We present a laboratory investigation of Alfv¿n wave refraction due to a gradient in the plasma beta along the magnetic field. Theoretically, it is expected that perpendicular wave refraction occurs when the Alfv¿n wave changes from kinetic to inertial, as occurs along a typical auroral field line. The change in propagation characteristics is expected to produce a focusing of the wave energy. In the Earth's magnetosphere it is thought that this refractive property may play a key role in the field line resonance process. This effect is observed in the laboratory by creating a plasma with a parallel $bar{beta}$ gradient of 100 per 105 Debye lengths. An Alfv¿n wave is then launched with an antenna, and the $vec{B}$ field patterns of the wave are observed at several axial locations.