The Top 10 September Beer Fests in 2014 You Can’t Miss
Whether you love it or hate it, the days are beginning to cool, and fall is just around the corner. With September comes the start of school for the kiddies, and the departure of beach days for the rest of us.
But there’s no reason to despair. Summer has its moments, sure. But autumn is no slouch either. Whether you live near CA, New Orleans, or the Great Lakes, here’s your chance to taste the finest microbrews across the country, while you celebrate another successful summer gone by.
20th Annual Breckenridge Oktoberfest
Breckenridge, Colo. - Sept 12 - 14
Celebrating its 20th year, Breckenridge Oktoberfest will truly bring Germany to the Rockies this year. While local brews will be in abundance, so too will Oktoberfest Wiesn, which is the same brew served at the famed Munich Oktoberfest. More than 8,000 gallons of beer and more than a mile of pretzels will be served this year, and attendees have the opportunity to purchase Munich-based beer steins as keepsakes.
Great Lakes Brew Fest
Racine, WI - Saturday, Sept. 13
Now in its 11th year, the Great Lakes Brew Fest will sample more than 250 craft beers and sodas, all along Lake Michigan. In addition to getting to have access to unlimited sampling of all the beers, all attendees will get a souvenir full sized pint glass with a 3 oz pour line as well. The world renowned Kilties Drum and Burgle Corps will perform as well.
Screw City Beer Festival
Rockford, IL. - Saturday, Sept. 6
More than 2,000 attendees to downtown Rockford, IL will get to enjoy the 4th annual Screw City Beer Festival, including more than 130 beers and educational tasting salons. There’ll also be gourmet wood-fired pizza, grilled bacon skewers and more unique food choices along the way. Want to know the origin behind the name? Rockford was once the screw capital of the country, and this festival pays tribute to its industrial history.
HOP in the City Beer Festival
St. Louis, MO - Saturday, Sept. 13
St. Louis is a respected beer town, and Schlafly is a big part of the midwestern city’s reputation for greatness. Each year, Schlafly brews a ton of different beer styles and during one day - the HOP in the City Beer Festival - you get to try 40 of these styles. Known as the biggest Schlafly part of the year, attendees will have an unlimited sampling of beer, live music by Cory B. Clay and the Twains, food and much more.
Snallygaster
Washington DC - Saturday, Sept. 3
Perhaps the most unique name in all of beer fest land, this is the third installment of Snallygaster, a beer fest named after the mythical creature believed to have terrorized the DC region at the turn of last century. And while attendees will get to celebrate September in DC with more than 350 craft beers, fine foods, food trucks, family fun, music and more, it all goes toward a good cause. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Arcadia Center for Sustainable Food & Agriculture.
Thirsty Troll Brew Fest
Mount Horeb, WI - Saturday, Sept. 13
Bigger isn’t always better. The Thirsty Troll Brew Fest likes to keep things intimate, with an array of 100 different beers by 25 craft brewers. In addition to the beer, attendees will enjoy live music, food, the first ever Masskrugstemmen Troll Strength Competition, and the opportunity to have their picture taken with Jorgen the Thirsty Troll. Another benefit is the FREE shuttle service that will take folks away from the festival.
San Diego Festival of Beer 2014
San Diego, CA - Friday, Sept. 19
Drink beer and fight cancer at this year’s San Diego Festival of Beer. 60 breweries will serve up 120 varieties of beer. Tickets include 10 (4 oz.) beer tastes, while the first 1,500 guests receive a free souvenir event logo tasting mug. Now in its 20th year, the festival has raised more than $600,000, all to benefit the fight against cancer.
18th Annual Brewgrass Festival
Asheville, NC - Saturday, Sept. 30
The Great Smokies Craft Brewers Association hosts this yearly event to benefit the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of Western North Carolina. More than 40 breweries will showcase 120 different beers, complemented by bluegrass notables such as Cadillac Sky, J.D. Crowe, Yonder Mountain String Band and more. This is the perfect opportunity to experience life in the mountains of North Carolina.
Hood River Hops Fest
Hood River, OR - Saturday, Sept. 27
The entire USA relies - for the most part - on one area of the country for its beloved hops, and that’s the Pacific Northwest. Hood River County is among the leaders in hops, which makes it logical that the county is also home to some of the finest brewers around. The Hood River Hops Fest will feature beers from Hood River County, and the rest of the Northwest, and is a family-friendly event.
New Orleans On Tap Beer Festival
New Orleans, LA - Saturday, Sept. 27
New Orleans sure can get hot in the summer, which is why September is a great time to go down there. Not only is the air slightly cooler than it was in August, but you’ll get to go to the New Orleans On Tap Beer Festival, celebrating its 5th year. This FREE event is dubbed the unofficial kickoff event to Oktoberfest and is family and pet friendly. If you want to drink however, you’ll have to be 21 (of course) and buy a beer ticket.
We surely didn’t get all the Sept. fests in our roundup, did we? Here’s your chance to let the world know about a festival coming up in your area in September.
Hood River Hops Fest. Photo credit: Ray Perkins Photography.
