Men's Journal

This weekend treat yourself to 250 beers in Michigan, an action-packed river festival in Virginia, or a three-day music jam at Joshua Tree.

By Nate Storey and Matt Skenazy

The World Expo of Beer, May 15-16
Frankenmuth, Michigan

Just because it’s not October doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in frothy German brewskies at an international beer festival. The World Expo of Beer goes off this weekend in a quaint Michigan town denominated “Little Bavaria” for its German ancestry. Choose from a staggering 250 different beers when the doors open at 5 pm on Friday ($5 admission includes free sampling mug; 4 oz sampling tickets are $1.25 each). Live music will keep the sampling lively and the 28 gold medals given to the festivals’ best beers at the end of the night will provide a roadmap for your beer swilling the following day. Make sure you’re on time for class when Beer School commences at 4 pm on Saturday so you can learn all about the wonders of “cooking with beer.” Second period starts at 6 pm as beer expert and festival judge Rex Halfpenny leads a discussion on brewing technique, how to properly sample a beer, and why beer should be part of your everyday life—and you thought school couldn’t be fun! If you still have your wits about you come nightfall, hang at Sullivan’s Black Forest Brewhaus & Grill where the after party will be in full force.

Travel and Accommodation
Fly into Detroit and drive the 80 miles to Frankenmuth. The Fairfield Inn Frankenmuth Hotel has rooms starting at $144 a night.

Dominion Riverrock, May 15-16
Richmond, Virginia

For a raging river festival head to Virginia this weekend for Dominion Riverrock. The aptly named Filthy 5k Mud Run ($25) will heave you right into the thick of things as the festival gets underway on Friday evening. Starting at Brown’s Island, runners will confront the rocky terrain of “Dry Way,” a gushing James River, and a series of sloppy mud pits as they race to the finish. Now caked in mud, jam out Woodstock-style to the live music awaiting you at the finish line. Join the pub-crawling after party at 9:30 pm and get your fill on half-priced appetizers with a festival wristband. The James River Scramble 10k run ($25) should be a cinch on Saturday morning compared to the brutal mud run (there is no same-day registration, so sign up here). If you’d rather chill, catch the Ultimate Air Dogs competition at 10 am to see flying canines make long-distance leaps into a 25-foot pool. That afternoon, brace for a roller derby on water when you challenge other kayakers and the Hollywood Rapid in Jammin’ on the James Kayak Boatercross ($20). Conclude an exhausting weekend by watching world-class riders at the freestyle bikes competition at 2 pm.

Travel and Accommodation
Richmond serves all major airlines. The Richmond Marriott downtown is close to the festival and has rates starting at $169 a night.

Joshua Tree Music Festival, May 15, 17
Joshua Tree, CA

This three day 24-band festival will get all the alt rockers stoked this weekend. With two stages and continuous music you’re sure to be able to see all the bands you want, without the stress of missing other favorites. Held at the base of the Copper Mountains with breathtaking views of the infamous Joshua Tree National Park this 40-acre venue is one of the best family friendly and intimate festival sites in the country. Stroll the music bowl and take in the art installations, meditate with a Kundalini Yoga class, and sample the organic espresso bar and World Market. With the highs generally in the upper 90s it’s going to be a sweaty good time, but free water will be provided to all in attendance that bring a re-usable container and 13,000 square ft. of shade cloths will keep you rocking out comfortably all weekend. A three-day festival pass is $110, for more ticket information check here.

Travel and Accommodation
Stay at the Joshua Tree Lake Campgrounds for $10-a-night if you pay in advance, $15 if you show up at the gate. Or check out Spin and Margie’s Desert Hideaway; these Mexican Hacienda-style suites start at $135-a-night. Fly Into: Palm Springs (45 miles), Ontario (80 miles), LAX (130 miles), San Diego (140 miles), or Vegas (200 miles).