Frommer’s travel newsletter recently ran a nifty article on beer festivals around the world titled “A Year of Beer: A Six-Pack of Suds Fests.” It’s a good read, but sadly, only one of the events mentioned takes place in Europe.

Frommer’s entry for Europe is the Fifth Annual Zythos Bier Festival, which takes place in Sint-Niklass, Belgium, on March 1 and 2. This sounds like a beer lover’s dream, but, as I’ve happily discovered, it’s only one of several beer-centered events upon which you might wish to base a trip in the upcoming onths.

Feb. 22-March 8, Starkbierziet, Paulaner Wirtshaus am Nock-Herberg, Löwenbräukeller and other venues in Munich. This isn’t actually a festival, but a time of year roughly coinciding with Lent, in which strong beers are consumed. These were originally brewed to replace solid foods during a time of fasting, so expect a heavy brew that will help you easily reach your minimal caloric intake for the day.

Feb. 29-March 1, Elysian Beer Festival, Larkfields Resource Center, High Barns, Ely, England. With a free shuttle bus for those who arrive by train, the day will offer about 40 ales, many from breweries in East Anglia.

March 12-14, London Drinker Beer and Cider Festival, Camden Centre, Bidborough Street. Imported beers, food and cider will be available for tasting. The entry fee is 3 pounds.

April 23 or thereabouts sees the start of Bavarian Beer Week.

May 2-4, Beer Festival, Mons, Belgium, Grand’ Place. Try all those brands that put Belgium on the world beer map. Details on the Web site are sketchy at this point, so check back as the date draws nearer.

May 24- 25, Weekend of Spontaneous Fermentation, Tapperij Beukenhof, Buggenhout, Belgium. This festival celebrates authentic lambic based beers. The term lambic refers to the fact that the brew is placed in vessels in which it is exposed to organisms found in the open air, rather than fermented by yeast.

End of May -- beginning of June, Fête de la Bière, Lausanne, Switzerland. The Web site has not yet been updated for 2008, so check back for exact dates.

June 20-22, Beer Passion Weekend, Groenplaats, Antwerp.

June 27-29, Bierbörse, Tanzbrunnen, Cologne.

July 18-20, Bierbörse, Rheinufer am Rathaus, Mainz, Germany.

Aug. 1-3, Internationales Berliner Bierfestival, Berlin. This is a 2.2 kilometer stretch of Karl-Marx-Alle bedecked in beer tents and beer gardens. More than 240 breweries from 80 countries will present some 1,750 brands of beer, so you might find one you like.

Aug. 5-9, Great British Beer Festival, Earls Court, London -- billed as Britain’s biggest and best.

Aug. 19-23, Peterborough CAMRA Beer Festival, The Embankment, Bishop’s Road, Peterborough, UK -- some days entry fees are charged, but live music will help take the pain away.

Aug. 20-24, Beer Fest, Kalemegdan Fortress, Belgrade. Dirt cheap beer and live music; how could you go wrong?

Aug. 29-31, Bierbörse, Schlossplatz, Karlsruhe, Germany.

Sept. 5-7, 10th Belgian Beer Weekend, Grand’ Place, Brussels. Free entry, jazz bands and events for the children.

Sept. 12-14, European Beer Festival, Vesterfælledvej 100, Copenhagen. Admission to the festival is 100 Danish crowns, which is not cheap, but the price includes a tasting glass and two tokens for beer.

Sept. 20-Oct. 5, Oktoberfest, Theresienwiese, Munich. What kind of a list of beer festivals would this be without mention of the world’s favorite?

Sept. 27-Oct. 12, Cannstatt Beer Festival, Wasen, Stuttgart.

Oct. 27-Nov. 1, Norwich Beer Festival, St. Andrew's and Blackfriars Halls -- check dates as they are subject to confirmation. They are eager for volunteers to help out, even if only for a few hours.

Not enough ideas for you? Here’s some additional information:

Belgium: for all beer festivals throughout 2008, see VisitBelgium’s list of Beer Festivals and Events.

Germany: the Bierbörse organizes events in other German cities.

UK: for more dates, see the pages of CAMRA, or the Campaign for Real Ale.

General: see www.beerfestivals.org

Thanks to Frommer’s travel Web site for a good idea. Does anyone know of any other beer festivals in their area worth attending?