How the Indiana State Fair Plans to Regulate Craft Beer Sales

The General Assembly this year overwhelming approved legislation to allow alcohol sales at the Fair after they were banned in 1947. Still, some lawmakers expressed concerns about what sort of controls would be in place.

The State Fair has addressed that by creating its Beer and Wine Exhibition, an attraction housed in the Fair’s Grand Hall and closed to anyone under 21.

State Fair spokesman Andy Klotz says the exhibit will feature only Indiana craft breweries and wineries, about four each a day. There will be a three-drink limit.

“So when you go in, you will get a wristband and these wristbands will have pull tabs that will have three different pull tabs that you will exchange in order to buy your beer or your wine,” Klotz says.

Klotz says fairgoers will also be able to take advantage of a tasting table.

“You’ll be able to sample different products there and these are obviously smaller portions, so you’ll be able to have multiple samples and have that be considered as one serving,” he says.

People won’t be allowed to carry the alcohol out of the enclosed exhibition. Admission into the exhibit is free, while a 12 ounce beer and five ounce glass of wine will each cost $5.