Festivals are good. Beer is great. So, you can't really go wrong with a beer festival.
Here in Bristol, there will be several opportunities to attend one over the next few months, where connoisseurs of craft beers, local ales and booze-related antics can come together in their mutual appreciation of a well made pint. There might even be the chance for some cider and wine, too, if you're lucky...
German Beer Fest
German Beer Fest
Germany is a country that does lots of things very well – beer festivals being one of them. The German Beer Fest is taking place this weekend (August 22), and you might still be able to grab a ticket for this boisterous Bavarian night out.
Accompanying the impressive steins of German ale, traditional sausages and pretzels will be live music from an oompah band, DJs and magicians. There's even the opportunity to get into the spirit of things with some fancy dress - which may become increasingly likely as the Bitburger and Jagermeister start to flow...
German Beer Fest, August 22, 5-11pm. The Passenger Shed, Brunel's Old Station, Bristol, BS1 6QH. Tickets available here.
Beese's Beer, Music and Cider Festival
Beese's Bar and Tea Rooms
Held at Beese's Bar and Tea Rooms on the edge of Brislington, 2015 marks the tenth year of the annual Beese's Beer, Cider and Music Festival on September 4-5. This event is very much a celebration of the South West's brewing talent, with half the featured breweries having picked up a CAMRA award in the past.
The ciders have been sourced from local producers, too, offering the sort of potent scrumpy you'll never find on the pumps of a franchise pub.
As the name suggests, there will be music from bands including Straight Shooter, Ruby Jazz, Natty Daps and more.
Beese's Beer, Cider and Music Festival, September 4-5. Beese's Bar and Tea Rooms, Wyndham Crescent, Bristol, BS4 4SX. Tickets available here.
Victoria Park Beer and Cider Festival
The Victoria Park
Just a short stroll from the green space with which the pub shares its name, the third annual Victoria Park Beer and Cider Festival will be taking place at the start of September. It promises to have lots of exciting beers and ciders to try, along with live music from Alex Taylor and Bristol band Monkey Chuckle.
Expect the popular pizza oven to get fired up too, offering a selection of tasty wood-fired pizzas.
Victoria Park Beer and Cider Festival, September 4-6. The Victoria Park, 66 Raymend Road, Bristol, BS3 4QW.
The Wellington Beer Festival
Welly Fest
This annual festival, fondly known as 'Welly Fest' has been timed to coincide with several other celebrations. Not only is the twentieth anniversary of festival organisers Bath Ales, it also falls within Bristol Beer Week too.
Welly Fest, which takes place at the Wellington pub in Horfield, will be an opportunity to enjoy several classic Bath Ales that have been resurrected for the occasion, Beerd craft beers and a selection of guest ales too.
There'll also be some BBQ food to tuck into and music all weekend, performed by local bands.
The Wellington Beer Fest, September 18-20. The Wellington Pub, Gloucester Road, Horfield, Bristol, BS7 8UR.
Grape and Grain Festival
Grape and Grain Festival
This year taking place on Waterfront Square, the Grape and Grain Festival on September 18-20 packs in a lot over three days.
Visitors will be able to sample drinks from across the world, including American beers, Chinese Wines and Somerset cider. There will also be wines, beers and Port from Bristol's twin cities, including Bordeux, Hannover, Oporto, Tbilisi and Guangzhou.
Closer to home, craft beers will be supplied by Zero Degrees, Bristol Craft Beer Bar and the Hope and Anchor.
Food will be provided by Cowshed, as well as a selection of street stalls, with masterclasses and demos provided by Rick Stein's cookery school.
When it comes to entertainment, the Grape and Grain Festival will feature an open mic and a community stage with dance and music, along with activities for children such as face painting, hair braiding and a kids' cookery school.
Grape and Grain Festival, September 18-20. Amphitheatre and Waterfront Square, Bristol, BS1 5LL. Tickets are available here.
Oktoberfest
Bavarian Beerhouse
If you missed the chance to attend the German Beer Fest at the Passenger Shed, fear not – the Bavarian Beerhouse on Queen Charlotte Street offers plenty more opportunities to clink steins and munch bratwurst. Five weeks worth, to be precise.
As you can expect from a bar that embraces German drinking traditions, the Beerhouse is going in hard for Oktoberfest, running fourteen events between September 24 and October 31. It may not be the place to go to sample a carefully selected range of craft beers, but it does sound like a jolly good knees up.
Oktoberfest, September 24-October 31. Bavarian Beerhouse, 46-48 Queen Charlotte Street, Bristol, BS1 4HX. Tickets are available here.
Looking for more places to drink. Read about some of our recommended pubs and bars in Bristol.