Here is a list of great beer happenings – courtesy of beerfestivals.org an excellent resource from Michigan-based freelance writer Paul Ruschmann. Paul is a beer enthusiast who’s traveled to many of the world’s “hop spots.” Beerfestivals.org is a labor of love for Paul, whose “day job” is analyzing and writing about legal and public policy issues. You can see more of his work on his website www.paulruschmann.com.
May 1-2: Hop Scotch Spring Beer & Scotch Festival
Location: Fremont Studios, Seattle, WA
Organized By: Northwest Folklife
Highlights: More than 50 beers, including many seasonal beers; Scotch tasting garden hosted by Master of Scotch Ari Sharpio; tequila tasting to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.
May 1-4: The Celtic Rally Beer Festival
Location: Maker Heights, Cornwall, England
Highlights: Inaugural event; more than 150 Real Ales; festival venue consists of four themed eras, each with music from decades past and connected with tunnels to give the impression of time travel; classic and custom cars; fireworks and laser light shows; special gold ticket admission available.
May 2: The Legendary Boonville Beer Festival
Location: Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville, CA
Presented By: Anderson Valley Brewing Company
Highlights: Open-air setting in the scenic Anderson Valley; more than 100 beers from over 50 breweries, most of them from California and the West; music and dancing; food and merchandise offered by vendors; on-site camping available; all proceeds are donated to area non-profit organizations.
May 7-9: Rugby Beer Festival
Location: Thornfield Indoors Bowling Club, Rugby, England
Organized By: Rugby Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Fifty beers from 20 local breweries plus other breweries from throughout; ciders and perries from the West Country; country wines; food at all sessions ; tombola on Friday and Saturday; live entertainment (acoustic night Thursday, jazz and blues Saturday).
May 9: Brew B Que
Location: 4th and Guadelupe, Austin, TX
Presented By: Roadway Events
Highlights: Inaugural event, with beer from Austin-area and regional breweries; professional restaurant, backyard barbecue, and homebrewing competitions; a variety of live entertainment; lumberjack show; and beer game competition for festival-goers. Organizers will shoot a documentary film on barbecue and brewing techniques.
May 9: Brew-Ha-Ha
Location: Veterans Park, Canon City, CO< br> Benefit For: Fremont Center for the Arts
Highlights: Beer from more 20 microbreweries, most of them from Colorado; a lineup of top-notch comedians; and live music after the tasting.
May 9: Great Petaluma Chili Cookoff, Salsa and Beer Tasting
Location: Behren’s Park, Herzog Hall, Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, Petaluma, CA
Organized By: Cinnabar Theater Young Repertory Company
Highlights: “Petaluma’s most beloved event”, featuring beer from more than 15 Bay Area and West Coast microbreweries along with chili and salsa prepared by more than 30 teams; voting for best chili and salsa; live entertainment.
May 15-16: World Expo of Beer
Location: Heritage Park, Frankenmuth, MI
Benefit For: Frankenmuth Jaycees
Highlights:: Indoor/outdoor venue; beer from more than 65 breweries and vendors; beer judging and “people’s choice” awards; brewing demonstrations; cooking with beer demonstrations, with guest chef; food, live music, and souvenirs.
May 16: Stillwater Brewers Bazaar
Location: Water Street Inn, downtown Stillwater, MN
Organized By: Stillwater Sunrise Rotary Club
Highlights: Beer from at least 12 area microbreweries; bratwurst; music by The Squires Band; Bass Lake Cheese tasting; artwork on display at the Rivertown Art Festival; venue overlooks the St. Croix River; festival is held in conjunction with the River Town Art Festival.
May 16: West Coast Brew Fest 2009
Location: Miller Park, Sacramento, CA
Benefit For: Make a Difference Project
Highlights: Tenth annual event; beer from more than 70 breweries, most of them from the West Coast; commercial craft beer competition; food and live music; special VIP tickets available.
May 18-23: Cambridge CAMRA Beer Festival
Location: Jesus Green, Cambridge, England
Organized By: Cambridge Branch, Campaign for Real Ale
Highlights: Recent festivals featured more than 200 Real Ales, 150 Real Ciders, and more than 60 foreign beers, English wines, and meads, along with traditional food including famous cheeses. More details about this year’s festival will be posted on the branch’s website.
May 23: California Festival of Beers
Location: Avila Beach Golf Resort, Avila Beach, CA
Benefit For: Hospice of San Luis Obispo County
Highlights: Beautiful outdoor setting; an expanded beer selection, with more than 100 beers from over 50 microbreweries; food and live entertainment.
May 23-24: Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival
Location: Park Hyatt Resort and Spa, Beaver Creek, CO
Highlights: Saturday afternoon tasting of more than 100 beers from 35 microbreweries, all based in Colorado; barbecue, be prepared by top chefs from Kansas City and other locations nationwide; two free blues concerts ( featuring Donna Jean and the Tricksters and Marcia Ball); daily children’s activities, and cooking demonstrations.
May 23-24: Great Pennsylvania FlavorFest
Location: Mount Hope Estate and Winery, on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire
Hosted By: Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire and the Pennsylvania Dutch Convention and Visitors Bureau
Highlights: Beer sampling; appearances by celebrity chefs and brewmasters; cooking demonstrations and food and beer pairing; event also features regional foods, wine tasting, a mix of musical entertainment, and local craftspeople.
May 24: Festival of the Brewpubs and Memorial Weekend Beach Party
Location: Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, CO
Highlights: Memorial weekend beach party; beer from Summit County craft breweries including Pug Ryan’s, Breckenridge, Dillon Dam, Backcountry, and Wolf Rock; live music by That Eighties Band; and springtime skiing.
May 29-30: Calgary Beerfest
Location: Big 4 Building, Stampede Park, Calbary, AB, Canada
Highlights: Hundreds of beers “from down the block to around the world,” plus ciders and coolers; “People’s Choice Award” beer competition; educational talks by beer experts; food from local restaurants; live music; prizes, including passes to after-parties in Calgary; interactive entertainment and games.
May 30: Savor: An American Craft Beer and Food Experience
Location: National Building Museum, Washington, DC
Presented By: Brewers Association
Highlights: New venue this year; more than 120 craft beers from 65 independent craft breweries, with brewery owners, brewers, and representatives on hand; reception-style presentation of 35 sweet and savory appetizers; directed tasting salons, featuring top names in craft brewing and food.
May 30: Blues ‘n’ Brews Festival
Location: Festival Park, Campbellton Landing, Wilmington, NC
Benefit For: Cape Fear Regional Theater
Highlights: More than 100 beers, with blues music by some of the region’s most popular bands; food; family-friendly environment, with children’s activities.
