Not a long drive from Washington, D.C., the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting is a surprisingly fun and quirky event where waters from around the world are judged like fine wine.
Held in a charming West Virginia spa town, it’s a unique, low-key getaway that turns something as simple as water into a memorable tasting experience.
What is the Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition
This year, Berkeley Springs will be hosting its 36th annual “Berkeley Springs International Water Tasting Competition”, likely featuring over 80 unique waters from four continents!
The dozens of waters brought to the taste testing competition will be judged across various categories with multiple first-place prizes (and bragging rights) up for grabs.
The event takes place annually at The Country Inn in Berkeley Springs, West Virginia, typically around mid to late February.
This year’s competition is scheduled to take place between February 19th and 21st of 2026.
The event’s schedule
Despite being the first official day of the event, Thursday, February 19th, there are no official activities listed on the event’s website.
The second day of the event, Friday, February 20th, will feature an open-to-the-public seminar entitled: “Water: Beneath the Surface and Around the Globe.” The second day is also when some exhibitors and vendors set up their booths, where visitors can sample offerings.
The event’s third and final day, Saturday, February 21st, is when the main taste testing competition and awards ceremony take place. Attendees are welcome to sample some of the water that is being judged and can even participate in some voting for categories like the People’s Choice packaging award.
Why is it worth going to Berkeley Springs to attend the water tasting competition?
Considered one of the best-tasting waters in the world, Berkeley Springs managed to win silver in the ‘Municipal Water Category’ of the competition last year, earning the title of being the second-best-tasting tap water on the planet according to a blind taste test.
According to the event’s official website, since the annual event first started back in 1991, they have had the honor of taste testing over 735 unique waters from:
- 6 continents
- 59 countries
- 47 states + D.C.