Now I’m not a raging alcoholic and I don’t need 12 steps (at least I don’t think I do) – I just deeply appreciate an icy cold adult beverage, whether it be an exotic lager from a far away land or a strikingly good stout made in a local brewery. One of the best ways to sample (or chug) some suds is by checking out a beer festival. Read on to discover six noteworthy brew cities and their big booze events. Cheers – and may the luck of the Irish be with you!
New York, New York: Nicknamed the “United Nations of Beers,” The Great World Beer Fest is a tour de force drinking event that usually takes place every year in late October/early November, but has been moved up this weekend September 4-6 (Labor Day weekend) for the 2009 festivities. The 7th Annual GWBF will welcome an average of 15,000 beer enthusiasts over a 3-day suds-filled celebration. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
Munich, Germany: Host to the world’s biggest and most famous beer festival, Oktoberfest (which, surprisingly is held every September, due to October’s traditionally inclement weather) is a beer lover’s nirvana. What else can I say about this 2-week event that hasn’t already been written or well documented? Show up, snack on an over-sized pretzel, grab a giant stein of icy cold lager, and be prepared to do some serious Deutschland drinking. This Superbowl of suds will be held September 19–October 4. For more information check out their official website.
Pilsen, Czech Republic: This small city in the Czech Republic has been brewing beer, most notably pilsner, since way back in 1295. It is quite possibly the most beloved beer town in the world. So it would only make sense that they would also throw one of the best annual beer-centric events – Pilsner Fest started 167 years ago as a way to celebrate the creation of the first beer in the world. The 2-day event will take place this year September 4–5. For more information check out their official website.
Tasmania, Australia: Go down under and take part in what has been called the “premiere Australian beer festival.” This November 13-14, along the Hobart Waterfront on the lovely island of Tasmania, dozens of boutique beer makers from across the globe will gather for this special event. In addition to consuming lots and lots of booze, guests will enjoy live music, great food, guest speakers, and be able to vote for the “Best Tasmania Beer” and “Best Tasmanian Bar.” Admission is free, but to get a full schedule of events and further information, click here.
Bruges, Belgium: For the second year in a row Belgium beer lovers will be able to attend the Bruges Beer Festival. Taking place this November 14-15, the event will feature 50 breweries with well over 100 beers to taste, “Top Chefs” preparing Belgium beer infused meals, live music, and even a “child fun corner” if you can not find a babysitter. You can purchase a tasting mug upon entry and all sampling will take place at the historic Belfry Complex. For more information click here.
Portland, Oregon: Did you know that little ole’ Portland boasts some 30 microbreweries in all? What’s more, with a total of 46 breweries and brewpubs at which to sample this bounty on tap, Portland can claim more such establishments per capita than any other locale in the U.S.. Many of the city’s breweries have won both nationwide and international acclaim. Now that’s definitely something to celebrate . . .with a beer, of course! Tis the season to drink up as Portland will hold it’s annual Holiday Ale Festival this December 2-6 at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Do not worry about freezing your intoxicate tail off as the event is held inside a heated tent. What better way to enjoy some Christmas cheer than with a mug of ice cold beer. For more information on this merry event, click here.
Well when you gotta go…you gotta go. So the next time you are traveling in a city like Amsterdam, Belfast, and London, be careful when walking down certain streets at night. That seemingly innocent looking manhole cover might start to slowly rise up from the ground to reveal…a bathroom?!
One of the most ingenious ideas in public restrooms to come down the pipe (sorry) since the porta-potty is the Urilift. This “pop-up urinal” is placed under sidewalks in very busy European cities that suffer from public urination issues.
Yes many of these locales noticed that men, after a few pints in the pubs, were wandering home or to the next watering hole with some seriously full bladders. So instead of holding it in until they got to the little boys room, they instead whipped it out and did their “business” on storefronts, homes, and other unacceptable places.
The smell of urine throughout town is not one that many locals enjoyed, so many cities started to invest in a little company called Urilift. The underground outhouse is only available after 10pm in most places and is basically set up for the hectic nightlife in these popular cities. During the day workers, tourists, and locals have no idea that the manhole they are walking over is actually the top of a hidden restroom. So it keeps the area looking, and more importantly, smelling clean.
To all of the females out there reading this that feel their public restroom needs have been ignored, rejoice! Since the introduction of the Urilift in 2000, the company unveiled a unisex solution in 2004 called the UriGienic. Yup now you can access a toilet (with a locking door) when you “gotta go, gotta go, gotta go right now” ladies.
Urilift International BV brags that, “The entire toilet is made from stainless steel and is cylindrical in shape. It is so ingeniously designed that it disappears completely from view during the day by means of a clever hydraulic system.”
Urilifts and UriGienics are currently located in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, France, and Germany with plans to expand elsewhere soon. So if you need a bathroom break when visiting these countries, don’t fret, look down you are probably standing on a lavatory.
#1: Prague, Czech Republic – Old Town Square (26% of the vote)
Lonely Planet review of Old Town Square
One of Europe’s biggest and most beautiful urban spaces, the Old Town Square has been Prague’s principal public square since the 10th century, and was its main marketplace until the beginning of the 20th century.
Despite the swarms of tourists, crowded pavement cafes and over-the-top commercialism, it’s impossible not to enjoy the spectacle: tour leaders thrusting through crowds, umbrellas borne aloft like battle standards, with clients straggling behind like a gaggle of ducklings; students dressed as frogs and chickens handing out flyers for a drama production; middle-aged couples in matching, too-short shorts and sensible shoes, frowning at pink-haired, leather-clad punks with too many piercings; gangs of red-faced lads in football shirts slopping beer and ice cream on the cobblestones; and a bored-looking guy with a placard advertising a museum of torture instruments.
There are busking jazz bands and alfresco concerts, political meetings and fashion shows, plus Christmas and Easter markets, all watched over by Ladislav Saloun’s brooding Art Nouveau statue of Jan Hus. It was unveiled on 6 July 1915, the 500th anniversary of Hus’ death at the stake.
The brass strip on the ground nearby is the so-called Prague Meridian. Until 1915 the square’s main feature was a 17th-century plague column, whose shadow used to cross the meridian at high noon.
Winner of the Lonely Planet guidebook:
Drum roll please…and the winner of the Lonely Planet giveaway is EJ! You will be contacted shortly by me via email to get all your shipping information. EJ has requested an Estonia LP guidebook for an upcoming return trip to the Northern European country. Safe travels and take a lot of pictures! Thanks to everyone that entered and I look forward to giving away more freebies in the future.
#3: Brussels, Belgium – Grand Place (16% of the vote) Bad news Brussels. After easily placing 1st in round 1 and 2, Grand Place was knocked out of the top spot and will come in with the bronze for this best town square poll.
Lonely Planet review of Grand Place
For one of Europe’s finest urban views, head straight to Brussels’ magnificent central square, Grand Place. It boasts the country’s best baroque guildhalls, the beautiful Hôtel de Ville (Town Hall), museums, pavement cafés , chocolate shops and intimate cellar restaurants – a combination that lures visitors in droves. Hidden at the very core of the old town, it’s revealed as you enter from one of six narrow side alleys (Rue des Harengs is the best) – a discreet positioning that adds charm.
The square dates from the 12th century and rose on a site that was once marshland. By the early 15th century, Brussels was booming through the cloth trade and the patronage of the dukes of Burgundy. A prosperous market covered not only the Grand Place but also neighbouring streets, such as the beguilingly named Rue au Beurre (Butter Street) and Rue des Bouchers (Butchers’ Street). The city’s increasingly wealthy merchant guilds established headquarters – guildhalls – on the square. The construction of the Hôtel de Ville sealed the Grand Place’s role as the hub of commercial, political and civic life. Medieval tournaments and public executions took place before high-spirited crowds.
In 1695 much of central Brussels, including the Grand Place, was bombarded for 36 hours under the orders of Louis XIV of France. The attack was designed to distract the allied forces of England and the Spanish Netherlands, with whom the French king was at war. Most of the guildhalls, as well as thousands of houses and many churches, were destroyed. Miraculously, the Hôtel de Ville survived the bombing, but nearly all the other buildings that you see on the Grand Place today are 17th-century replacements.
The Grand Place takes on different auras depending on the time of day and the season. In the morning the superb guildhalls at the southern end glint in the sun; at dusk the azure sky makes a vivid backdrop to the illuminated buildings. For three days in August (even years only), a carpet of flowers covers the whole square. At any time of the day or night, you’ll find people milling about here, simply gazing up and absorbing its beauty.
For more information on Brussels, Belgium, check out the Lonely Planet guide.
I’ll be back tomorrow at noon EST with #2 and #1, plus the winner of the Lonely Planet guidebook.
The voting for the “Best Town Square” poll has been so tight. I can not predict a winner at this point since six of the contenders have all been in first place at one point during the last few days. Heavy favorite Brussels’ Grand Place, which one round 1 and 2 in the voting, has been in the lead this week, but as of this post Prague holds that honor.
The squares that are struggling for your votes include San Francisco’s Union Square, which has been in dead last all week and Moscow’s Red Square, which is also hanging out at the bottom of the list.
As a reminder, simply leave a comment about the poll, what book you would want from Lonely Planet and you will be entered to win a free guidebook. Yes, any guidebook to anywhere LP covers…so that means to…well…anywhere! To vote in the poll, click here. The voting ends Saturday and then all next week I will reveal the top 10. Finally, on Friday June 5 the best town square will be announced and so will the winner of the Lonely Planet guidebook. Good luck!
