12 Beer Events and Fests to Hit Up in September

Craft Beer Fest, Brewery and the Beast, Oktoberfest and even Beer School (for the scholastically inclined).

Beer lovers unite! As Germany’s Oktoberfest draws near, cities throughout the West are celebrating with their own beer-themed events and festivals.

Victoria

The Great Canadian Beer Festival, September 11 to 12Since it’s debut in 1993, beer lovers from all over the world have come to Vancouver Island to the Great Canadian Beer Festival to sample a selection of stouts, porters and lagers from B.C.’s best breweries. gcbf.com.Brewery and the Beast, September 27B.C. sourced meats and locally brewed beers come together in perfect harmony at Brewery and the Beast. The meat-centric festival has already taken place in Calgary and Vancouver, but it’s time for Phillips to head home—the event will take place in the brewery’s own backyard. breweryandthebeast.com.

Vancouver

Craft Beer Fest at the PNE, August 22 to September 7Craft Beer Fest is new to the PNE lineup this year. Thirty local brewers—including Bomber, Central City and Yellow Dog—will be there with plenty of samples to go around. pne.ca.Red Truck Parking Lot Concert Series, September 12Logan Mize, Me and Mae, Rod Black, and other musical guests will be performing at the September edition of this summer-long event. The backyard concert series celebrates the brewery’s new Vancouver restaurant. redtruckbeer.com.Brewmaster’s Dinner at Craft Beer Market, September 28Vancouver’s Red Truck Beer Company will be on hand for the September edition of this monthly event. Feast on a four-course meal and expertly paired ales for $60 per person. Brewmaster’s Dinners also take place at Craft’s Calgary and Edmonton locations. craftbeermarket.ca.

Langley

Fraser Valley Cork & Keg, September 18Some of our favourite breweries and wineries, including Steamworks and Dirty Laundry, will be at the fifth annual wine, beer and food festival. Local producers and industry professionals will also be on hand to answer all your hop-related questions. corkandkeg.ca.

Whistler

Whistler Village Beer Festival, September 16–20Eat, drink and be merry in the mountains. The Whistler Village Beer Festival is back for its third year. Aside from the main tasting event, the five-day festival features educational seminars, trivia and live music at the Whistler Olympic Plaza. gibbonsevents.com.

Kelowna

Hopscotch Festival, September 25–26The Hopscotch Festival won’t be coming to Vancouver until November, but if you’re in the Okanagan at the end of the month, you can stop by the Kelowna Curling Club to sip on a fine selection of beer, whiskey and spirits. hopscotchfestival.com.

Calgary

Beer School, September 9, 16, 23 and 30This is one class you won’t want to skip. The four-part course covers everything from ingredients and brewing techniques to packaging and glassware. Weekly samples, and a “field trip” to a local brewery are also included. albertabeerfestivals.com.Oktoberfest, September 25–26Put on your lederhosen and grab your beer steins! With local breweries and restaurants—and an authentic Oompah band—you’ll feel like you’ve landed in the middle of Deutschland. albertabeerfestivals.com.

Edmonton

Real Ale Festival, September 12The Edmonton Beer Geeks Anonymous society shares its love of cask ale (unfiltered and unpasteurized beers fermented in firkins) at this local event. Beers will only be available until the casks run dry, so be sure to get there early. edmontonbeergeeksanonymous.ca.

Fort McMurray

Brütopia Craft Beer Festival, September 12Brütopia is Fort McMurray’s first craft beer festival. Local Band, Sentimental Gentlemen, will perform and partial proceeds from the inaugural event will go towards the city’s SPCA. sawridgefortmcmurray.com.