Destinations & Diversions; Travel

Hops to it. Whether your taste runs to chugging pitchers or sedately sipping bottled suds, now is the time for local warm- weather brew bashes, better known as beer fests. "Festivals give small breweries a chance to introduce themselves to beer lovers," says Paul Ruschmann, travel editor (and beer aficionado) at All About Beer magazine. "The people pouring the beer, often the brewmasters themselves, are enthusiastic about their product and happy to talk about it." Here's to you as Ruschmann shares some hot hops spots with USA TODAY's Shawn Sell.

Empire State Brewing & Music Festival, Syracuse, N.Y.

"Upstate New York has a rich brewing tradition, which it celebrates in styleJuly 9 at the Clinton Square Festival Site. More than 200 beers from 60 breweries are available, and guests can vote for their favorites. New York State wines and champagnes also will be available." empirestatebrewingfestival.com.

Great American Beer Festival, Denver

"This is a great beer town (the mayor owns a brewpub), and the perfect location for the USA's biggest beer festival, held Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. Last year, 22,000 visitors sampled more than 1,400 beers from 330 breweries. It's also serious business for brewers, who compete for medals in 65 categories." 888-822-6273; www.beertown.org/ events/gabf/index.htm.

Oregon Brewers Festival, Portland

"Boasting more breweries per capita than Munich, Portland hosts an annual summer event that celebrates all things beer. For this year's fest, July 23-25, 72 breweries (half of them from outside the Northwest) were invited. The festival site is downtown within walking distance of a number of beer bars." 503-778-5917; oregonbrewfest.com.

NWSource.com Summer Brewfest, Kenmore, Wash.

"The Washington Brewers Guild offers a great way to celebrate Father's Day weekend, June 18-20: sampling beer from more than 60 Western microbreweries, listening to live entertainment and picnicking under the trees." For the kids: a playground and root beer garden. washingtonbrewfest.com/summer/index.html.

Oktoberfest Zinzinnati, Cincinnati

"The largest Oktoberfest outside of Munich, OZ draws half a million people to celebrate the city's German roots. Experience a keg-tapping ceremony, Bavarian brass band and German food and beer. The event, Sept. 18-19, is highlighted by the World's Largest Chicken Dance, led by Grand Marshal Eddie Money." 513-579-3191; oktoberfest-zinzinnati.com.

Summer Beer Festival, Ypsilanti, Mich.

"Michigan's annual festival, sponsored by the Michigan Brewer's Guild and held July 24, features 30 breweries from across the state, including the legendary Bell's Ales and Belgian-style Celis beers. It's also known for big, bold beers from niche breweries." 248-988- 7566; michiganbrewersguild.org.

State College MicroBrewers & Importers Exposition, State College, Pa.

"On July 24, festival-goers run the gamut from serious beer geeks to friends out for a night on the town. There's something for everyone: two tasting sessions featuring 150 beers, an international gourmet buffet, and interactive tasting seminars led by top brewers and beer writers." 814-353-8426; scbrewexpo.com.

Vermont Brewers Festival, Burlington, Vt.

"Vermonters are loyal to local brewers, spending one-fifth of their beer money on in-state products. Brewers return the favor July 16-17 at their annual gathering on the shores of Lake Champlain. The festival is one of the USA's prettiest, with the lake and the Adirondack Mountains providing scenery." 802-244-6828; www.vermontbrewers.com/festival.html.

WaZoo!, Tampa

"Events like WaZoo! give the phrase 'party animal' new meaning: Beer festivals are now popular fundraisers for zoos across the USA. Lowry Park Zoo's version on Aug. 7 is a tropical taste explosion with more than 100 beers from around the world, food from local restaurants, a wine garden and live entertainment." 813-935-8552; lowryparkzoo.com/events/home.

World Beer Festival, Durham, N.C.

"The name says it all. More than 300 beers are available, ranging from European legends to exotic Pacific Rim beers to craft brews from the American South. There's also food, live music and a cigar- friendly garden. Another reason to visit Sept. 25: The festival is held inside the ballpark where Bull Durham was filmed." 800-977- 2337; www.allaboutbeer.com/wbf2004.