BEER FESTIVALS IN THE REGION YOU HAVE TO VISIT

The Balkans have always been a mixture of various cultures, cuisines and people. The thing which is common for all of them is the love towards the music and the beer. If anyone knows how to enjoy in this golden and yellow liquid wealth, then that is the lively Balkan Peninsula along with all of the festivals taking place on its soil.

PIVO FEST – Prilep, Macedonia

Pivo Fest is the largest beer festival in Macedonia, with a tradition older than a decade. This largest beer festival is organized by the Municipality of Prilep. It is the right choice for those who would like to enjoy in an old traditional and typical Balkan music, “solving” world matters while sitting on the large wooden tables and simply experiencing the lively spirit of Prilep, precisely in the middle of the summer, somewhere after 15^th July. This festival is attended by whole families. It is such a festival that it is suitable for all generations and for people with different taste. The fun runs with the same intensity throughout the day as throughout the night, so that is why those people who are more resilient arrive earlier to save seats for their friends. Prerequisite: go there hungry because the beer is perfectly combined with the on-the-spot prepared barbeque, and the biggest mistake that you could make is to drink beer on an empty stomach.

Since the event is taking place in the center of the city, the atmosphere is complemented by the nearby coffee bars where you could rest and have a beer at the bar counter. Moreover, Oktoberfest is not the only beer festival which is known for its typical outfit – there is such a tradition in our Prilep, as well, which even more contributes to the authentic experience of beer.

STRUMICA OPEN FEST – Strumica, Macedonia

Strumica for almost 4 consecutive years is the center of Macedonia, in mid-August.

This fast-growing beer festival is organized by the Municipality of Strumica.

The wide variety of beer offer perfectly fits into the hospitality of the people in Strumica, along with the entertainment it offers, for which many people say that it is one of the best in our country. Since we are well aware that people could easily get carried away on such cheerful and mass events, our advice would be to not pour beer in a half-empty glass. By doing so you would know exactly how much you drank and would stay behind the yellow line.

This festival is relatively new, but it has already established itself as an excellent place for a great party, primarily for the younger generations which enjoy in the different types of music – from famous DJs, home stars, to legendary Balkan performers. During the festival in Strumica, everybody is out in the streets, then why not to be there.

PIVOLEND – Skopje, Macedonia

Pivolend in Skopje started in 2008 in a location which will soon become a place for a cult gathering of good music and beer lovers – Skopsko Kale (Skopje Fortress). Over the years the location has been changed, so the story was moved at the parking lot near the sports center “Boris Trajkovski,” but then again it was relocated within the walls of the famous fortress in Skopje. Each year, in the early September the visitors have the opportunity to choose from the ever-growing selection of beers all around the world, but also to enjoy in the taste of the domestic brands in even more affordable prices, to consume delicious dishes in a good company and feel the music. The atmosphere at the fortress does not only offer an unique experience for the fans of energetic parties, but also for those of you who would like to enjoy drinking their beer in a rather peaceful way – this is why there are different stages suitable for everyone, as well as, some areas to relax, where people always have a lot of fun.

The people organizing this festival deserve an extra round of applause because by so doing the festival gives an opportunity to the new bands on a stage prepared just for their performance. Get there and go home by taxi, firstly, because you will drink beer and secondly, to avoid the traffic jam.

BEER FEST – Belgrade, Serbia

This is the biggest beer festival in the Southeast Europe, and this is the reason why – the entrance is free, the music program is flawless, there is a wide range of beers. It is held at the end of August and it is the best way to say farewell to the summer. Do not forget, at that period the temperatures are still high, so if you are thirsty, do not drink only beer, but water, as well. Therefore, you will enjoy in the good atmosphere much longer. The beer festival in Belgrade, as such, turned into one of the greatest tourist attractions in Serbia, being visited by 500 thousand visitors per year, since its foundation in 2003.

SARAJEVO BEER FEST – Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

We are moving the beer saga in another country with a long tradition in enjoyment of beer, and that is Bosnia and Herzegovina. This beer festival, which first started in 2012 in Sarajevo, lasts three days starting from 29^th to 31^st May, and is regarded as one of the most famous events in this country, visited by both, the older and the younger generations. The selection of beer brands is increasing every year, so that currently, it offers 48 different types of beer. What is more, you could play fun games of competitive nature, just for the sake of having something to propose a toast for. However, if you exaggerate with making toasts, forget about your car keys (choose a friend who will not drink alcohol at all to drive you home).

BEER AND FLOWERS FESTIVAL (Pivo in cvetje) – Lasko, Slovenia

A festival like no other. In this small town called Lasko, you would find the most colorful and diversified atmosphere in the heat of the summer (from 16^th to 19^th July), and those who are coming from abroad are allowed to camp there and make their experience of tasting beer and having fun at one of the 5 stages, even more unique. In its 47 year-old tradition, this festival fills the town of Lasko (a town inhabited by 5 thousand citizens) with additional 120 thousand visitors per year. It is a perfect place to enjoy in a good beer and soak in the Slovenian culture with every pore of your body. In a moderate manner, naturally.

BEER DAYS/KARLOVAC BEER FESTIVAL – Karlovac, Croatia

The most famous beer event in Croatia is Karlovac Beer Festival, which is annually visited by over 100 thousand of beer lovers. Similar to many other festivals, Karlovac Beer Festival is taking place at the end of August and it lasts for 10 days, whose end one would not even notice because of the pleasant atmosphere by the river Korana. You should only take with you, your good mood and your good will to have fun in a small town dedicated to party, authentic food and good quality beer.

BEER FEST – Korca, Albania

Our western neighboring country also enjoys beer, and our proof is the beer festival which is held in Korca, ususally around the 12^th August. The beer started flowing through the bloodstream of this city in 2007 and it is successfully held every year with more and more visitors; it has won awards for tourism, as well. A constituent part without which no festival is complete is music, so the 5 days long beer festival in Korca offers a great choice of music performers who bring about the extraordinary atmosphere, accompanied with the vibes of rock music.

Each of these beer festivals differs in something from the others. Everywhere you will find something special which will make you want to come again. Of course, no matter where you go, the rule remains the same: Consume responsibly!