The One, the Only
Established in 1886, the State Fair of Texas is an annual celebration of Texas agriculture, education and community involvement. Spanning 24 consecutive days at Fair Park in Dallas, a National Historic Landmark, it’s the longest-running fair in the country. One of the main drivers of the fair is to raise money for scholarships for local area students, youth livestock competitors and seasonal employees. The Big Tex Scholarship Program has awarded college scholarships to more than 3,000 students for a total of more than $17.4 million to date.
The Fair brings people together, offering entertainment, interactive agricultural exhibits, and educational programs that highlight Texas heritage and culture. Iconic features like Big Tex and Fair Park’s Art Deco structures provide the perfect backdrop for hanging out with friends, playing games, riding rides, enjoying live music, eating innovative and often fried fair food, and of course, drinking beer.
Wet your whistle
They’re slinging bevvies all over Fair Park, so it’s up to you to decide how you’ll keep hydrated. Pub crawl? Beeline for your favorite spot and then chill? Or just hit them as you pass on your way to the next attraction? Here are the best places to grab a drink so you can plan ahead.
Biergarten at the Texas Discovery Gardens
This is a traditionally styled beer garden inside the Grand Hall. Enjoy communal tables, rustic decor, and a festive atmosphere including authentic German beer, soft drinks, water, sausages, sauerkraut, pretzels and German mustard.
Magnolia Beer Garden
Located in the courtyard of the historic Magnolia Lounge, this one boasts a considerable selection of Texas, craft, and international beers.
Trio on the Green
Located under three oak trees outside the Coliseum, this place serves everything in threes – three sliders, three kinds of fries, three brews in a flight, you get the idea.
Pairs well with Karbach
Print this page, write it down, memorize it, tattoo it upside down on your thigh – you’ll want to have this list of beer and fair food pairings handy while you’re strolling Fair Park.
Dominican Fritura Dog and Karbach’s Hopadillo Juicy IPA
A double-deep fried cheese and salami sandwich, split open and topped with garlic plantain chips, cilantro and secret sauce, this one goes well with the tropical fruit flavors of the Hopadillo Juicy IPA.
The Drowning Taquitos and Karbach’s Hopadillo Juicy IPA
These taquitos in a cup are deep fried to perfection and “drowned” in a tangy cream sauce, jalapeño, guacamole salsa, shredded lettuce, avocado, tomatillo, pico and Cotija cheese. Again, you’re gonna need the Hopadillo Juicy IPA’s tropical sweetness to contrast the savory goodness of this snack.
Hippie Chips and Karbach’s Hopadillo Hazy IPA
Here to replace your corn chip nachos, these funky wavy potato nachos start with your choice of ranch or blue cheese dressing, then are topped with bacon bits, fresh green onions, and a tangy drizzle of sriracha. Only the monstrous flavor of the Hopadillo Hazy IPA can match this far-out fair favorite.
Hot Chick-in-Pancake Poppers and Karbach’s Hopadillo IPA
A fried ball of pancake batter with Nashville hot chicken and pimento cheese inside is topped with a drizzle of Sriracha honey and a sprinkle of Nashville hot powdered sugar. The dry-hopped and surprisingly bitter original Hopadillo IPA goes well with these, somehow amplifying the sweet-hot fried deliciousness.
Texas Fried Burnt End Bombs and Karbach’s Ziegenbock
Deep fried (you’re noticing a theme) mouthwatering brisket wrapped with shredded potatoes, bacon, and cheese then topped with raspberry chipotle barbeque glaze – pairs well with Ziegenbock for its subtle sweetness and clean finish.
Nevins Nutty Bar-laska and Karbach’s Ziegenbock
A nutty bar plus, the plus being toasted marshmallow, two Oreos®, strawberry sauce, and freeze-dried strawberry pieces, all on a stick – how convenient! A sweet treat that also goes well with the light-bodied Ziegenbock.
Rousso’s Cotton Candy Bacon on a Stick and Karbach’s Love Street Blonde
You start with a 12-inch piece of bacon, cooked up just right with a cotton candy glaze, then you take it for a spin in the cotton candy machine, and THEN you torch it to caramelize the center. Did we mention it’s on a stick? You’ll want to chase it with the refreshing floral and delicate hoppiness of a Love Street Kölsch-style blonde.
Strawberry Pop-Tarts® Beignettfle and Karbach’s Love Street Blonde
It’s a waffle, it’s a beignet, it’s a toaster pastry, it’s on a stick! This treat brings together the flavors of New Orleans with your childhood nostalgia in a heavenly combination, topped with whipped cream and sprinkles. Turn once again to Love Street Blonde for a refreshing reset after this sugar bomb.
Texas Sugar Rush Pickles and Karbach’s Ranch Water Hard Seltzer
At the core, these are pickles. Of course, they’re also coated in Lucky Charms™, Froot Loops®, and Cap’n Crunch® then layered in cotton candy, cotton candy sugar crystals, and powdered sugar before being drizzled with strawberry sundae syrup and served in a cup with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The lime flavor of Ranch Water will keep your palate refreshed as you dive into these “pickles.”
Tropical Two-Step Punch and Karbach’s Love Street Blonde
They marinate citrus fruits, passionfruit, mango and more overnight to give you a taste of paradise that’s fresh, tangy, sweet, sour and spicy. Go ahead and double fist this one with Love Street Blonde because the fair only comes around once a year.
Honorable Mention
Community Funnel Cake Ale
The geniuses at Community Beer Co. brewed up a fair food and beer pairing all wrapped into one. Beginning as a Golden Ale with a crisp and bready finish, they puree and infuse whole Madagascar vanilla beans during aging to capture the flavor of the iconic fair treat. Drink it while you can – this one’s been around for years but only at fair time!
Have brews, will travel
Beer in hand, it’s time to take a stroll around Fair Park and see the sights! Aside from the food, live music, games and rides, the State Fair of Texas offers a wide variety of entertainment options. Whether you’re looking for over-the-top spectacle, educational infotainment or something for the family, the fair has you covered. Here are our top three must-see attractions to get you started.
Starlight Parade
In addition to the opening day parade, there is a nightly procession of floats, life-size puppets, animated characters in ornate costumes and more. Nightly! As in, every night at 7:15pm.
Cirque du Soleil: Songblazers
This captivating performance tells the story of country music through stirring melodies, heartfelt stories and, of course, breath-taking acrobatics. Performances run from Sept. 15 to Oct. 20, and your Songblazers ticket includes admission to the fair.
State Fair of Texas Rodeo
A classic attraction for us Texans, the bucking broncos and cattle-wrangling riders never disappoint. Check them out weekends, Friday through Sunday. Plus, this year’s line-up includes the Year-End Finale of the United Professional Rodeo Association in October.
The State Fair of Texas kicks off on September 27 and runs through October 20. Get tickets at BigTex.com and enjoy everything this timeless tradition has to offer – especially the beer!
