Burp Fest at Indiana Brewers Guild Winterfest 2026

Indiana Brewers Guild Winterfest was born in 2010 as the cold-weather counterpart to the Guild's long-running summer festival. While Summerfest thrives on ballpark sunshine and outdoor energy, Winterfest embraces the opposite end of the calendar, transforming the cavernous West Pavilion at the Indiana State Fairgrounds into a massive indoor taproom every February. The timing is deliberate -- midwinter in Indianapolis means people are hungry for something to break the monotony of gray skies, and a hall filled with 300-plus craft beers from 75-plus Hoosier breweries does the job nicely.

What began as a modest winter gathering has grown into one of the most anticipated events on the Indiana craft beer calendar. The festival has developed a reputation for selling out, with VIP tickets often disappearing within hours of release. The tiered pricing system rewards early buyers and creates a sense of urgency that keeps the craft beer community buzzing months before the doors open. Recent additions like the Iceberg Lounge VIP experience and a multi-channel Silent Disco have added layers of entertainment beyond the core beer-tasting experience.

Winterfest's charitable partnership with Joy's House -- an organization providing adult day services for people with memory loss, chronic illness, and other challenges -- gives the event a mission beyond beer. Every ticket sold and every sample poured contributes to the Guild's broader goal of supporting both Indiana's craft brewing industry and the local community. For Indianapolis beer lovers, Winterfest has become the essential February tradition: a day to shake off the winter chill, reconnect with favorite breweries, discover new ones, and raise a glass to the thriving Hoosier craft beer scene.