This is a link to a listing of beer festivals around the world. I doubt it is a complete list, but hopefully you will find one close to your town. http://www.allaboutbeer.com/calendar/index.html
June 4-8, 2003 Le Mondial De La Biere, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 514-722-9640, www.festivalmondialbiere.qc.ca How can you say no to the World Cup of Beer?
Another web page devoted to beer festivals. Nothing like spending a day sampling all the different styles of beer out there. Why not, Michael K? Montreal's not that far.
I was there last summer and had a great time, unfortunately I'm not in Montreal anymore, so I missed it this year. Montreal is a great beer town, with some great local microbreweries (Cheval Blanc, Fin du Monde, St. Amrboise, etc.) and the festival is really fun, with beers from all over the world but a focus on Quebec breweries. Ah well, there's always next year.
goes without saying but oktoberest is the best. its too hard to put it into words and describe to people who haven't been there. all i can suggest is for every person who likes beer and partying to go there regardless of age (well, be 18 at least).