Random Beer Roundup - No football this week, I guess we'll drink craft beer edition

For many NFL football fans, this weekend is a cold, dark weekend. A reminder that the season is over, the Super Bowl and Pro Bowl remain, and then that's it. No more football games until August. Personally, football has been over for me since January 3rd when the Indianapolis Colts screwed it up again.

My suggestion to you football fans: don't be glum. Drink a craft beer instead! Need a suggestion? Check out the Indianapolis Star where yours truly, Mat Gerdenich, president of Cavalier Distributing, and Liz Laughlin, master brewer at Rock Bottom 86th St., offer up some craft beer selections. Where can you try these recommended beers? At the Winterfest, of course! But more on that later...

It is time for the weekly Random Beer Roundup. Remember, if you have any beer news you want to share, drop us a line at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. On with the show...

Winterfest:
The Brewers of Indiana Guild is having their first Winterfest on Saturday, January 24th from 3-7pm.

This indoor tasting at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will have beer from all 27 Indiana breweries as well as from many out of state. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.

Highlights include the Cask Conditioned Firkin table which will serve 16 rotating beers served by gravity instead of CO2. Six breweries will bring their ReplicAle - a Scottish Ale that has been aged in Jack Daniels barrels.

This Winterfest will use a token system. Your entry includes 10 tokens for 4oz pours. Extras will be available ($5 for 5 tokens). Designated Driver entry is $5.

See http://www.brewersofindianaguild.com/festival.html for more information and to buy online tickets.

News and Rumors:
No more Smokey-and-the-Bandit-style beer runs for many Hoosiers

One of our secret agents emailed Hoosier Beer Geek that New Belgium (makers of Fat Tire, amongst other much tastier beers) is coming to Indiana this year, most likely in the spring. This isn't like our April Fools prank last year. This is legit.

Also look for Alaskan Smoked Porter to make it in Indiana next winter in a limited quantity, though their other products won't likely be making it at this time.

Courtney at The Hop Shop in Indy was featured in the Indianapolis Star this week as well.

Coming soon to L'Explorator in Indianapolis: The 2009 Indiana Craft Beer and Food Symposium. Stay tuned for details.

Don't forget to enter The Hoosier Beer Geek "Leave a Comment, Maybe Win a Shirt" Contest. Contest ends 1/25/09 at 5PM.

Homebrewing:
Price and availability are subject to change

From Anita at Great Fermentations in Indianapolis:

Centennial hops are back in stock. 2 oz limits.

Now on tap:
Price and availability are subject to change

From Deano at Deano's Vino in Fountain Square, Indianapolis:

By the way, we have Hopslam on draft this Friday for a special limited time.

A follow up email from reader Sandy:

Nick says $7 a pint for Hopslam. Should be on tap by 5 pm-ish.
Be there or be square.

From John at Half Moon Brewery in Kokomo:

New beer on tap Thursday, Jan. 22nd:

The Amber Howl
Amber Wheat Ale - O.G.= 1050 IBU= 18 ABV= 5.5%

From Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

We've got Bell's Hopslam and Founders Double Trouble on draft...we are now offering growlers...buy one of ours or bring in your own.

Now on the shelf:
Price and availability are subject to change

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Company in Lafayette:

Lafayette Brewing Co. has recently expanded our bottle sales for Tippecanoe Common Ale and Black Angus Oatmeal Stout to select Tippecanoe county liquor retailers. Look for LBC beers at Elmwood Liquors, Clark Liquors, 350 South Liquors and all area Bar Barry Liquors locations. We hope to have additional retail locations on board in the coming weeks.

From Mat at Cavalier Distributing in Indianapolis:

Human Block Head, the latest release in the Hebrew Coney Island Lager series is in stock and making its way onto the shelves of better beer stores!

Be sure to save a token for the Hebrew Jewbelation 12 which will be pouring at the Winterfest on Saturday.

From Kirk at Mr. G's Liquors in Noblesville:

New this week

Magic Hat # 9
Founders Double Trouble
Breckenridge Pandoras Bock
Coney Island Human Blockhead
Bells Hopslam

From Cari at Kahn's in Indianapolis:

New this week:
- Victory Storm King 6 packs
- Schmaltz Coney Island Human Blockhead Tough-as-Nails Strong Lager
- Dogfish Chicory Stout
- Dogfish Head Midas Touch

Specials this week:
- Breckenridge Christmas $5.99 / 6-pack
- Young's Double Chocolate Pub Cans $7.99 / 4-pack
- Barley Island 6-packs: $7.49

I'll be pouring for both Cavalier and World Class Beverage at the Brewer's of Indiana Guild's Winterfest, so stop by and say hi!