Once a year, all roads lead to Munich. The Oktoberfest is not only the world’s most famous beer festival but also one of Germany’s biggest tourist attractions. Yet, Europe’s beer scene doesn’t end there — throughout the continent, countless festivals invite visitors to explore new flavors, styles, and brewing traditions.
Barcelona Beer Festival (Spain)
The idea was born in 2011, over a few drinks between two friends who would later become the festival’s founding partners, Rúben Rio and Joan Fiol. More than a decade later, the Barcelona Beer Festival has grown into the ultimate annual celebration of craft beer. This three-day event, which firmly placed Spain’s second-largest city on the global beer gastronomy map, brings together countless activities dedicated to the true star of the show — beer.
Every year, the Barcelona Beer Festival welcomes nearly 35,000 visitors and 1,500 industry professionals to La Farga de L’Hospitalet, an exhibition venue that also showcases the latest trends and innovations in brewing. The main attraction is, of course, the 1,000 different beers available for tasting, but the festival offers much more than sampling. Highlights include BBF Pro, a networking space for professionals in the brewing industry, and the Barcelona Beer Challenge, an award that recognizes the best beers produced throughout the year — both of which help make this festival one of Europe’s most important events for beer enthusiasts and experts alike.
The festival’s mission is clear: to share a passion for beer and promote beer culture, by creating an event that honors the craft, celebrates the gastronomic potential of beer, and encourages social connection and enjoyment. And if you happen to visit Barcelona outside of the festival dates, don’t miss our guide to discovering the best places to enjoy a beer in the City of Counts.
The Sun in a Glass, Pilsen (Czech Republic)
The Czech Republic is a true paradise for beer festivals—it’s no coincidence that this is the country with the highest beer consumption per capita in Europe. While there are several beer events held in the capital, Prague, we suggest The Sun in a Glass, a festival that takes place in Pilsen on the third weekend of September and celebrates the charm of microbreweries. Here, you won’t find a single beer that isn’t crafted by these small, independent producers who continue to thrive through innovation and small-batch brewing.
If you’re a fan of history—especially beer history—you’ll love the festival’s location: right next to the Purkmistr Brewery, in the historic center of Pilsen, one of the birthplaces of beer and the city that gave us, among others, the world-famous Pilsner, the most widely consumed beer style on the planet.
The festival has a long-standing tradition and offers visitors the chance to taste dozens of unfiltered beers in a wide range of styles. Typically, more than 70 microbreweries take part in the event, many from other European countries, giving the festival a distinctly international flavor. And it’s not just about beer—you can also enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment throughout the three-day celebration.
Great British Beer Festival, London (England)
This is one of the largest and most renowned events in the world of beer and cider. Organized by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), the festival brings together hundreds of ales, international beers, ciders, and perries at the iconic Olympia London venue. In addition to the wide variety of drinks, visitors can enjoy an excellent selection of street food and snacks. Entertainment is also part of the experience, with live music throughout the day and traditional pub games.
Those looking to deepen their knowledge of beer and cider can purchase books and merchandise dedicated to these drinks. And while beer and cider are the stars of the show, the festival also offers wine, gin, and coffee, though with less variety—after all, this is a celebration of the beer world, brought to us by the influential kingdom of English brewing.
As with many other European festivals, awards play a big role here. On the opening day, judges select the CAMRA Champion Beer of Britain, one of the most prestigious beer competitions in the world. The winning beer is chosen based on its appearance, aroma, flavor, and aftertaste, evaluated across ten categories—and the champion enjoys a full year of well-deserved glory.
Belgian Beer Weekend, Brussels (Belgium)
The Grand Place in Brussels, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, hosts every September the Belgian Beer Weekend, a weekend entirely dedicated to Belgian beer. In one of the most beautiful squares in the world, around 60,000 beer lovers test the flavors and aromas of Belgian beers. Throughout the weekend, numerous breweries, both small and large, offer visitors more than 400 products. And if your passion for beer spans various styles, take note: at the Belgian Beer Festival, it is possible to explore the many types of beer that make Belgian brewing one of the most loved and praised beer cultures in the world.
Big Grill & Craft Beer Festival (Ireland)
This festival takes place in August to make the most of Dublin’s last warm days and celebrates the union between barbecue and craft beer. At this festival, you can learn more about the art of cooking with fire from top Irish and English chefs: meat, vegetables, and other snacks.
You won’t be alone: around 20,000 people regularly attend the Big Grill & Craft Beer Festival each year, served by 20 restaurants that cook exclusively with wood and charcoal. The main dishes are paired with craft beer, but other drinks are also available at the event.
If you’re planning to go to the Big Grill & Craft Beer Festival, check out our article on the ideal beers for barbecue. Enjoy the always lively and festive city of Dublin.
Artbeerfest, Caminha (Portugal)
Since 2013, all roads of Portuguese and international craft beer lead to Caminha, a border town in the Minho region that hosts the Artbeerfest every year. This International Festival of Craft Breweries and Brewmasters takes place in July over four days and brings together professionals, companies, entrepreneurs, and innovators in the beer industry, who aim to share their knowledge of this age-old nectar with visitors. Traditionally, more than 500 brewers—half of them Portuguese—attend the festival.
Over the four days, participants can sign up for tastings, brewer shows, masterclasses, labshops, food pairings, guided tastings, as well as buy and sell products—that is, beer. As an outdoor festival, set right next to the stunning Historic Centre of Caminha, and with an organization and scale almost unique in the Portuguese market, Artbeerfest attracts people from across the country and around the world.
Beyond beer culture, visitors can enjoy street entertainment, live music, performances and theater acts, games, contests, recreational activities, and happenings.
If you’re a beer enthusiast and have never attended this festival, put it on your calendar now.
