NEXT L.A.: A look at issues, people and ideas helping to shape the emerging metropolis. : Little Breweries, Big Prizes

Micro-breweries and their frothy issue are all the rage these days--so much so that beer from small producers could start to show up in judging halls at the Los Angeles County Fair.

Ruminating on the attributes of various beer types--amber and pale ales, stouts, even wheat and raspberry brews--have been elevated in some quarters to the level of fine wine tasting.

And some micro-breweries have earned word-of-mouth loyalty approaching cult status among beer drinkers.

So at this year’s California State Fair in Sacramento, a competition involving 44 small commercial brewers was included for the first time.

Brewers put up 224 different beers for judging in 18 categories. A honey wheat ale from Southern California Brewing won in the specialty beers category and a wheat beer from Petaluma won the sweepstakes award.

There won’t be any similar competition at this year’s Los Angeles County Fair, which began its run in Pomona on Friday. Only home brewers will be judged this time.

But fair officials say they are considering a commercial brew competition in the near future.