Oktober-what? Your guide to Europe’s other beer festivals

When it comes to beer, there are some hard-hitting spots that claim to be the ultimate destination for hops lovers. Cities like Prague, Brussels, and Dublin are self-professed “capitals” for beer enthusiasts. But a conversation about beer isn’t complete without mentioning the king of all beer cities: Munich. It’s home to the world’s largest and most popular beer festival, Oktoberfest, not to mention Augustiner Brau, one of Germany’s oldest breweries, founded by Augustinian monks in 1328.

That said, with history comes popularity and if you visit during Oktoberfest, you need to be prepared for long lines, expensive beer (around €15 this year), and crowded tents. The good news is that Europe’s other incredible beer cities host equally great fall festivals—without the maddening crowds but with plenty of pretzels and live entertainment. Here, seven beer festivals to check out beyond Oktoberfest, from Lithuania to Sweden.

Home to the “longest bar in the world,” Düsseldorf’s claim to fame isn’t actually one single bar but a stretch of more than 260 pubs and bars along Ratinger Strasse, which makes for a great weekend of pub-crawling to sample the best German beers outside of Munich. Each fall, the Rhenish Oktoberfest takes over the area; rather than bar hopping, you can find yourself a seat in the Oktoberfest tent and start singing, eating currywurst, and drinking with locals. Live entertainment rules the festival so be prepared to jump off your seat and show your moves. (Tickets have been on sale since February but are still available online.)

What to order: You may have already tried Augstiner beer in Bavaria, but Düsseldorf is known for altbier, a spicy and aromatic beer that’s uniquely brewed in the historic breweries in the city’s Altstadt (Old Town). It’s a must-try, as is the festival beer of choice: Festbier Stiftungsbräu.

When you first think of France’s historic Alsace region, crisp rieslings and bubbly Cremant d’Alsace probably come to mind first. But this region makes more than 60 percent of the France’s beer, and its centuries-old beer following has only been heightened by a recent rise in craft breweries. You can taste many of the newer brews at the relatively small Strasbourg Craft Beer Festival, which brings together 20 craft breweries under one roof, ranging from local Alsatian producers to international “beer geeks.” Tickets can be purchased at the door.

After getting your fill at the festival, be sure to make a stop at one of the region’s “temples” of beer production, about 30 minutes from Strasbourg: Météor, a family-owned business that’s been brewing here for seven generations.

What to order: Craft beers are on show at the Strasbourg Craft Beer Festival: Try anything from hoppy IPAs from Brasserie Bendorf to stouts like Rouen Black Smoke made by Brasserie Roue Libre.

Bristol’s Oktoberfest takes a lot of inspo from Munich: There’s traditional German beers, visitors decked out in dirndls, and opportunities to practice your Schuhplattler technique (a traditional German dance) to music from The Bavarian Strollers, the festival’s resident “Oompah band.” But you also find plenty of non-traditional offerings, like Prosecco, spirits, and wine alongside bratwurst and vegan options (don’t tell the Bavarians). Timed tickets can be purchased online for all three days.

For a less rowdy affair with no dirndls in sight, try the Bristol Craft Brew Festival on September 22 and 23, featuring more than 40 passionate local brewers bringing their best tipples to locals.

Surprisingly, this city, known for luxury watches and artisan chocolate, has a burgeoning beer culture. The Geneva Beer Festival rides the Oktoberfest wave and brings together a mix of artisans, including local and international beer makers, natural winemakers from Switzerland, and kombucha producers, if that’s your thing. You might get some weird stares if you turn up in your lederhosen, since many guests turn up in suits after work. Suffice to say, it’s a much more sophisticated festival compared to those in Bristol and Munich—but there’s plenty of beer drinking and discovery to be had. Tickets are on sale online or at the door.

Beyond the festival: Head to Bier du Lac, which produces Belgian- and English-style beers like the Blond du Lac, a star on the bar’s menu since it opened in 2010. Chien Bleu, which takes inspiration from local wineries in Geneva and makes impressive seasonal and barrel-aged beers, is another go-to and is the home of the Pomelo, a brut IPA.

Gothenburg might be the second sister city to capital Stockholm for many things, but it is definitely Sweden’s capital when it comes to beer. With more than 40 craft breweries, cool pubs, and open tap rooms dotted around the city, the beer scene in Gothenburg is slowly developing as a top destination for beer lovers in Scandinavia—and the All In Beer Festival is one of the best beer festivals in town. Hosted by All In, a Swedish brewing company, the vibe here is very casual with people stopping by after work and you’ll find an assortment of options, with brewers from around the world (including Colorado-based Odell) and Nordic distilleries like local favorite High Coast Whiskey making appearances. Tickets can be purchased online or at the door.

What to order: For a Nordic beer to drink at All In, look for Copenhagen’s Peders Craft Beer’s stand to grab an IPA from Slowburn, a Danish cooperative microbrewery.

Beyond the festival: The coolest place to drink in Gothenburg is Ringon, a converted industrial park on the island of Hisingen that now houses a collection of cool breweries.

Ask anyone in Vilnius about Lithuanian beer and they’ll tell you it’s exceptional—particularly if you like unearthing lesser-known brews that go beyond pilsners, lagers, and ales. Beer was first brewed in Lithuania in the 11th-century for ancient Baltic festivals and rituals, and Lithuanians have spent centuries perfecting their craft. While many of the pubs and bars in Vilnius host their own beer festivals throughout the year, one of the best large-scale beer festivals is VAF (Vilnius Beer Festival) where more than 30 craft breweries gather under the one roof for two days. A celebration of independent beer producers from as far as Peru to local brewers like Bear and Boar can be found here.

What to order: Dundulis Brewery mixes old traditions with modern beer styles and is a local favorite. The best beer is the Publijus Palemonas, a Baltic porter made with age-old yeast. And if you like ales, order Lithuanian brewery Vilkmerges’s Wolfberry Kvass.

A college town about four hours from Warsaw via train, Poznań is home to an up-and-coming craft beer scene, as well as the country’s largest beer producer, Lech. Check out the Poznań Beer Expo in November where people from all over Poland come together to promote, celebrate, and drink Polish craft brews, wine, and also ciders. The event is supremely laid back, with millennials and beer-lovers gathering together to drink, play video games, and eat from local food trucks. It’s unassumingly fun and you’ll walk out with a slew of new friends (especially after you start drinking). Tickets can be purchased online.

What to order: For great festival sips, look for Black Swan, a dry black stout from Browa Mentzen, and Browarny’s Monty, a hazy IPA.

Beyond the festival: For an unusual brew, head to the potato museum to sample the beer made from, you guessed it, potatoes.