Belgium makes the most complex and varied beer in the world — Trappist ales, lambics, gueuzes, saisons, witbiers — and the Bruges Beer Festival brings 90 Belgian breweries and 400 beers into one of Europe's most beautiful medieval cities for a weekend. The Markt (main square) and Concertgebouw form the venue. The knowledge level of the producers pouring is exceptional — these are brewers who have been perfecting recipes for decades, some for centuries. Bruges in February is also quiet, cold, and extraordinarily beautiful.
Brussels (BRU) is 1 hour by train. The festival token system allows systematic tasting. Cantillon, 3 Fonteinen, and Westvleteren are the names to seek out. Book Bruges accommodation early — the festival fills the city.