lodging early – Paso Robles is a small town that fills up fast.
3. Hop Culture's Juicy Brews Festival (Various Locations)
When: Multiple dates throughout 2026
Why Go: The cutting edge of craft beer
If you want to taste what's next in craft beer, Juicy Brews is where trends are born. Focusing on hazy IPAs, fruited sours, and experimental styles, this festival attracts the most hyped breweries in the country. Multiple events in different cities make it accessible to beer lovers nationwide.
Pro Tip: Follow Hop Culture on social media for early announcements.
4. Sierra Nevada Beer Camp (Chico, California & Mills River, North Carolina)
When: Summer 2026
Why Go: A legendary brewery opens its doors
Sierra Nevada's Beer Camp is a festival experience unlike any other. Held at their stunning facilities (choose East or West Coast), the event combines incredible beer with brewery tours, live music, and the natural beauty of their campuses. It's a celebration of everything Sierra Nevada represents in craft beer history.
Pro Tip: The Mills River, NC location is less crowded with equally great beer.
5. Craft Brewers Conference (Location Varies)
When: Spring 2026
Why Go: Industry access for the public
While primarily an industry event, the public can attend the showcase portion of CBC. This is where breweries debut new products and innovations. You'll taste beers that haven't hit the market yet and see brewing technology that's shaping the industry's future.
6. Festival of Wood and Barrel-Aged Beer – FoBAB (Chicago, Illinois)
When: November 2026
Why Go: The best barrel-aged beers on the planet
FoBAB is heaven for fans of barrel-aged beers. This competition-focused festival features exclusively wood and barrel-aged beers, including styles aged in bourbon, wine, rum, and specialty barrels. The quality bar is extraordinarily high, and rare releases appear that you simply can't find anywhere else.
Pro Tip: Pace yourself – these beers are often 10%+ ABV.
7. Extreme Beer Fest (Los Angeles, California)
When: February 2026
Why Go: Where "extreme" is the baseline
Presented by BeerAdvocate, Extreme Beer Fest celebrates the wild, weird, and wonderful side of craft brewing. If you want triple IPAs, pastry stouts, chili beers, and styles that defy categorization, this is your festival. It's not for the faint of heart (or palate).
8. Oregon Brewers Festival (Portland, Oregon)
When: July 2026
Why Go: One of America's longest-running craft beer celebrations
Set along the beautiful Willamette River in downtown Portland, OBF is one of the original American craft beer festivals. With 80+ breweries (mostly from the Pacific Northwest), it's a showcase for one of America's best beer regions. The outdoor waterfront setting is simply gorgeous.
Pro Tip: Arrive Thursday or Friday to avoid the largest Saturday crowds.
9. Wakefest (Cleveland, Ohio)
When: October 2026
Why Go: A rising star in the festival circuit
Put on by Great Lakes Brewing Co., Wakefest has quickly become one of the Midwest's premier beer events. The focus on quality over quantity means every pour is worth trying. Cleveland's emerging food scene complements the beer beautifully.
10. Hunahpu's Day (Tampa, Florida)
When: March 2026
Why Go: Cigar City's legendary annual release party
Built around the annual release of Cigar City's famous Hunahpu's Imperial Stout, this festival has evolved into one of the country's best for stout and dark beer lovers. Breweries bring their rarest barrel-aged offerings, and the Tampa weather provides a welcome escape from northern winters.
Pro Tip: Ticket competition is fierce – be ready the moment they go on sale.
Honorable Mentions
- WeldWerks Invitational (Greeley, CO) – Incredible hazy IPA showcase
- What the Funk!? (Denver, CO) – Sour and wild ale paradise
- Beachaven's Jazz & Blues Festival (Clarksville, TN) – Small town charm
- Boonville Beer Festival (Boonville, CA) – Rural California gem
Start planning now – the best festivals sell out quickly! And remember, wherever you go, drink responsibly and arrange safe transportation. Cheers to a great 2026 beer festival season! 🍺