31 January 2011

Great Fermentations Needs Your Help!

This comes from our friend, Anita Johnson, at Great Fermentations.  We hope you'll read it and support the efforts.
I usually do not ask the Great Fermentations customer base to support my charities or causes but because we have a shared interest in beer and wine, I am writing to ask for your help.
There is a bill before the Indiana House of Representatives, HB1093, which would change Indiana law to finally allow beer and wine to be sold at the fairgrounds during the Indiana State Fair. Preference would be given to our Indiana-based commercial brewers and winemakers. The fair is committed to responsible consumption by allowing beer and wine to be served and consumed only in designated “beer gardens” and not allowing over consumption to ruin the family atmosphere of the fair.
I whole-heartedly support this bill because I enjoy the fair. The additional revenue generated by alcohol sales will help to close recent reductions in the fair budget. But more importantly it will support and promote Indiana brewers and winemakers from across the state. 
Unfortunately there is some opposition to even hearing the bill before the house committee. Representative Bill Davis of Jay County does not want to allow the bill to come to committee. If you agree with this bill, would you take a moment to email Rep. Davis, Rep. Brian Bosma and your own representative and let them know you not only support the hearing but the passage of this bill this year. Time is of the essence because the proposed hearing is Tuesday, February 1st. 
I have included some suggested text if you want to copy and paste into an email or get inspired and write your own. You can find email addresses for all of state representatives here:
http://www.in.gov/cgi-bin/legislative/contact/contact.pl

For Representative Bosma:
I would like to ask you to encourage Rep. Davis about hearing HB1093 regarding allowing Indiana made beer and wine to be served on the fairgrounds during the Indiana State Fair. Because this will add revenue to the fair and support Indiana based businesses I see it as a win for the state.

For Representative Davis:
I would like to encourage you to bring HB 1093 before your committee. This bill addresses the availability of Indiana made beer and wine at the Indiana State Fair. Because this will add revenue to the fair and support Indiana based businesses I see it as a win for the state. The fair is committed to responsible consumption by allowing beer and wine to be served and consumed only in designated “beer gardens” and not allowing over consumption to ruin the family atmosphere of the fair. And I whole-heartedly support the bill and hope you will too.

Anita Johnson
**************************
Thanks everyone!

The "How Was Your Winterfest?" Post

Saturday's Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest seemed to go off without a hitch, thanks largely to our volunteers, who did everything they were asked and more.

The folks I spoke to on the attendee side had nothing but good things to say, but I didn't speak to everyone - leave us a comment, let us know what you thought, and how it went for you.

And thanks for coming.

28 January 2011

And the Winterfest Ticket Winner Is...

John, who wrote:
Receiving a ticket of this magnitude a mere 28 years into my life, for FREE, would absolutely change my life in ways unimaginable to the run-of-the-mill human brain. But, what’s that you say? You’re giving away TWO?! I was already prepared to swim across the Pacific handcuffed, shackled, and towing more boats than Jack LaLanne had ever SEEN in his 96 years; with a blood alcohol content of .08 (I want to stay within the legal limits, but for two tickets, hell, I’ll make it a .35). For just one ticket, I would have raced Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot in the Monumental Marathon at night (obviously barefoot), while snowing with a wind chill of -25. For two tickets, I’ll run it backwards, carrying Jon and Kate’s octuplets on my back and I’ll beat him by 6 miles.

Since these two tickets mean more to me than my hopes and dreams, I’ll give them up. I will quit my job, dump my girlfriend (even though I was going to give her the extra ticket), and burn down my boss’s home. I will scale the new J.W. Marriott building using the little “Baby on Board” suction cups that people used to affix to their rear windows AFTER I build a rocket made out of Marsh shopping carts and fly it to the dark side of the moon. But, am I finished? Oh, no. No I am not. Not even close. This is, after all, two tickets to Winterfest .

I will bathe in a sea of baby African Mud Turtles for 40 days and 40 nights using Upland Wheat as my shampoo and Sun King Wee Mac as my soap. I will share my shampoo and soap with all of the turtles until we are so cleansed and renewed by the Wee Mac’s nice hazelnut character with rich coffee undertones that we decide to form our own community in the western wheat fields of Nebraska. Our village will consist of living in harmony and harvesting wheat. The turtles will freely export the wheat all over the world and will more than quadruple the U.S.’s gross domestic product within 6 months. What will I be doing while the turtles are turning the Midwest economy into a world-wide powerhouse? Oh, I’ll just be cooking their meals, cleaning up after them, educating them, and providing counseling. Yes, I would spend my life cleaning African Mud Turtle excrement with my bare hands and then, of course, inventing flying cars and hoverboards that run purely on burning, odorless, African Mud Turtle waste. This will bring jobs back to the United States, render China irrelevant in the global economy, and revolutionize common travel. Tired of waiting in the airport security line with your shoes and belt off, searching for a modicum of respect from the A+ security guards? Well, just throw on a pair of sweatpants, hop in your Ford Flyer, and you’re off to Maui in no-time flat! The boost in demand for my Ford Flyer will make Detroit a haven for high-paying, low-stress jobs, thereby spreading a tidal wave of positive vibes throughout states like Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. Indiana will become Detroit’s sole parts supplier thanks to a few inside tips I give to Mitch Daniels the day before my Flyer is invented and sold to Ford. Indiana will prosper like no state has ever before. It will become rich, but not overcrowded because Detroit will become the destination of choice for the free-riders of the world. When Indiana is rich, I will suggest to Mitch Daniels that every Saturday become “Indiana Beer Fest Day”, which will be an event comparable to the one being held tomorrow, only FREE (not unlike the two tickets I am vying for). I will make Indiana better than ever thought possible. I will be approved for a loan from Old National Bank to purchase every plot of land between Gary and Miami, Florida and then give the land to the state of Indiana. Indiana will have the Indy 500, skiing, surfing, South Beach, and the gorgeous rolling hills of Tennessee. Years later, God will just decide to rename Indiana “Heaven” and everyone in the Hoosier state will live forever. All of this will happen because I want two tickets to the 2011 Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest. Also, I’ll ask for them. Please.
The comment was long-winded, almost confusing, and EXACTLY the sort of thing we'd run in a roundtable. In fact, we want John to join us for a roundtable sometime, but we'll figure that out later.


John, send us an email at knights@hoosierbeergeek.com from the address you listed in the comments, and we'll get things squared away.

For the record, the vote wasn't unanimous (and we'd love some free video work).. but John seemed to be the favorite while we were setting up for Winterfest. And so.. Thanks to everyone who took the time to play along.

Random Beer Roundup - The Winterfest 2011 Edition


Are you all ready for Winterfest?  If you are still looking for tickets we have a pair to give away, so be sure to check that out.

If there is something coming up that is not listed, we would love to hear about it. News, reviews, info, etc., to share for our next Random Beer Roundup can be submitted to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. Don't see your favorite craft beer establishment? Let them know you'd like to see them here! Work for an establishment that serves craft beer? We want to hear from you too!

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change


From the Brewers:

From Andrew at Ram Brewery in Indianapolis/Fishers:
Be sure to stop by the RAM booth at Winterfest. We are going to be unveiling a Winterfest-exclusive secret release at 4 p.m.! If I told you what it was, then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

2 new beers coming! On Thursday, February 3rd, both locations will be releasing Ole St. Mick’s Irish Red at 5 p.m. Ole St. Mick’s pops with caramel and toffee malt flavor finished by a slight roast undertone. If that wasn’t enough, the 999th batch in the history of the Indianapolis RAM, In Hops We Trust, is ready for its grand release! Brewed with heavy doses of American hops, this Imperial IPA at 8.6% ABV and 147 IBUs is going to scream with citrus and herbal hop flavor. To commemorate this momentous occasion, we are going to host two tappings starting with Wednesday, February 9th at 7 p.m. at our Downtown Indy location. As a food pairing, Chef Steven Anderson will be featuring an Indian specialty, Chicken Tikka Masala, for one night only. We will also be celebrating with our Northside friends on February 10th at 6:30 p.m. at our Fishers location. Fishers Chef David Blair has a couple tricks up his sleeve for that night as well. Come out to help us celebrate 999 brews of RAM goodness!

Also, homebrewers - don't forget to sign up for the Ram Small Ale competition.

From Jerry at Rock Bottom Brewery - Downtown in Indianapolis:
Well Hop Bomb is back this weekend, and if you haven't tried the Trouble, I feel like it turned out perfect for a Tripel (if you can say that for a Belgian style?).

At the Bar
From Corrie at Goose the Market in Indianapolis:
Now on the shelves at the Goose...

If I said I didn't like Boulevard's Dark Truth Stout (now in handy 12oz bottles!), it'd be a white lie.

It's part of a well balanced breakfast...for dragons: New Holland's Dragon's Milk, a stout that woke up in an oak barrel.

Do you know the color of Upland's Schwarz?

27 January 2011

Looking for Winterfest Tickets? We've Got a Pair to Give Away

Winterfest ticket sales closed Tuesday evening, when the event officially reached Sold Out status. This means there are no more tickets to be had - not online, not at the door, and not by emailing Jason or Hoosier Beer Geek and begging for a favor. There are no more tickets to be had.

Except for the pair we're about to give away.

Since the sellout we've been monitoring our mailbox and craigslist, watching to see how much leftover demand there is. Craigslist has been particularly entertaining..

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tix/2182448363.html

Need winterfest tickets, offering a nice trade. - $1 (North Indy)

Date: 2011-01-27, 12:16AM EST

Reply to: sale-brr6r-2182448363@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Maybe your tired after a long day, maybe your 7 pints of hopslam into your night and wanting to do nothing more than sleep? I'll come over and sexually satisfy your lady in trade for two tickets to winterfest.. I'd like to keep this discreet as my g/f would not be hip to the fact I'm willing to pimp myself out so she can get piss hammered on razz wheat or sunking cream ale. In exchange for two tickets I'll please your lady sexually and leave two 750ml bottles of dogfishhead squall under your pillow, maybe a growler of grapefruit jungle if you have VIP tickets. I am disease free and drug free aside from random one hitters of o.g kush. Beer!

Or perhaps even better..

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tix/2182777718.html

I will give my first born son for winterfest tickets - $1 (Indianapolis)

Date: 2011-01-27, 10:02AM EST
Reply to: sale-egxqt-2182777718@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]

Like Star Wars? Think Legos are cool? Are you looking for someone to talk to about Greek Mythology with? Do you dig old school Megaman? My boy is in to all this stuff and more. He's 10 years old, has a 9th grade reading level and a ridiculously awesome sense of humor. He's an all around cool kid. That being said, I will give him to anyone with 2 Winterfest tickets! What's the catch? No catch. You give me the tickets, I give you the boy. I'll include his laptop, DS, Wii and about 100lbs of legos. I'll also send him with a gallon of goldfish crackers. I think the kid is cool and all, but I'm totally willing to trade my last 10 and a half years with him for 4 awesome hours of 4 oz. beers.
Or if you just want to sell me some tickets, that would work too.

Hit me up.
So you still need tickets? We can help.

Leave a comment on this post revealing what you'd do for tickets. We don't actually expect you to do anything, we're just in it for the entertainment. Be creative. Make us laugh.

We'll chose our favorite comment Friday (12/28/11) at 5 pm EST, and the winner will receive two (2) General Admission Winterfest tickets. MAKE SURE YOU LEAVE US A METHOD TO CONTACT YOU - email addresses are perfect, or just your name will work. You'll be responsible for checking back to see if you've won, and we can figure the rest out after that.

LEGAL STUFF
Creative and long winded entries are particularly appreciated.
We reserve the right to not give you tickets if we think you're shady.
We reserve the right to change all the rules and not award the prize if we don't like how things go.
Don't be a pain in the ass.
If you're an asshole that thinks you'll get into Winterfest on a DD ticket and then proceed to drink beer, know that we've got our eyes open and we will come down hard on your dishonest ass. I hope you like handcuffs and having your name and photo all over the internet.
By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of HoosierBeerGeek.com, which shall be final and binding with regard to all matters relating to the contest.
END OF LEGAL STUFF.

KOTBR #119 | A Toast to the Original - The KOTBR & Paulaner Salvator


The story of Paulaner Salvator--"Savior"--was one that took my love for beer and expanded it into a fondness for history as well.  The Paulaner story starts back in the 17th century, when the Paulaner monks of Munich began brewing a version of Salvator for consumption during Lenten times, when they needed sustenance during their Lenten fasting. While food was off limits, liquids were thought to provide clarity to the body and soul. And the more they drank, the cleaner their bodies and souls became.

While the monks were “cleansing their souls”, some of them were concerned that their beer consumption could be leaving their bodies more soused than doused. To set their minds at ease, they sent a cask of the beer to the Pope for his blessing. During the approximately 600 mile trip to Rome, the beer was subjected to poor weather and travel conditions and ended up becoming spoiled by the time it reached its destination. The Holy Father tried the horrible-tasting stuff. Thinking that suffering through such a rough-tasting brew would be good for the monks' souls, the Pope returned word to the monks that it would benefit them to brew and drink as much of this concoction as they wanted.

And so the Paulaner monks brewed this beer year after year and it undoubtedly got stronger. Now keep in mind that this beer was supposed to be for the monks to drink during Lent to provide nutrition during fasting, but the public caught wind of the brew (literally, perhaps) and the monks began selling it from the monastery. Now, this was illegal, and they wouldn’t receive a permit to lawfully sell the beer for another 30 years. Then, in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte (who was a bit of a bastard) dissolved the monastery and took the brewery as state property. The brewery was later sold and reopened in 1806. Though the monks lost ownership of the brewery, the beer remained (and still remains) essentially the same. Also since then, there have been homages and reproductions of the beer numbering in the hundreds that contain the -ator suffix, but the original is Paulaner Salvator.  

And what’s better than an original? We didn’t do it on purpose, but for this roundtable we were joined by original KOTBR--our friends and Knights Emeriti, Chris M. and Kelly--at the Rathskeller.

The Godfather (Chris M.): Look, these folks can tell you all you want to know about this beer,  Paulaner Salvator.

It’s a doppelbock, which I typically don’t like. I did, however, like this one. It was a dark amber (though it was dark in the bar, so that’s all I could make out), it had a nose with hints of cherry and roses, had a medium-thick mouthfeel, and had some wood elements in the taste. Just for shits and giggles, I’m going to give it a 3.77 mug rating.

There. That’s my review.

Now let me talk about other stuff. I was honored that the KOTBR invited Kelly and me back for a guest review, and I felt as though I was sitting among craft beer royalty or rock stars. Jason kept taking off his underwear and throwing them at Mike. So Mike is a rock star, or Jason is just a perv. Sadly, both are probably true.

Seriously, though, it was nice to be back among the OGs, just like back when the old stuff was new. You know, when we only went to Deano’s Vino (unfortunately, they closed down after the KOTBR started to go to other bars – coincidence?), no one had ever heard of the site, when we still had Renee, and no one had ever given me a free beer (to be truthful, the reason I started this site was in the hopes of eventually getting free beer).

I’m really amazed at how far these chumps have taken this thing, and I’m so damn proud to have had a little part in them becoming what they are today. Their events are packed, the major beer festivals run smoothly because of them, and people actually seek out their opinion and advice on all things craft beer. They’ve come a hell of a long way since the very first review that Jason and I did while sitting at my dining room table. These guys are really good shits. But not in the “beer shits you get the next morning” kind of way. Those are bad.

(Of course, it helps that they are all so supportive of Dads Inc., whether selling our pretzel necklaces at the beer fests or naming us as the charitable recipients of the anniversary party. Do you know just how much funds they’ve raised for the community, and specifically for Dads Inc.? A lot. And they just let me put in a plug. That helped, too. Otherwise, I might have talked about the real bastards they are. But I would just be talking about Mike & Jim. Gina’s wonderful, and Jason is just a little bitch.)

!Viva Hoosier Beer Geek!

We've returned to the Rathskeller, the place where the HBG adventure began in earnest, the place where the Godfather (as Chris M. has become known) began to expand the Knights of the Beer Roundtable beyond just himself and Jason. Six original Knights, a dark German beer to review, a five-mug rating system to apply, and conversation veering from sports to music to movies (specifically, that John Hughes is the greatest auteur of the '80s) to politics to bodily functions. Yes, just like old times. In fact, roundtables are what I've always enjoyed most about being part of the KOTBR. Sure, we talk about the beer at every roundtable--we have to--but rarely is the beer we're reviewing the primary focus of our get-togethers. No, roundtables are more than just about the beer. They're about levity, smiles, and a forgetting of the anxieties of the day, at least for a little while. So we've gone from one German classic in that first roundtable at the Rathskeller--Spaten Optimator--to another: Paulaner Salvator. Salvator, the exemplar of doppelbocks. Salvator, with its melding of raisin, cherry, wood, molasses, Scotch, and snickerdoodles (yes, snickerdoodles). Ein bock, a goat, one that lightly butts you with its horns, but in a good way if you follow me. Not too powerful to put you down for the count, but not too meek to be forgettable. It's a memorable beer, as memorable as that first gathering of the KOTBR at the Rathskeller four-and-a-half years ago.


A throwback review.
No innuendos found here.
Return of haiku!

Beer Geek Reunion:
A very special episode
(not Seventh Heaven)

Chris has returned.
Kelly has too. Happy Day!
Where is dog Humphrey?

At the Rathskeller,
the place where it all began
for us: HBG

Paulaner gives us
salvation in Salvator.
Sing Hallelujah!

King of Doppelbocks.
Malt, dark fruit carmelized.
Call me mesmerized!

It's easy to drink,
harder to put down; so don't!
Order another!

Paulaner Salvator Doppelbock
Chris M.: 3.75 Mugs | Jason: 4 Mugs | Jim: 4 Mugs | Kelly: 3.8 Mugs | Mike: 3.6 Mugs | Gina: 3.8 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.82 Mugs

25 January 2011

The Winterfest Program Has Arrived

Rodney worked many long hours putting together this year's Winterfest program, resulting in a mammoth booklet that really covers all of the bases. Quite frankly, I'm blown away with the results.

The Abobe Acrobat version of the program is available now at the Winterfest page of the Brewers of Indiana Guild website. Tickets have sold out as of Tuesday at 9PM.

We'll see you Saturday for what promises to be the best Winterfest yet.

21 January 2011

Beer and Cheese Club - January Edition


We announced back in December that we paired up with Goose the Market to come up with a great cheese and beer pairing each month. Our first month's pairing is a really stellar combination of cheese from Meadow Creek Dairy in Virginia and Hardcore IPA from BrewDog in Scotland.

The cheese from Meadow Creek is named Appalachian and is a farmstead cheese. That basically means that the cheese is made on the same farm where the animals live, and also that all the milk for the cheese comes from those animals. No outside milk is used to make the cheese. There are some other distinctions, but that's pretty much the gist of it. This particular cheese is a cow's milk cheese that is supposed to showcase the milk.

The beer is from BrewDog Brewing Company in Scotland. This particular beer is a 9.2% ABV beer in the American DIPA style. BrewDog calls it an Imperial IPA. BrewDog also states that this beer is being brewed with more hops and bitterness than any other beer in the U.K.

If you're a member of the Beer and Cheese Club at Goose the Market, your January installment is likely ready for you to pick up right now. If you're not a member, the club is $99 for 4 months. This month nets you a 750 of BrewDog Hardcore IPA and around 3/4 pound of Meadow Creek Appalachian cheese. Both are delicious on their own but even more so together.


I first tried the cheese alone and was greeted with a wonderfully creamy cheese with some notes of butter, sweet grass, and very subtle earthiness. This would be a great snack cheese just about anytime.

I next tried the beer after a quick palate cleanser, and I've got to be honest that I was really surprised by the BrewDog offering. I had shunned most of BrewDog's beers because when they came to Indiana several years ago, I bought a bottle when it was overpriced, and, at the time, it wasn't very good. This beer stood on its own as a great DIPA with loads of tangerines, passion fruit, and lots of pine. The malt is fairly substantial with ample sweetness and biscuit notes with plenty of bitterness at the back of my throat. I will be drinking this beer again for sure.

I was very surprised at the pairing when I tried them together. The citrus notes really came out full throttle, but the bitterness was gone at the back of my palate. The creaminess of the cheese really cut through all the bitterness while really showcasing the glory of the hop. This was a really well done pairing for me, and both the cheese and the beer were really great on their own, but they really create a very good pairing together.


The nose on this beer was piney and grassy with a little sweetness. It was copper in color with a bit of haziness that could only be produced by an unfiltered beer. Tons of hops, but overall a really nicely balanced double IPA.

The Appalachian was slightly hard with a texture similar to cold butter (but obviously didn't taste like eating cold butter). Nice and creamy with a touch of saltiness.

When you pair a bite of cheese with a sip of IPA you get a killer citrus flavor that is just amazing!

I went for the Hardcore IPA first. I've actually had this beer before and had forgotten how much I liked it. Definitely some grapefruit, citrus and yeasty notes in the nose with a touch of herbal accents. The flavor is pretty much exactly what I want an IPA to be, with lots of grapefruit, orange, a dry bitterness to the citrus and even a hint of oregano in there. This is a really well-crafted DIPA with big hops and just the right amount of malt and alcohol to complement and bring out the hop flavors.

Now when it comes to cheese, I am certainly not an expert. This one reminds me of a white cheddar with a creaminess reminiscent of brie. One of those cheeses that everyone can immediately recognize is very good, while still playing it safe enough to not offend anyone. I picked up a few light citrus notes and a bit of sharpness on the finish. But I'm not Hoosier Cheese Geek.

Now when these two powers combined, it was really something special. The cheese somehow pulled out most of the bitterness of the IPA and allowed the full flavor profile of the hops to flourish. Tons of sweet citrus notes blossomed that, while otherwise still detectable in the beer, became increasingly more apparent. Very well done.

To join the Beer and Cheese Club at Goose the Market (in conjunction with Hoosier Beer Geek), check out this PDF and then either call Goose the Market at 317-924-4944 or stop in the shop at 2503 N. Delaware St.

Random Beer Roundup - Freezin' my snowballs off edition

Holy crap it's cold out there. Even snowmen are going inside to warm up. Man, I dislike winter.

But I love beer. So let's get on with it.

Only 8 more days until Winterfest. Tickets are going fast. It will be sold out soon, so get 'em here: http://www.indianabeerfest.com/. And a reminder:

NO TICKET SALES AT THE DOOR (except designated driver tickets).

So get on it folks!
If there is something coming up that is not listed, we would love to hear about it. News, reviews, info, etc., to share for our next Random Beer Roundup can be submitted to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. Don't see your favorite craft beer establishment? Let them know you'd like to see them here! Work for an establishment that serves craft beer? We want to hear from you too!

Oh, and Gina will be back next week. Tell her that I did a good job! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!


Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change


From Charles at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington:
Canyon Inn Brew Master's Getaway: McCormick's Creek State Park. Sat., Jan. 22, 6pmYou don't have to be a brew master to enjoy this evening of food and beer pairings at the Canyon Inn, an historic building in Indiana's oldest state park: McCormick's Creek. Tickets are $169 per couple, and include admission to the beer paired dinner, an overnight stay at the Inn, commemorative pint glasss, and breakfast the following morning. Head brewer Caleb Staton will be there to discuss each beer and answer questions.Call 812-829-4881 to reserve your spot. Hurry! Seats are going fast.

Old Point Tavern Beer Dinner: Indianapolis, IN. Weds., Jan. 26. 6pmKeep it casual with us at this relaxed 4-course beer-paired at Old Point Tavern. Beers featured will be Preservation Pilsner, Wheat Ale, Rad Red Amber Ale, and Bad Elmer's Porter. Call 317-643-8943 for details!
From Dan at Great Crescent Brewing in Aurora:
We released Diabolicale (8% ABV and 58 IBU's) to the local stores and have it available here at the brewery. Details can be found on the brewery website or at our new Facebook page (there's a link to the Facebook page on the left sidebar of the web-page).

We are gearing up for Winterfest and looking forward to another great Indiana Brewer's festival.

We have pint cans on order and are waiting to get on the production schedule at the Ball plant in Monticello, IN. We should be canning beer by late February/early March 2011.

From Mad Anthony in Warsaw:
Fire and Ice Festival: Friday, Feb. 4th, downtown Warsaw. BBQ and Special Beer Release.
From John at Half Moon Brewing in Kokomo:
Old Reggiewig's Wee Winter Warmer: A strong Scotch Ale (Wee Heavy) made with molasses, ginger, cinnamon and sweet orange peel. It has a distinct aroma of ginger and cinnamon followed by a full bodied, sweet malty and wintery spiced flavor. It's a beer that will keep you warm for the rest of winter!
ABV=7.20% O.G.=1.070 IBU=23



At the Bar

From Lauren at Scotty's Brewhouse:

Scotty's Brewhouse Muncie
Three Floyd’s Robert the Bruce is now on tap!

Scotty's Brewhouse West Lafayette
Rogue Hazelnut Brown Ale is now on tap!

Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown Indy
Sun King Osiris Pale Ale is now on tap!

Scotty's Brewhouse North Indy
Founder’s Centennial IPA is now on tap!

Scotty's Lakehouse in Geist
Sun King Zaius Oatmeal Stout is now on tap!

Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Co. is now open in Broad Ripple!

From the Beer Sellar in Castleton:

New and Exciting Beers at Beer Sellar this week.

New Belgium/ Allagash Lips of Faith Vrienden
Brooklyn Monster Barley Wine
Sierra Nevada Big Foot 09'
Boulvard Tank 7
We Still have some Bells Hopslam and Batch 10,000
Sun King Grapefruit Jungle IPA
Three Floyds Dreadnaught
Upland Schwarz- Black IPA

Other Indiana Beers available on tap are Sun King Cream Ale and Wee Mac, Three Floyds Alpha King, Mishawaka Four Horsemen Red Ale, Peoples ESB, Barley Island Dirty Helen, Crown Brewing Crown Brown and Upland Wheat.



Carry Out
From Joe at Crown Liquors (U.S. 31 South) in Greenwood:
This Friday January 21st, from 5-8PM, we will be tasting:
LEFEBVRE - Blanche De Bruxelles (Belgian Wit Ale)(New!)
ORKNEY - Skullsplitter (Scottish Strong Ale)
UNIBROUE - La Terrible (Belgian-Style Strong Ale)
New beers this week include:
MIKKELLER - Draft Bear, Not Just Another Wit, Simcoe Single Hop, Warrior Single Hop
SOUTHERN TIER - Choklat, Oak Aged Ale Cuvee #3, Iniquity
Don't forget we still have these sought after brews:
BELL'S - Hopslam (Get it while you can, 'cause there ain't no more!)
GOOSE ISLAND - Rare Bourbon County Stout (Only a few left!)
STONE - Vertical Epic 10.10.10 (Got a late second supply!)

17 January 2011

Opening Today: Thr3e Wise Men


The latest installment in the Scotty's Brewhouse restaurant empire opens today.  Since Scott Wise has developed a borderline stalker obsession with Mike, we felt obligated to check the pizzeria brewpub out.  Thr3e Wise Men is not quite your typical brewery startup.  With 6 other restaurants in his portfolio, you could say Scott Wise knows how to run a business.  Much like Scotty's Lakehouse was a burger departure from the standard Scotty's Brewhouse formula, Thr3e Wise Men fully embraces pizza.  If you've been to Piece in Chicago, you know the formula.  A simple, build your own pizza menu with a few appetizers and a selection of brewed-on-premises beers.  That's not to say Thr3e Wise Men doesn't take a few risks as well.



The first thing you'll notice when you enter the brewpub is the dominance of communal picnic tables.  Traditional Scotty's Brewhouse towel napkins line each one and an iPad-based menu system is available for an enhanced ordering experience.  If you don't feel like meeting a few new beer fans, there are also two seat tables, a large U-shaped bar and cocktail tables made from barrels.  Personally, I think the solid wood decor gives the entire place a more welcoming feel than the other Scotty's restaurants.


The pizza is thin crust and based on a recipe that includes their Golden Zoe IPA.  Cheese pizzas start at $7/11/13 and toppings are an additional $1.50 or $2.50.  Appetizers include pepperoni stuffed breadsticks, goat cheese marinara dipping sauce, hummus pizza and Brewhouse standbys such as dill chips and buffalo wings.  Perhaps most notably impressive is that the style of pizza they're offering has not already been done to death by other Indianapolis pizzerias.


But enough about the food; let's move on to the beer.  Omar Castrellon previously held a long tenure as brewmaster at Alcatraz downtown, so chances are you've had his beer before.  The late Alcatraz wasn't Omar's first brewing gig, so to say he's experienced is an understatement, and it shows in the initial offerings at Thr3e Wise Men.  The beer concepts are the product of Scott Wise's brewery dreams and Omar has produced recipes to fulfill those dreams.  Now that's an awkward statement.


On the lighter side of things are a well-balanced Blonde with a lemon twist and a Blackberry Wheat that carries a heavy wheat body and a simultaneously sweet and tart blackberry overtone.  Moving over to the hoppy side of things, the flagship beer of Thr3e Wise Men is a Double IPA that masks its 8% ABV incredibly well and is actually a great intro to hoppy beers thanks to a hefty malt sweetness.  The IPA, on the other hand, is full forward with hops and was my favorite beer of the initial lineup.  A Brown Ale, similar to an English Mild, is currently on their hand pull.  The Amber Ale combines the ubiquitous brewpub Amber with fruity Belgian yeast.  Stout and porter offerings include a Coffee Porter that is light in mouthfeel with a heavy coffee presence and an Imperial Stout, which carries all the chocolate and coffee notes but has the mouthfeel of a regular stout.  In total, all the beers are quite impressive for just opening and should be incredibly solid with a year of refinement and experimentation under Omar's direction.  Within the next 2-3 months we should be seeing these Thr3e Wise Men offerings available at all of Scotty's Brewhouse and Lakehouse locations.


I'm saving the best for last.  $20 gets you a carry-out large cheese pizza and a growler fill.  Other specials include $1 off pints on Mondays and Thursdays, $2.50 pints on Wednesdays and $6 growler fills on Tuesdays.  Behind the bar, it's hard to miss a row of coolers filled with six packs.  Thr3e Wise Men also offers carry-out beers from other craft breweries, just in case you'd like to compare notes.

14 January 2011

A reply from the Tomlinson Tap Room

Last week, the Knights of the Beer Roundtable posted a letter to the Tomlinson Tap Room about their new space and some suggestions for improvement. We received this response back. We thank everybody at the Tomlinson Tap Room and the City Market for listening to our feedback and we look forward to many future visits!

14 January 2011

Dear KOTBR:

Thank you so much for your constructive feedback of both strengths and weaknesses of Tomlinson Tap Room. We have given careful consideration to your valuable critique, and have provided for the following:

1) Signage – We are working diligently to create an inviting atmosphere for TTR. The signage initiative we have planned includes not only the immediate TTR area, but extends to the exterior of the City Market and points of entry to the Main Market House.

2) Communications - We are ramping up our social media and external communications efforts to better reach our audience with pertinent information about Tomlinson Tap Room, including what’s on tap and other programming including Pint Night, beer and food pairings, Tomlinson Tap Room Tutorials hosted by Anita Johnson of Great Fermentations, and other great events that weave together the social fabric of this great craft beer community.

3) You have spoken, and we listened. We have adjusted our pricing and our hours to reflect the habits and desires of our great craft beer community. You may now enjoy all Indiana craft beers at TTR for $5.50, and we’ve altered our original Noon – 8pm hours to 2pm – 10pm, Wednesday through Saturday.

Again, we thank you so much for your words of encouragement, and we look forward to your continued patronage of Tomlinson Tap Room.

Best,

Tomlinson Tap Room Crew

Random Beer Roundup - I'm Baaaaaaaaaaack! Edition

Have you missed me?

Since Mike and Gina are getting their craft beer on, west coast style, I'm running the Roundup this week and next. Just like old times...

At this point, I'd normally babble on about something. I would have hoped that it would football related, but alas, football is over. At least it is for me. Now I'm counting down the days to opening day. Chicago Cubs (4/1) in 77 days; Cincy Reds (4/2) in 78; and the Indianapolis Indians (4/7) in 84.

I'm also counting down the days to Winterfest. Only 15 more. If you don't have your tix, get 'em here: http://www.indianabeerfest.com/.


If there is something coming up that is not listed, we would love to hear about it. News, reviews, info, etc., to share for our next Random Beer Roundup can be submitted to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. Don't see your favorite craft beer establishment? Let them know you'd like to see them here! Work for an establishment that serves craft beer? We want to hear from you too!

That's all I got. Time for me to get back in the saddle again and start this roundup! Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeha!


Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change



From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co. in Lafayette:
On tap this weekend at Lafayette Brewing: Star City Lager; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Black Angus Oatmeal Stout; Tippecanoe Common Ale and our latest seasonal Snow Daze IPA. Look for our next seasonal, Star City Amber Lager, to hit the taps in late January. Rumors swirling around about a dry-hopped version for Winterfest!

On the brewery front: After just under two weeks of scrambling, our two ex-Wildcat fermenters have been re-invigorated and re-installed with new fermenter-sized koozies. Thanks to a tip from our friends at Sun King on the insulating company, the tanks are holding temperatures far better than previous and will be able to produce lagers year-round. Now that we're back up to full brewing strength, expect a return to 8-10 available styles on tap in the next couple of weeks. We've also just placed an order for a new jacketed bright tank to help keep up with increased demand and provide an improved platform for bottling. Lead time is approximately 14 weeks, so we'll be looking for this baby sometime in April. And finally, we're going to try to sneak in some time to get a limited amount of Big Boris Barleywine into 22 oz. bombers; hopefully, we'll have some available by the end of next week. We'll keep you posted
From Roger at New Albanian Brewing Co. in New Albany:
An assemblage of NABCs: It’s N.A.B.C.ieged III, beginning January 25.

The New Albanian Brewing Company has long embraced the metaphorical
properties of innovation and inundation, and will continue these proud
incantations on Tuesday, January 25, with the third incarnation of
N.A.B.C.ieged.

This draft showcase at the Pizzeria & Public House (3312 Plaza Drive, New
Albany) is all about us -- our NABC beers, as brewed at both our New
Albany locations by brewers Jesse Williams & Jared Williamson, and David
Pierce (Director of Brewing Operations).

Our brewers and their beers are the future of our business (and aesthetic)
enterprise, and in 2011, the entire beer program at our traditional
Pizzeria & Public House location is set to undergo an exciting
metamorphosis as we reduce our carbon footprint, transition away from
reliance on imports, and embrace an even greater advocacy of stylistic
education, as reflected by the continuing gains of America’s craft beer
revolution.

Including our own NABC revolution, hence: N.A.B.C.ieged III: Even More
Than Before.

The idea is to have as many as possible of our own NABC beers on tap at
one time at the Pizzeria & Pub (pour sizes and pricing to be determined).
The event will last as long as the kegs do, and then we’ll begin
preparations for Gravity Head, our annual paean to craft brewing’s outer
extremities.

As during the inaugural N.A.B.C.ieged one year ago (a second edition was
later held at Louisville Beer Store), we're showcasing these NABC drafts
at the Pizzeria & Public House rather than Bank Street Brewhouse, for the
simple reason that we have more available spouts for pouring. Last year’s
record is 24. In 2011, we hope to beat it.

Given the amount of work required to swap all these kegs of beer and keep
them pouring, say a silent prayer for brewer Jared Williamson, and beer
managers Ben Minton and Eric Gray, who'll be doing the heavy lifting,
literally.

---

The final lineup won’t be known until just before the curtain rises on
January 25, but the list below is reasonably accurate.

Regulars (including *Session Series)
*Abzug
Beak’s Best
Bob’s Old 15-B
*Community Dark
Elector
Hoptimus
*Tafel Bier
Tunnel Vision

Brewer’s Best Friend Series
Abby’s Dubbel
Elsa von Horizon
Henna
Jasmine
Jaxon

Footed Stout Series
Cloven Foot
ThunderFoot
WeeFoot

Seasonals
Ackerman’s Imperial Double Stout (2011 Winterfest ReplicAle)
Amarillo (Single Hop)
Ancient Rage
Bonfire of the Valkyries
C2 New Albanian/O’Fallon/Schlafly collaboration)
Cascade (Single Hop)
ConeSmoker
ELI
Hop-O
Imperial Bonfire of the Valkyries
Le Diable Blonde
Le Douche Mentale
Oaked Ancient Rage
Oaktimus (16 months old?)
Saison de Houblon
Samu-Rye!
Solidarity

Casks
Sour Rye Belgian Strong (pin)
Dry Hopped Abzug (firkin)
Scotch Black Grass (pin)

Gravity Head begins February 25.
From Andrew at Ram Restaurant and Brewery in Indianapolis/Fishers:
2011 RAM Small Ale Competition
The RAM Restaurant and Brewery is happy to announce the creation of the RAM Small Ale Competition. We would like to challenge you, the Homebrewer, to brew the best Small Ale that you can create! While some well-made beers on the smaller side can be shunned at other beer competitions, we want to highlight the Brewer(s) who can create the best and most balanced flavor combinations while also making a sessionable pint that everyone can enjoy again and again. Check out https://sites.google.com/site/ramsmallale/.

The winner will brew their recipe on site with RAM Head Brewer, Andrew Castner, and the winning recipe will be on tap at both the Indianapolis and Fishers RAM locations. As a BJCP certified competition, the winning beer will also be entered into the 2011 GABF Pro-Am competition in Denver, CO. We will be hosting all entrants for a VIP Brewer’s Reception on Saturday, April 2nd at 2 p.m. to announce the winners. Please consult the schedule for deadlines. Thank you in advance for your help in making our inaugural RAM Small Ale Competition a huge success, and we look forward to tasting all of your great entries!

$5.99 Growlers in January
For January only, both RAM locations are offering $5.99 growler fills all day every day (except Sundays in Fishers – seasonal price may vary). Bigger, Better, Fresher!

On Tap Now – Both Locations
Blue Pride Pilsner – Traditional German Lager
Coo Coo for Cocoa – Rich, decadent Chocolate Stout
Dry-Hop Delusions – Brown Ale with citrus and herbal dry-hops

On the Horizon
Batch #999 – “In Hops We Trust” Imperial IPA – Late February
Ole St. Mick’s Irish Red – Early February

From Mark at Bee Creek Brewery:
Just thought I'd give you some info on Bee Creek:

1) This Monday the 17th will be part of a food and beer pairing using Bee Creek beers at Chief's Restaurant in Greencastle. Information can be found on their website.

2) We have just received 4 new fermenters that will allow us to double production from our brewery in Brazil. You can see or copy pictures of them from our Facebook page.




From Charles at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington:
Traders Point Beer-Paired Dinner : Zionsville, IN. Thurs., Jan. 20, 6pmJoin us at Traders Point Creamery's Loft for an evening of excellent food paired with Upland beers. Call 317-733-1700 to make your reservation. Click here to see the menu and pairings.

At the Bar



From Patrick at Patrick's Kitchen and Drinks in Zionsville:
Happy days!
HopSlam returns for us on Thursday Jan.13th....so think dinner, cause it won't be delivered until the afternoon.
Other beers currently on tap are Mojo Rising, BBC Java Porter on Nitro, Sun King 222, Alpha King from Three Floyds and the collaboration between DogFish and Three Floyds that is Poppa Skull.

From Lauren at Scotty's Brewhouse:
Scott's Brewhouse West Lafayette Now Has:
Dogfish Head Poppa Skull

Scotty's Brewhouse North Side Indianapolis (96th St) Now Has:
People’s Mr. Brown
Sun King Maluspi

Scotty's Lakehouse Now Has:
Bluegrass Brewing Company Bourbon Stout


Carry Out
From Joe at Crown Liquors (U.S. 31 South) in Greenwood:
You asked, you pleaded, you demanded... It's finally arrived... BELL'S HOPSLAM! We have a few HOPSLAM MINIKEGS ($39.99) left - if you want one give us a call or get here ASAP!

On Friday, January 14th, from 5-8PM we are tasting:
BELL'S - Hopslam (Double IPA brewed with Honey)
ROGUE - Chateau Series: Dirtoir (Schwarz Bier) (Brand New!)
CRISPIN - Honey Crisp (Hard Cider brewed with Honey)
Other new brews this week include:
BLUEGRASS - Rye 75 IPA
CHIMAY - Cinq Cents (4-pks)
DOGFISH - 60 + 90 Minute (Back in stock and FRESH!), Raison D'EXTRA (Early '07 - Almost 4 years old!)
DR. FRITZ - Grut Bier Spice Traditional Ale
DUVEL - Triple Hop Ale
FOUNDER'S - Centennial (FRESH!), Double Trouble (FRESH!)
FULLER'S - Vintage Ale 2009
HEBREW - Barrel Aged Vertical Jewbulation
NORTH COAST - Old Coast Ale 2009
ORKNEY - Skullsplitter
SAMICLAUS - Samiclaus 2009
SCHLAFLY - Dry-Hopped APA
SCHLAFLY - Pilsner
UNIBROUE - Terrible

Our Carmel location (126th and North Meridian) is also having a BELL'S tasting on Friday from 5-7PM; including HOPSLAM and other BELLS!

From Corrie at Goose the Market in Indianapolis:
The King of Prussia drained a tankard and passed out for a day...is there really anything more to say? besides, it's really, amazingly delicious? Hair of the Dog's Adam is on the singles shelf. Let the Prussians come.
Your beer is so hoppy it delivers chocolate eggs and peeps. Oh, slam! (Yes, we have Hopslam.)
In the 18th century, when innkeeper and brewer Pauwel Kwak tried to invent the glass that wouldn't spill in a stage coach, everyone called him a quack. When he succeeded, everyone toasted Kwak. Turn the horses toward the Goose for this top-fermented, Belgian strong pale ale.

13 January 2011

Opening Monday: Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company

Brewer Omar Castrellon and his team have been working very hard in their new space at 1021 Broad Ripple Avenue, and as a result you'll be able to visit and drink beer from Thr3e Wise Men Brewing Company on Monday, January 17th.

Inside you'll find a very welcoming space, with many familiar Scotty's touches, but a completely new vibe. Here is my Metromix piece on what you can expect at Thr3e Wise Men. Read the story and let us know what your thoughts - Do you think Scotty has another hit on his hands? What are you expectations for the brewery?

Share your thoughts below.

The Hoosier Beer Geek 2010 End of Year Readers Survey: RESULTS! (part 3)

This is the final installment of our 3 part Reader's Survey results post. For part 1, click here. For part 2, click here.

What do you think we as a beer community could do better?

I thought it best to share (well, almost) all the comments, and I'll weight in (in italics) where appropriate.

The continued expansion of beer / dinner pairings. This is a welcome (and delicious) trend.


Making craft beer more accessible to newbies. Maybe.

This is something we aimed for early on, but maybe we've gotten away from it? We hope that events like Tailgate for Nothing - which I'm sure they can be intimidating from the outside looking in - can help. We also hope you'll remember that many of us at HBG started with very little knowledge of this stuff, and that the learning curve isn't as steep as it might look from the outside. Visit your local pubs, taste beer, and the rest will come pretty naturally.

Get more good beer at the local sports locales (Lucas Oil, Victory, Conseco). Conseco Fieldhouse is probably the biggest offender.


Tell the coasts to fuck off -- we've got plenty of good stuff being made right in Indiana (and the midwest) and it's way fresher. BUY LOCAL.

I'm not sure we need to tell the coasts to fuck off, but I'll agree with you on buying local. Our focus has become very much set on Indiana beer in the past year - the beer is as good here as anywhere.


More Meetups, moving the Summer beerfest up to late May or early June, supporting business by drinking even more craft beer, and better selections in grocery stores.


Nothing. I think the Indiana beer community is evolving at a nice pace. I await many more years of great times and great tastes!


Free beer?

Good suggestion, I'll see what I can do.

It's growing and very exciting for beer in Indiana right now. I would like to see both the summer microbrewers festival change locations or drastically cut back the number of tickets. I would gladly pay more to be around less drunken frat d-bags.

While I understand the sentiment, I'm not sure I agree with the method. Making what many consider to be Indiana's best beer event more expensive is not going to grow the audience. And beer shouldn't be about exclusivity anyway. Have a conversation with a drunken frat d-bag, maybe he's just lonely.

More places listed on the Roundup!

Believe me - that's not one we have any control over.

It would be nice for more local brewers to make bolder beers.


Drink more beer! Some sort of French Mike beer bicycle ride would be teh awesomez (le awesome?).

There are rumors of a beer/art/bike ride. More later.


Sours, baby!!


Getting new beer from around the country is great, but even better is sharing with other like minded people. Getting more tastings together between friends always is a great way to try new beer and have a good time.


Have more bars with a focus on Indiana beers!


Educate your friends and neighbors about craft beer in a positive and responsible manner.


Strive to make it easier to produce great beer and get it to customers. End prohibition (Sunday carry-out sales for all). Drink even more locally!


More recognition of other Indiana beers by other states.


More tastings and get-togethers. Beer Sales on Sunday!


I'm very satisfied with the beer community in Indiana. The one thing I would like to see would be a greater number of beer gatherings, such as the TGFN's or events at Sun King. I understand that may be difficult from a logistics standpoint, but they are awesome events. Additionally, I think it would be cool to occasionally just arrange random things, like a simple blast for a meet and greet at Brugge or something like that, just to create more opportunities to meet more craft beer enthusiasts.

Not necessarily as a beer community, but I would love for local breweries and beer bars to update their tap menus more regularly (or at all). Having lived in Philadelphia, where you could easily find an updated tap list for most beer bars that is updated everyday, I feel that Indianapolis lacks in this. I believe that bars and breweries would notice a dramatic increase if they marketed via their websites and via social media.

Some places, such as Tomlinson and Sun King, do a pretty good (often fantastic) job of this, while others, such as Shallo's, Brugge, Chumley's, Broad Ripple Brewing, Barley Island BR, etc etc would earn a lot more business from me if I could look at a taplist updated daily or at least every other day that told me that they had a gem on tape that I should seek out!

Not to go on and on about it, but an extremely important aspect of this is that if a business is going to start, they need to keep it going or it will be a waste from the beginning. Look at Toronado San Francisco's tap list on their website as an example, which has been updated twice in four years. Very disappointing. This is an age where people depend on this information and those who do it will thrive, and those who don't will not.

I think Craft Breweries and Bars often fail to see (or just chose to overlook) that their best chance of success is an informed audience. We've tried to help get that information out. It has gotten better. But there's a ton of room for improvement.

Don't kick me & my crew out of the 5th Annual party at 11 pm after all other attendees are long gone.

I'm not sure who you are, but I'm betting you were drunk enough already.


Some of us need to stop being snobby assholes about beer. I love craft beer, I preach it to non craft friends. But, I don't force it upon them. I see too much of that in our community, it makes us look bad.

I agree.


I'd like a TRULY good beer bar.

Amen.


Continue the spreading the word about the great craft beer in Indiana. We are a great beer state and need to share our beer with the rest of the country.


Review more beers!

We're trying?


Three things: Sunday, Sunday, Sunday


Promote more Indy area beers - it seems like your relationship with Sun King (as great as they are) keeps you from doing events with others. Maybe those others aren't as diligent about supporting the site and community?

I don't believe that our relationship with Sun King prohibits us from working with others, but the relationship is very very good and comes naturally. Our relationship with others is very good as well, but it's a lot more work.

The support we see is hit and miss, but that could be as much our fault as anyone else's. I will say that we're open, excited and happy to work with anyone, but we're also busy people, and convenience is a large part of how and why our events happen where and when they do.



I'd love to see beer snobbery end. To continue to see this cool craft beer thing keep going, we need more members of our beer community. So many of us already in the scene have forgotten what got us here, and can be overly condescending to newbies who are curious about it. We've forgotten the joy of a session beer, longing only for the next shock me, shock me with that massive abv and insane hop profile beer. I believe there's a time and place for (almost) every beer, and by recognizing that, I hope we can all help bring more people to the community, and truly begin to have a beer culture that can rival Madison, Portland, Cali, Denver (ok, that's a stretch).

We're reaching a point where we'll have as many breweries as some of those cities, let's hope they're all successful. Community starts with breweries - when the general public sees that these places aren't just for beer snobs, the whole community will come around.


I am noticing a creeping up of prices across the board. I get it with the hop shortage of a couple years ago and the reduction of barley, because of corn, but now I just feel like it is going up, to go up. I think Indianabeer.com had a little blurb about it a couple of weeks ago. $12 growlers at Bier, expensive pints at Tomlinson, $12 4 packs of Sun King...it just adds up to me selecting other non Indiana options. I can get Founders, Sierra Nevada, Bells and a host of others for a buck or two cheaper a six pack. That does only add up to a couple bucks a week, but it could be $15 a month, which equates out to almost $200 a year.

Growler sales aren't an option for everyone, but there's definitely value to be found in the city. It's all a matter of knowing when to shop. Look for more on this topic from us shortly (paging Mr. Corr..)


Try to not be so snobbish as some beer geeks can become. Also just because I beer isn’t super rare doesn’t mean that it isn’t good I think too many people get on hype wagons and forget about great simply beers that are available locally.

Are we guilty of this? I hope not. We're trying.


Need a laid-back beer lounge that only sells craft brews, ciders, meads, and maybe some wines. Eclectic, funky, non-smoking, comfy couches and chairs. Check out Fermentation Lounge in Tallahassee, FL.

I'd check out the new - now non-smoking - Rich O's space in New Albany, IN. And let's hope that places like that become more common.


Buy more Indiana beer and do our best to push it on our friends and family. If a local liquor doesn't carry X Indiana brewery, suggest that they get some everytime you go in, a similar approach can be used with your favorite watering hole. In the end, Indiana beer won't expand anymore until we provide the demand for it.


Continue with social/community events for us craft beer lovers. It's a lot of fun and important for growing the influence of craft beer vs. the inbev/millercoors marketing machines.


Hold more educational events that focus on ingredients of a beer or how it’s made. As we have seen with the “Brew Masters” TV show; I think knowing more about the ingredients and where there from creates more excitement for beer. At least I enjoy knowing these sort of things.

Rod is working on a very detailed "how beer is made" post. You can also learn a lot about beer on brewery tours like those given at Sun King (again with the Sun King, I know...)

Buy more beer.


Getting all the little guys' names out there that have a quality product. It would be cool to have an iPhone app (or even website) where you could put in beer styles (or for avg people some basic descriptors of hop vs malt etc), put in your location (or use GPS), and see what is actually on tap nearby. If that can't happen, even having an easy to use way to see what's on tap where.....without reading thru tweets, facebook, indianabeer.com, etc.

What if there was a Random Beer Roundup on some website? Pipe dreams, I know.


We have a handful of good beer bars in Indy, but we lack a world-class beer bar.


Not over hype limited/rare beers.


Keep spreading the word about good beer. The best way to keep craft beer growing in Indiana is to keep introducing craft beers to local bars and restaurants.


I think it is imperative that we get beer bars to get with the times and let people know what they have on tap, what specials they are running and what events are coming up. The weekly round-ups do a good job, but all to often I am finding out about things after they happen, or somethings been on tap that I could have been enjoying for week or two before I get in to see. The worst offenders, Scotty's Brewhouse, Beer Sellar, McNivens and Barley Island. We need to get these fools on board with at least weekly updates if not daily. Also, fuck facebook, it's too cluttered, and there's always a 70% chance of having to deal with some person from high school that you never wanted to talk to popping up in the bottom right. Twitter updates are a much easier means, for establishments and beer geeks. I guess what I am saying is, HBG is really doing a great job, but these places need to help... WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU HAVE!!

This is a reoccuring theme, isn't it?


It would be nice if places with rotating taps would be more current on their websites and even in store with their selections.

And again..

Relax the geekiness and arrogance by nerds who don't know how to relax and drink good beer. It's not that deep.


Went to AZ recently and noticed how much cheaper beer was there than here in IN. Is there anything we can do about this? Is it taxes?

Maybe someone can leave a comment?


I think you all are a great resource and I have enjoyed meeting several of you at various Midwestern beer events. Cheers!

Cheers to you as well.


Make the seasonal brews more easily accessible beyond dragging growlers to the brewery to get a try (maybe share some between breweries or tap rooms).

I think the price of packaging and distribution has a large part in this, but I also think you'll see more seasonal Indiana beer on shelves this year. Cross your fingers.


Drink More Beer!


More 6 pack interviews. i enjoy reading them on HBG. Have a guest HBG of the month to join your round table reviews. Provide a beer trading forum for locals (not sure if this is legal).

The 6 Pack Interview are the easiest thing on this site to write - we just email off questions and wait for responses. We've just sort of gotten away from it.

We'll be doing more Indiana Brewing Guide stuff this year, hopefully that can wet your whistle.



I've read quite a bit about the pints for prostate campaign and i'd like to see HBG use their networking and influence to perhaps coordinate a pub crawl at a various beer bars to raise awareness, raise funds and perhaps make it an annual event.

Hmm..


Promote more of beers from around the state and less homer love for Indy.

We're definitely guilty of this, and hopefully we can put together a plan to fix that. Stay tuned.


A resource that provides pint specials at reviewed establishments or those listed on your "where to drink" page would be lovely.

It would, wouldn't it?

Thanks to everyone for your comments - we hope that the involved parties (in many cases, us) use them to make Indiana a better, easier place to drink good beer. We'll continue trying if you'll continue drinking.