Most of us never need an excuse to relax with a cold beer. But now that warmer weather has arrived, the idea of downing a few brews to help cool off in the sun sounds rather refreshing. And with May offering a few festivals dedicated to the cause, there are likely to be several sunburns and hangovers come June. Here’s a look at a few events where beer is the focus.

8th Annual Dunwoody Beer Festival: Hops for Hope

Offering more than 150 beer and beverage options, this suburban beer fest has everything from locally brewed options such as Sweetwater, Atlanta Brewing Company and Terrapin to Smirnoff Ice and Zima. To offset the intoxicating effects of too much beer and sun exposure, local eateries such as Mellow Mushroom, The Bat & Ball Pub and Ye Olde Dunwoody Tavern will be selling food.

The event takes place Saturday, May 16 in the parking lot of Perimeter Mall. It goes from 2PM-7PM and includes live music with acts such as Yacht Rock throughout the day. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 if purchased the day of the event, which includes a free pint glass and all the beer one can consume without things getting ugly. Proceeds go to Camp Twin Lakes, which offers recreational and educational opportunities to children facing physical and emotional challenges.

East Atlanta Beer Festival

Like the surrounding neighborhood, the East Atlanta Beer Festival has one of the most eclectic beer offerings around. The more than 120 selections include high gravity and Belgium beers such as St. Bernardus, Delirium Tremens and Rogue Dead Guy, as well as local brews and familiar names like Stella, Sierra Nevada and Strongbow.

The 6th annual event, which takes place from 1PM-6PM on Saturday, May 30, is also expanding this year to help live up to the festival name. There will be an additional stage for bands and DJs, more porta-potties and at least 20 beers that haven’t previously been offered. This year’s event will also feature a VIP tent with a limit of 200 tickets ($55 each) that will allow you to taste eight additional beers not offered outside the tent, food from local restaurants and designated restrooms.

Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate, with proceeds going to community charities and businesses. Admission includes a complimentary tasting glass and $15 designated driver tickets are also available.

Draft on Taft

More like an outdoor fraternity keg party than a beer festival, this annual event takes place at the corner of Charles Allen Drive and 10th St., across from Piedmont Park and near the original Taft St. location. With the streets blocked off, the party goes from 3PM-11PM on May 30 and features live music from the Francisco Vidal Band, Unzipt and Blackberry Smoke.

With only Budweiser beers offered, Draft on Taft definitely doesn’t have the selection of other festivals. But what it lacks in selection, it makes up for with the $25 ticket price providing not only all-you-can-drink beer, but also all-you-can-eat food from Moe’s and Schlotzsky’s Deli while it lasts. Proceeds from this year’s event go to Bert’s Big Adventure, which sends terminally ill kids and their families to Disney World.