Indiana Brewing And Drinking Society

As part of our massive conspiracy and plot against all things good in the world, Jim, Jason and myself headed down (or up) to the Murat Saturday to volunteer for AleFest Indianapolis.

When we arrived we were given direction by AleFest's organizer, Mr. Joe Waizmann. The rules for volunteers were as follows:

1) Make sure you have a server's license
2) Make sure you take tickets
3) Pour to the top of the logo on the glass


He then said thanks, told us there would be free beer afterwards, and left us to our own devices.

We took a look around the room, and decided it best that we serve from the Schlafly table - a beer we're fairly familiar with, and a brewery that has sent the Hoosier Beer Geeks free beer before.

Schafly was a good choice. The nine varieties of beer (Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, No. 15, Unfiltered Wheat Hefeweizen, Extra Irish Stout, Oatmeal Stout, Coffee Stout, Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout, and Oak Aged Barleywine) provided plenty of choice for anyone, and allowed us plenty of options when pouring our own.



A few thoughts:

1) It was really great to hear from our readers - your compliments are greatly appreciated, and it's really good to know that people are reading and enjoying the site. We hope to keep the good work going.

2) While I'm sure the ticket method makes the lawyers happy, it's not very effective. While we were sure to take tickets for every drink we poured, there were more than enough spare tickets to be found on the floor throughout the room. If you were desperate enough, all you had to do is look down.



3) There was more than enough variety in the beers through the room, but (despite the fact that they're not all distributed by World Class Beverages) it would have been nice to see more members of the Brewers of Indiana Guild at the fest. I'm sure that's up to World Class, though.

Of course this was the first time for this event, and it's bound to be better next year. I would seriously doubt that anyone left unhappy. I know I saw plenty of people that were perhaps a little too happy.

My last note: When the six o'clock hour rolled around, I made my way to the restroom, where I overheard the following conversation while waiting for a urinal.Guy #1: "Is yours yellow?"

Guy #2: "Mine's yellow."

Guy #3: "Yeah, mine too."

Guy #1: "Well, we were drinking that good shit. That wasn't Miller Light."No, it wasn't.

Looking for that special Christmas gift for the beer lover in your life? The following was forwarded on from our old friend and founder Chris Maples:Guys,

I'm liquidating my beer cellar. Attached is the list, all prices are negotiable. Forward it on to your websites and let's help me share the love.

Mike DeWeese
J. Gumbo's
Looking to buy? It might be in your best interest to drop Mike a line first and let him know when you plan on stopping in.

It's a bit of a slow news day around here. In fact, things just aren't making sense. Nonetheless, we'll try to put things in some semblance of order for you with this week's edition of the HBG Random Beer Roundup.

We're Better Than You. From John at The Black Sparrow in Lafayette:
The Black Sparrow is participating in the "Most Arrogant Bar in America" contest from Stone Brewing. All this week, we will be tracking sales of Stone's Arrogant Bastard products. In order to promote the consumption of these fine beers, we've knocked down the price.

* Oaked Arrogant Bastard on draft: $4.50 for a pint.

* Pint glass deal: $6.50 you keep the glass (Arrogant Bastard commemorative pint glass, while supplies last), $4.00 refills for the pint glass deal.

* Double Bastard 22oz bottles: $7.75 (If you haven't had this yet, you need to. A HUGE rendition of an American Strong Ale).

In addition

* Founders Breakfast Stout on tap for a very limited time!

* Founders Harvest Ale (fresh-hop IPA) in bottles with Backwoods Bastard and Old Curmudgeon coming after that for our Founders rotating bottles.

As always, a great lineup of constantly rotating drafts with "no crap on tap."
Cheers!Goose on the Loose. Our pals at Goose the Market update us on their offerings:The Goose has stocked the following brews:

Brooklyn Winter Ale
Delirium Noel
Oaken Barrel Epiphany
Samuel Smith Winter Welcome
Clipper City Winter Storm
Clipper City Below Decks Barley Wine
Two Brothers Bohnfire Dunkel Weiss
Stone Double Bastard
Left Hand Snow Bound
Boulder Beer Co. Looking Glass Never Summer
Breckenridge Hibernation Ale
Founder's Old Curmudgeon
Founder's Backwoods Bastard
Three Floyd's BrooDoo
Browning's Bourbon Barrel Russian Imperial Stout
Bell's Third Coast Old Ale
Bell's Christmas Ale
Bell's Winter White
Bell's Expedition Stout

We will be picking up quite a few more winter seasonal beers throughout the coming months, so stay tuned. Thanks.Little Plates & Big Beers. From John at ZING Restaurant:Just a short note to keep you updated as we have added a few beers. We now have Three Floyds Alpha King on tap. In bottles, we have Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA, Three Floyds Gumballhead, and Victory Prima Pils.Irvington's Hair-of-the-Dog Remedy. From our very own Kelly:My favorite hangover-remedying breakfast joint, the Steer-In, just got their beer/wine license. And their selection is actually pretty good--Samuel Smith, Three Floyds, Barley Island, and some other microbrews.Fuel for Yellow Snow. Great news from Indiana Beer:The Brewers of Indiana Guild has completed a contract with the State Fair Commission for the first annual WinterFest. January 24th 2009. 3:00 – 7:00 pm. Champions Pavilion @ Indiana State Fairgrounds. $15 advance/ $20 day of event. Limited tickets available (not on sale yet). Receive 10 tokens, 4 oz glass, beers from Indiana breweries and select distributors, live music. Purchase additional 5 token lots for $5 at event. More details on the BIG site later.Bob also notes--And next year World Class Beverages will be bringing in limited, very limited, amounts of beer from breweries we don't usually see around here. They've made agreements with the Boulevard (Smokestack Series), Rubicon, 21st Amendment, Moylan's Oskar Blues, and Ska.And finally--Great Crescent Brewery in Aurora will open its doors to the public on November 15th. The first offerings from Dan Valas's 3bbl system will be a Blonde Ale, an English Mild, and a Stout. He will quickly add a Witbier and a Cherry Ale to the lineup. Packaging will be in mini-kegs, growlers, and 5-gallon kegs. A few limited releases, such as the Cherry Ale, will be distributed in 750ml bottles. The Aurora brewery doesn't have a proper tasting room yet but they will offer samples and sell beer on-site to the public. They will also self-distribute to southeast Indiana stores and pubs.The Governor Called in with a Last Minute Reprieve, So You Ain't Gonna Fry. Goose Island's flagship location, originally slated to close, will now stay open. Huzzah!

Stellaweiser. Anheuser-Busch's shareholders have approved InBev's takeover bid:In July, Anheuser-Busch attempted to block a hostile takeover by InBev, claiming "illegal" and "deceptive" conduct by the firm.

A takeover was agreed after InBev later raised its offer.

More than two-thirds of shareholders approved the new deal, including billionaire investor Warren Buffett.

The new company, to be named Anheuser-Busch InBev, will be not only the world's largest beer company but also one of the top five consumer goods groups in the world.This Month in Cosmo: 101 Ways to Get Rid of Your Beer Gut. Women's Health Magazine has some suggestions for ladies who are attempting to maintain a girlish figure. Not much quality on that list.

Maybe You Shouldn't Bother, Goliath. The Seattle Post-Intelligencer pits the macros' new craft lines against those of the micros in a blind taste test. The result is predictable:All of the tasters agreed they would welcome good craft-style beers from the large brewers. But after seeing the results of this blind tasting, no one was running out the door to buy any six-packs.What Would Meredith Vieira drink? The Today Show offers this basic seasonal beer guide. Something tells me that Matt Lauer is a Blue Moon drinker.

16 October 08 - Location: Home
Rice with green curry pairing

First up, thanks to Worth Your Attention for the curry recipe. I've used it over and over again and it always leaves me happy and wanting more.


Alaskan Summer Ale (Kolsch Style) - Golden and lively/fizzy, with a light and sweet malty taste. The beer cuts but also compliments the salty spicyness of the green curry. The earthly flavors of the peas, beans, and mushrooms blend well with the malt. As I got to the bottom of the glass, banana elements started to appear. This is a real knockout of a beer, by the way, with flavors and a mouthfeel that keep delivering.

Odell Easy Street Wheat - Brewmaster's Table calls for a witbier to match mild curries, and this is the best I can do on short notice. A creamy mouthfeel and extremely light taste cut the spicyness of the curry. I should have sampled this beer before the Alaskan, as the flavors are definitely a bit more muted here. Gina noted an acidity up front and a full smooth mouthfeel on the back.

If you're going to try this pairing, I'd stick with a highly rated Kolsh-style beer.


20 October 08 - Location: Home
Ska Brewing (Durango, CO) Buster Nut Brown Ale - This is a beer I'd seen around back in the St. Louis area, and Ska was a brewery that I was hoping to check out while we were out in Colorado. But Durango is way out there, so instead of visiting the brewery I picked up a few samples while we were at LiquorMart in Boulder.

This beer pours a deep dark reddish brown with a head befitting the Guinness glass I just happened to pour the beer into. Big sweet malty notes from the nose lead to a creamy mouthfeel and sweet roasty malt flavors. The beer starts full flavored and finishes chewy, but it seems like the beer is more mouthfeel than flavor. Not a bad beer by any means, but it takes a little more flavor to set my heart aflutter.


31 October 08 - Location: Home
Deschutes Obsidian Stout - Pours a deep dark black, with a lumpy white head. A grainy malt and slightly sweet nose leads to a creamy and extremely smooth beer. Well balanced, with chocolate and malt elements, finishing with the bitterness you might find in the darkest chocolates. There's also a hint of flowery sweetness to this beer. Very enjoyable, very drinkable. I should have bought more.

8 November 08 - Location: Brugge Brasserie
Pivo Defendu - A strong Belgian Pale. This beer has the magic dark fruit house Brugge nose, with a hint of alcohol. Dark fruit, smooth and agreeable, and a slightly bitter finish. What is it about Brugge? You can walk in, eat a meal, have one beer, and be ready to head home, call it a day... and the whole experience is completely positive. Am I alone on this? Brugge is like a magic mind numbing drug. And I'll have some more.

By the way - Pivo Defendu? Jim did some research.
Pivo = czech word for "beer"
Defendu = french word for "forbidden," as in "le fruit defendu" (forbidden fruit)
9 November 08 - Location: Home
Founder's Backwoods Bastard - A body that resembles sweet tea with a thin head hosts a tempered bourbon nose - a bourbon presence that isn't overwhelming, but is definitely the defining characteristic. A strong but not boozy bourbon flavor on front, which grows more as the beer works its way around the palate. Silky mouthfeel - and as the beer warms its bourbon presence only grows. This beer is basically creamy smooth bourbon. Nice. Should age well.

Date: 30 October 2008, 8:00 p.m.
Location: Home (in gorgeous Meridian Park)

Settling in to watch my beloved Chicago Fire take on the New England Revolution in the first round of the Major League Soccer playoffs. This is Game 1, and I'm pretty psyched. I shouldn't be, however, because the Fire have a Revolution curse when it comes to the playoffs. They face the Revs in the playoffs every year, and they lose every time.

But this year, I'm confident that the Fire can advance because they have a new weapon up front: former U.S. international Brian McBride. This dude is literally a man of steel, and I'm not just talking about his stamina on the pitch (though he really can go at full speed for the full ninety minutes). I'm referring to the list of nasty playing injuries he has suffered in the past, which includes two broken cheekbones.

I figure I might as well drink a red beer (the Fire's team color), so I grab a Founders Rubaeus. Ah, Founders--one of the true giants of craft brewing, in my opinion. Never had a bad beer from them, and the Rubaeus is no exception. This raspberry wheat ale pours with a reddish-pink hue and smells like a carton of candied raspberries. The flavor of this beer is heavier than the typical fruit beer, probably because it clocks in at 7.0% ABV, which is higher than the typical ABV for a beer of this type. It's slightly tart, quite sweet, and has a pleasant alcohol bite. There's a bit of a lambic character to this beer.

In the end, the beer is better than the match. I have to settle for a boring 0-0 draw. Yes, soccer haters, I know you're going to say, "I told you so," but many 0-0 games are exciting. No really...I swear.

[Postscript - The Fire advanced to the MLS Eastern Conference Championship on November 6 after beating the Revs 3-0.]

Date: Saturday, October 25
Location: Shallos, Greenwood, Indiana

Hanging out on the south side with Mike and Gina. We're at Shallos after having dinner at the Fireside Brewhouse. As usual, Shallos' beer list is chaotic, confusing, and outdated. Therefore, our visit is sort of like going on a scavenger hunt as we ask the bartender to search various shelves, nooks, and crannies to help us find a good selection. I begin with a Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA, which is one of a plethora of "wet hopped" beers that come out around the hops harvest every year. This one's on tap, so I figure it ought to be pretty decent, and it is. This IPA pours with a coppery color and is predominately piney in the nose and flavor. I don't get a lot of malt sweetness out of this beer as you do out of other American IPA's. Indeed, to me, it's rather dry, à la Bell's Two Hearted Ale. A good wet hopped beer, but Gina had the Founders Harvest Ale; after having a sip of it, I thought it was head and shoulders above the Heavy Handed IPA.

After finishing the Heavy Handed IPA, I puzzle over what to have next. The bartender suggests a Belgian she has on tap: St. Bernardus Abt 12. She gives me a sample. Mmmm...much potential, so I order a full glass. This ale comes served in a sizable goblet, which spells trouble because the beer clocks in at 10.5% ABV. In fact, Gina and I decide on the politically incorrect nickname of "St. Retardus" (sorry--please don't hate us because we're sometimes vile people) because of the potential for this beer to wreak havoc on brain cells. But sipped slowly, this is a beer to savor. It pours with a dark brown color, and it has that classic, silky mouthfeel you get from a Belgian of this particular style. It also has that nice blend of sugar, chocolate, and dark fruit notes you get from this kind of beer. Almost as good as Trappistes Rochefort 10, but not quite.

Thursday, 11 AM - The reminder email has been sent, and we anxiously await the updated beer lists from our usual Random Beer Roundup contributors. But, alas, nothing has hit the Hoosier Beer Geek mailbox. Is it because everyone's too busy celebrating the Obama victory to bother working anymore? Is it because our contributors are McCain supporters who've decided it's not worth living anymore? Did you see South Park this week? It was pretty entertaining.

Not to worry, though. I've got a backup plan..

LINK-A-DINK-A-DO!

From the LA Times (of Anaheim?) comes this story of two young and attractive people who loved each other so much they couldn't keep their hands off each other and there was a lot of sex (with pictures!). Actually, none of that's true. But here's a story about Southern California's "Craft Beer Revolution". The craft beer Boston Hop Party (where beer drinkers dressed as Indians poured hops into Boston Harbor) is partially responsible for our current hop shortage.

Straight outta Pittsburgh (via Canada): Did you know that beers can be seasonal? For example, you might not want to drink an Imperial Stout while cutting your grass in August. You might not want to drink a Miller Light ever. Here's The Canadian Press (all of them?) with this story about the increasing market for seasonal brews.

No thanks, I'll stick with my rotten shark's meat fermented in urine: Mikkeller is a pretty fantastic brewing operation. From the folks at Beernews.org comes word that another Mikkeller brew, Beer Geek Brunch, is about to make its way to America liquor stores. What's this on the label?"This Imperial Oatmeal Stout is brewed with one of the world's most expensive coffees, made from the droppings of weasel-like civet cats."That should make for an interesting KOTBR.

All my notes say is "Woah Dude I'm Drunk": The folks that judge beer at The Great American Beer Festival have to be a little clearer in their beer judgment than we do. Flossmoor Station is sharing some of that feedback with the notes they received from their GABF reviews.

I know a gal in Chicago named Abbey but she doesn't read this blog: Other Abbeys in Chicago - Lost Abbey. Well soon enough. Chicago is close to Indiana. And that's why this is relevant news. Other places close to Indiana? My heart. Awwww.

At Hoosier Beer Geek, we'd never make a top five list of anything. It's a cheap ploy to draw in readers. Oh wait: Here's Epicurious' list of Top Five Holiday Beers, complete with food pairings.

If it comes down to a financial decision, you can always drop your kids off in Nebraska: A post from the Clipper City blog about the choices we make regarding craft beer in the current economy.

This can only be good news: Oskar Blues has added former Coors Brewer Jeff Nickel, 5 New Tanks, and hopes to increase production 75% in the next year. Let's get some of that beer in Indiana.

Wait! What's this! Real news about beer in Indiana?

Thanks to our dear Chris:I don't know if you guys get Ram emails, but they're doing an open tapping party next week. That's pretty unusual. Their tappings are usually just for Mug Club members which (unlike Rock Bottom) you have to pay for. They must have made an exception because they're proud of their gold medal beer. Who knows what this will be like, but I'm guessing the beer isn't free like at Rock Bottom tappings.

Subject: GABF Medal Winning Tapping Party

Christopher,
It's time to tap our Great American Beer Festival GOLD Medal winning Imperial Stout featuring Jack Daniels. Join us on Thursday, November 13th at 6:30pm to 9pm. Jack Daniel's will be on hand featuring the "Whiskey Professor" John Barrett. We will also feature recipes from Chef Mark Williams from Jack Daniels.

We will be giving away great door prizes including a Jack Daniels electronic dart board and Jack Daniels poker chips set and more. Please RSVP at 317-955-9900.John at Big Red Liquors (Bloomington) checks in:New at Big Red Liquors Today:

Check Out the Big Belgian Beer Sale and see these new items

Flying Dog Kerberos
3 Floyds Broodoo
Moinette Blonde
Moinette Bruin
Kasteel Brown
Kasteel Triple
Kasteel Rouge 750
Maredsous Dubbel ( bruin)
Affligem Noel
Affligem Triple
Gouden Carolus Ambrio
Gouden Carolus Noel
Gouden Carolus Easter
Victory Festbier
Victory Hop Wallup
Victory Fest Bier
Winter's Bourbon Cask
Bells Brown Ale ( seasonal)
Flying Dg Kerberos Triple
O Hanlon's Royal Oak Pale Ale
Isle of Skye Wee beast
Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner
Sam Adams Chocolate Bock ( Made every other year, rotates with Utopias )
Schlenkerla Helles
Mishawaka Founders Stout
Mikkeller it's Alive ( Belgian wild ale)
Mikkeller Beer Geek Breakfast (oatmeal Stout brewed with Coffee)
Sierra Nevada celebration Ale( First time in 12pks)
Blue Moon Full Moon ( Winter Seasonal)
St Amand French Country Ale
Stone Double Bastard is Back ( In both 3 L and 22oz bottles)

And Last but not least,

World Class beverage has a new Midwest Taster 12pk out and they have crammed it full of some great beers.

I heard it was Jared at WCB that picked these out, at $17.99 this is a heck of a deal.

Delirium Tremens
Sam Smith Nut Brown
Harpoon Oktoberfest
Xingu (Brazil, Schwartz Bier)
Duvel
Affligem Blonde
Spaten Optimator
Unibroue La Fin Du Monde
Unibroue Maudite
Dark Horse Sapient
Bell's Expedition Stout
North Coast PranqsterThose sampler packs make nice Christmas gifts, folks, and in this case you're not getting a bunch of beer no one's ever heard of before.

What's up at J. Gumbo's? - Today (11/7/08) they're donating $1 from every plate of each order of seafood jambalaya sold to Fish for Fishburn, a fundraiser for IMPD Officer Jason Fishburn, who was shot while pursuing a homicide suspect. Saturday (11/8/08) from 5:30PM - 10:00PM they're having a crawfish boil, $15 single serving, $20 all you can eat, and the price includes a flight of Abita beer.

* * * * *

If you're wondering if I say things like link-a-dink-a-do in real life, the answer is no. At least not on purpose. I do say "rad" a lot.

Bonus Beer Bob outdone his self on this show. We sampled 8 different beers from Struise Brouwers, regarded by many as the best brewery in the world. I am not going to link to ratebeer yet on this post since they are having trouble and seem to be in the Firefox penalty box again. Many thanks to Bob. He is hrking on beeradvocate if you want to get in touch with him.

The beautiful lady on the harp is Megan and she can be contacted at her MySpace site if you are looking for a harpist for your event around here.

Ebenezer’s Pub was mentioned by Bob as the place to drink if you love good beer. “Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos” will be on the Conan O’brien show November 19th.

They were on the GBS many moons ago on episode 24!

DOWNLOAD SHOW #165

This KOTBR took place on the night of Rock Bottom's Pumpkin Ale tapping. We had decided to organize on this night and review a few more beers at the downtown Rock Bottom location. This decision was made after realizing that even though we're all fans of their beers, the only beer we had reviewed to date was the Pumpkin Ale and we all know how most of these jerks feel about pumpkin beers. That's when all of the excuses started pouring in. Jason's son was sick. Jim's cat died. Chris was sick. Mike and Gina were in Denver. Matt R had to work. Matt and Kelly mysteriously disappeared. YEAH RIGHT GUYS.

Actually Chris came out despite his sickness and Claire's previous work shift of like 30 hours in the OR. We had a few pumpkin beers and observed what was probably the largest tapping crowd we had ever seen. The basement was literally filled. Luckily we got there early and were seated at the bar. After enjoying our pumpkin beers (that's right, enjoying) we decided we would review the Brickway Brown and their Seasonal IPA. Jerry brought us a pitcher of the IPA from upstairs since it wasn't on tap in the basement. Thanks Jerry!

Brickway Brown

Jess
Nose - roasted malt nose with a baked bread smell
Color - nice head with a bit of lacing from the foam, dark brown color but can still see light through it
Taste - roasty, coffee, tastes like chocolate covered coffee beans, bitter with a coffee aftertaste.
4.0 mugs

Rod
Body - dark opaque brown, reddish hue, light brown head
Nose - cocoa, milk, chicory, toasted coconut, caramel, warm sugar
Taste - creamy mouthfeel, coffee porter, bitter coffee notes, milk chocolate, hazelnuts, roasted malts, plum-like sugar?
awesome porter and very drinkable, this is one of my go-to session beers
4.0 mugs

Chris
Did I actually drink this? Apparently. Did I taste it? No (see Foggy, flu). Did I take notes? My wife says yes. Did I save them? Apparently not. Trying to taste something through a flu-haze doesn't really do a beer justice anyway. Luckily, I've had this beer many times and I always enjoy it. A nice roasted malt smell and a very creamy mouthfeel are the characteristics that stick out to me. Add some nice chocolate and subtle coffee notes in the flavor and you've got yourself a very nice porter.
3.9 Mugs

Final score for Rock Bottom's Brickway Brown: 3.96 Mugs

Seasonal IPA

Jess
Nose - pine needles, spice, very hoppy, very deliciously grapefruit
Appearance - Darker golden color, pours nice foamy head, almost pillowy
Taste - big hops bite with a bit of grapefruit, juicy fruit sweetness
4.2 mugs

Rod
Body - reddish-orange, semi-transparent, creamy off-white head
Nose - grapefruit and pine hops, oregano, mint, caramel malt
Taste - pink grapefruit, balanced bitterness, lemon zest, caramel sugar, apricot
I'm not huge on IPAs, but this is one I could drink quite a bit of. Very well balanced.
3.8 mugs

Chris
Even tasting with the flu, this was one damn fine IPA. I could smell the strong citrusy/piney hops aroma on this beer through a stuffy nose and the strong citrus carried over to the flavor where it met up with just a touch of sweetness. Reminded me a bit of Clipper City's Loose Cannon. I love IPAs and, again, this was a damn fine example.
4.1 Mugs

Final score for Rock Bottom's Seasonal IPA: 4.03 Mugs.

As a footnote, the next Rock Bottom brewer's dinner will be November 11. These are an excellent intro into the world of beer and food pairings and are a great deal at $35/person for 4 courses and 4 beers. Jess and I have been going to these for a couple years now, maybe we'll see you there?

I know what you're thinking - you're thinking we've been awfully quiet this week. That's because Rodney and Chris are too busy pinching each others' butts to finish anything. And because no one seems to know how to hold on to their notes. Next week will be content-tastic. Probably.

It's Halloween, a time of the year when thoughts turn to closing your eyes, looking deep in your soul, stepping outside of yourself, and letting your mind go. I've heard that they also say it's also the time of year when frozen eyes stare deep in your mind as you die. Jeepers.

Elizadeath and Matt (a werewolf) at the Old Town Ale House (8657 E. 116th Street, Fishers, IN 46038, (317) 841-0800) with a scream from the grave:Hi there...this week's current draft lineup...

Founder's Pale
Upland Wheat
Oaken Barrel Razz Wheat
Warbird T-6 Red Ale
Oaken Barrel Apple Buzz
Bell's Lager
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA
Wyder Pear Cider
Two Brother's French Country Ale
BBC Jefferson Reserve Bourbon Barrel Stout
Left Hand Milk Stout
Stone Smoked Porter
Brugge Tripel de "Ripple
3 Floyd's Robert the Bruce
Stone Ruination IPA
Goose Island Matilda
She Devil Pale Ale

Norrebro Skaarsgaard Porter and Chimay Grand Reserve have joined the bottle list.

Happy Halloween...we're tapping a keg of Founder's Breakfast Stout on Friday!

Thanks,
Matt & ElizabethMinion of Satan Andrew at Brass Monkey Brewing Co. (115 East Sycamore Street, Kokomo, IN, (765) 457-4659) is cooking up something in his cauldron:We just tapped our next beer in our One & Done line. 9th Wonder is a hoppy American porter made with columbus and centennial hops. It's coming in at 6.1%

Thanks,
AndrewTodd of the dead at Keg Liquors (617 East Lewis and Clark Parkway, Clarksville, IN) gives us a heads up (and chops heads off) with this update from Indiana's southern edge:Several new things down in the Southern part of the state. Keg Liquors moved into their new building at the beginning of October. We went from a 2700 square foot building to a brand new 5000 square foot building. We now have a 28 door cooler for beer and wine, including 10 doors just for craft and good imports.

New beers this week include: Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, Founder's Backwoods Bastard, Boulder Killer Penguin, 2008 vintage, Great Divide Hades, Great Divide Fresh Hop Ale, Breckenridge Christmas, and what seems for the first time, and almost unlimited amount of Founders Breakfast Stout. No allocation on it for the first time.

Thanks,
ToddMike Sprinkle Holy Water at Crown Liquors has an update (and a crucifix and wooden stake):Founders Breakfast Stout is re-supplied, case stacks in our 6 main beer stores by the end of the week! Also by the end of the week Dogfish Head Theobroma, brewed with Aztec Cocoa powder and nibs w/ honey, chiles and a few other choice ingredients. Dark Horse Perkulator Coffee Dopplebock, more Founders Harvest. Great Divide has a couple new ones that are coming today, but forget the names. Broodoo hopefully next week. Keep your eyes peeled for my next RateBeer/Beeradvocate tasting coming in the next couple weeks.

Plus:

Great Divide Fresh Hop 22oz (1st time to Indy, very limited)
Great Divide Hades (Belgian Golden Ale) new everyday sku
Great Divide Hibernation
Boulder Killer Penguin
De Dolle Oerbier Reserva '07
Triple K '03 Mags
Chouffe Mags
N'Ice Chouffe
Beer Geek Breakfast
Norrebro North Bridge Extreme
Norrebro Little Korkny Barley Wine (only case in the state!)
40th Anniversary Thomas Hardy's
Scaldis Noel nippers and 750ml Premium
Dupont Avec le Bon Voeux

Cheers and thanks!
MikeJohn at the Black Sparrow Pub (223 Main St.
Lafayette, IN. 47901, and a name spooky enough to not need embellishment) with an update:The Black Sparrow Pub will be having a Halloween Party this Friday. Beer special will be 22oz Rogue Dead Guy bottles for $5.75 (can't beat that price!). We will also have a rep from World Class Beverages (Rogue's distributor in our area) giving away Rogue gear all night. Costumes are mandatory.

No cover.

Also, new fall/winter beer bottle list was rolled out last week. (Click here to download that list.)

Thanks!

Draft selections right now:
Delirium Nocturnum
Founders Dry-Hopped Pale Ale
Stone Oaked Arrogant Bastard
Victory Prima Pilsner
Left Hand Octoberfest
Oaken Barrel Superfly IPA
2 Brothers Oh Brother! Triple
Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout
Coming Soon (this weekend or next week, whenever lines free up):
Left Hand Sawtooth
Ommegang Hennepin
Founders Red's Rye
Thirsty Dog Leg Humper Porter
Founders Breakfast Stout
A bunch of other really exciting drafts that we have allocated coming throughout the fall/winter.

John Olakowski
The Black SparrowHey it's another John! This one from Big Red Liquours in Bloomington! They're attacking! Shoot!Big Red liquors has a number of New items this week:

Boulder Single Track
Breckenridge Christmas
Great Divide Hibernation
Boulder Never Summer
Ridgeway Santa's Butt
Breckenridge Agave Wheat
Kinmount Willie
Old Jock
Black Douglas
Merlins Ale
Hebrew Jewbelation
Thomas Hardy Ale
Boulder Obovoid Empirical Stout 9 (1 cs only) Allocated item
Great Divide Fresh Hop (1 cs only) Allocated item
Boulder Killer Penguin ( 1cs only) Allocated item
Great Divide Hades Belgian style. ( 1 cs only) Allocated item
Meantime Porter
Koningshoeven Quadrupel
Boulder Never Summer

Expect to see Next week:

Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence
Founder's Backwoods Bastard
Founders Breakfast Stout (round two)

Also starting next week:

The Big Belgian Beer Sale is Back!!!
All Belgian beers are on sale.
Buy 6 and get 10% off.
All multi pack items count as one unit of the 6. (4pk, 6pk, 12pk are at a discounted price compared to the singles)
Stock up for the holidays or refill your cellar.This just in from Killer Kirk at Mr. G's Liqours (Noblesville):New this week:

Mad Anthony Auburn Lager
Mad Anthony Gabby Blonde
Mad Anthony IPA
Mad Anthony Ol Woody Pale Ale
Mad Anthony Old Fort Porter
Warbird Mustang Gold
Warbird Thunderbolt Wheat
Warbird Irish Shanty
Warbird Warhawk Pale
Warbird T-6 Red Ale
Founders Backwoods Bastard
Great Divide Hades
Great Divide Hibernation
Boulder Never Summer Ale
Achouffe N'ice Chouffe
Dubission Scaldis Noel
Dupont Les Bons Voeux
Saison Dupont Farmhouse Ale

And just got another shipment of Founders Breakfast Stout!

Kirk
Mr G'sGabriel (like the angel, except EVIL!) from The Goose (Indy) has some words of beercouragement:The Cellar at Goose the Market has picked up the following brews:

Founder's Backwoods Bastard
Barley Island Beastie Barrel Stout
Bell's Special Double Cream Stout
Dark Horse Sapient Trip Ale
Dogfish Head Raison D'Etre
Rogue Morimoto Black Obi Soba Ale
St. Peter's IPA
Victory Hop Wallop
Three Floyds Broodoo Harvest Ale
Harviestoun Old Engine Oil
Broughton Black Douglas
Boulder Beer Looking Glass Never Summer
Great Divide Hibernation Ale
Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti
We were also able to get a bit more Founder's Breakfast Stout!This press release came to our email box from someone WE DON'T EVEN KNOW. Spooky:Morton’s The Steakhouse Hosts Chimay Beer Tasting on November 11

Portion of Proceeds to Benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation®

Morton’s The Steakhouse in Indianapolis is offering a divinely delicious Chimay beer tasting event on Tuesday, November 11 at 6:00p.m. Chimay is the world-renowned Belgian ale created and brewed by Cistercian Trappist monks for more than a century at the Abbey of Scourmont in Chimay, a small town in southern Belgium. Morton’s guests will sample three different authentic Chimay ales accompanied by Morton’s Petite Filet Mignon sandwiches, Tuna Tartare Canapés, Sliced Smoked Salmon and Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake. The ticket price of $45 per person includes tax and gratuity and Morton’s will donate $5 from every ticket to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®. Guests will also receive a special gift – a Chimay glass goblet – as they quench their thirst for a great cause. Morton’s will offer expert tips on savoring the legendary ales, which are brewed in the monastic tradition at the Abbey and made with all-natural ingredients and water from the Abbey springs.

Please call 317-229-4700 for tickets or information. Morton’s The Steakhouse is located at 41 E. Washington in downtown Indianapolis. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Sunday from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m.

The Chimay selections at Morton’s tasting event will include:

* Chimay Première – First introduced and brewed by the Trappist monks at Chimay in 1862, this original-recipe ale has a warm dark red color and a soft fruity taste with a slightly bitter touch.
* Chimay Grand Réserve – This dark brown ale has relatively dry taste with a caramel touch and a complex aroma.
* Chimay Cinq Cents –This golden blonde ale offers a subtle balance between softness and fresh bitterness, with a fruity aroma.

The monks of the Abbey of Scourmont at Chimay have been brewing their legendary ale since 1862. Chimay is always brewed on site at the Abbey, which guarantees its authenticity and quality. The production and distribution of Chimay Trappist beers is performed by S.A. Bières de Chimay. Chimay is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its introduction to the United States.

Morton’s is donating a portion of the event proceeds as part of its national “30 Wishes for 30 Years” campaign to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. The first Morton’s steakhouse opened in Chicago in 1978 and Morton’s is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a fine dining leader. Through a series of special events, Morton’s has raised more than $150,000 so far to help the Make-A-Wish Foundation and its mission of granting the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.Here's the latest from Ron Smith. He owns a black cat:1) Last Call for November Beer MBA Classes (November 8th, 15, 22nd). They will run from 3:30 - 6:30 pm. If you are interested, please let me know ASAP and/or go to the website and sign up (www.BeerMBA.com). So far, we have created some happy and very satisfied alumni. As people are saying, “If you like beer, even a little, then definitely make time for this course – You won’t regret it!”. I’m getting some great testimonials from attendees on these classes, and I hope to get some posted to the website soon, but overall everyone is finding them to be a lot of fun, very educational and a great value. A lot of people have been waiting for a Saturday series, so sign up ASAP before it sells out. See more info on the classes below or visit www.BeerMBA.com.

2) This Saturday, Nov 1st is National Teach-A-Friend-to-Brew Day, so to celebrate, that’s exactly what I’m going to do! Starting at 9:00 am, at my home near 116th and Michigan Rd. on Indy’s NW corner, I will start from scratch and brew a 10 gallon batch of beer. Also, there are now 3 others signed up to brew, so there will be a variety of systems being used and styles being brewed. If you have any interest in brewing, or brew already, but want to learn more, etc., this will be a great opportunity for you. There is no cost to attend, but consider bringing some beer and snacks to share. I will supply some beer to sample as well. Brew days are long, so we probably won’t finish up until around 4:00 or so. Plan to stay for the whole day if you can (and if you really want to see the whole process), or just stop in when you can. Either way, let me know if you are interested. Also, if you plan to attend, please remember to drink responsibly and/or arrange for a designated driver. This will be a fun day. Let me know.

3) Several people have asked about Gift Certificates for the Beer MBA classes. These are available and are a great idea! Consider purchasing them for the November series and giving them as an early Christmas gift. I don’t know exactly when the next series of classes will be, but they will be after the first of the year (probably Jan or Feb), so if you prefer that perfect gift for Christmas Day, this is it. I will supply you with an attractive Gift Certificate “Scroll” placed inside a capped empty beer bottle that must be opened with a bottle opener to get to (you just pay the shipping or pick it up at no additional charge from my NW Indy office). For an added effect, use this bottle to replace one of the bottles in a 6-pack of great beer and give the whole package. That way, the recipient gets something right then, as well as later (I can even help with recommendations on the beer if you wish). Let me know about this as soon as you can, since I probably won’t sell more certificates than what would fill one class.

* * * * *

Bonus reading: Here's a NY Times article about Six Points Brewery in Brooklyn.

For KOTBR #58, we headed to Fishers to check out the Indianapolis area's latest entry into the gastropub race, the Old Town Ale House. We'd been eager to visit the Ale House ever since we got word of the pub and its wide selection of craft beers. We were joined by Randy, Mikey, Bill, Ty, and Kevin from the Good Beer Show, who were fresh off recording a podcast at Ram's Fishers location (Mike and Gina sat in on that show, which you can catch here).



By our count, the Ale House has 18 taps and around 40 craft bottles on their menu (their current tap list is here). Those of you who are craft beer newbies might indulge in one of the Ale House's themed beer flights. Each flight offers five sample beers of a similar style at the very reasonable price of $8.00. Several of us ordered flights before we hit the feature beer. The most decadent flight appeared to be the one that Chris ordered, which is called "A Shot in the Dark." As you might suspect, this flight consisted of five stouts.

The Ale House's food menu features some intriguing selections as well. For example, Kelly had the mac and cheese, which was made with penne bathed in four different cheeses and was served in a unique way: inside of a sourdough bread bowl. Add a few beers and you have a full-fledged Atkins diet nightmare. For pork lovers, the Ale House offers bacon in a pint glass. Yep, that's right--a half-pound of applewood-smoked bacon served in a pint glass. And when the glass is empty, it apparently serves as a nice receptacle for Stone Smoked Porter according to some of the other Knights. I wouldn't know, however, because just like Jules Winnfield, "I just don't dig on swine."



For our feature beer, we chose a crème de la crème selection from Garrett Oliver's beer stable: Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate Stout. This Russian Imperial Stout clocks in at 10.6% ABV and is one of Brooklyn's winter seasonal offerings.

Here's what we thought of the Black Chocolate Stout:

I've had this beer a few times here and there, and it's never been a favorite - too much dark chocolate, too much roasty malt, too overpowering and unbalanced. This time around my complaint would be that it was too punchy - my notes read, "This is like a vodka spiked beer. BOOOOZY." Any beer that reminds me of vodka spiked anything (we used to go with Gatorade) should bring up bad memories of the summer after high school. But somehow the creamy mouthfeel and dark chocolate put up enough fight to make this beer a winner. As it warmed, I started picking up strange flavors - grape, maybe? Odd. But good. 4.00 Mugs



Nose - Boozy, chocolaty, malty with a roasted toffee finish. Almost like a mocha from Starbucks, less burnt smelling

Look - Very dark, light doesn't escape, nice lacing on top of the glass from the minimal head.

Taste - Coffee, chocolate with fruit (raspberry) sweetness on the finish. Bourbon barrel aged taste on the back of the tongue. There is a nice alcohol finish, but it's not overpowering.

Mouthfeel - Smooth and syrupy - almost doesn't feel carbonated.

3.90 mugs.



Jim. Wow, this beer is much boozier than I remembered (I had one last year). A lot of alcohol burn. Unlike some of the other Knights, I really don't get much chocolate out of this. In fact, I get more vanilla, licorice, and bourbon highlights. A bit too powerful for my taste on the first few sips, but becomes more pleasing at it warms, which brings out a buttery character. A nice sipping beer, but I don't think I could handle more than one of these per sitting. 4.10 mugs

Everyone else's scores:

Gina: 3.85 mugs
Chris: 4.10 mugs
Rod: 4.20 mugs
Matt: 3.92 mugs
Kelly: 3.90 mugs

This is one of the few roundtables were we came to a pretty broad consensus on the quality of the beer, as you can see by the consistency of the ratings. Average rating: 3.99 mugs.

A trip to Colorado isn't complete without a trip to the liquor stores of Colorado. Our recent trip to Great American Beer Festival and the breweries around Denver has led to a kitchen overflowing with craft beer; Not a problem, but an opportunity.


Believe it or not, calling together the Knights for a Saturday sampling of all sorts of unavailable-in-Indiana beer doesn't guarantee a crowd. But four of us are truly dedicated, so we met at my current home (a van on the banks of the White River on Indy's southside) for a revisit of the GABF experience.


Deschutes The Dissident 2008 Reserve Flanders Style Brown Ale

Mike: With the tart sour nose on this beer, my first instinct was to think "get ready to pucker". But the "brown" elements of this beer keep it from going off the super-tart deep end. Creamy and chewy, this is a beer that works the back third of the tongue. 4.25 Mugs

Chris: Sour lemon nose, sour patch kids hit, but only center of tongue. Sour apple, sour lemon - not normally the biggest fan of sour, but this is GOOD. 4.33 mugs

Matt: Much thanks to Mike and Gina for letting me try this brew.
Appearance: Dissident pours a mahogany brown color with tons of tiny carbonation bubbles, and a small thin head.
Smell: Cherries and blackberries and other orchard fruit with plenty of wild scents coming from the brett, but not quite "horsebarn" in smell
Taste: Tart cherries and blackberries come out very strong with a certain grape quality lingering in the background. I get more apples in the flavor profile as the beer warms a bit. This is delicious.

I loved this beer and was imagining how to pair this beer with food. I would love to get ahold of more of this beer. This is my highest rating ever as a KOTBR, and I stand by it! 4.7 Mugs

Gina: Tart and appple. GOOD GOOD GOOD. 4.5 Mugs

Deschutes The Dissident Total Score: 4.44 Mugs



Lagunitas Brewing Co. We're Only In It For the Money 40th Anniversary Zappa beer

Mike: Trying to figure out the name of this beer was almost more rewarding that drinking it. A Belgian Tripel with a burnt sugar candied fruit nose, the first drink wasn't rewarding enough to warrant a return to the glass. It wasn't that the beer was particularly bad, it just wasn't good. I couldn't get that burnt sugar taste out of my mouth/head. 2.43 Mugs

Chris: Buttery, butterscotch up front, cotton candy, bubblegum, burned sugar. 3.2 Mugs

Matt: Appearance: Pours and Amber orange with decent staying power
Smell: Overpowering of bubblegum and Candy sugar sweetness
Taste: The sweetness carries over in the taste with more orchard fruit like apples and grapes, but the syrupy sugar sweetness is quite overpowering in this offering.

I love a good tripel, but this doesn't cross the threshold into my favorite tripel territory. 2.5 Mugs (+.1%)

Gina: I got more hints of pine than candy or fruit from this. 3 Mugs

Lagunitas We're Only In It For The Money Total Score: 2.78 Mugs



Ska Brewing Decadent Imperial IPA

Mike: A wax sealed bottle that once opened gave an earthy sorta of dirty taste. Oddly enough, this beer seemed almost freezer burnt. Although the bottle says "Imperial IPA", we didn't get an IPA elements. Weird. And a letdown. 1.75 Mugs.

Chris: Apricot, piney (subtle) smell, tastes fruitier than any DIPA I've had. Sweet, almost too sweet, hops not present enough for DIPA. 2.33 Mugs

Matt: Appearance: Pours a deep and very clear golden hue with a minimal head
Smell: There wasn't really much in the way of hop aroma for an imperial IPA, but I do get some slight apricot and apples with only a touch of caramel malt
Taste: I was looking for a hop explosion that never came on this beer, and this doesn't represent what a IIPA should taste like. I get apricot and hot fussel alcohol in the flavor profile, some fruity esters and only a small touch of piney hop bite on the back end.

I don't know if this was a bad bottle, but there wasn't anything really to speak of in the hop department, and the hot fussel alcohol didn't jive with me or my palate. 2.8 Mugs

Gina: Something about this reminded me of pizza. Maybe like basil or rosemary? It didn't pack quite the punch I would expect from an IIPA. 2.6 Mugs

Ska Decadent Imperial IPA Total Score: 2.37 Mugs



Russian River Blind Pig

Mike: I broke all sorts of Russian River laws getting this one home - I took it from a cooler and put it in a box in a warm car. The bottle specifically notes that heat and light are the enemies of hops - though I've had plenty of beers that have survived worse. A peppery and hoppy nose, a golden body, bitter, peppery, soapy. Considering Russian River's reputation, I expected more. 3.2 Mugs

Chris: Very piney smell, pine hops taste with a nice touch of citrus. I love the hops, but is this balanced? Hoppity hops...seriously, only for hopheads. 3.6 Mugs

Matt: Appearance: Nice clear golden hue with a rather fluffy white head
Smell: Lots of ripe citrus fruit and pink grapefruit rind with a good shot of pine stickiness. Daddy likey!
Taste: Citrus fruit are again center stage with ripe tangerines, oranges, and lemon zest. There is a slight "soapy" quality to this beer as well that isn't really doing it for me at the moment.

If the "soapy" quality I was tasting could be taken away this would be one of my favorite IPAs to drink. The nose was very nice and the flavor profile started out really nice, but really lost points once I picked up those other flavors. 3.3 Mugs

Gina: I mostly get the aforementioned soap and pine flavors, which usually would be a negative. This time, however, they work well together and I quite like it. 3.22 Mugs.

Russian River Blind Pig Total Score: 3.33 Mugs

First of all I would like to persuade all our listeners to vote for one of the Beer Safari podcasts that have been nominated for a podcast award at podcastawards.com. They are “Should I Drink That” and “My Life as a Foodie“. Vote everyday. It is quite an honor to be nominated.

Now for the fun part of this show. We sat down with Jon Lang of Barley Island and Dave Colt of The Ram (Indianapolis) who between them, won every medal at the GABF in the No.16 Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beer category. We sampled Beastie Barrel Stout (bronze), Buffalo Bock (silver) and Old Jack (gold). We also tried a Pro-Am beer called “Single White Friar” which Jon Lang and Mark Schiess created.

Music for the show was from doublePark and the two other artists below.

I want to thank Mike and Gina from Hoosier Beer Geek for attending the show. Gina, please get well soon. Her roller derby team called “Circle City Socialites” can be found here. These medal winning beers can be found at the upcoming The Sixth Annual Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beer.

DOWNLOAD SHOW #164

Greg Anderson
“In The Barrel” (mp3)
from “Freestyle”
(Fervor Records)

Buy at iTunes Music Store
Buy at eMusic
Buy at Napster
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

Coconut Coolouts
“Barrel Chested Baby” (mp3)
from “Party Time Machine”
(ERO)

Buy at Rhapsody
Stream from Rhapsody
Buy at Puretracks
Buy at Amazon MP3
Buy at GroupieTunes
Buy at mTraks
More On This Album

I'm sure you've been waiting all week for what sort of witty thing I can come up with to introduce this week's roundup. I don't have anything. And so..

First off, yay! - Congrats to our buddy Mike at StlHops.com, who has sold all the available tickets for his blog's first anniversary party. $15 got you beer and snacks, with the proceeds benefiting Stray Rescue of St. Louis. There's a good idea! Say! We have anniversary parties.. and we regularly steal ideas..

This is nice - Check out beernews.org's beer release calendar for a general idea of when you might start to see new and seasonal beers. Then check Hoosier Beer Geek's random beer roundup to see where you can see those beers on shelves.

In stores, bars, restaurants and brewpubs this week:

From John at Big Red Liquors (Bloomington):New this week:

Founders Harvest Ale
Founders Curmudgeon
Two bros heavy Handed
Corsendonk Apple White

After the beer fest we usually get a bunch of requests for beers that we did not have access to until the Fest. Stone Levitation was poured for the first time in Indiana. We will get it when it comes in.

I have requests for about 50 new beers so stay tuned. You will see a number of New micros and Belgian beers in the next few weeks.From Scott at Schlafly:I just wanted to let you know that a couple of accounts in Indy got their hands on kegs of our Hop Harvest. Hop Harvest in a 6% APA that is Dry-Hopped with wet Simcoe hops that have been flown in overnight from Yakima Valley. The beer is brewed at our Tap Room in downtown Saint Louis, and very limited amounts make their way into the market. In fact, this year only 5 kegs left the brewery, and three of those made it to Indiana.

Rich O's (New Albany, IN) has a keg for their annual Lupulin Land festival (They also have a keg of India Brown Ale for those who know and love that beer).

In Indianapolis, J. Gumbo's has it on right now. Mike tapped it last Friday, so he should have a bit left. He bartends Monday nights. Stop by, say Hi, and have a pint.

Lastly, if you can't make it to J Gumbo's, Pikk's Tavern (Hans from HotShotz' new place of employment, so you know the beer list is top notch) will be putting a keg on in the next few weeks.

So, there are a few chances to try it for those who are interested. Cheers all, and thank you, as always, for your support of Schlafly Beer.Mike at J. Gumbo's confirms:J.Gumbo's has scored the only keg of Schlafly Hop Harvest wet hop in Central Indiana. It is hopped with Simcoes and is amazing. We are out of the Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest.Updates from John at Half Moon (4051 S Lafountain St, Kokomo):Here's what's happening at Half Moon. The Oktoberfestbier is selling fast. It will probably be gone by this weekend. That will make room for an American IPA created by my Asst. Brewer Bryan Culbertson. He named it Bry-PA after himself. He's quite proud of this one, and it's definitely a delectable treat for all of the hopheads! Goes on tap Thurs., October 30th. O.G.=1070 ABV=7.7% IBU=85 Then, the following Thurs., November 6th, the Oatmeal Stout hits the taps. One of my personal favorites. O.G.=1066 ABV=6.6% IBU=30

Regular Lineup:

Cannon Shot Cream Ale - O.G.=1048 ABV=5.4% IBU=16
Wildcat Wheat - O.G.=1040 ABV=4.5% IBU=13
Stop Light City Red - O.G.=1054 ABV=5.7% IBU=25
Hazelnut Brown - O.G.=1056 ABV=5.7% IBU=25
Elwood's IPA - O.G.=1062 ABV=6.7% IBU=60
Cole Porter - O.G.=1066 ABV=7.0% IBU=30

John Templet
Head Brewer
Half Moon Restaurant & BreweryThis just in from Martin at Chumley's:Here are some of the cool beers currently on tap:

Founders Harvest Ale while supplies last

Coming soon:
Victory Hopwallop
He'brew Jewbelation 12 Anniversary Ale
Two Brothers Heavy Handed
Great Divide Hibernation Ale

We're having a Bells party Thursday Oct 30th 7-10pm - Cool giveaways and costume contest, and beer flights of Double Cream Stout, Java Stout, Expedition Stout, Hell Hath No Fury Ale

Also we're having an Election Night special Goose Island party with Goose Island Bourbon County Stout

Thursday Nov 6, 7-10pm
Sierra Party with cool prizes and mirror giveaway
Sierra Nevada Chico Estates
Sierra Nevada Torpedo IPA
Sierra Nevada Celebration Ale

New Bottles:
Founders Old Curmeggon
and Heavy Seas Winter StormOur man on the scene Chris with some updates:1. My brother took a tour of Michigan & Northern Indiana breweries last weekend: Bell's, Founders, Dark Horse, The Livery and Three Floyds. Lucky bastard. As previously reported, Founders isn't mass producing Devil Dancer this year because they think it's an irresponsible use of hops. However, they brewed one new keg for their restaurant and it went on tap the week before he was there. It went on tap 10/10, was gone by 10/15 and my brother was in on the 18th. BOO!

2. Bell's will be making Hopslam this year. Coming out in January. Yeah for irresponsibility!

3. I saw the new Barley Island Beastie Barrel Stout 4-pack at Alabama Liquor yesterday. 4x12oz for $10.50-ish. It'll probably be $11 or 12 at most places. (confirmed: Kahn's says $11.99 on their website)

Back in July, Indy.com ran a piece on "falsies"--pint glasses that look like they hold sixteen ounces but actually hold only fourteen due to thicker bottoms. As the Indy.com piece noted, some bars use falsies for their beer orders yet charge beer drinkers for a full sixteen-ounce pint. Today's edition of "All Things Considered" on NPR had a segment related to this topic. Listen and enjoy.

For more on the Honest Pint Project, which is mentioned in the segment, go here, here, and here.

When a brewery discontinues a product that you're in love with, the best you can do is hoard whatever is left on your local liquor store's shelves and cellar it, hoping that the drink you're in love with ages well.

According to the St. Louis Business Journal, the time for Zima fans to hoard and cellar is now:MillerCoors LLC announced Monday that it will discontinue the clear malt beverage Zima, introduced by Coors Brewing Co. in 1992, because of "challenging malternative segment sales and declining consumer interest."I hear that the pineapple citrus ages best.

* * * * *

Who knew that Zima has three varieties now? I almost feel like I should go try them all before it's too late.

This show was kicked off with a segment by Grant Mason of the “Three From Leith” podcast while hosting an “Amped New Music Weekly” episode. JeffreyT will host one of these in a few weeks.

This episode’s featured artist is Gabe Vitek from “Gabe Vitek and the Ivory“. He stopped in before he performed in Muncie later that evening. Gabe has a new album called “Voices” that was released October 16th. Look for it at his site and Itunes.

Show beers were Cricket Hill East Coast Lager, Cricket Hill Hopnotic IPA, Cricket Hill Cask Ale, Terrapin Rye Squared, and Allagash Curieux.

DOWNLOAD SHOW #163

From the mailbag:

Hey gang, I'm the wine director for Vine and Table Gourmet Market, and we are currently seeking a beer coordinator. I was wondering if you could post the opening on you blog? Or at least mention it. Love your site! Keep up the good work!

Position Title: (1)Beer Specialist

Are you passionate about your beer and your customer service? Then we invite you to join the most prestigious beverage team in Indiana, Vine & Table Gourmet Market! With over 4000 wines, a "cave" housing over 500 of the world's greatest beers and one of the most impressive single malt scotch selections in the Midwest, Vine and Table is on the cutting edge of the beverage retail industry. We pride ourselves on having one of the most talented and knowledgeable teams in the nation, and are currently looking to add to the roster!

Current Openings:

Beer Coordinator -

This position will oversee the beer operations of the store, and will report to the Spirits Director. You will be responsible for our famous "beer cave", and making sure we stay ahead of the curve on our beer selection and presentation. You will host tastings, give input on purchasing, and be the ambassador for one of the most impressive collections in the state.

This is an hourly full time position with growth potential for the right candidate.

Duties include (but not limited to):

* Customer Checkout
* Shelf stocking and tagging
* Customer education
* Hosting/staffing company events
* Special orders
* Purchasing input

Job Requirements:

* Must be at least 21 years of age
* Must be able to lift and carry 40lbs or more consistently
* Must be able to stand for long periods
* Excellent knowledge of beer styles and production methods
* Alcoholic beverage sales permit
* Must be able to work Weekends/Evenings/Holidays
* Proficiency with MS Word/Excel/Outlook and email use
--
Louis Calli
Wine Director
Vine & Table Gourmet Market
313 E. Carmel Drive, Carmel IN 46032
P: 317-817-9473
F: 317-818-0288
Kahn's Catering - Online Ordering

Our family of companies dedicated to
fine foods, distinctive libations and superior service.

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in beer drinking, and this is your random beer roundup.

GO!

Hey look! We're famous! - We've made The Slashfood Ate (8) with our homey (their words, not mine) approach to GABF. Peachy keen, pals!

From Kirk at Mr. G's Liquor:New this week
Founders Harvest Ale
Founders Old CurmudgenFrom KOTBR Jason's random reading (or the Indy Monthly Newsletter):Tuesday, Oct. 21 - Fletcher Boyd is the guest chef for A Taste of Germany Wine and Beer Tasting at Patrick's Kitchen and Drinks. The evening features German food, four German wines from Carroll Company, and four classic beer styles from World Class Beverage. 6:30 p.m. $30 in advance. $40 at the door. Call 733-8755 for ticket information. 47 Boone Village, Zionsville.From Elizabeth and Matt at the Old Town Ale House (8657 E. 116th Street Fishers, IN (317) 841-0800):We've changed a few draft lines...Founder's Pale has been replaced with Founder's Harvest Ale & Guinness has lost it's spot to Brooklyn Brewery's Black Chocolate Stout. Don't forget that all of our pints are available for only $2.75 on Tuesdays & Wednesdays! Founder's Old Curmudgeon has joined the bottle list.From Mike at J. Gumbo's comes the following Sunday football special:Indy vs. Green Bay
October 19th, 4 PM
$3 Beer Brats
$3 U-Call-It PintsThis bit of random financial advice forwarded on by Ted at Brugge:Investment advice from a fund manager.

If you had purchased $1,000 of Delta Air Lines stock one year ago, you would have $49 left.

With Fannie Mae, you would have $2.50 left of the original $1,000.

With AIG, you would have less than $15 left.

But, if you had purchased $1,000 worth of beer one year ago, drank all of the beer,then turned in the cans for the aluminum recycling REFUND, you would have $214 cash.

Based on the above, the best current investment advice is to drink heavily and recycle.Mat at Cavalier dropped a line to remind us that many GABF medal winning beers are readily available in Indiana:Steelhead Extra Pale Ale from Mad River Brewing Company won gold at the Great American Beer Festival. Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout won a bronze medal in the Imperial Stout category. Both Steelhead and Yeti should be readily available at stores in Indiana with a better beer selection. While people are at it they should try all the other quality brews available form Mad River and Great Divide.Will do.

Lastly, Ron Smith dropped an email about his latest round of Beer MBA classes. A quick summary:1) Next Beer MBA Classes moved to Saturdays in November (8th, 15th, 22nd). Sign up Now!

2) Open Brew Day at my house on November 1st. Let me know if you are interested!

3) Gift Certificates Available and Future Beer MBA Class Dates.For more info about Beer MBA, check out Ron's website.

 

Reserve your spot at All Beers Considered!

Indiana Public Radio presents the second annual All Beers Considered hosted
by The Fickle Peach. Come learn all you ever wanted to know — and
then some — about the world’s oldest and most popular alcoholic
beverage! Plus,

sample brews from regional microbreweries;
get tasting tips from local beer gurus;
bid on brewery tours & more in the silent auction; and
feast on hearty snacks provided by Cassella’s Kitchen
and The Downtown Farm Stand.

Sunday,
October 26, 2008, 2-5pm at The
Fickle Peach, 115 E. Charles St.,
Muncie

Admission: $15
per person or 2 for $25
Call IPR at 285-5888 by Oct. 22 to reserve your place!

John at Big Red Liquors (Bloomington) just dropped the list of beers at the Big Red Beerfest (Thursday 10/16/08 and Friday 10/17/08 at the Bloomington Convention Center).

Here we go (nevermind the random table numbering):Table 1
World Class Beverage
1. Three Floyds Gumballhead
2. Three Floyds Alpha King
3. Three Floyds Pride and Joy
4. Three Floyds Munsterfest
5. Wabash Valley Harvest Amber
6. Wabash Valley Cannonball Porter
7. Wabash Valley Hazy Wheat Ale
8. Wabash Valley Gangster Pale Ale

Table 2
Barley Island Brewing Co.
1. Flat Top Wheat Ale
2. Dirty Helen Brown Ale
3. Brass Knuckles Oatmeal Stout
4. Barfly IPA
5. Beastie Barrel Stout

Table 3
Oaken Barrel Brewing
1. Indiana Amber
2. Razz Wheat
3. Superfly IPA
4. Alabaster Wit
5. Oaktoberfest-Oktoberfest
6. Gnaw Bone Pale Ale
7. Snake Pit

Table 4
Upland
1. Wheat
2. Pilsner
3. Bad Elmers Porter
4. Dragonfly IPA

Table 5
Bloomington Brewing Co.
1. Java Porter
2. Big Stone Stout
3. Quarryman Pale Ale
4. Ruby Bloom Amber

Table 6
Mad Anthony Brewing Co.
1. Gabby Blonde Lager
2. Auburn Lager
3. Ol’ Woody Pale Ale
4. Good Karma IPA
5. Old Fort Porter
6. Ruby Raspberry Wheat
7. Harry Baals Irish Stout
8. Oktoberfest

Table 7
Warbird Brewing Co.
1. T-6 Red Ale
2. Mustang Gold Ale
3. Warhawk Pale Ale
4. Shanty Irish Ale
5. Thunderbolt Wheat

Table 8
Stone Brewing Co.
1. IPA
2. Pale
3. Smoke Porter
4. Arrogant Bastard
5. Oaked Arrogant Bastard
6. Ruination IPA
7. Levitation Ale

Table 9
Schmaltz Brewing Co.
1. He’Brew Genesis Ale
2. He’Brew Messiah Bold
3. He’Brew Origin
Pomegranate Ale
4. He’Brew Bittersweet Lenny’s IPA
5. Coney Island Lager
6. Coney Island Albino Python
7. Coney Island Sword Swallower

Table 43
Magic Hat Brewing Co.
1. #9 Not Quite Pale Ale

Table 44
World Class Beverage
1. Chimay Grand Reserve
2. Wyder’s Apple Cider
3. Wyder’s Pear Cider
4. Brother Thelonius
5. Red Seal Pale Ale
6. Old Rasputin Stout
7. Brugge Black
8. Brugge White
9. Brugge Tripel

Table 45
World Class Beverage
1. Victory Prima Pils
2. Victory Hope Devil
3. Victory Golden Monkey
4. Harpoon IPA
5. Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen
6. Harpoon Raspberry UFO
7. Abita Turbodog
8. Belhaven Scottish Ale

Table 46
World Class Beverage
1. BBC American Pale
2. BBC Nut Brown
3. BBC Bourbon Barrel Stout
4. Rogue Dead Guy Ale
5. Rogue Double Dead Guy Ale
6. Rogue Hazelnut Brown

Table 47
World Class Beverage
1. Avery IPA
2. Avery White Rascal
3. Avery Ellie’s Brown
4. Flying Dog Gonzo Porter
5. Flying Dog In Heat Wheat
6. Flying Dog Pale Ale
7. Flying Dog Old Scratch Amber
8. Flying Dog Kerberos Tripel

Table 48
The Berghoff Brewery
1. Octoberfest
2. Lager
3. Dark
4. Red Ale
5. Pale Ale
6. Hefe Weizen

Table 49
Boston Beer Company
1. Sam Adams Boston Lager
2. Sam Adams Light
3. Sam Adams Winter Lager
4. Sam Adams Cherry Wheat
5. Sam Adams Irish Red
6. Sam Adams Cream Stout
7. Sam Adams Boston Ale
8. Sam Adams Imperial Pilsner

Table 34
Left Hand Brewing Co.
1. Sawtooth Ale
2. Milk Stout
3. Juju Ginger
4. Deep Cover Brown
5. Black Jack Porter
6. Haystack Wheat
7. Polestar Pilsner
8. Imperial Stout

Table 35
Cavalier Distributing
1. Butte Creek Organic Pale Ale
2. Bison Brewery Organic Chocolate Stout
3. Clipper City Organic Raspberry Wheat
4. Mad River Steelhead Porter
5. Two Brothers Domaine Dufage
6. Breckenridge 471 ESB
7. Founders Rubaues
8. Pizza Beer

Table 36
Cavalier Distributing
1. Rebel Czech Lager
2. Hofbrau
3. Mexicali Beer
4. Shipyard Pumpkin
5. Lakefront Pumpkin
6. Sprecher Oktoberfest
7. Weihenstepharer Festbier
8. Original Sin Cider

Table 37
Brooklyn Brewery
1. Lager
2. Brown Ale
3. IPA
4. Local 1
5. Black Chocolate Stout
6. Winter Ale


Table 38
Spoetzl Brewery
1. Shiner Bock
2. Shiner Hefeweizen
3. Shiner Bohemian Black Lager

Table 39
Bell’s Brewery
1. Bell’s Oberon
2. Bell’s Third Coast
3. Bell’s Two Hearted Ale
4. Bell’s Lager of the Lakes
5. Bell’s Best Brown Ale
6. Bell’s Double Cream Stout
7. Hell Hath No Fury

Table 40
Eurobrew
1. Wychwood Hobgoblin
2. St. Peters Stout
3. Monty Python Holy Grail Ale
4. Xingu Black Beer
5. Wychwood Scarecrow
6. Wychwood Wychcraft

Table 41
Spaten Franziskaner
1. Spaten Lager
2. Spaten Optimator
3. Spaten Oktoberfest
4. Franziskaner Hefeweiss

Table 42
Dogfish Head Brewery
1. 60 Min
2. 120 Min
3. Chicory Stout
4. Punkin
5. Indiana Brown
6. Fort
7. Red & White
8. Black & Blue

Table 10
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co.
1. Pale Ale
2. Harvest Ale
3. Porter
4. Wheat
5. Stout

Table 11
Miller Coors
1. Leinenkugel’s Sunset Wheat
2. Leinenkugel’s Berry Weiss
3. Leinenkugel’s Fireside Nut Brown

Table 12
Miller Coors
1. Foster’s
2. Foster’s Bitter
3. Peroni
4. Pilsner Urquell
5. Grolsch
6. Killian’s Irish Red
7. Molson Canadian

Table 13
Miller Coors
1. Harvest Moon
2. Pale Moon
3. Blue Moon Belgian White

Table 14
Heineken
1. Dos Equis Special Lager
2. Dos Equis Amber
3. Sol
4. Tecate
5. Heineken
6. Heineken Light
7. Amstel Light
8. Newcastle Brown Ale

Table 15
Star Brand Imports
1. Paulaner Hefe-weizen
2. Paulaner Oktoberfest
3. Paulaner Salvator
4. Paulaner Lager
5. Hacker-Pschorr Dark Weiss
6. Moretti Lager
7. Murphy’s Stout
8. Affligem Noel

Table 16
Redhook Brewery
1. IPA
2. ESB
3. Widmer Hefe

Table 17
Anheuser-Busch
1. Budweiser
2. Bud Light
3. Bud Select
4. Budweiser American Ale
5. Bud Light Lime
6. Bud Light Chelada

Table 18
Anheuser-Busch
1. Michelob
2. Michelob Dunkelweiss
3. Michelob Amberbock
4. Jack’s Pumpkin Spice
5. Shock Top

Table 19
Anheuser-Busch
1. Bacardi Mojito
2. Landshark Lager
3. Tequiza
4. Micehlob Cactus Lime
5. Wild Blue

Table 20
Bitburger USA
1. Bitburger
2. Kostritzer

Table 21
Goose Island Beer Co.
1. Honker’s Ale
2. IPA
3. Mild Winter
4. Harvest Ale
5. 312
6. Matilda

Table 22
Green Mountain Beverage
1. Woodchuck Amber
2. Woodchuck Granny Smith
3. Woodchuck Dark & Dry
4. Woodchuck Pear
5. Strongbow Cider

Table 23
Crown Imports
1. Corona Extra
2. Corona Light
3. Modelo Especial
4. Negra Modelo
5. Pacifico
6. St. Pauli Lager
7. St. Pauli Dark
8. Tsingtao

Table 24
MooseHead
1. Moosehead Lager
2. Moosehead Light

Table 25
Mike’s Hard Lemonade
1. Hard Lemonade
2. Light Hard Lemonade
3. Cranberry Lemonade
4. Cranberry Light Lemonade
5. Pomegranate Lemonade
6. Hard Lime
7. Hard Berry

Table 26
High Falls Brewing Co
1. Dundee Honey Brown
2. Dundee Pale Ale
3. Dundee Oktoberfest
4. Dundee IPA
5. Dundee Porter
6. Dundee Pale Bock
7. Dundee Wheat

Table 27
Duvel USA/Brewery Ommegang
1. Duvel
2. Ommegang Hennepin
3. Ommegang Abbey Ale
4. Ommegang Three Philosophers
5. Ommegang Rare Vos
6. Maredsous 8
7. Houblon Chouffe

Table 28
Schlafly Beer
1. Schlafly Pale Ale
2. Schlafly Bourbon Imperial Stout
3. Schlafly Number 15 Dark
4. Schlafly Biere de Garde
5. Schlafly Oak Aged Barleywine
6. Schlafly Oktoberfest
7. Schlafly Pumpkin Ale
8. Schlafly Saison

Table 29
Merchant du Vin
1. Lindemens Framboise
2. Sam Smith IPA
3. Sam Smith Organic Cider
4. Sam Smith Organic Lager
5. Ayinger Brau-Weiss
6. Ayinger Gluten Free Amber
7. Green’s Gluten Free Amber
8. Zatec Czech Brite Lager

Table 30
Diageo Guinness
1. Red Stripe
2. Smithwick’s Irish Ale
3. Guinness Draught (keg)
4. Guinness Extra Stout
5. Harp
6. Smirnoff Ice Light
7. Smirnoff Strawberry Acai

Table 31
InBev
1. Bass
2. Beck’s
3. Beck’s Premier Light
4. Leffe Blonde
5. Stella Artois
6. Hoegaarden
7. Boddingtons

Table 32
Pabst Brewing Co.
1. PBR
2. PBR Light
3. Old Style
4. Old Style Light
5. Colt 45

Table 33
Binding Braueri USA
1. Radeberger Pilsner
2. Tucher Bajuvator
3. Tucher Dunkle
4. Tucher Hefeweizen
5. Tucher KristallUsing advanced math, I have concluded that that's a lot of variety. Obviously, this will be a good time, and the proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Bloomington. Check it out!