Oktoberfest Alternatives
Looking to celebrate beer this fall? Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is the biggie. Dates are September 20 to October 5, and if you were thinking about popping in, think again – tents are already sold out. This is also not a very budget-friendly event. However, depending on the entry fee, and how much you drink – visiting a local festival is often an inexpensive way to spend the day, hanging out with locals and participating in one of their special celebrations. No crying in your beer over Oktoberfest though; there’s more drinking fun to be had around the continent – check out some of these other galas.
You can still attend a beer fest in Germany this year – just head to Stuttgart September 27-October 12 for the Cannstatt Beer Festival. This is actually billed as the world’s largest folk festival and besides beer, they’ll also have amusement rides, a craft fair and fireworks.
Over in Belgium you can visit Festival Bruxellensis September 13-14. Their motto: We only feature characterful beers. In the past, they’ve only offered Belgium brews, but this year have thrown open the barrel to brewers from France, Finland, Spain, England and Germany. A tasting glass is 3 EUR and beer tokens are 1.20 EUR each. Pop over the Channel to England and you can visit the Northwich Beer Festival in Northwich, England. Held September 19-20, organizers promise more than 70 beers and ciders from around the UK. Tickets start as low as 3 GBP and includes entrance, program and commemorative glass. The next weekend, September 26-27, head over to Ascot for the Ascot Beer Festival. More than 125 beers, lagers and ciders will be available as well as horse racing as this event is held at the Ascot race course. Tickets start at 10 GBP. There seems to be a beer festival nearly every weekend during September and October in England; the Campaign for Real Ale association has a list.
The European Beer Festival is September 12-14 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Tickets start at 100 DKK for one day and events include the Copenhagen Open, a Europe-wide brewing club contest. And beer: more than 2,000 beers from more than 450 breweries. Nearby in Amsterdam, they’ll be holding the PINT Bokbierfestival October 24-26. More than 50 Belgium and Dutch brewers are expected to be there.
Photo Credit: a4gpa@Flickr
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