LA County Fair Beer Guide
52 Stations Serve Up Cold Brews in A Lively Environment

The carnival atmosphere of the Fair shines at night, framed by a beer station.

The Los Angeles County Fair is one of the biggest annual events in the entire Southland, attracting nearly a million and a half people during its four-week run each fall.

For many, the attraction is not just the attractions – or the rides – but the food. Fair food, some of it as bad for the body as it is good for the taste buds. The LA County Fair has it all. Fried Klondike bars. Fried peanut butter & jelly sandwiches. Chocolate-covered bacon. But also some great-tasting meat on the grill.

The dynamic Danielle pours a Stella at one of the Fair's 52 beer stations.

Held at the Pomona Fairgrounds – the 2012 event is Aug. 31-Sept. 30 with admission $12 on weekdays, $17 on weekends – it features concerts, shows, shopping, entertainment. And beer.

Lots of beer, in fact.

On warm days in Pomona, people know a way to cool off is with a cold beer.

A Bud from a babe is a good way to soak in some fun at the Fair.

With big signage, the beer stations are easy to spot.

Beer statons are a refreshing stop during the long days and nights at the Fair.

This is probably one of the most overlooked aspects of the LA County Fair. It's the perfect place to grab a cold one, walk around the massive grounds and explore the event. Or take a break by having a seat at a bar. Soak up the suds as much as the sunshine and atmosphere.

There are 52 – that's right, fifty-TWO – beer stations at the festival. These vary from small Draft Beer Depots to sit-down bars, both inside and outside. Budweiser has even rolled in a huge portable bar that has music and plasma TVs. So when the ladies want to check out the shopping, the guys can roll up, relax and even take in a ballgame.

Some beer stations have TV for watching sports.

A draft beer depot!

You don't have to go far to find beer; this station is right at the entrance.

Back in 2010, fair officials actually lowered the price of beer by a buck. So now it's $8 for a 20-ounce domestic draft, $9 for a premium choice (22-ounce souvenir glasses are $10 and $11, respectively).

In addition to the beer stations, there's even a somewhat plush lounge-style area featuring an indoor bar pouring dozens of award-winning brews and an outside area that somewhat resembles a German biergarten. To be sure, nobody is going to close their eyes and envision themselves being at Oktoberfest. but it does create a bit of a party atmopshere for those intersted in more than just rides and junk food.

Some of the 52 beer stations are large, like this one by the concert venue.

The LA County Fair actually lowered beer prices a couple of years ago.

Inside – and air conditioned – there is a beer tavern.

There are so many beer stations, it's impossible to walk for more than five minutes without stumbling into one. The choices are equally as impessive: Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob Amber Bock and Stella Artois, but also offers a few other selections (the wheat Shock Top is quite popular).

It's even possible to beer station surf, so to speak, and find a Kona Longboard (though not at the Longboard bar). All told, Anheuser-Busch goes through nearly 3,000 barrels of beer in the month of the fair.

After grabbing a Bud, go see the Budweiser Clydesdales.

In addition to beer, there's stations of margaritas and even a wine-tasting section ($3 for an award-winning taste, $11 for a flight of five).

Add to this the nightly concerts, motocross and demolition derby events, and the LA County Fair presents a pretty pleasant party scene. Monster Truck Madness is Thuesday, Sept. 6; the Demolition Derby is Thursday, Sept. 27 and the ASA World Championships of Freestyle Motocross are Saturday, Sept. 29.

Among the grandstand concerts are the B-52s on Friday, Sept. 7; Styx on Saturday, Sept. 8; Southern Rock legend Charlie Daniels with 38 Special on Friday, Sept. 38 and the LA County Fair ends with Earth, Wind and Fire on the 30th.

FAIR FACTS

• 2012 Dates: Aug. 31-Sept. 30 (Wed-Sundays)
• Admission: $17 (weekends, $12 weekdays)
• Ride tickets: $20 for 40 tickets, $50 for 100 tickets, $100 for 200 tickets. $50 carnival ride wristband.
• Beer prices: $8 20-ounce domestic draft, $9 premium. 22-ounce souvenir glass prices are $10 and $11.
• Parking: $10, $15 preferred, $25 valet
• Hours: Fridays noon-midnight; Saturdays 10 a.m.-midnight, Sundays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Wednesdays noon-10 p.m., Thursdays noon-11 p.m.
• Events: Concerts (The Beach Boys, Sept. 5; Lee Ann Rimes, Sept. 30; REO Speedwagon & STYX, Sept. 25; Doobie Brothers, Sept. 22 & more), sports activities (Demolition Derby, Monster Truck Madness, freestyle motocross)
• Location: Pomona Fairplex, 1011 West McKinley Ave. [MAP]

LA COUNTY FAIR FUN PHOTOS

The LA County Fair is a place for friends gather to socalize.

There's all kinds of entertainment throughout the LA County Fair.

People get ready to get flipped high in the air.

It's recommended to visit the beer station AFTER this ride.

There's plenty of room for people at the Fair, and there are plenty of people.

The people pack the Pomona Fairgrounds each September for the LA County Fair.

This trapeze artist looks like an Olympic gymnast after a Gold Medal routine.

Let's see, what prizes do we want to win...

The LA County Fair attracts tens of thousands of people each day.

As daytime turns to dusk, the crowds pick up at the LA County Fair.

Some people get a bird's eye view of the Fair.

Not all the food at the LA County Fair is deep-fried and fatty.

Don't you just want to pull that off the rotisserie and take bite!?

The Rib Ranch offerings go good with a cold beer.

There's no shortage of a variety of food at the Fair.