For years, coachloads of thirsty Britons have been making their way to the famous beer halls of Europe, to join like-minded folk for drinking, singing and dancing the night away to the sound of traditional brass bands. We can take you to any of them, from the less well known, like Eizeringen's Night of Great Thirst in April, to the world-famous Oktoberfest in Munich (try to make the opening parade, when people from all over Bavaria join the festivities in national costume, and at noon the Lord Mayor taps the first barrel of strong dark Wiesn beer, and cannons are fired to mark the start of the world’s largest beer festival).

Of course, Belgium is the home of beer, with 450 varieties, and, if you try really hard, you can find a festival for every weekend of the year. Here are a few of our favourites:

Held annually on the first weekend in September, the fantastic Brussels Beer Festival is definitely one for the connoisseur, with beer stands set up around the exquisite Grand Place.

Or what about the Beer Passion Weekend, held on the third weekend in June at the beautiful Groenplats Square in the shadow of Our Lady Cathedral in Antwerp.

Finally, get into the spirit at the most famous, Dixmuide, and let the madness and mayhem begin...