MSNBC, through their partner Forbes Traveler, had a story today (sent to me by Pete Slosberg. Thanks Pete) that lists their choices for America’s Best Beer Festivals. It’s a surprisingly decent list, especially given other missteps Forbes Traveler has made with similar lists. A few months back, a magazine asked me to pick the top twenty beer festivals worldwide (but the assignment called for 25% abroad/75% U.S.) and eight of their eleven made my top twenty (or top 15 American festivals) and two more were listed as honorable mentions.

Here’s the Forbes list:

1. Great American Beer Festival
2. Oregon Brewers Festival
3. Philly Craft Beer Festival
4. Great Taste of the Midwest
5. Belgium Comes To Cooperstown
6. World Beer Festival
7. American Craft Beer Fest
8. San Diego Real Ale Festival
9. Vermont Brewers Festival
10. Great Alaska Beer & Barleywine Festival
11. Yakima Fresh Hop Ale Festival

The accompanying article has an extensive interview with my friend Marty Jones and also Julia Herz, of the Brewers Association. Overall it discusses the top few fests and also what makes a good beer festival. All in all, a decent job.