By Tonya Vots, correspondent

Last year’s inaugural Great Atlanta Beer Fest appealed greatly to the Atlanta area beer community and the organizers are back for a second round – this year’s event will be on September 8, 2012 at the same location, Turner Field. Gates open at 3 p.m. and the fun continues, rain or shine, until 8 p.m.

Most of the event takes place in the Grand Entry Plaza and Monument Grove areas of “The Ted,” and organizers say more area has been added to accommodate new activities and additional beverages. College football will be on the 33-foot big screen TV in the plaza and on all TVs in the Chop House, televising up to 11 live games.  Scout’s Alley baseball-themed games will be free to event patrons and Turner Field food favorites will be on sale as well.

More than 150 beers will be available for tasting.  The number of immensely popular ciders to sample has been increased and there will be limited wines available for tasting.  Local flavors, including Metro Atlanta brewers Sweetwater, Red Hare, Red Brick, and Jailhouse Brewing, will be spotlighted on the second floor of the Chop House, dubbed “Locals Only Deck,” which will feature beer from Georgia breweries and brewpubs.

Entertainment options have increased.  Among these will be a dunk tank, skeeball, cornhole, giant Jenga, and a few other surprises. Ocean Street will perform live on the plaza stage.

Ticket prices are $40 in advance through the website or $48 at the gate.  Five hundred early bird tickets were made available at a reduced price and sold out in two hours.  The ticket price gets attendees a plastic sampling cup, unlimited samples and live entertainment. Food cost is per vendor.

Produced by Atlanta Beer Fests, the same group also hosts Atlanta Winter Beer Fest, Atlanta Summer Beer Fest, Brewski Bus Tours and new this year, Atlanta NovemBEER Fest.