Random Beer Roundup - Get your Valentine some beer edition

Last night while traveling to dinner, I noticed a billboard advertising a dozen roses for Valentine's Day. We have had a 10 year understanding that buying flowers for Feb. 14th is a waste of money. Making sure I don't accidentally put myself in the dog house, I asked, "Do I need to get you flowers for Valentine's Day this year?" She replied, "No, that's stupid."

Wanting to additionally insure I don't sleep on the couch in the near future, I ask, "Jewels, then. You want jewelry for Valentine's Day?" She said, "No, we don't need to be wasting our money on that."

"So what do you want?"

"I don't know," she replied, "When I think of it, I'll go and buy it for myself."

"Sounds good," I said. Makes my job easy.

She continues, "I was planning on getting you a case of Hopslam for your gift. Why don't you pick one up for yourself?"

Yes, I married a good one. Just a friendly reminder from Hoosier Beer Geek that craft beer makes a great Valentine's Day gift and nothing could ever go wrong by buying beer for that special someone.¹

Alright love birds, 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...

Beer Events:
From Patrick at Patrick's Kitchen in Zionsville:

Join us for a great evening for beer lovers! Patrick's invites you to our INDIANA BREWS beer tasting, Tuesday, February 17 at 6:30 PM. We will have three appetizers, two entrees, and dessert, all perfectly paired with six Indiana microbrews.

From Cari at Kahn's in Indianapolis:

Beer Tasting Monday, February 9, 5-7 p.m.: Great German Beers with Cavalier Distributing

Bonus Beer Tasting: Saturday, February 7, 1-4 p.m.: Sierra Nevada beers, showcasing the recent releases and some old favorites. This will also kick off a drawing for a really unique item from Sierra Nevada - a screen printed 12th Release Wet Hop Ale hop sack framed in a "found-wood" 100 year-old Duncan fir frame.

From Rob at Big Red Liquors in Bloomington:

Don't forget about our free beer tasting every Thursday from 6-8pm at our big downtown store! On Feb. 12th: Lindeman's Framboise & Kriek

From Jerry at Rock Bottom in Downtown Indianapolis:

Next Tapping: Fire chief, Feb. 19, 2009
Next Brewer’s Dinner: Feb. 10, 2009

From John at the Black Sparrow in Lafayette:

See you at the Lafayette Brewing Company's "Winter Warmer" Strong Ale and Barleywine Tasting (Sat Feb 7th).
This event is sold out...but worth the attempt at a "scalper" ticket!

On Saturday, February 14th, the Fickle Peach in Muncie will be having a Valentine's Day beer dinner. See the poster to the right for more information. Purchase your tickets online soon. Seating is limited.

From Matt and Elizabeth at the Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

Monday, Feb 23rd at 7 p.m.
"Lambics, Meads & Barleywine"
$10 per person includes beer & appetizers.
All beer will be available for purchase at great prices!
Old Town Ale House...841-0800

We've also got a great Valentine's Day planned...just for Beer Lovers. We suggest reservations!

And mark your calendar for a Beer Geek Breakfast (or Beer Geek BreakFest) at Brugge Brasserie in Indianapolis on Saturday, March 14th. More details to come.

News and Rumors:
From Bob at Indiana Beer:

Chris Johnson and Brett VanderPlaats have a web site up now about their upcoming brewery, the People's Brewing Company, in Lafayette. Chris was the brewer at Lafayette Brewery for many years. The new venture uses a name from a pre-prohibition brewery in Terre Haute. It seems to be destined to be a brewery rather than a brewpub.

From way down in Louisiana, Abita sent an email that 22 ounce beer bottles will be hitting retailers in the near future, including these two big beers:

Abita Andygator
Andygator is a creature of the swamp, a unique high-gravity brew made with pale malt, German lager yeast and German Perle hops. Unlike other high-gravity brews, Andygator is fermented to a dry finish with a slightly sweet flavor and subtle fruit aroma. Reaching alcohol strength of 8% by volume, it is a Helles Dopplebock. Andygator has been enjoyed as a draft brew and now enthusiastic Abita Andygator fans welcome its distribution in the new Big Bottles.

Abita Abbey Ale
Abbey Ale is a new Abita brew that honors the ancient tradition of monks who perfected the art of brewing beer to support the monastery and the brothers with their form of “liquid bread”. Abita offers up their support and thanks them with a 25-cent donation to St. Joseph’s Abbey in Covington, Louisiana with every bottle of this heavenly brew. The Abita Brewing Company previously raised $550,000 for hurricane storm relief with their Restoration Pale Ale after back-to-back storms devastated Louisiana. Abbey Ale is dark amber in color, with an aroma of caramel, fruits and cloves. It is a Dubble or double ale with an 8% ABV. Abita Abbey Ale is a malty brew, top-fermented and bottle aged to rapturous perfection.

Now on tap:
Price and availability are subject to change

From John at the Black Sparrow in Lafayette:

Double IPA Extravaganza!!!

Beginning Thursday, Feb 5th-until supplies last...a tasting of some of the season's finest DIPAs! All On Draft!!!

Available by the pint, or as a sample-size flight of all five:
Stone Ruination
Founders Double Trouble
Bell's Hopslam
Victory Hop Wallop
Goose Island Imperial IPA

Don't miss the chance to try these great beers!!!

Also on tap:
Okocim Lager
Left Hand Sawtooth
Kostritzer Black Lager

From Jerry at Rock Bottom in Downtown Indianapolis:

These beers are in addition to our normal lineup:
Seasonal Wheat: Hefeweizen-German Wheat ale.
Banana aroma with spice and citrus flavors.
Hops: Mt. Hood
Malts: Canadian Pale, Winter Wheat
ABV. 5.3%
O.G. 12°

Hoosier Ma Stout: Imperial Stout
Big, rich and roasty strong ale.
Hops: Golding
Malts: English Pale, Chocolate, Roasted Barley, Rolled Oats
ABV. 9.7%
O.G. 22.4°

Trouble: Golden Belgian Strong Ale
Rich and full mouthfeelwith wonderful fruit and spice character.
Hops: Golding
Malts: English Pale, Munich
ABV. 8.7%
O.G. 20°

Hop Bomb: American I.P.A.
Grassy bitterness and wonderful floral and ruby grapefruit aroma.
Served Nitro style!
Hops: Simcoe, Crystal
Malts: English Pale, Munich, Crystal
ABV. 7.25%
O.G. 15.8°

From Greg at Cavalier Distributing:

Perusing Shallos' tap selection, I felt compelled to send you an updated list of some of the special brews they have on now & coming up:

Boulder Mojo Risin Double IPA
Founders Imperial Stout
Left Hand Smokejumper Porter
Mad River John Barleycorn Barleywine

Also, Founders Double Trouble Imperial IPA will be tapped later this week.

These are all in addition to Breckenridge 471 Dbl IPA, Stone Arrogant Bastard, Weihenstephaner Hefe & Breckenridge Oatmeal Stout!!

It's worth a trip to the southside...

From Chris, a note about Agio on Mass Ave:

We went to Agio for dinner this week and noticed that they now have Brugge Black on tap. Brugge is popping up all over town these days! Outside of the Brasserie itself, Brugge Black is relatively uncommon on tap -- at least, less common than Tripel de Ripple or White -- so stop by Agio and have a pint!

From Matt and Elizabeth at the Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

The Old Town Ale House WILL have Double Trouble, Hopslam & MoJo Risin' on this weekend. The draft list is pretty awesome right now.

From Dean at Deano's Vino in Indianapolis:

BIG News! Many of you (you know who you are) have been hounding the good people at Deano's Vino. "I'm in Hopslam withdrawal", you say. "Do whatever you have to to get another keg, Nick!" Well, Nick has pulled through to save your butts one more time. You'll have to ask him yourself for the tawdry details. Please remember, this is the end of the line for Bell's Hopslam until 2010, so don't delay!!

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

From Mat at Cavalier Distributing in Indianapolis:

Good news from Founders: They have been able to get thier hands more Centennial Hops and will no longer limit how much Centennial IPA they will send to Indiana and we now have plenty in stock. Which means Indiana Hop Heads should be able to get Centennial IPA when ever they want it! So drink up!

The 2009 release of Hofbrau Mai Bock just arrived on our dock today!

Also a truck from Left Hand arrived today so we now have Milk Stout back in stock.

From Cari at Kahn's in Indianapolis:

New In This Week:
Boulder Brewing Mojo Risen Double IPA 22 oz.
Shipyard Pugsley's Signature Series Barleywine 22 oz.
Shipyard Pugsley's Signature Series Imperial Porter 22 oz.
Avery New World Porter 6-packs
Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Barleywine 6-packs

Sales:
15% off beer sale at Kahn's.
Through through Feb. 10th: All Single Beers. If we sell it in a "warm" single, it's on sale.
From Feb. 11th-17th: All imported 6 pack beer. From anyone, all types and styles!

Achouffe Brewery - La, Houblon & Mc: $6.99 each, N'Ice: $7.99
Two Brothers Ebel's Weiss: $4.99 6-pack (while supplies last)
Breckenridge Christmas Ale: $5.99 6-pack

Also, keep an eye out: We are resetting certain areas of the department to make room for our expanding gluten-free and organic beers.

From Mike at Crown Liquors with multiple locations in the Indianapolis area:

Been taking the last few weeks getting things organized and polishing up around the chain, now that we retailers have some time to breath after the busy season, so stores are looking great! I have also been putting in the pre-orders, so plenty of rare/new treats in the near future. Still plenty of Hopslam at $17.99 a 6pk w/15% off on a case purchase. Plenty of Double Trouble from Founders as well. Bigfoot Barleywine just arrived along with Torpedo, a great IIpa from Sierra Nevada. We will be having a tasting Friday, Feb 6th at the fishers location(Crown Liquors #15), of Upland brewing Co. brews. One night special as well, 15% off ALL Micro/Micro Import bombers, 6pks and 750s for the tasting. We will be sampling Uplands year round brews, Seasonals, a few of the Lambics (Jen is bringing the Kiwi from her stash) and for sure a few brews from the cellar. Hope to see alot of you there.

Homebrewing:
Price and availability are subject to change

From Anita at Great Fermintations in Indianapolis:

Hop rhizome pre-order:
We have chosen nine different varieties of hops that grow particularly well here in the midwest. Orders need to be in by March 1st. Please be advised that hop vines can grow 25 feet or more in a season so trellising or some other type of support is advised. Follow this link for more details and to reserve your rhizomes.

Wanna make some high gravity beer? Wyeast Private Collection HG yeasts are in the shop:
Whether you are looking to brew an extremely rich malty brew with a powerful bouquet or a winter warmer with malty sweetness and complexity, these High Gravity Private Collection strains will provide you with the most critical tool to make it possible. Three to choose from: Imperial Blend, Old Ale Blend, and Canadian/Belgian. These will only be in stock through March.

¹Warning: Results may vary. For example, if you attempt to give your girlfriend craft beer instead of an engagement ring when what she and her mother and her sisters and all her friends are expecting you to FINALLY grow a pair and ask the girl to marry you, you may in fact lose your life.