Beer is not just a drink but is a beverage that is central to the culture of many European countries. Beer festivals give the visitor the chance to enjoy good company, rousing music, local food and, of course, beer. Festivals take place throughout the year and provide the perfect opportunity for a city break holiday. So why not pack a bag, make sure your passport and insurance are in order, and visit one or more of the following:

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Oktoberfest, Munich, Germany

The Oktoberfest is, quite simply, the world’s oldest and largest beer festival. It takes place in Munich every autumn and is visited by up to five million people. The Oktoberfest is a celebration of Bavarian culture and gives the visitor a chance to enjoy traditional music, hearty food and to sample the region’s fantastic range of beers. The festival this year takes place between 20 September and 5 October.

Prague Beer Festival, Czech Republic

The Czechs are Europe’s top beer drinkers in terms of quantity consumed. They also claim to produce the finest beers in Europe. The Prague beer festival provides a good opportunity to check out this claim and to visit one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities into the bargain. This year’s festival takes place from 15 to 31 May..

Stuttgart Beer Festival, Germany

Stuttgart is one of Germany’s most elegant cities and is home to the country’s second largest beer festival. The festival this year commences on 26 September and lasts 17 days. It is more than just a beer festival but is a celebration of the abundant fruit harvest that autumn brings to this beautiful part of Germany.

Essen Christmas Beer Festival, Belgium

Without doubt, Belgium is home to the world’s biggest range of beers. The Belgians produce a great variety of styles of beer, including some that use fruits and spices. As visitors will discover, every Belgian beer is served in its own special glass. The Essen Festival is a Christmas beer festival and takes place this year on 15 and 16 December in the small town of Essen near the Dutch border. Many of Belgium’s beers are made by Trappist monks in accordance with traditional recipes. Some of these brews are very strong and are guaranteed to provide a little inner warmth on a cold December day.

Great British Beer Festival, London

Much closer to home, but well worth a visit, the Great British Beer Festival (GBBF) takes place in London every August. It has established itself as one of Europe’s top beer festivals and takes place this year on 12 to 16 August. The festival is held at Olympia and the organisers describe it as ‘Britain’s biggest pub’ with 800 real ales being served as well as a range of ciders and foreign beers. As well as beer, up to 50,000 visitors a day are able to enjoy a variety of foods and musical entertainment. The GBBF is the perfect centrepiece to a weekend or midweek break in London.
Tickets go on sale in April/May

Cliff
traveljunkies

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