Random Beer Roundup - The Dynamic Duo Edition

This week's Random Beer Roundup has been brought to you today by not one, but TWO Knights of the Beer Roundtable. If I am the Emperor, Gina is my Darth Vader. Or something like that.

Gina is apprenticing to take over RBR from me so that I may spend my upcoming days on other things. For example, I am WAY behind on some other HBG write ups...Goose Island, NABC's Bank Street Brewhouse, and the Great Crescent Brewing Company, just to name a few. And summers are traditionally busy for me with work and community functions. Helping with the Indiana Microbrewers' Festival takes time too.

Oh yeah, and my wife is expecting our second child this summer.

So I have a full plate. And Gina has been kind enough to offer to take over. At least for a while. At least until she is on the brink of insanity from having to put this together week after week after week...

But today, it's both of us. She formatted the RBR. I added my trademarked witty opening (which the collection of RBR openers will soon be available in paperback!). So today is a double dose of HBG/RBR goodness.

If you have any news, reviews, info, etc. to share for our next Random Beer Roundup, contact us at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. Double your pleasure, double your fun, here comes the Random Beer Roundup!

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

Saturday, June 13th, 5-10pm at Upland Brewing in Bloomington:
Radfest beer festival, $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Tickets are now being sold online here.

Friday, June 19th and Saturday, June 20th at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:
Summerfest: Live Music, food, bean bag tourney, bounce/jump houses and "some of the best beer money can buy."

Monday, June 22nd at Beer Sellar in Indianapolis:
Big Bell's Brewing tapping, a record breaking 30 different Bell's beers on tap at once.

Saturday, June 27th on Mass Ave in Indianapolis:
Indy Brew Ha-Ha

Friday, July 17th at Optimist Park in Indianapolis:
Brewers of Indiana Guild VIP Dinner

Saturday, July 18th at Optimist Park in Indianaplis:
14th Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival

Saturday, August 22nd:
A beer event to be announced soon. Stay tuned!

Saturday, September 12th, from 7-10pm at the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend:
Zoo Brew, beer tasting event, tickets on sale August 1, $30 in advance; more info here.

What's Brewing
Price and availability are subject to change

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

Summer FEST
Come join us June 19th and 20th for Crown Brewing's 1st Annual Summer Fest. Great Food, Live Music, Bounce / Jump Houses for the kids, Beanbag Tourneys and some of the BEST beer money can buy.

FYI we have 6 bands planned over the two days, City held Bean Bag rentals and tournament on Fri & Sat. This is an outdoor event, open for the whole family, no matter the age.

From Jerry at Rock Bottom Brewery in downtown Indianapolis:

American Dream tapping on Thursday the 4th at 6 pm.
The Next Brewers Dinner will be in August - Ask your server for full details and make a reservation.

Seasonal Wheat
Hefeweizen-South German Wheat Ale. Banana aroma, citrus and clove flavors
Hops: Mt. Hood
Malts: Canadian Pale, Winter Wheat
ABV. 5.3%
O.G. 12°

Hoosier Ma Stout
Schwarz Lager - Roasty and smooth German Stout
Hops: Mt. Hood
Malts: Pilsner, Munich, Carafa
ABV. 5.4%
O.G. 12.7°

Goat Toppler Maibock
Sweet and bready malt
flavor with a spicy
hop finish. It’s Lagericious!
Hops: German Noble
Malts: English Pale, Munich malts
ABV. 7.6%
O.G. 16.6°

Bottoms Up Kolsch
German Ale with a slight malty sweetness and a crisp dry finish
Hops: Mt Hood
Malts: Pilsner, Vienna, Wheat
ABV. 5.1%
O.G. 11.2°

Cezanne Saison
Belgian Farmhouse Ale with a tart, refreshing taste and fruity aroma.
Hops: Golding
Malts: English Pale, Summer Wheat, Munich
ABV. 6.2%
O.G. 14°

Don’t forget a little beer to-go.
1/2 Gallon Growler $ 10.50
Growler Refills $ 7.99
5 Gallon Kegs $ 45.00
15.5 Gallon Kegs $120.00

From Scott at at Upland Brewing in Bloomington:

RadFest is this Saturday 5-10 pm at Upland!

Packaging Rad Red for the first time this week! The first batch will be served at RadFest and it will be available throughout our distribution area in kegs and bottles.

From Three Floyd's in Munster:

Three Floyds Draught:

Alpha King Pale Ale - A bold yet balanced American pale ale with slight caramel sweetness and aggressive citrus hoppiness *Our Flagship beer 68 IBU 6% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

Gumballhead - An American wheat beer with a refreshing and crisp citrus finish. This delicious seasonal is brewed with boatloads of Amarillo hops. 30 IBU 4.5% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

Robert the Bruce - A full bodied Scottish-style ale with a well rounded malty profile and roasted biscuit-like notes 24 IBU 6.5% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

Pride and Joy - A smooth medium bodied session beer with citrus hop aroma and finish. *Our invention of an American Mild 42 IBU 5% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

Dreadnaught IPA - An Imperial India Pale Ale with an intense citrus hop aroma, a huge malt body, and a crisp finish 100 IBU 9.5% a.b.v. $5 half-pint

Behemoth - Intense ale, brewed to wine strength. Floral and citrus notes blend with robust maltiness producing a complex and warming beer 80 IBU 10% a.b.v. $7 snifter

Calumet Queen - A light bodied, crisp, refreshing Kolsch-style beer, golden color 20 IBU 5% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

Blackheart - English style IPA, a throwback historical ale brewed when English IPA’s were hopped up to last the long voyage from England to Colonial troops in India, using English malts, English hops, English yeast and aged slightly in toasted oak for a 19th Century taste 78 IBU 8.5% ABV $5 half-pint

Apocalypse Cow - This complex double India Pale Ale has an intense citrus and floral hop aroma balanced by a velvety malt body which has been augmented with lactose milk sugar. With this different take on an IPA we have brewed an ale that is both pleasing to drink and once again, “not normal.” 100 IBU 9.5% a.b.v. $5 tulip

Sand Pebbles - A strong American Brown ale with an aggressive hop presence. A manly beer named after the manly and quintessential Steve McQueen film. “Not your father’s brown ale,” - A. Mason Brewer 53IBU 7.7% a.b.v. $4 half-pint

Guest Draught Beer:

Brugge Tripel de Ripple - highlighted by notes of vanilla and pear delivered from our strain of yeast, Quite approachable for a beer of such strength, Tripel de Ripple masks its alcohol beneath an impressive layer of complexity while maintaining its remarkable drinkability 9.85% a.b.v. $5 footed ale

Ommegang Rare Vos - Rare Vos is flemmish for “Sly Fox,” and the name of one of Brussels’ great cafes. It has a sweetly fruity malt character and yeasty spiciness. 6.5% a.b.v. $5 footed ale glass (4/22/09)

Chouffe Houblon - Unique balance between intense IPA & Belgian triple, malty body, distinctive dryness, expressive fruitiness 9% a.b.v. 59 IBU $6 snifter

Bells Hopslam - A biting bitter, tongue bruiser of an ale 10% a.b.v. $5 half-pint

Bellhaven Scottish Stout - Strong stout with roasted chocolate flavor and medium body 7% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

Stone Levitation - Copper colored ale, big hoppy character, dry finish, citrus overtones 4.4% a.b.v. 45 IBU $5 Imperial Pint

Founders Imperial Stout - Robust Ale brewed with ten varieties of malted barley, extremely smooth, complex with a rich body 25 IBU 10% a.b.v. $5 half-pint

Founders Cerise - A replacement for Rubaeus, fresh Michigan cherries were added at 5 different stages of fermentation. 6.5% a.b.v. $6 footed ale

Bacchus - Flemish sour ale, amber-brown color, sweet and fruity aroma of cherries and raspberries, sour finish with notes of green apples aged oak flavor and aromas. 4.5% a.b.v. $7 footed ale

Victory Prima Pils - Heaps of hops, full frothy head, elegant pilsner, made with all German malt, long dry finish. 5.3% a.b.v. $5 Imperial Pint

At the Bar
Price and availability are subject to change

From Lauren at Scotty's Brewhouse with multiple locations:

Scotty's Brewhouse North side Indianapolis now has Widmer Drifter Pale Ale.
Coming soon to Scottys Brewhouse north side Indy is fat tire draught.

Monday
$2.50 Domestic Draught 24oz MUG CLUB Refills
$5 import/Microbrew 24oz MUG CLUB Refills
$2 12oz Select Domestic Bottles
50¢ Wings $10 All You Can Eat Wings – First Monday Only! (50¢ Wings not valid on this day)

Tuesday
$7 48oz Sam Adams Draught Pitchers
$3 12oz Select Microbrew/Import Bottles

Wednesday
$5 48oz Domestic Draught Pitchers
$7 48oz Import/Microbrew Draught Pitchers
$7 48oz Rum and Coke Pitchers

Thursday
$2.50 Pint Night – 16oz U-Calls

Friday
$10 60oz Pitchers: Coors Light, Miller Lite or Bud Light

Saturday
$4 Heineken, Amstel Light, Modelo Especial & Heineken Light Cans w/ free Koozie
$10 60oz Pitchers: Coors Light, Miller Lite or Bud Light

Sunday
$2.50 Domestic MUG CLUB Refills
$5 Import/Microbrew Draught 24oz MUG CLUB Refills
$5 48oz Domestic Pitchers

From Matthew at World Class Beverages in Indianapolis:

So here's a preliminary list of some of the beers that will be available at the Beer Sellar on June 22nd.

On tap now, and will be on the 22nd:
Oberon Third Coast Beer Two Hearted Pale Ale Amber Ale Porter Expedition Stout Best Brown Ale

Coming on the 22nd
Third Coast Old Ale Harry McGill's Spiced Stout Smoked Stout Cherry Stout Poolside Wedding Ale Hell Hath no Fury...

More to come as the specifics come in...
We'll break down costs for the evening, as well as throw out some nearby hotel recommendations soon as well.

Oh, and Larry Bell will be here too. Would he really let someone tap 30 of his beers at once and not be there?!?

From Elizabeth at The Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

The Old Town Ale House has got more new goodies on draft:

Founder’s Pale Ale, Goose Island Summertime,Sea Dog Blueberry Ale, Magic Hat #9, Bell’s Two Hearted, Bell’s Oberon, Dirty Bastard, Victory Prima Pils, Two Brothers Domaine Dupage, Original Sin , Stone Smoked Porter, Dark Horse IPA, Coney Island Albino Python, Stone Levitation, Hebrew RIPA, Hebrew Rejewvenator, Founder’s Cerise, Goose Island Matilda, Breckenridge 471 ESB*, Stone IRS*

*Sorry, not eligible for "pint night pricing"

Come see us...our bottle list is growing all the time too--only available in house as it changes constantly!

Carry Out
Price and availability are subject to change

From Todd at Keg Liquors in Clarksville:

Schlafly Tripel - Hearty with a golden hue and rich, fruity character. While this ale is light in color, it is fuller bodied than many darker ales. These characteristics make it a great after-dinner drink and a perfect complement to aged cheese and fruity desserts.

Schlafly Grand Cru - Fruity, spicy aromas and flavors contribute to the complexity of this golden-colored Belgian ale. Medium body and effervescence contribute to a light, dry impression, despite its strength and sweet, smooth finish.
Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere Harvest Ale - This is the first time we know of that an American brewer has put out a beer with fresh-picked hops from the southern hemisphere. The ale will feature fresh Pacific Hallertau, New Zealand Motueka and New Zealand Southern Cross hops, all from New Zealand. o ensure the freshest hops possible, we went to the added expense of flying these hops from New Zealand to Chico so we could brew with them the week after they were picked.

Schlafly Quadruple - Schlafly Quadrupel is, as its name implies, a serious beer. But don’t be intimidated. This fourth beer in our bottle-conditioned Belgian-style beer series has a rich, malty backbone that is generously balanced by select, fresh hops to create a luscious, smooth character. Sharing it with friends enhances the enjoyment, whether in front of a roaring fire or at the finest dinner party.

Bluegrass Brewing Company Amber - Altbier literally means old beer, a pre-lager ale from Germany that bridges the gap between ales and lagers in a manner that flatters both. BBC Amber Ale is well-balanced, medium-bodied amber ale brewed with traditional ingredients for a smooth, refreshing finish.

Dark Horse Sapient Triple - We've brewed this beer as close to a true Belgian recipe as you can without being a Monk. This beer is deceiving although it is light in color it is a full bodied beer. The flavors are of light fruit and malt with residual sweetness and very little hop presence.

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

Boulder Sampler
Chang
Two Brothers Hop Juice

From Mike at Crown Liquors with various locations:

Crown Liquors is recieving a small allocation of Du De Ciel Peche Mortel and Rigormortis, so stop by soon, allocation will be 2 btls per customer. Two Brothers Hop Juice is also coming in today. Three Floyds Apocolypce Cow is finally here today as well, not alot to go around, but enough to get it around the chain.

News, Reviews, and Gossip

Read about progress on the Bank Street Brewery and more news from Roger at The Portable Curmudgeon.

From Greg at Cavalier Distributing in Indianapolis:

Two Brothers 2009 Hop Juice was released this week and should be making its way out to retailers across the state. Hop Juice is an annual release from Two Bros Artisan Series. It's a Double IPA weighing in at 10% abv & 100 IBU's. Hop Juice starts with a huge resiny/piney hop aroma. It has a nice malt backbone that is quickly overcome by the assertive hop flavor and bitterness of the Amarillo and Magnum hops. It is then dry-hopped with 1 pound of Amarillo hops per barrel!! This beer is very limited and always disappears fast, so get it now while you still can.

Mendocino Brewing Co. has come out with a new 12pk Variety Pack. It's just hitting store shelves now and features their lineup of highly acclaimed brews. Mendocino is one of the few domestic craft/micro breweries that has been around 30+ years, and the reason is the quality of the beer! The Blue Heron Pale and Summer White Ale are new additions to the Indy market and are phenomenal beers. Pick up a sampler and acquaint yourself with Mendocino!