Is the summer heat getting to your head? If so, come join the fun at these nine amazing beer festivals this fall! You'll get a chance to try many, many different styles and flavors of beer while learning more about the brewing process from some of the best brewers in the country.
Check Out These Great U.S. Fall Craft Beer Festivals!
1. Great American Brewing Festival, Denver, Colorado
The Great American Brewing Festival, commonly known to beer lovers as GABF, is holding their 35th annual festival in Denver from October 6th-8th. Tickets go on sale August 2nd and the 3rd, and prices range from $25 to $80. Be aware that they sell out quickly! This festival has a private competition and has a lot of historical background since its founding in 1982. The festival includes 3,500 different beers to try, and a guide can help you get from one place to the next in the large crowd. Downtown Denver is very walkable and there are plenty of taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts so you don't have to drive. Bringing kids is strongly not recommended but kids under the age of 2 are allowed.
2. Brewgrass Festival, Asheville, North Carolina
Founded in 1996, Asheville hosts a festival in Memorial Stadium that is a mix of banjo-filled bluegrass and craft pints. The Brewgrass Festival is celebrating its 20th annual celebration on September 17th this year. Music will be a big part of this festival, and this year the line-up includes the Travelin' McCurry’s, Peter Rowan, Jon Stickley Trio, and Bobby Miller and the Virginia Daredevils. Parking is limited, so festival goers are strongly advised to use taxis or shuttles, or plan to arrive early to get a spot.
3. South Sound Craft Beer Festival, Tacoma, Washington
This will be the 3rd annual South Sound Beer Festival, featuring 30 different breweries. Live music and food will, of course, be provided - and don't expect anything to be less than amazing. The festival will be held at the Tacoma Dome Exhibition Hall & Plaza on Saturday, November 5th from 12-6:00pm. Tickets will be available later this year and prices range from $5-$25. Transportation can be made easy by the Pierce Transit busses and the Sound Transit Light rail. Free parking is available as well. If you love beer and want to volunteer at the event, you can help out and receive free admission to a future Washington Beer Commission Festival - and a chance to taste for free during the last 30 minutes of the festival. Be aware that visitors must be 21.
4. The Southern Brewers Festival, Chattanooga, Tennessee
This 22nd annual festival is held on Saturday August 20th from 2pm to midnight in Ross’s Landing Park right by the Tennessee River surrounding downtown Chattanooga. Live music will be playing during this event with artists such as JJ Grey and Mofro, Perpetual Groove, and the Mike Farris & The Roseland Rhythm Revue. Since the venue is right on the water, bring your camera to remember the amazing views! If you happen to drive a boat, you’re also welcome to park it at the marina. Tickets range from $18-$135, and VIP tickets are available.
5. Detroit Fall Beer Festival, Detroit, Michigan
This beer festival will take place in October 2016, but exact dates have not been released yet. Like many other beer festivals, volunteering is an option for people who like to help out but also get in on the fun, with a possibility of getting paid! This event will take place in multiple locations in the Eastern Market, which is in downtown Detroit. A focus of the festival is to bring the people of Michigan together through the power of over over 600 of Michigan’s craft beers, showcasing local talent such as musical performances, and some of Michigan’s finest restaurants cater.
6. Brew at the Zoo, Syracuse, New York
Want something different from your typical beer festival? Then Brew at the Zoo is for you! This year will mark the 20th annual Brew at the Zoo at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse. It will take place from 5:30-8:00pm. Taste regional brews while checking out animal exhibits and snacking on delicious catered food. There will also be fun music playing while you check everything out! Tickets are being sold at advance sale for $50 each; however, group tickets with a group with 6 or more people are $45 each. If you wait until the day of the event, tickets will be $60 per person. This event will have over 60 beers and around a dozen different wines. There will be a shuttle from Armory Square for free, departing at 5pm, though space is limited. Parking is also available at the event. No one under 21 is allowed.
7. Music City Brewer’s Festival, Nashville, Tennessee
Most beer festivals have live music, but this beer festival is entirely based around the music. What better place to experience beer than in Nashville's Music City Walk of Fame Park? The event will take place on August 6th and will feature over 55 different breweries, many of which are from Tennessee and the Southeastern United States. There will be live music, of course, and food from local restaurants. There are two sessions for this event: session A is 12:00-4:00pm for $39 in advance and $49 at the door, and session B is 6:00pm-10:00pm for $59 in advance and $69 at the door. Because the event is downtown, many hotels are available (though we think a vacation rental is more fun.) For transportation, you can use the downtown buses, taxis, or just walk to the venue.
8. Lake Arrowhead Brewfest, Lake Arrowhead, California
This is the 7th annual Lake Arrowhead Brewfest, and it's hosted by the local Lake Arrowhead Communities Chamber of Commerce, Blue Jay Merchants, and the Blue Club. The festival will be held in the Blue Jay Village in the mountains of Southern California on August 13th from 12:00pm- 6:00pm. Tickets will soon become available on the website. The event will feature 100 commercially and homebrewed beers. Also, food vendors will be all around for you to enjoy and live music playing. For convenience, there are cabins and campsites that are available right near the event for a fun weekend away. To get there, take a taxi or plan to drive your own car.
9. Great Brews Beer Festival, Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania
The 26th annual Great Brews Beer Festival is held at the Split Rock Resort and Golf Club in Lake Harmony, Pennsylvania. This two-day event will be November 19th-20th, a perfect time to celebrate beer and friendship when it is getting colder outside. Live music and food will be available for everyone to enjoy, and many different craft beers will be available to taste. Tickets are now on sale on their website. For accommodation, your best bet here is a vacation rental. Transportation is best via taxi and personal vehicle.
This article was written by Nic Shipley.