It was a German monk, Martin Luther, who once quipped, “Whoever drinks beer, he is quick to sleep; whoever sleeps long, does not sin; whoever does not sin, enters Heaven! Thus, let us drink beer!”

Not surprisingly, drink enthusiasts seize every opportunity to gather for vibrant events, sharing a variety of brews with friends and fellow community members. 

Festivals centered around craft beverages continue to emerge in various parts of the world, as nothing brings the community together better than these fun-filled and exciting events. There are always numerous new Ales, Lagers, Craft beers, innovative flavors, and more for attendees to try.

More and more of these festivals are hosted in different parts of the US. However, for your best experience, Kate Richardson, a leading food and drink connoisseur and event planner in the US, has picked out the ten best annual beer festival events in the United States that true beer lovers should look out for.

Oktoberfest

Although originally a German festival, Oktoberfest has now become one of the most celebrated beer events in the United States. You can find Bavarian themed celebrations in different cities across the country. 

Here are some known iterations of the beer and music festival in the US:

• Four Peaks Arizona
• Zinzinnati, Ohio
• Trapp Family Lodge, Vermont
• Frankenmuth, Michigan
• Fredericksburg, Texas
• La Crosse, Wisconsin

When attending an Oktoberfest, you can be sure to sample some of the best beers from Europe. The festival also features hundreds of visitors from around the world, making it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. 

Ahead of your debut Oktoberfest adventure, be sure to master the quote, “Das ist mein erstes Oktoberfest,” which literally translates to “This is my first Oktoberfest.”

Great American Beer Festival

More than just the US, the Great American Beer Festival is one of the largest events for beer enthusiasts worldwide. Even though the number of attendees has declined steeply since 2020, this fiesta still draws large crowds due to its exciting lineup of events and variety of drinking options. Hundreds of breweries come to Denver to show off their tasty brews and new offerings.

Just as it is every year, the next Great American Festival will be hosted at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. If previous editions have been an indicator of anything, then we expect to see a large crowd in Colorado again for this big event.

Great Taste of the Midwest

As good as this festival is, not everyone gets to experience the thrill and excitement of being part of it due to its tight ticket sales system. Every year, tickets to the Great Sale sell out, so some beer lovers who would love to attend do not get a chance to. People who are lucky enough to get tickets before they sell out get to experience a variety of beer flavors and styles, along with delicious food and great music.

If you can get a ticket, then on August 9th, you should be at the Olin Park in Madison, Wisconsin, for one of America’s best craft beer festival experiences.

The Festival of Wood and Barrel-aged Beers

Every year, the Illinois Brewers Guild organizes this event to bring together barrel beer enthusiasts to enjoy wine tasting, live music, and great food. The beers shared here are special brews, including liquors and wines that have been aged in barrels. In addition to organizing fun activities for attendees, the organizers also host a competition among the best breweries, announcing the winners in the afternoon.

Later this year, in November, the fiesta will take place in Chicago, and attendees from various parts of the country will gather to celebrate.

Blacktoberfest

Proximity Brewing Company and Black Brew Culture are responsible for organizing Blacktoberfest, a celebration tailored for craft beverage enthusiasts. As the name of this premier festival suggests, the event is meant to celebrate Black culture within the world of artisanal brewing.

This festival is lined up with various interesting events to keep attendees engaged throughout its duration. Different craft beers from popular and new breweries will be available here, and the organizers will also set up live entertainment, cooking events, and more. 

Suwanee Beer Fest

Craft brew lovers enjoy coming together for the Suwanee Fiesta every year.  For most people, St. Patrick’s Day is the big event to look forward to in the middle of March, but for fans of good craft brew, the Suwanee Fiesta is the place to be. 

This March event is renowned for its premium food offerings, unlimited tastings, great music, engaging games, and, of course, excellent beer. There are always up to 400 brews from popular and new craft breweries here to give users a premium experience. 

Tailspin Ale Fest

Tailspin is not your regular festival, as it features a unique plane theme that is consistent throughout all the activities. In terms of setting, the fiesta takes place at Bowman Field, where a display of World War II-era aircraft is featured throughout the event.

Attendees can sample beers from up to 50 different breweries, enjoy live music, and savor great food at one of the best festivals in the U.S.

Barrel and Flow

Similar to Blacktoberfest, this American beer festival is also used to celebrate Black culture and black-owned breweries in particular. The numbers here can reach as high as 3,000 people. People come from different parts of the country for this opportunity to enjoy a weekend of beer festival fun.

In 2025, the Barrel and Flow fest is scheduled to be held on August 19 in Pennsylvania. It’s another chance to celebrate Black artists, enjoy the premium entertainment, and drink exciting brews with other beer enthusiasts.

Kill the Lights

Since its launch in 2022, Kill the Lights has been bringing a lot of fun to Knoxsville, Tennessee, every year with an exciting pairing of good brews and premium entertainment. This event is organized by XUL Beer Company, and they always invite the country’s top brewers to bring their finest options to the Tennessee Fest. 

In October, the organizers will bring the fun back to Tennessee, and if you love good beer and entertainment, you should plan to be there. While in Tennessee, attendees can also take advantage of the sports and entertainment options. 

Thanks to the state’s vibrant sports betting culture, you can also wager with a chance to win real money. But don’t dive head first into sportsbooks without getting correct information about the best markets and valuable football tips which will help you make more strategic and informed bets. 

Snallygaster

If you are not familiar with the name “Snallygaster”, you may know this event as the largest festival on the East Coast. Every year, thousands of people come to Pennsylvania Avenue to be a part of this fun-filled fiesta. 

About 175 producers will bring up to 450 craft beers for attendees to sip while taking in great live music and tasty meals from the numerous food trucks around the venue.

Best Beer Festivals in the US

If you’re a beer lover, then you deserve to be a part of at least one of the premium fests going on in the US annually. Pick the one that appeals to you best, book a ticket, and experience the thrill of sharing fun moments with drinking buddies and premium lager.

The article was provided by Kate Richardson