Make sure you have the safest, most fun day possible at Indiana Microbrewers 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 Entry ticket?
Yes, Early Entry tickets are available which allow you to enter the festival at 1 PM, a full hour before general admission, receive a limited edition taster glass to enjoy an hour of first dibs on beers from all 60+ participating Hoosier breweries and guests, with a smaller crowd size and shorter lines.
Do I need to print my ticket, or can I show it on my phone?
Because technology-related issues such as glare on phones and internet connectivity can dramatically slow down entrance for all attendees, all tickets need to be printed for the event. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. You can opt to not print your ticket, but if your ticket doesn’t scan and we can’t find you in the system, you will not be allowed entry.
Rest assured that 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?
PLEASE HAVE YOUR VALID 21+ ID AND PRINTED TICKET READY FOR VOLUNTEERS TO CHECK.
You can get ALSO your wristband before the beer fest to get into the event more quickly by using going to one of our prebanding days and then jumping in the designated pre-banded entry lanes once you arrive at the event.
PREBANDING DATES
We will have 3 pre banding locations Friday July 21st from 5-8pm- Centerpoint Brewing, Hoosier Brewing & Daredevil Hall and Saturday July 22nd from 11a-1p at Literhouse
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 are reinvested in projects that support the teams at our local breweries. Plus, paying breweries for beer and putting on a fun and safe beer festival featuring dozens of breweries and hundreds of beers isn’t cheap.
A portion of every ticket sold benefits our charity partners: this year, the Little Red Door Cancer Agency.
How can I get a ticket?
Tickets are available online at drinkin.beer/imf, and at the gate while they last.
Where does the festival take place?
Historic Military Park at White River State Park
Downtown Indianapolis
601 West New York St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Do I have to be 21 to attend? Can I bring my kid?
All attendees–even designated drivers–must be 21+ with a 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 unfortunately 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.
What if the weather is bad?
As with most large events, Brewers of Indiana Guild beer fests are held rain or shine and no refunds will be given, so please dress and prepare accordingly.
Can designated drivers 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 free soft drinks, water, and NA beer.
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 bottles
- Empty clear refillable water bottles for our water station sponsored by Sun King Brewing
- Pretzel/bagel/jerky/snack necklaces
- Blankets
- Service animals
- Small purses (subject to search upon entry)
- Jackets
- Small foldable camping chairs.
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
- 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 should go to julia@drinkin.beer
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 Herron School of Art and Design, just west of the festival grounds on New York Street.
Do I have to purchase samples of beer?
Nope! All Early Entry and General Admission 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 via vendors and there will be a water trailer and uncooled water bottles on the grounds.
You may bring in sealed, clear bottles of water, but no filled bottles or other unsealed containers containing liquid. See the full list of permitted/prohibited items above. Designated drivers will receive free soft drinks and water at the DD stands. 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?
See the list of breweries and beer they’re pouring here: https://drinkin.beer/imf-breweries/
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.
At the Beer Fest
Where can I park?
As always, we encourage you to cycle, walk, carpool, or take Lyft, Uber, or a taxi.
If you’re driving, you may park in IUPUI lots, 83, 85, and 86 or any other public parking lots downtown. There is a $10 charge, CASH ONLY, to park in any of the IUPUI lots.
Will there be a bike parking station?
Yes. There will be bicycle parking, but you’ll need to be sure to lock it up.
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.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Save money by purchasing in advance. If tickets are available, online tickets sales will remain available on the day of the event.
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 captain, or staff person for immediate help. Help will also be available at the entrance/exit gate on Blackford Street.
Where can I smoke?
Smoking is prohibited except for the designated smoking area on the east side of the park.
Who can I ask if I have a question while at 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. All Brewers of Indiana Guild events are no re-entry which will be posted at each of the gates.
Where is the media or volunteer entrance?
The volunteer entrance will be located off of West Street. All volunteers need to check in at the volunteer tent before going to their assigned area. Additional information on media access to the event will be communicated directly to those attending and covering the event.
If you’d like to cover the event for promotional or news purposes, please contact us.
If you’re a member of the media and would like to cover the event, please email julia@drinkin.beer before Thursday, July 21st so you can be placed on our media list before the event. 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. Based on this analysis we will 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.
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?
Early Entry and GA ticket holders will receive a commemorative tasting glass good for as many 3 oz. pours as you 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?
You can review the Indiana Microbrewers Festival 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. All attendees will be asked to exit the grounds beginning at 6 p.m.
How can I get home safely?
As always, we encourage you to drink responsibly and drive only when sober. DD ticket holders receive complimentary soft drinks, and water. DDs may not consume alcohol. Volunteers will direct designated drivers not attending the event to the designated pickup location at the Herron School of Art and Design, just west of the festival grounds on New York Street.
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 location at the Herron School of Art and Design, just west of the festival grounds on New York Street.
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?
There are numerous hotels in downtown Indianapolis. 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 your favorite brewery through 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 a portion of the proceeds from every ticket sold benefits our charity partner, The Little Red Door Cancer Agency.
- 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.
- 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 and promotes a variety of other initiatives geared toward connecting craft beer consumers with producers and affiliated businesses who make Indiana beer possible.
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Email us, or send a message on Facebook or Twitter.