The Ultimate Guide to 2023 Can’t-Miss Beer Festivals | Summer Edition
Summer is upon us, which can mean only one thing: it’s beer festival season! A few of the biggest of the year— Firestone Walker Invitational in California, Green City in New York, and more— have already come and gone. If you have FOMO when you see your friends posting beer festival photos, and you need to know where the best craft beer festivals are across the country for the rest of this year, look no further: we’ve got you covered.
June 23— Pride Beer Dabbler— Minneapolis, MN
70+ breweries are gathering together at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden to celebrate Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ community. It should be significantly warmer than their ice-cold Winter Beer Dabbler in February, but the beer and vibes should be equally terrific.
June 24- The Bruery Invitational— Placentia, CA
Any craft beer lover is familiar with California’s The Bruery— they’ve now officially been in the game for 15 years, and if this year’s celebration in Placentia is anywhere near as stacked with exclusive beers and elite guest breweries as last year’s, it’s going to be one fantastic birthday party. A few of this year’s participating breweries include Pure Project, Radiant Beer Co., Riip Beer, and Bottle Logic to name a few.
July 1- Free the Whales Fest— Charlotte, NC
Resident Culture and Hopfly are hosting this sensational event in Charlotte— and no, they aren’t talking about orcas, they’re talking about big beers from some of the best craft breweries across America. Any North Carolina craft beer lover owes it to themselves to make it to this event. A few participating breweries include American Solera, Mortalis, Phase 3, Other Half, and Tripping Animals to name a few.
July 8- Mortalis Swiftwater Luau— Rochester, NY
Nothing says summer like the beach— and nothing says summer beer festival like a festival at the beach! Mortalis Brewing and Swiftwater Brewing host this beachfront Rochester shindig with live music and over 55 guest breweries in attendance plus VIP tickets include two rare barrel-aged beers in DOUBLE Barrel Aged Ophion Imperial Stout and Barrel Aged Knowledge is Sour. A few participating breweries include Angry Chair, Brujos, Deciduous Brewing, Homes, Xul and more.
July 15- MORE FEST— Huntley, IL
More Brewing is one of the best breweries in the greater Chicagoland area, and their 6th Anniversary Festival is going to be a doozy. Food trucks, a live DJ, and, oh yeah, over 60 breweries from across America. More isn’t just the name of the brewery— it’s what you’ll be getting on July 15th. Plus attendees will be the first to have access to Barrel-Aged Henna: Karma. A few of the participating breweries include Three Floyds, Humble Sea, Corporate Ladder Brewing, WeldWerks Brewing and more.
July 21-22- Vermont Brewers Festival – Burlington, VT
When you ask people across the country what state should be considered the Home of American Craft Beer, a high percentage would respond, “Vermont.” So if you’re in New England and looking to sample terrific beer from across one of America’s great craft beer states, this is the event. Be sure to check out the fermentation tent which will feature samples of locally fermented foods.
July 22- The Veil’s Forever Summer Festival— Richmond, VA
Richmond is one of America’s great craft beer cities, and this festival, hosted by The Veil in downtown Richmond, is undoubtedly one of this year’s great craft beer events. The participating breweries list is insane— how many festivals in America can say they have 3 Fonteinen and Cantillon as participants??
July 27 – Avery Brewing’s 30th Anniversary Beer Festival – Boulder, CO
Throughout the early 2000’s Avery lead the charge in high-production beer festivals. In its hey day the Boulder-based brewery hosted a Strong Ale Fest, IPA Fest, Sour Fest, and Anniversary Fest. Now after a few years of hiatus Avery is digging back to its festival roots by hosting an invitational-style beer fest to commemorate its 30th anniversary. Die-hards can only hope that this one holds on to even a trace of its glory days in the alley.
August 5-6- Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza— Mammoth Lakes, CA
For those who love listening to terrific music as they drink craft beer all day, this festival in Mammoth Lakes gives you two-for-one. Not only will you get to hear some fantastic blues musicians all weekend, but you’ll also get to sample some of California’s best craft breweries with one of the most stunning backdrops in California.
August 12- Great Taste of the Midwest— Madison, WI
Anyone reading this likely knows about this festival already… but just in case you don’t, you’re in for a treat if you’re in Madison this August. Great Taste of the Midwest is one of the biggest craft beer festivals in America, giving you around *200* different breweries to try.
August 12— Barrel and Flow Fest, Pittsburgh, PA
Formerly called Fresh Fest, Barrel & Flow is America’s first Black craft brew festival. It returns this August, bringing to Pittsburgh a celebration of Black craft brewers, musicians, artists, chefs, and small business owners— and pouring beer either made in Black-owned craft breweries or in collaboration with them.
September 21-23- Great American Beer Festival— Denver, CO
You already know. It’s the biggest beer festival in the country, a massive and sweeping craft beer competition, and so much more. You can attend every session and not even make a *dent* in trying all the beer there— over 2000 different beers are poured annually. As we announced earlier this week, tickets go on sale July 11 and 12.
September 22— Denver Rare Beer Tasting— Denver, CO
Need a break from GABF? Grab tickets to the Denver Rare Beer Tasting. Dozens of elite craft breweries serve some of their most exotic and hard-to-find beers— and the proceeds from the festival support the Pints for Prostates campaign to promote prostate cancer awareness.
October 14- Snallygaster, Washington D.C.
Our nation’s capital serves as host in October to one of the best American craft beer festivals you’ll find all year: Snallygaster. Last year’s festival had over 175 different craft breweries in tow, along with myriad food trucks and two live music stages. It’s a must.
October 28- Kill the Lights– Knoxville, TN
Xul Beer Company has quickly risen the ranks of American craft breweries since it opened— and this event has quickly risen to the top of my “must attend” list since they held the first Kill the Lights festival last year. They’ll have food, music, and, of course, 60+ of the best breweries in America attending.
November 3 – 4 – Festival of Barrel-Aged Beers (FOBAB) – Chicago, IL
For those of you who love your beer barrel-aged, this is the festival for you. FOBAB has been the largest barrel-aged beer festival in America for over 20 years now, and the pour list every year is enough to make any beer geek drool. Steel your liver and head to Chicago this November.
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Stay tuned as we’ll continue to update this post as more major beer festival get announced. Meanwhile we’re excited to see you all out at the festivals! Cheers!
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