Beer fans are about to have a busy couple of months.

This season -- when spring turns into summer -- typically sees a couple of big beer events. This year, there is literally a circuit of beer fests clamoring for attention.

Many of the fests are similar in set-up: Pay a flat fee for a sampling glass and taste as many beers as you want from dozens of breweries. Advance tickets go fast for these festivals, so buy them while you can. Here's a rundown of what to expect.

The first new beer fest on the block is the Beer Dabbler. It's a traveling festival that will hit several cities this summer. Its first stop is Burnsville on May 16. About 30 breweries -- representing both microbrews and imports -- will be on hand for the four-hour event. Festival-goers will get a 5 1/2-ounce glass to taste the beers. The man behind the fest is Matt Kenevan of the Onion, who said the Beer Dabbler will mostly touch down in cities not known for their beer geekdom (such as Woodbury, Brainerd, Winona, etc.). (1 p.m. May 16. 1178 Burnsville Center, Burnsville. $25. www.thebeerdabbler.com.)

Also on May 16 is the 3rd Annual Brewers Bazaar in Stillwater. While most of these beer fests take place in a parking lot, this one has the distinction of overlooking the St. Croix River. Almost 20 regional breweries are confirmed for the fest, where drinkers get a heftier 10-ounce glass for the tastings. (Noon-5 p.m. May 16. 101 Water St. S., Stillwater. $25. www.stillwatersunriserotary.org.)

The veteran of these beer fests -- the City Pages Beer Festival -- is getting new digs this year. The 17th-annual extravaganza moves from Calhoun Square to downtown Minneapolis, near 10th St. and Hennepin Av. S. This is the big one for a lot of summer beer drinkers, with more than 100 beers to choose from. White Iron Band will perform. (5-9 p.m. May 30. 10th St. and Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. $25. www.citypages.com/microsites/beerfest.)

The first St. Paul Summer Beer Festival sounds like it's going to be the capital city's answer to Minneapolis' popular Autumn Brew Review. Organizer Juno Choi said the fest is expecting more than 2,000 people to fill the Midway Stadium parking lot. More than 40 breweries will be represented. Like the Autumn Brew Review, festival-goers will get a commemorative glass to sample the beers. (1-5 p.m. June 28. 1771 Energy Park Dr., St. Paul. $25. www.stpaulsummerbeerfest.com.)

Lastly, and as was previously reported here, the Indulge craft beer and food festival is set for June 20 at the Radisson University Hotel. This event will put a greater emphasis on food pairings than the other fests. More than 25 breweries will pair their beer with food by Twin Cities chefs. (6-10 p.m. June 20. 615 Washington Av. SE., Mpls. $55. www.indulgecraftbeer.com.)

thorgen@startribune.com 612-673-7909