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Beer of the Week
Pyramid's Curve Ball |
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Arborfest - Macalester College, St. Paul, MN - May 4
More than 50 locally-brewed beers; bagpipe festival opener, and live funk music; food; brewery swag raffle and competition.
Beer on the Pier - Navy Pier, Chicago, IL - May 5
Indoor venue; two tasting sessions; more than 150 beers from all over the world
Great International Spring Beer Festival - Providence, RI - May 5
Inaugural event, a smaller version of the Great International Beer Festival; two tasting sessions; tutored tastings conducted by nationally-recognized experts.
The Legendary Boonville Beer Festival - Boonville, CA - May 5
Open-air setting in the scenic Anderson Valley; more than 100 beers from more than 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.
Rites of Spring International Beer Festival - Ellicottville, NY - May 5
More than 175 beers from around the world; Great Lakes Brewing News Real Ale competition.
Four tasting sessions, featuring St. Louis-brewed beer and a special dark lager brewed for the festival; food from local restaurants; live entertainment; and exhibits detailing beer's place in St. Louis history. Event benefits Lift for Life Gym.
More than 50 beers from over 25 Colorado microbreweries; live stand-up comedy and music; food, including brisket, barbecue, and pizza.
Maryland Brewer's Festival - Frederick, MD - May 12
Beer from 12 Maryland craft breweries; food; live music, provided by five bands.
Historic venue; more than 35 specialty microbrewed and imported beers; food from area restaurants; live music.
Festival features 80 beers from 20 area breweries and brewpubs, food sold by nonprofit groups.
Ballpark venue; beer from more than 25 northern California breweries; live music.
Beverage show, with more than 100 different beers from Ontario's craft brewers; night club atmosphere, with DJs; bartending competition.
Inaugural event, marking the death of the brewery's beloved mascot; beer from more than 30 breweries; dog wash and doggy Olympics; brewer's dinner; Texas Hold-Em poker; live music, food booths, and craft vendors.
Seashore venue; more than 100 domestic and imported beers; chili cookoff; live music by "Fat Betty"; proceeds benefit the Rotary's charitable work.
Beer from Michigan and around the world; beer judging and "people's choice" awards; brewing demonstrations; food, live music, and souvenirs.
Beer from 25 microbreweries, live music all day, food provided by Iron Hill Brewery.
Connecticut's longest continuously-running beer festival, with more than 135 beers from over 40 breweries; food and live music. Tickets go on sale April 1.
Twenty-fifth annual event; microbrew tasting, featuring area breweries; AHA/BJCP sanctioned homebrew competition; wine, cider, and mead; live music; homebrewing demonstration; "mega" raffle. Festival benefits Linn Benton Food Share and the Bob McCracken Scholarship Fund at the Oregon State University Fermentation Sciences Department.
Microbrewed beer from Long Island and around the country (beer list to be provided on the festival website), live music.
Waterfront venue; beer from more than 35 domestic and international breweries; live music; event is part of the Virginia Arts Festival.
Riverfront venue; beer from California, Oregon, and Washington breweries; commercial craft beer competition; food and live music; proceeds benefit local charities.
More than 20 Northwest microbrews; food from Oregon Zoo Catering; live entertainment featuring Lions of Batucada, Sneakin' Out, and Anomalous Quintet.
Wisconsin Micro-Brewers Beer Fest - Chilton, WI - May 20
Beer from more than 25 Wisconsin breweries; music provided by two bands; food, festival shirts, and breweriana. Call the brewery at 920.849.2534 for more information.
Two tasting sessions; more than 70 beers from 30 different breweries, live bands and food.
Hundreds of beers from more than 20 local breweries; local wins; music by two band, plus live animal appearances; vendors and artisans; festival ticket includes free admission to the zoo.
Beautiful outdoor setting; more than 100 beers from over 50 microbreweries; live music provided by two local bands.
Location: Lake George Forum, Lake George, NY
New York State microbrewed beer; rib and wing cook-off; music; "Kidz Korner," with root beer and crafts.
Products of Virginia's finest microbreweries and wineries, food vendors, wine and beer tasting, children's activities.
Festival of the Brew Pubs/ Memorial Weekend Beach Party - Keystone, CO - May 27
Beer from a variety of Summit County brewpubs, including Pug Ryan’s, Breckenridge, Dillon Dam, Backcountry, and Great Northern Tavern; springtime skiing; music by Jubal.
Free admission; beer from nearly 100 breweries, Quebec cider, and food items for sale; beer seminars and workshops; cooking demonstrations; a variety of entertainment; popular vote for festival's favorite beer.