Hoosier Beer Geek's Tailgate for Nothing (TFN)

For the last month or so we've tried to subtly beat you over the head with the words "Tailgate for Nothing" in an effort to see what kind of interest we can generate in smaller, low key, word of mouth events.

Now that we're a week out, I feel confident that we've kept things low key enough. So here's the email we've been sending and the details of what we're doing.

All nine HBG Knights of the Beer Roundtable are fans of the act of tailgating. It occurred to us that tailgating usually revolves around sporting events - but why should it have to? Getting together with friends, eating hearty and/or unhealthy foods, drinking beer, and just hanging out - these are ideas we can all get behind.

Our first AleGate/Tailgate for Nothing (a NO FREELOADERS event) is exactly that - a tailgate for nothing. It's an opportunity for people to wheel out their rare beer, beer they never have an excuse to drink, or just big ABV beers, and to share it with like-minded individuals who are sure to appreciate what they are drinking. The crowd we are hoping for is a mixture of folks from homebrewers clubs, our regular HBG event attendees, industry folks, that sort of thing - but there's really no telling who'll show up.

TFN will be done in a traditional tailgate manner - bring your own everything (tailgate, beer, food, trash bags, chairs, bbq grills, games, whatever), cook and eat in a parking lot (pots of chili, brats and hamburgers, and stuff like that), and in the end, clean up after yourself. The main idea is sharing food and drink, hanging out, and having a good time.

The first Alegate/TFN will be happening in the parking lot of Sun King Brewery, 135 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, on Saturday, November 21st at 11AM. If you don't have beer to bring, Sun King's tasting room will be open from 1PM until 4PM. If you plan on showing up at 11AM, make sure you bring something to drink to hold you over.

AGAIN, THIS IS A "NO FREELOADERS" EVENT. Bring something to eat/drink and be prepared to share. Bring as many friends as you want, but we ask that you keep in mind what we're about and the sort of company we like to keep. If you're receiving this email there's a pretty good chance you know what we're about.

If you don't have a giant special beer, that's not a problem. Just make sure you bring something tasty. THIS ISN'T A RARE BEER CONTEST. It's just a good time.

Also this won't cost you anything to attend. We might pass around a hat or something if we see a need to buy anything for next time. Whatever.

ANY QUESTIONS? Let me know. Planning to attend? You don't need to RSVP, but we'd love to hear from you. Which would be kinda like RSVPing but whatever.

I think that's it.

Mike (and Jason and Jim and Matt and Gina and Jess and Rod and Chris and Matt)
HBG/KOTBR

* * * * *

Hello Everyone,

This is just a final reminder about Hoosier Beer Geek's Tailgate for Nothing. A few items I wanted to throw in, some of them more obvious than others...

Tasting Glasses - If you have any tasting glasses from former beer events, bring them along. There should be a lot of beer to share, and the smaller glasses are the best way to go about sharing.

Chairs - There won't be seating unless you bring some.

Friends - BRING FRIENDS. Hopefully you'll be making some, but it never hurts to have a posse.

We'll do our best to be social butterflies, but this is just gonna be a bunch of people hanging out. We're thinking maybe we'll bring nametags to make things easier. We encourage you to be nosy, it's the best way to make friends. Well, that and drinking.

See you Saturday?

Mike
HBG

If all this sounds fun to you, but you've been lazy and didn't send an email, we're not going to hold that against you. Instead we'll just ask that you leave a comment on the site to give us a heads up that you're coming. If you're coming, you gotta cook something or bring some food, or else we're just a bunch of hungry drunks in a parking lot. So as an added bonus, you could tell us what you're cooking.

That'd be rad.

What keeps you coming back for craft beer?

It may sound like a strange question, but what keeps you coming back for more craft beer?

I am thinking of this because of several members of my circle of friends and family. I've got multiple friends/family members that say things like "I'm a bud man myself," or "I only like Miller." I couldn't care less what beer they like because I am not going to proselytize my craft beer onto them if they don't won't to drink it. What is it about craft beer that makes many craft beer enthusiasts so eager to try everything under the sun and not stay loyal to their favorite brand?

Don't get me wrong I am very loyal to several brewers including Founders, Three Floyd's, and Bell's brewing, but I would cut a drifter in a second to try a beer from the far corners of America (or Indiana for that matter) that I've never tried before. They will get more of my beer dollars over the course of a year, but they are not getting the lion's share because I like trying as many new beers as possible. So, what is it about loyal macro drinkers that make them only drink a certain brand and won't deviate from that? I've yet to meet a craft beer drinker that says something like "No, I'm a Founders man" if I try and offer them a different beer. I've seen this in 100% of the craft beer people I've met in my travels. There are also other factors that tend to link beer people together. Many enjoy the slow food movement, many have beards (Rod!), many are willing to travel great distances just to sample a beer, and most have taken a vacation with the specific idea to drink a regions beer while they are there. I've also discovered another thing during all of the beer festivals, homebrewers meet-ups, HBG meet-ups, and at breweries and brewpubs, and that is that beer people almost always equal good people. I've met some assholes at beer fests, but not many, but then again most people are having a good time getting a little sauce in them.

When I go to my favorite beer stores to buy beer I am usually looking for something new, something barrel aged, or something I can just try one bottle of. Craft brewers have obviously capitalized on this because there is always something new coming out each week (just look at the random beer roundup on Fridays). The death of the regular six pack is coming as well. Look how many beers come in only bombers or 4-packs now. I also wonder if our tastes have changed significantly over our beer drinking careers. I couldn't drink DIPA's when I first started drinking craft beer, and now I can't find a DIPA bitter enough. Is this the reason craft beer is always changing and experimenting with new beer? Does the brewer have to work hard to keep the public interested in their brand by constantly launching a new product? A quick glace over at the beer rating websites would say yes, but those website are full of beer geeks looking for the next "it" beer. Even if the beer tasted like horse piss if you put it in a bourbon barrel for 8 months, add some brett to the mix, and then have a team of horses actually piss in the beer and only make 30 cases of it I am sure it would get a A- or a 95 on the beer websites.

I am not trying to bash macro beer drinkers here I am just trying to understand the psyche of certain beer drinkers over other beer drinkers.

What did your personal beer progression look like? We all didn't start out wanting to try every beer would get our hands on, so when and how did this shift happen for the majority of craft beer enthusiasts?

Thoughts?

Random Beer Roundup - The Busy Edition

It's been a super-busy, but fun week! This city has really stepped up their beer events lately and I am looking forward to doing more of them through Sunday. I hope you've had a good week as well, and that you've found some good beer to drink along the way.

Don't forget to enter to win tickets for the Alpha Acid event at Lafayette Brewing Co. on November 21st. We wish we could be there!

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.)

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

Tuesday, November 17th - Sunday, November 22nd at New Albanian's Bank Street Brewhouse: Official Grand Opening celebration

Tuesday, November 17th from 6 - 8 pm at Alcatraz in Indianapolis: tapping - Cherry Stout, a milk stout with over 250lbs of cherries.

Thursday, November 19th at Casler's Kitchen in Fishers: Sun King Brewers Dinner (more below)

Friday, November 20th at Radio Radio in Fountain Square: Tonic Ball to benefit Second Helpings.

Saturday, November 21st at Lafayette Brewing Co. in Lafayette: Alpha Acid Test (more below)

Saturday, November 21st: Hoosier Beer Geek's Tailgate for Nothing, a publicly advertised yet still somehow secret no freeloaders BYO everything craft beer tailgate for any folks who consider themselves a fan of sharing great beer and good food. There's only one way to get more details - Send an email to knights@hoosierbeergeek.com.

Sunday, November 22nd at the Cornerstone Center for the Arts in Muncie: Indiana Public Radio’s 3^rd annual All Beers Considered beer & cheese tasting (more below)

December 3rd from 5 to 8 PM at Keg Liquors in Clarksville: 5th Annual Holiday Insanity Beer Tasting


What's Brewing

From Clayton at Sun King Brewing:

Thursday, November 19th - 7:00 p.m. @ Casler's Kitchen - Brewer's Dinner: 4 Courses prepared by Casler's Chef, Craig Baker, prepared with and paired with Sun King Beer. Contact Casler's Kitchen for details.

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co in Lafayette:

alpha acid test
Saturday, November 21
2 pm to 5 pm, Tickets $20

Can you pass the Alpha Acid Test? We brewed a 60 IBU ale with one hop addition at 60 minutes in the kettle. After fermentation and maturation, we're going to rack this beer into 10 kegs and firkins and dry hop each individual vessel with a different hop variety (technically, 1 control beer and 9 different hop varieties). In an open tasting format, we'll sample the resulting brews to discern the subtleties of each individual hop variety. Sort of an IPA Extravaganza utilizing some familiar and some not-so-familiar hop varieties. Also included in the price of admission: commemorative tasting glass, raffles of LBC merchandise and munchies from our pizza kitchen. Don't miss this unique tasting experience! A limited number of tickets are on sale now.

On tap at Lafayette Brewing this weekend:

Ouiatenon Wit Bier; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Pipers' Pride Scottish Ale; Tippecanoe Common Ale; Eighty-Five; and Black Angus Oatmeal Stout. We are also pouring Weeping Hog IPA from the handpull.

Live entertainment on LBC's 2nd floor:

Saturday, November 14: Lubriphonic w/ Bailout Revival 9 pm; $5 cover

Don't forget to get your tickets for the Alpha Acid Test (Nov. 21). They're going fast!

From Charles at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington:

Upland will be donating beer for the reception following the release of the movie Coal Country (http://www.coalcountrythemovie.com/). The movie is being shown at the Buskirk Chumley Theater in Bloomington, and the reception is being held next door at the Farm. We are also donating beer to Tonic Ball (a fundraising event for Second Helpings, http://www.secondhelpings.org/events-and-calendar/28) on Nov. 20.

At the Bar

From Lauren at Scotty's Brewhouse in Various Locations:

Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown Indy is now pouring Goose Island Matilda!
Coming soon to Scotty's Brewhouse North Side - Magic Hat Winter Howl!

Carry Out

From Todd at Keg Liquors in Clarksville:

Great Divide - Oak Aged Yeti (Colorado)
Shipyard - Prelude (Maine)
De Ranke - Père Noël (Belgium
Left Hand - Fade to Black (Colorado)
Stone/Brewdog - Bashah (Scotland)
Bell's - Winter White (Michigan)

Event:
5th Annual Holiday Insanity Beer Tasting at Keg Liquors

December 3rd from 5 – 8 PM

Another of our great traditions, we conclude the year’s beer tasting schedule with a bang. Featuring Holiday and Seasonal beers from around the world. Last year's tasting included over 21 different beers to sample. More details will be forthcoming as this one shapes up.

From Josh at United Package Liquors at County Line and Meridian:

Founders Backwoods Bastard & Breakfast Stout
Sierra Nevada Celebration, Harvest ale & Estate Harvest Ale
Boulder Obovoid Oak aged Oatmeal Stout & Never Summer Winter Warmer
Three Floyds Broodoo (almost gone) & Alpha Klaus
Clipper City Winter Storm
Bell's Winter White, Java Stout & Best Brown
Brooklyn Black Chocolate Stout
Hair of the Dog Adam & Fred (limited quantities)
Sam Smith Winter Welcome & Yorkshire stingo
Hebrew Jewbelation 13 Bar Mitzva

From Sam at BW3's (Downtown Indianapolis):

Few new beers this week. Unfortunately Dreadnaught has already come and gone. Here is our tap list as of now:

Flying Dog Gonzo Imperial Porter
Founders Reds Rye
Stone Arrogant Bastard
Bells Double Cream Stout
Bells Two Hearted
Three Floyds Gumballhead
Three Floyds Robert the Bruce
Dogfish Head 90 Minute
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
Sierra Nevada Anniversary Ale
Barley Island Dirty Helen
Upland Bad Elmer's Porter
Dark Horse Crooked Tree IPA

Some good beers to be had before the Colts vs Patriots game on Sunday.

Distribution News

From Bob Mack at World Class Beverages:

World Class Beer Spy is now listing the Monarch craft brands including Sierra, Upland, Magic Hat, Pyramid, New Belgium and Sam Adams.

From Greg at Cavalier Distribution:

Berghoff Winter Ale is in stock and is a brand new style this year! It's a dark, strong ale with strong chocolate & caramel notes. It's a departure from past Berghoff Winter Ales and a much stronger, heartier ale for the cold winter months.

Boulder Beer Looking Glass 2009 Killer Penguin Barley Wine, Obovoid Oak-Aged Oatmeal Stout & Never Summer Ale are all available in limited quantities. The Killer Penguin & Obovoid are very limited, so make sure to grab some while they're available.

A very limited run of Great Divide Oak-Aged Yeti Imperial Stout has hit the state. There is a very limited number of cases and when it's gone, it's gone for the year. Get it now while it's here!

JK's Solstice Organic Hard Cider is making its debut in Indiana. The everyday JK's Scrumpy Cider has fast become a hit across the state, and the Solstice is quickly doing the same. This is a limited seasonal release that only comes out once a year, and a must try for any fan of JK's or hard cider in general.

Lakefront Holiday Spice is in stock for the year! There is much, much less of this than in years past, so it won't be around long. Holiday Spice is a hearty, bold spiced winter warmer, perfect for cold winter nights.

Left Hand Fade to Black is a brand new winter seasonal from Left Hand. The Snowbound Ale is no more, and the Fade to Black has officially taken its place. Each year the style will change, and this year's is a Foreign Export Stout. We received a limited, one-time run of this, so grab it while it's available. The packaging is incredible and reflects Left Hand's new direction in labels.

Stone Brewing Co. & Brew Dog have collaborated to create a masterpiece one-time, special release beer. Stone / Brew Dog Bashah is a Black Belgian Style Double IPA and a wonderful marriage between these two extreme breweries. Aside from Stone 13th Anniversary, it's the hoppiest beer Stone has ever brewed! We received a very limited quantity, so do your best to find some at retailers who support Stone & Brew Dog throughout the year! Make sure to pick up and try some Brew Dog beers as well if you haven't already, they are incredible....Stone doesn't collaborate with just anyone!!

Abbaye de St. Martin is renowned for making incredible Belgian ales. We have 3 everyday styles available, a Tripel, Brune & Blonde Ale. All three come in 4pks and are must trys!! There is also a very, very limited number of St. Martin Cuvee de Noel cases lingering around for the holidays at select locations as well.

Be patient all lovers of North Coast, Cavalier will be bringing North Coast Beers to a large part of the state here very soon. The timeline is not yet established, but stay tuned for more details...

Other News

Indiana Public Radio’s 3^rd annual All Beers Considered beer & cheese tasting

Here are the basics:
November 22^nd, 2-5pm
Cornerstone Center for the Arts, (Downtown Muncie)
Admission is $17, $15 for IPR members
Reservations are due by Wednesday Nov 18

To rsvp, email iprmembers@bsu.edu or call 800.646.1812
All proceeds benefit Indiana Public Radio

********

http://visitindy.com/indianapolis/web/jsp/podcast/podcast.jsp?channel=9295145&episode=14230095

Craft Beer Indoctrination 101 (i.e., What to Push on Your Relatives This Holiday Season)

Here's a topic that we've discussed before: What sort of craft beer should a beer geek spring on his or her hapless relatives over the holiday season? I'm not necessarily talking about a brew that would match well with the food on the table, though that would be a nice benefit. Rather, I'm talking about a good gateway beer for those relatives and friends at your family's holiday gatherings who may be beer drinkers, but who aren't necessarily turned on to the craft beer world.

I'm taking a cue from Mike's experience a few years ago and choosing the workhorse of craft beer: the brown ale. I appreciate this style because it's flavorful, yet not in-your-face, and accessible, yet not pedestrian. In my experience, it's also a style that tends not to intimidate craft beer novices, and it's a hearty pick for the cold-weather months.

Here are my five brown ale picks, in no particular order:

Barley Island Dirty Helen Brown Ale. Going local is always a good thing. Besides, this is a GABF gold medal winner, so passing it up is not an option.

Sun King Wee Mac Scottish Ale. Wee Mac is already a hit with local beer drinkers despite being available for only four months now. Here's hoping that the Sun King tasting room is open on the day before Thanksgiving (hint hint, Clay and Dave...).

Bluegrass Brewing Company Nut Brown Ale. I've never been disappointed by this beer. A solid offering, every time.

Bell's Best Brown Ale. The last time I had a Best Brown on draft, it bowled me over. It was so amazingly flavorful, toting more chocolate notes than your standard American Brown. This is one that you may want to keep in store as you up the "difficulty level" with the craft beer newbies in attendance at your holiday gathering.

Samuel Smith's Nut Brown Ale. The gold standard of English Browns. Sweet, bready, and nutty, it's mellow enough to be palatable yet complex enough to be intriguing.

What are your suggestions? What specific beers or beer styles would you serve?

LBC is better than LSD

On Saturday, November 21, from 2 pm to 5 pm, Lafayette Brewing Company will be conducting a Timothy Leary-esque experiment called the Alpha Acid Test. They have brewed a 60 IBU ale that received one hop addition at 60 minutes in the kettle. They put it into 10 kegs and firkins, leaving one beer as is and dry hopping the other nine with nine different hop varieties.

Are you tripping yet?

So you'll get the chance to explore the psychedelic differences between the hop varieties. You can enjoy this unique event, complete with a commemorative tasting glass, LBC raffles, and munchies, for the low, low price of $20.

Need a miracle? Or two?

You don't need to stand outside a parking lot trying to trade a grilled cheese for a ticket. We want to hook you up! It's time for a giveaway!

We have two tickets to LBC's Alpha Acid Test. Like most of our previous giveaways, we will randomly select a commenter to this post. All you need to do by noon on Monday, November 16th is leave your first name and last initial and answer this question:

If you were to live in one Indiana city or neighborhood, based solely on proximity to breweries, craft beer bars, and/or beer stores, what city or neighborhood would that be?

Again, you need to comment by 12pm EST, Monday, November 16th. We will announce the winner shortly after and will make arrangements to get the tickets to you.

Keep on reading Hoosier Beer Geek, where we ask you to turn on, tune in, and drink craft beer.