Make sure you have the safest, most fun day possible at Bloomington Craft Beer Festival by reviewing the info below before you go. And remember, “Quality, not quantity”: Drink responsibly and don’t drive after imbibing.
Before the Beer Fest
Can I get an Early Bird ticket?
Yep, Early Bird tickets will once again give you the opportunity to enjoy the smaller crowd, short lines, and specialty beers.
Do I need to print my ticket, or can I show it on my phone?
Please print your ticket. Because issues such as glare on phones and internet connectivity issues can dramatically slow down entrance for all attendees, all tickets need to be printed for the event. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.
We’re focused on getting everyone in to enjoy our festivals as quickly as possible and have found that scanning from phones significantly delays this. However, we’re always looking at ways to improve the festival experience, including using technology to scan phones without having to increase ticket prices or delay entry.
How can I get in faster? Can I get my wristband before the event?
There are three ways to get in quickly and easily:
- Buy an Early Bird ticket to get in with a smaller crowd at 2:00 p.m., an hour before General Admission.
- Get your wristband at Big Red Liquors before the beer fest to get into the event more quickly by using designated Pre-Banded Only entry lanes.
- Whether you have Early Bird, General Admission, or DD tickets, be sure to have your valid government-issued 21+ ID and printed ticket ready when you get to the gates.
Review the map and brewery booth locations, and please take note of the DD drop-off/pickup locations (coming soon) to ensure everyone’s safety.
Why should I go to this festival?
Your ticket purchase directly benefits local Indiana breweries by funding the nonprofit Brewers of Indiana Guild, founded in 2000 by some of Indiana’s original microbrewers and dedicated to supporting Hoosier brewers through legislative, marketing, and educational efforts.
Ticket proceeds pay for the festival–including giving breweries fair stipends for their participatino–and are reinvested in mission-focused projects and services like the Indiana Craft Brewers Conference.
A portion of proceeds from every ticket sold benefits our charity partner, the nonprofit Lotus Education & Arts Foundation.
For more about the importance of choosing locally organized beer festivals, check out the series, “Why does ‘local’ matter when it comes to craft beer and beer fests?”
How can I get a ticket?
Tickets are available exclusively online here and at the gate for $10 more while they last.
Want a chance to win tickets? Check out the #BtownBfest hashtag on Twitter and Instagram, and follow your favorite Indiana breweries on Facebook for chances to win.
Are you accepting vendors?
The event is full, but you’re welcome to contact us for consideration for upcoming events.
Are there any special events leading up to the festival?
Local breweries often hold special events the week before Brewers of Indiana Guild festivals.
Visit the events page for a list of happenings. If your brewery or organization is hosting an event to celebrate local beer, let us know.
Where does the festival take place?
Historic Woolery Mill
2250 W Sunstone Dr
Bloomington, IN 47403
Do I have to be 21 to attend? Can I bring my kid?
All attendees–even DDs–must be 21+ with valid ID.
No infants, children, or anyone else under 21 years of age are permitted.
I bought tickets but now I can’t go/I’d like to upgrade or downgrade my tickets. Can I get a refund/tickets to another event/will you help me sell them?
All ticket sales are final, and we can’t assist in reselling tickets.
Tickets can be purchased for others, but all attendees must be 21+ with ID.
If you haven’t received your receipt with a link to print your tickets, please check your spam folder before contacting Etix Customer Support.
For other ticketing questions not listed on this FAQ, please contact Etix Customer Support.
What if the weather is bad?
As with most large events, Brewers of Indiana Guild beer fests are held rain, sleet, snow, or shine and no refunds will be given, so please dress and prepare accordingly.
Can DDs drink alcohol?
To ensure everyone’s safety, DDs may not consume alcohol. Those who do will be asked to leave the premises.
Designated drivers will receive unlimited free non-alcoholic drinks from Circle City Kombucha and Needmore Coffee Roasters.
What can I bring into the festival?
What you CAN bring:
- Your ID (REQUIRED even for designated drivers. All attendees must be 21+.)
- Your printed ticket
- Cash for food and vendors: some may not accept credit cards
- Sealed water
- Pretzel/bagel/jerky/snack necklaces
- Empty CamelBaks (water fountains and stations are available for filling)
- Blankets
- Certified service animals
- Small bags (subject to search)
- Jackets
- Small foldable camping chairs
- Umbrellas
What you CAN’T bring:
- Pets
- Babies/children (this event is strictly 21+, even for designated drivers)
- Weapons of any kind, including but not limited to firearms and knives
- Selfie sticks
- Sealed bottles or cans of anything besides water
- Open bottles containing liquid of any kind
- Alcohol
- Coolers
- Filled CamelBaks
- Glassware or cups of any kind
- Drugs or paraphernalia
I lost my print-at-home ticket/my printer broke/I’m not sure if the online sale went through, and any other ticket questions:
All questions about online ticket purchases must go directly to Etix Customer Support.
How can I volunteer?
Register at the Volunteer page, and subscribe to IN Brew News to be notified about future opportunities to help.
Where should Lyft/Uber/the taxi/my friend drop me off at the event?
To ensure the safety of everyone as well as smooth traffic flow, all designated drivers should drop off/pick up at the designated areas. Stay tuned for full info.
Are there any discount codes for Lyft/Uber/taxi?
Please check with rideshare companies to see if they’re offering discount codes.
Do I have to purchase samples of beer?
Nope! All non-DD ticket holders receive a tasting glass good for as many 3 oz. pours as you can responsibly drink.
Brewers of Indiana Guild festivals are opportunities to sample local beer and meet local brewers: They are not races to drink as much as you can.
Anyone who appears to be intoxicated will be denied additional samples and may be deemed to be in violation of local public intoxication statutes.
Will drinking water be available at the festival?
Bottled water will be available for purchase and water stations throughout the grounds will be available for rinsing and water refills.
You may bring in sealed, clear bottles of water, but no filled CamelBaks (empty are fine) or other unsealed containers containing liquid. See the full list of permitted/prohibited items above.
Designated drivers will receive unlimited free non-alcoholic beverages from Circle City Kombucha and Needmore Coffee Roasters.
DDs are not permitted to drink alcohol.
Will there be an ATM on site?
Though most vendors will accept cards, we encourage you to stop at an ATM beforehand to get cash for food and merchandise.
Where can I find a beer list?
The list of breweries and guests pouring is available here, with the beer list coming soon. Check out #BtownBfest on Twitter and Instagram to see what your favorite breweries are bringing.
Will gluten-free beers be available?
While gluten-free beers are typically not available from local breweries at Guild fests, mead and cider typically are. See the brewery and guests lists here.
How do I get tickets that I won?
If you won tickets on social media from Brewers of Indiana Guild, email us for details on claiming them. If you won tickets from another organization, please contact them for details on claiming.
What do I do if I lost my ticket?
If you’re at the event and lose your ticket, please go to the gates for assistance. Before the event, any questions about tickets must go directly to Etix Customer Support.
At the Beer Fest
Where can I park?
As always, we encourage you to cycle, walk, carpool, or take Lyft, Uber, or a taxi.
On-site parking is available for a $5 donation to the Community Kitchen, cash only.
Can I park overnight?
Wherever you park, neither the Brewers of Indiana Guild nor the event host facility can be held responsible for your vehicle.
You may park at the Mill overnight as long as you pick up your vehicle the next day.
Do I have to wait in line to enter?
In 2017 we implemented new processes to expedite entry for all, and Pre-Banded Only lanes make entry even easier.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Save money by purchasing in advance now. Prices increase at the gate by $10 if tickets are still available.
Designated Driver tickets will only be available until GA sell out.
Where is the first aid station?
If you or a member of your party have an emergency, seek out the nearest police or security officer, volunteer, or staff person for immediate help.
Help will also be available at the entrance/exit gate.
Where can I smoke?
Smoking is prohibited except for the designated smoking area which shown on the map.
Who can I ask if I have a question about the event?
If you have questions about the locations of breweries, first aid, or anything else, the Volunteer Captains in brightly colored shirts will be able to guide you.
Can I leave the event and re-enter?
No. Tickets will be scanned upon initial entry and can’t be scanned again.
Where is the media or volunteer entrance?
Stay tuned for info.
If you’d like to cover the event for promotional or news purposes, please contact us.
Media access requires credentials and a valid ticket.
Will there be enough restrooms?
When almost everyone arrives and starts drinking at the same time at a beer fest, almost everyone seems to have to use the restroom at the same time, which sometimes means lines.
At each one of our annual festivals, we keep tabs on lines, and after the event, we work with the portable toilet companies to find out which placements received heavy traffic and which didn’t so we can improve the following year’s layout. And we add more portalets when necessary.
We’ve found that guests gravitate to the toilets with the longest lines, likely because they’re the most visible.
So based on years of experience, we recommend that you carefully review the map and brewery booth locations.
We may move portable toilets based on previous years’ usage, so take note of where the restrooms are, just as you would an emergency exit. Because we know: When you gotta go, you gotta go.
Can Designated Drivers drink alcohol at the festival?
Designated drivers will receive free nonalcoholic drinks from DD vendors. To ensure the safety of all, DDs who consume alcohol will be asked to leave the event.
Will there be souvenirs?
Yes. Visit the official Drink Indiana Beer merchandise booth for tees, hats, and more, all benefiting the mission of Brewers of Indiana Guild to support the Hoosier brewing community.
IN Beer Brigade memberships will also be available. Purchases directly benefit Brewers of Indiana Guild.
Guest vendors will also have plenty of beer-related goodies, so crack open your piggy bank.
Can I buy pints of beer?
No. Beer will only be dispensed into the tasting glass you receive at the door. Breweries will not dispense beer into anything other than the official taster glass.
What will I drink out of?
Non-DD ticket holders will receive a tasting glass good for as many 3 oz. pours as they can responsibly drink.
Anyone caught intentionally breaking tasters will immediately be escorted from the event.
If you don’t want your taster at the end of the festival, please deposit it at a recycling station upon leaving or give it to a friend.
Will I get a map/program at the event?
Printed programs will not be available, but you can review the map and brewery booth locations here before the event.
After the Beer Fest
When does the event end?
The event ends promptly at 6 p.m. on Saturday. All attendees will be asked to exit the grounds beginning at those times.
How can I get home safely?
As always, we encourage you to drink responsibly and drive only when sober.
DD ticket holders receive complimentary nonalcoholic drinks. DDs may not consume alcohol.
Volunteers will direct designated drivers not attending the event to the designated pickup locations.
Where should Lyft/Uber/the taxi/my friend pick me up at the event?
Volunteers will direct designated drivers not attending the event to the pickup locations.
I didn’t get a chance to buy gear/you were out of my size. How can I get it?
Drink Indiana Beer merchandise will be available online and at future events.
Are there any hotel deals nearby?
Please check with nearby hotels for room availability.
I lost something. Where is Lost & Found?
If you lost an item at the festival, visit Lost & Found at the Drink Indiana Beer merchandise booth or contact us after the festival.
General
What does this beer festival support?
Your ticket price directly supports the Brewers of Indiana Guild, the nonprofit trade association that represents Indiana’s craft breweries.
Ticket sales also make the fest possible for you to enjoy, and $3 of every ticket sold benefits our charity partner, the nonprofit Joy’s House.
- Unlike many for-profit festivals, breweries are given stipends for attending Guild fests, helping to offset their staffing, travel, and production expenses.
- Brewers of Indiana Guild is supported almost entirely by festival proceeds.
- The Guild donates a portion of proceeds from every ticket sold to charity partners like Joy’s House, the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Lotus Education & Arts Foundation, and Asante Children’s Theatre.
- Brewers of Indiana Guild lobbies for brewery-friendly laws (such as Sunday growler sales) in the legislature, promotes the craft beer industry to the public and business communities, and serves our member brewers by facilitating communication and continuing education programs like the Indiana Craft Brewers Conference.
- Festivals are expensive to produce, and only a fraction of gross ticket sales are profit.
- Brewers of Indiana Guild produces annual events and a variety of other initiatives geared toward connecting craft beer consumers with producers and affiliated businesses who make Indiana beer possible.
What is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything?
42.