With the Northern Hemisphere deep in winter it is time to start planning for the big Beer Festivals of 2009! Below is a list of the biggest and best Beer Tasting events that are being planned for 2009.

Not that big necessarily means best, for there are countless Beer Festivals taking place around the world every day (well, maybe not every day!). Check out our Festival Search Box to find Beer Festivals that are occurring near you!

North America

Mondial de la Biere is Canada’s largest Beer Festival. It takes place 3-7 June 2009 at the Windsor Station and Courtyard, 1160, De la Gauchetiere Street West, Montreal.

Toronto’s Festival of Beer is a relatively young festival but is growing in popularity. It takes place 6-9 August 2009 at Historic Fort York, 100 Garrison Road.

The Great American Beer Festival is to be held on 24-26 September 2009 in the Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO.

The Great World Beer Festival is to be held in New York City. Date and location to be advised.

United Kingdom

The Farnham Beer Exhibition will take place 23-25 April 2009 at the Farnham Maltings.

The Great British Beer Festival takes place in Earls Court, London on 4-8 August 2009.

The Peterborough Beer Festival will take place 25-29 August 2009 at The Embankment, Bishops Road.

Germany

Arguably the best of the best is Oktoberfest! Held in Munich on 19 September to 4 October 2009. Sixteen days of pure heaven!

The Cannstatter Volksfest is a 2 week festival held in Stuttgart over the period 25 September to 11 October 2009.

The Gäubodenvolksfest in Straubing is another Bavarian Beer Festival. It takes place from 7 to 17 August 2009.

Australia and New Zealand

The Tasmanian Beerfest is held in Hobart. The date is to be advised.

The New Zealand Beer Festival is taking place in Wellington on 28 February 2009 and Auckland on 14 March 2009.

BrewNZ takes place at the Wellington Town Hall on 28 and 29 August 2009.

This is by no means a complete list but just a snap shot of some of the larger Beer Festivals that are being planned for this year. I will be posting more in-depth articles on the major (as well as some of the smaller) Beer Festivals from around the world.

Cheers!