Information provided by the Indiana State Fair Commission- See below for an attendance update! 

Dozens of beer and wine producers from all over Indiana will take part in the Indiana State Fair’s new Indiana Beer and Wine Exhibition located in the Grand Hall on Main Street.

The new exhibition, open only to adults 21 and older, will be open every day of the fair, Aug. 1 – 17, from 1 to 9 p.m. with a wide variety of Indiana wineries and Indiana craft brewers on hand to offer tastings and educate consumers on their products. It will also include an educational display from the Indiana State Museum’s American Spirits exhibit. This is the first time the State Fair has offered alcohol for sale since 1946 following a state law that was created to ban it due to a littering issue during the fair.

Banners hanging defining popular beer and wine terms

Banners hanging defining popular beer and wine terms

“This is an opportunity for the Indiana State Fair to showcase two very important Indiana agricultural industries,” Indiana State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye said. “We will keep the beloved family atmosphere the fair has always had while adding this Indiana ag education exhibit, which is at the heart of our mission.”

Did YOU know there were so many wineries in Indiana? (I did)

The exhibition will offer Indiana beer and wine for sale by the glass as well as smaller tasting samples to allow visitors a chance to try a wide assortment of drinks. Each patron will be limited to a strict three drink maximum that will require a token in exchange for each 12 ounce beer or 5 ounce glass of wine. Tokens will be available for $5 each. In addition, all glasses of beer and wine sold must be consumed inside the Grand Hall; there will be no roaming the fairgrounds with alcohol.

$5 for 4 tasting tokens

Bracelet that allows you to purchase up to 3 glasses of your choice. I love this system of moderation! The glasses I bought were $5 each.

A complete schedule of participating Indiana brewers and Indiana wineries will soon be available at www.indianastatefair.com. Fair general admission is $10; discount tickets are $7; kids 5 and younger are free. Discount tickets are available at www.indianastatefair.com presented by Mattress Firm and the Indiana State Fair box office through July 31, and can also be purchased at all participating Indiana Walmart stores and all CVS/pharmacy stores while supplies last. State Fair parking is $5.

Tia Agnew, part of the dynamic duo of New Day Craft, serving the Re-Thinker- a lightly hopped blueberry draft mead.

A few of the many offerings of Indiana Wine and beer.

A cool prohibition era info exhibit.

I am so glad this opened this year. I just don’t think Hoosiers realize there is more to drink in Indiana than craft beer. Sorry beer fans but there are world class wineries too!

Hops

New Coliseum, Indiana Beer and Wine exhibition leave lasting impression at Indiana State Fair

More than 950,000 total visitors make ’14 fair third largest crowd ever!

The renovated Fairgrounds Coliseum and the new Indiana Beer and Wine Exhibition both received rave reviews from visitors to this year’s Indiana State Fair, which wrapped up yesterday. The 2014 fair attracted 954,884 people, making this the third best attended fair.

“There were a number of really special moments at this year’s fair, but seeing that first Draft horse show take place before a capacity crowd in the Coliseum had to be among the best,” State Fair Executive Director Cindy Hoye said.  “We’re humbled by the tremendous response to the Coliseum renovation and we appreciate everyone who came out to enjoy this year’s fair. It was wonderful!”

Across the street from the Coliseum, the new Indiana Beer and Wine Exhibition drew 48,259 visitors and many compliments from visitors and participating vendors alike. More than 70 different brewers and wineries took part in the exhibit, which featured up to four different brewers and four different wineries each day of the fair.

“This was a tremendous opportunity for us to reach a lot of people who weren’t familiar with our products or with craft beer in general,” TwoDEEP Brewing Co. President Andy Meyer said. “We thought the State Fair had a great operational plan in place and we look forward to being back next year.”

Among other fair highlights were several standing room only crowds at the Free Stage; a memorable recognition for the young showmen in the Celebration of Champions; an increase in entries for competitions; and wonderful free family entertainment.

Temperatures during the fair were seasonably low and rain dampened attendance for three of the 17 days. Fair officials expect to announce the “Year of” theme for 2015 sometime in October. Next year’s State Fair runs Aug. 7 – 23.

About Indiana State Fair

The Indiana State Fair is the state’s largest multi-day event celebrating Hoosiers’ spirit and agricultural heritage. Nationally recognized for offering great entertainment, showcasing youth, interactive agriculture education programs, premier facilities and a variety of unique, fun foods, the Indiana State Fair has been an annual tradition for generations of Hoosiers since 1852.  The 2014 fair is celebrating the “Year of the Coliseum.” For more information, please visit www.indianastatefair.com.