Make sure you have the safest, most fun day possible at Winterfest 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
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, it’s always best to bring a printed copy if you can. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. 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.
Get your wristband before Winterfest by stopping by one of our prebanding locations which will allow you to get into the event more quickly by using designated pre-banded entry lanes. All attendees must bring their 21+ IDs and tickets to pre-band. Everyone in your party who would like to be pre-banded must be present: Wristbands may not be picked up for those who are not present. A lot of people may show up for pre-banding, so grab a beer, chat with your fellow fest-goers while you wait, and grab a bite to eat.
How can I get a ticket?
Tickets are available online, and at the gate while they last. Want a chance to win tickets? Check out the #IndyWinterfest hashtag online, and follow your favorite Indiana breweries on social media for chances to win.
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?
The West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 E 38th St, Indianapolis, IN 46205
Do I have to be 21 to attend? Can I bring my kid?
All attendees — even designated drivers — 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 us.
What if the weather is bad?
As with most large events, Brewers of Indiana Guild beer fests are held rain, snow, 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 coffee and will have access to Non Alcohol beverage samples.
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
- Service animals
- Small bags (subject to search)
- Jackets
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
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.
- All ride services, including DDs dropping off guests, will either enter Gate 6 off of Fall Creek Parkway or Gate 1 off of 38th Street.
- Turn flashers on once on the Fairgrounds and you will be identified and directed to the West Pavilion to drop off or pick up customers on the south west side of the building.
- Please do not stop in middle of street to unload.
- Follow all directions from parking attendants.
- No drop offs are allowed on 38thStreet or Fall Creek Parkway outside the Fairgrounds. This creates a safety issue. Please pull into the Fairgrounds and a parking attendant will direct you to the appropriate location.
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 at water stations throughout the event, and water stations will be available for 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 free soft drinks and water at the DD stands, as well as free coffee. 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 the week leading up to the event here, and check out #IndyWinterfest online to see what your favorite breweries are bringing.
How do I get tickets that I won?
If you won tickets on social media from Brewers of Indiana Guild, email info@drinkIN.beer for details on claiming them. If you won tickets from another organization, please contact them for details on claiming.
Where can I park?
As always, we encourage you to cycle, walk, carpool, or take Lyft, Uber, or a taxi. Parking will be available at the Fairgrounds for $10.
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 Indiana State Fairgrounds overnight as long as you pick up your vehicle the next day.
Can I buy tickets at the gate?
Save money by purchasing in advance but as long as the event isn’t a sell-out, tickets will be available at an increased price onsite. 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 captain, 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 shown on the event 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.
What opportunities are there for media?
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 us before January 30 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. 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 the prior year’s usage, so take note of where the restrooms are, just as you would an emergency exit.
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 commemorative tasting glass good for as many 3 oz. pours as you can responsibly drink.
When does the event end?
The event ends promptly at 6 p.m. on Saturday. All attendees will be asked to exit the grounds at that time.
How can I get home safely?
As always, we encourage you to drink responsibly and drive only when sober. DD ticket holders receive complimentary coffee, soft drinks, and water. 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 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.
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 a portion of every ticket sold benefits our charity partners.
- 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 $ from every ticket sold to charity partners
- Brewers of Indiana Guild lobbies for brewery-friendly laws 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 that make Indiana beer possible.