Beer festivals not only offer attendees the chance to sample numerous brews – sometimes even rare and one-off pours – these events also allow beer fans to dialog with their favorite brewmasters, sample paired foods and learn about a host of topics related to beer and brewing.

One of the longest-running beer events in North America, this craft beer festival brings more than 190 of the Midwest’s finest craft brewers to Madison each year. Attendees can taste more than 1,400 beers, attend beer-centric seminars, sample foods from local vendors and enjoy acoustic music, all while strolling through a beautiful park overlooking Lake Monona. Photo courtesy of Scott R. Maurer / Great Taste of the Midwest

This single-day festival in South Florida features beer from more than 120 independent craft brewers, as well as eats from some of the regions best food trucks. Fans of J. Wakefield Brewing will find 30 JWB beers on draught. Photo courtesy of J. Wakefield Brewing

This North Carolina beer festival, hosted by the women of the Pink Boots Society, celebrates the women of the state’s thriving brewing industry. Attendees can sip small batch beers made specifically for the festival, with proceeds going toward scholarships for women in the industry. Photo courtesy of Wade Carpenter / Biere de Femme Festival

This Louisville fest is all about beer and planes, and a great way to warm up in the dead of winter. Beer enthusiasts and flight fanatics gather amid a display of WWII-era aircraft at Bowman Field in the hangar at Louisville Executive Aviation. Also known as “Louisville’s Winter Warmer,” the event features more than 150 craft beers – including a section dedicated to Kentucky brews. Attendees also enjoy live music, the best of Louisville food trucks and great photo ops with vintage planes, pin-up girls and “fly boys.“ Photo courtesy of Tailspin Ale Fest

One of New York State's largest and longest running craft beer and food events, TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival brings more than 120 breweries pouring over 400 beers to Hunter Mountain each April for two days of tastings, food pairings and beer competitions. Photo courtesy of TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival

Each spring, beer enthusiasts in the Atlantic City area descend upon the convention center for a weekend filled with suds, sounds and surprises. The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival has been going strong for over a decade, adding new elements to each edition. Besides sampling more than 1,000 beers from 200 different breweries, attendees can rock out to headlining bands, watch culinary demos from local chefs and compete with other beer geeks in a variety of competitions. Photo courtesy of Atlantic City Beer and Music Festival

Denver becomes ground zero for beer fans each fall, when the Brewers Association presents the largest collection of American beers in one spot at this premier US beer festival. Hundreds of breweries participate, and beers are served by their brewers, giving enthusiasts the opportunity to speak with them personally. An educational component features talks by top brewers and innovators, beer-making demos, beer pairing sessions and even a pavilion dedicated to sustainability. The festival is also a competition, with medals being awarded in more than 90 beer style categories. Photo courtesy of © Brewers Association

The Shelton Brothers are passionate beer importers who seek out and hand-select beer from the best small, artisanal brewers in the world, so their annual “movable fest” is guaranteed to feature the best craft brews and ciders. The Festival takes place in a different city each year and highlights that city’s craft beer scene, while also hosting brewers from around the country and the world. Many beers are created just for the festival and can’t be found anywhere else. Photo courtesy of Tilo Jänichen / The Festival

During the Fresh Fest Beer Fest in Pittsburgh, some 3,000 craft beer industry professionals and enthusiasts come together for a day celebrating Black-owned breweries with collaborations with Black artists and entrepreneurs from throughout Pennsylvania and the country. Photo courtesy of Fresh Fest Beer Fest

During Brewgaloo, festival goers enjoy beers from more than 100 North Carolina breweries paired with bites from 50 food trucks and vendors, all to the sounds of live music. The Raleigh festival is the largest of its kind in the state. Photo courtesy of Shop Local Raleigh/Greater Raleigh Merchants Association

The top 10 winners in the category Best Beer Festival are as follows:

Brewgaloo - Raleigh, N.C. Fresh Fest Beer Fest - Pittsburgh The Festival - Location Varies Great American Beer Festival - Denver Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival - Atlantic City TAP New York Craft Beer and Food Festival - Hunter Mountain, N.Y. Tailspin Ale Fest - Louisville Biere de Femme Festival - Asheville N.C. WakeFest Invitational - Miami Great Taste of the Midwest - Madison, Wis.

A panel of experts (listed below) partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.

Congratulations to all these winning festivals.