KOTBR #81 - The All-Request Line

Editor's Note: Hoosier Beer Geek wishes to apologize in advance for the gimmicky nature of the following review. But let's face it--sometimes, we just can't help ourselves. You may love the following review (in fact, we hope you do). But we also realize that you may hate it (a good possibility as well; perhaps that's why we never win any "best blog" awards). So there--you've been forewarned.

It all started with this video. Yes, that's right--it's the Black Eyed Peas throwing Hebrew phrases into their latest song. Then there was the confession by Jason that, well, he really likes this song. Add to that a visit to the Rathskeller (401 E. Michigan St., Indianapolis, 317.636.0396) for a roundtable and we ended up with an opportunity to make light of Jason's musical tastes. This wasn't unusual for us, though, as this has all happened before. But as you'll see, I really don't have much room to make fun of Jason's musical tastes (see below--you'll figure it out).

This all quickly morphed into an idea (maybe a really poor idea)--Hoosier Beer Geek radio. So close your eyes. Pretend you're cruising in your car on a road trip, looking for that one great radio station to keep you company. Static crackles as you crank the dial, and then there it is--WHBG FM, Indianapolis. Leading us off, the man who is the unparalleled master of those stacks of wax, who pumps the wattage into your cottage, our very own Jason, better known behind the turntables as "DJ Johnny Unitas"--

For tonight’s review, I considered paying homage to the Jewish hip-hop/pop group Black Eyed Peas and their new hit song “I Got a Feeling," a song that will become a regular favorite around Chanukah, I’m sure. Kinda like a “Celebrate Me Home” for the Chosen People!

But it’s July; way to early to riff on holiday songs. Instead, I elected to take a page from my handy dandy pocket-sized “Songs You Know By Heart” songbook and do my version of Jimmy Buffett’s “Margaritaville."

Just call me Jason Smorgasbord.

Nibblin’ on schnitzel,
Gettin’ all shitzeled.
All those Germans in lederhosen.
Polka is playing.
The drunks are all swaying.
What is that beer that they have chosen?

Wastin’ away again in Weihenstephan.
Drinking Kristallweiss from a large stein.
This much is clear,
This is not a dark beer.
And I know it treats me just fine.

This version of wheat,
Is really a treat.
A weiss that’s filtered is better for me.
A crisper mouthfeel,
Lack of banana peel,
But just enough flavors to be citrusy.

Wastin’ away again in Weihenstephan.
Drinking Kristallweiss from a large stein.
Is your mouth dry?
Then you should give this a try.
And I know that it treats me just fine.

Don’t have to go far,
Just to the Kellerbar.
Not like you have to cruise down the Rhine.
There it is on tap.
Stop in for a night cap.
And then maybe some wurst on which you can dine.

Wastin’ away again in Weihenstephan.
Drinking Kristallweiss from a large stein.
The hops they are slight.
It does not have a big bite.
And I know that it treats me just fine.

There is no debate
Jimmy Buffett is great!
And I know that it treats me just fine.

And next up, the Queen of Pop, the lady you just can't stop, Gina, better known as "Extra Special Bitter"--

"Weihenstephaner (Kristallweissbier)"
(To the tune of "Womanizer" by Britney Spears)

Kristallweiss
From the tap, how's it flowing?
I hope that
To my table, is where you're going.
You can fit right in with all the German beers out here
And I know that you are, that you are, filtered

Look at you
Crystal clear in just a small cup
Baby, you
Got all the Knights with all their mugs up
Fakin' like a weizen, but I call 'em like I see 'em
I know that you are, that you are, filtered

Weinhenstephaner, Weihen-Weinhenstephaner, you’re a Weinhenstephaner
Oh, Weinhenstephaner, oh you’re a Weinhenstephaner beer
You-you-you are … You-you-you are
Weinhenstephaner, Weinhenstephaner, Weinhenstephaner

Spicy on the front
I-I know just-just what you are, ah, ah
Clarity's brilliant
I-I know just-just what you are, ah, ah
You got it goin’
Just keep it flowin’
I'll have another … Weinhenstephaner
Spicy on the front
I-I know just-just what you are, ah, ah
Clarity's brilliant
I-I know just-just what you are, ah, ah
The citrus I'm tasting
gets a high mug rating
You’re a great beer from Weinhenstephaner

Rathskeller
You got the selection of a champion
With the food
pair a beer with the right companion
Bockwurst, sausage, bratwurst, sauerkraut,
Hot Wurst Plate,
Spicy Mustard on a Pretzel,
That's just from the bar, baby

Weihenstephan
The Brewery -- you're the oldest
The quality
of the beer, one of the finest
In Friesing, Germany, it was a
monastery for the monks, and it's been around
about a thousand years, baby

Weinhenstephaner, Weihen-Weinhenstephaner, you’re a Weinhenstephaner
Oh, Weinhenstephaner, oh you’re a Weinhenstephaner, baby
You-you-you are … You-you-you are
Weinhenstephaner, Weinhenstephaner, Weinhenstephaner

You’re oh so charmin’
I'll have another Weinhenstephaner

Welcome back after the station break. With our next tune, we have the one, the only, Matt E., known around the station as the "Zombie Master"--

To the tune of "The Way" by Fastball

There’re so many kinds
Of beer to be quaffing
They met after the hard work on that day
Biergarten for eternal summer sampling
But where were they going without ever knowing the way?
They drank up the Weiss
And they got to talking
They now had more important notes to share
And when the Doors came on they started talking
What were they tasting without ever knowing the way?

Anyone could see the beer that was draughted was colored gold
Have some this summer, you’ll never get cold
You’ll probably get hungry
Definitely get old and gray
You can smell the mandarin oranges waft your way
There is lotsa foam
But I really don’t care
I wanted the big mug
I’d happily share today, today

The meniscus dropped
And I couldn’t stop it
The beer just went down way too easily
The Kristallweiss
Is such a cru-el mistress
The cloves and bananas are part of the Weihenstephan way.

Anyone could see the beer that was draughted was colored gold
Have some this summer, you’ll never get cold
You’ll probably get hungry
Definitely get old and gray
I would drink this tasty wheat beer any day
I’d drink it at home
But you probably don’t care
It’s so light and airy
Just sample this beer today, today

Weihenstephaner Kristallweissbier (5.4% ABV)
Gina 3.5 Mugs | Jess 3.7 Mugs | Rod 3.9 Mugs | Jason 3.5 Mugs | Matt E. 4.1 Mugs | Jim 3.925 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.77 Mugs



Our fourth DJ is here, and he has a drastic change of pace for you. Hear me now and believe me later when I say that he's heavy . . . reaaaal heavy. Throwin' some thunder and lightning at you, bashin' your skull with a sonic Thor's hammer, it's Rod, a/k/a "Platinum Death"--

Slayer is widely known for their fascination with . . . well, the more infamous and regrettable side of German history. So I'll take this opportunity to turn Slayer's awesome musicianship into an appreciation for Germany's greatest contribution to humanity, beer. I give you, "Weizen of Dunkel," formerly "Angel of Death."

Weihenstephan, the meaning of bier
The way that I want you to drink
Slow sips, immense delight
Showers of refreshment in the sun

Cloves in, like winter, you thought
Stripped of translucent worth
Anise seed, for the Weizen of Dunkel
For the presence of banana does not lie

Weizen of Dunkel
Darker version of the liquid bread
Delicious, cousin of wheat
Presence of the noblest yeast
Top fermenting, without mercy
To benefit the German taste

Dried herbs, but no hop notes
Feel the malt rush you intensely
Creamier, than any other you'll find
Caramel dominates the mind
Weizen of Dunkel
Darker version of the liquid bread
Wheaty and richer
Weizen of Dunkel

A bunch of awesome guitar solos and even a rocking drum solo happens here and then I stop coming up with lyrics because this is way harder than it looks.



And to introduce our last but certainly not our least song, it's the Scribe of the Sonic Tribe, the old man with the lyrical plan, the disc jockey known as "DJ Methuselah"--

Simply put, nothing says beer-drinking like Lady Gaga. Here's her latest song, "Dunkel Weiss," in which she comes across as a bit protective of her brew.

[To the tune of "Poker Face"]

Y-y-y-yum
(4x)

I wanna drink it like they do in Deutschland please
Weihenstephaner brews it baby, made some just for me (I love it)
Smells like a banana and it tastes just like one too
and though you want some of it I ain’t gonna share with you

Oh o-oh oh oh, o-o-o-o-o-oh
I got a pour, I want me some more
(2x)

Can't drink my, can't drink my
No, you can't drink my dunkel weiss
(Go get your own beer baby)
(2x)

D-d-d-dunkel weiss, d-d-dunkel weiss
(y-y-y-yum)
(2x)

I wanna another ‘cause it’s nice and cloudy brown
A glass of wheat beer, yes, I like to drink it down (I love it)
They got it perfect when it comes to dunkel weiss
Now go get me another so I don’t have to ask twice (twice)

Oh o-oh oh oh, o-o-o-o-o-oh
I got a pour, I want me some more
(2x)

Can't drink my, can't drink my
No, you can't drink my dunkel weiss
(Go get your own beer baby)
(2x)

D-d-d-dunkel weiss, d-d-dunkel weiss
(y-y-y-yum)
(2x)
(y-y-y-yum)
(2x)

So I think I want another, right there brother
'Cause I'm cravin’ what you’re savin’
I'm not lying, I'm just buyin’ for the sake of tryin’ (yum)
Just like a beer geek at the table, want to drink more than I am able
I promise this, promise this
Check this beer 'cause it’s marvelous

Can't drink my, can't drink my
No, you can't drink my dunkel weiss
(Go get your own beer baby)
(4x)

D-d-d-dunkel weiss, d-d-dunkel weiss
(y-y-y-yum)
(4x)

Weihenstephaner Hefeweissbier Dunkel (5.3% ABV)
Gina 3.8 Mugs | Jess 3.8 Mugs | Rod 4.1 Mugs | Jason 3.2 Mugs | Matt E. 3.6 Mugs | Jim 4.2 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.78 Mugs

Random Beer Roundup - The Welcome to the Family Edition

We are more than excited to welcome a new addition to the Beer Geek family. Just yesterday, Knight Jason and wife, Dani, welcomed a new baby girl into the world. We can't wait to meet her! In other good news, Mike and I are on vacation this week. We've had a great time visiting Columbus, OH for a Crew game, Cedar Point, and Chicago. I could use one of these about once a month.

So we all know Obama chose Bud Light, but hey, no one is perfect. If you have news for the next edition of the Roundup, submit it to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com.

So, grab your tickets to the Hoosier Beer Geek third anniversary party, this is the Random Beer Roundup.

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

Various Dates and Locations in August - Scotty's Brewhouse Beer Dinners (Details below)

Saturday, August 22nd: The Hoosier Beer Geek 3rd Anniversary Party, Sun King Brewing Co. Tickets are limited and can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets.

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.

Saturday, September 26th at Crown Brewing Co. in Crown Point: 2nd Annual Oktoberfest and PRO AM Brewing Competition - Outdoor event, Live Music, Food, etc

What's Brewing

From John at Half Moon Brewery in Kokomo:

On tap now at Half Moon Restaurant & Brewery in Kokomo, IN:

M.I.L.F.-n-Honey-Wheat (Bronze Medal-2009 Brewer's Cup)
O.G.=1055 ABV=5.8% IBU=15

2009 Indiana ReplicAle: German Alt
O.G.=1053 ABV=5.1% IBU=32

Cannon Shot Cream Ale
O.G.=1.048 ABV=5.4% IBU=16

Wildcat Wheat
O.G.=1.040 ABV=4.5% IBU=13

Stoplight City Red
O.G.=1.054 ABV=5.7% IBU=25

Hazelnut Brown (Silver Medal-2008 Brewer's Cup)
OG = 1.056 ABV = 5.7% IBU = 25

Elwood's IPA
O.G.=1.062 ABV=6.7% IBU=60

Cole Porter (Gold Medal-2009 Brewer's Cup)
O.G.=1.066 ABV=7.0% IBU=30

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

ATTENTION ALL HOMEBREWERS!!!

Crown Brewing is pleased to announce that it will be having its first ever "Crown Challenge" PRO-AM .

EVENT DATE = September 26th
BEER SUBMISSION DATE = September 24th
REGISTRATION FEE = $5.00

The competition is open to homebrews only.
No entries brewed with professional assistance, on professional equipment, or at a commercial brewery are eligible.

For all rules, regulation and to download a registration form, please visit, CrownBrewing.com

A T-Shirt & A Pint Only $15!! Stop in anytime now through July 31st and get both a T-Shirt and Pint of choice for only $15.

From Mike at Granite City Food & Brewery:

Granite City now has kegs for sale. Only $125. American Sankey fitting so you can rent a tap at your local liquor store for easy access. ALL brands on tap are available including our Blueberry Ale and the new Wag's Wheat.

At the Bar

From Dustin at Spencers Stadium Tavern:

On Tap:

Old Style
Pride & Joy
Victory Hop Devil
Sunshine Bright
SUN KING Pale
Captain Sig's
Oberon
Double Dragon Fly

From Lauren at Scottys Brewhouse:

Chefs and foodies have been pairing food and wine for ages. Syrahs, Pinots, meats, cheeses, fish – we have been educated in reds with meats and whites with chicken and fish. Now, popularity is growing, as the craft brewing industry is booming, in pairing food with beer.

Tuesday, August 4: Downtown Indianapolis, 6 – 8pm – Sam Adams Brewing Company
Thursday, August 6: West Lafayette, 6 – 8pm – Bell’s Brewing Company
Tuesday, August 11: Muncie, 6 – 8pm – Magic Hat Brewing Company
Thursday, August 13: North Side Indianapolis, 6 – 8pm – Sun King Brewing Company
Monday, August 17: Bloomington, 6 – 8pm – New Belgium Brewing Company

News, Reviews, and Gossip

Knight Jim found some good articles:

Hey, if you're not starving to death because of oppressive government policies, enjoy a beer!: http://www.adpulp.com/archives/2009/07/beer_for_the_pe.php

Drinkers of shitty beer buy cheaper, shittier beer because of the Great Recession: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2009/07/27/sorry-bud-natty-light-isnt-just-for-college-anymore/

Putting the "Hoosier" in Hoosier Beer Geek

Have we mentioned our Third Anniversary shindig recently? We have? Oh.

Well, we'll mention it again.

Hoosier Beer Geek's Third Anniversary Roundtable is coming up in four and a half weeks. Half of our early bird priced tickets are spoken for ($30 until August 9th, in case you were wondering). So if you want to hang with celebrate with us, you'll need to head over to our ticket website soon. The tickets can be purchased through brown paper tickets, and the link to tickets is here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/71571. Designated driver tickets are available too.

This year, we are celebrating some of the best of Hoosier brews. We already mentioned having beers from SUN KING, BRUGGE, UPLAND, OAKEN BARREL, BARLEY ISLAND, and ROCK BOTTOM DOWNTOWN.

We also have heard that LAFAYETTE and BROAD RIPPLE will be at the roundtable as well.

In addition, SCHLAFLY from St. Louis will be joining us. Not to mention other beers from CAVALIER DISTRIBUTING and WORLD CLASS BEVERAGES.


THE HOOSIER BEER GEEK THIRD ANNIVERSARY ROUNDTABLE
6PM - SATURDAY, AUGUST 22ND, 2009 - SUN KING BREWING
135 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46202

Food from Chef JJ:

CHEESE AND CRACKER TRAY WITH GRILLED SAUSAGES
MINI BLACK BEAN BURGERS
GORGONZOLA MINI BELLA SANDWICHES
STEAK KABOBS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES
CHICKEN WINGS

Your ticket also includes a commemorative tasting glass with the Sun King and Hoosier Beer Geek logos, and there will be some prizes and surprises in store as well.

Designated drivers will not receive a commemorative glass, but will receive the same food. DD beverage choices will be limited to water and soda.

KOTBR #80 - Potluck

For roundtable #80, we decided to have an old fashioned beer potluck. We added an element of surprise by declaring that no one should discuss their beer choice prior to the event. Here's what we came up with.


Brasserie d'Achouffe McChouffe
Brasserie d'Achouffe Houblon Chouffe

So what exactly would possess someone to name a brewery after gnomes? After all, the thought of the classic garden gnome doesn't necessarily conjure up anything but an image of annoyingly cutesy creatures--for example, the "gnome on holiday" from the film Amelie, which was later appropriated by Travelocity for a crappy ad campaign. Then again, there's the bizarre use of gnome imagery, such as the Nazi gnome; the satirical use, such as the Underpants Gnomes episode from the second season of South Park; and the juvenile yet humorous use, such as the farting gnome (a good gift for mothers-in-law with an inclination toward a green thumb--trust me on this). So perhaps gnomes aren't all that bad.


La Chouffe ("the gnome" in the Belgian Walloon dialect) beers, all from Brasserie d'Achouffe in Belgium, are on the good end of the gnome spectrum. Take, for example, McChouffe (8% ABV), which, according to the bottle, is brewed in the English Brown Ale style with a Belgian twist. Cloudy brown, redolent of apples, and smoothly sweet, this is a nicely satisfying beer. Not a world-beater, but still good nonetheless. 3.70 Mugs.

Houblon Chouffe, Brasserie d'Achouffe's IPA offering (9% ABV), is a pale, cloudy beer with a yeasty, lagery, and lemony nose. To my palate, it tastes like a hopped up lager with a little Belgian candi sugar sweetness backed up with a hint of lemon. The silky mouthfeel also pleases. Again, not a beer to end all beers, but one that I'd opt for again. 3.82 Mugs.

Brasserie d'Achouffe McChouffe
Jim: 3.7 Mugs | Mike: 3.15 Mugs | Rod: 3.4 Mugs | Jess: 3.0 Mugs | Gina: 3.0 Mugs | Chris: 3.3 Mugs | Matt R: 2.9 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.20 Mugs

Brasserie d'Achouffe Houblon Chouffe
Jim: 3.82 Mugs | Mike: 3.03 Mugs | Gina: 2.5 Mugs | Chris: 3.1 Mugs | Rod: 3.5 Mugs | Jess: 3.1 Mugs | Matt: 3.8 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.26 Mugs


Dogfish Head Sah'tea

There's a saying in brewing that goes "Every beer has a story". Sometimes the story is short--Bud Light Lime's story reads "For Sale: Common sense, never used"--and sometimes it involves white hot river rocks and "juniper berries foraged directly from the Finnish countryside". Dogfish Head's Sam Calagione never read a beer story he didn't like; he might be the Levar Burton of the craft beer reading rainbow.

Dogfish's Sah'tea is a take off of sahti, a beverage that has been made in Finland since the ninth century. If you're familiar with chai tea (which isn't Finnish at all) then the real surprise of this beer is that it tastes so familiar. If you're not familiar with chai tea, you might be surprised to find elements of mustard seed, black peppercorn, star anise, juniper, and . . . chai tea. You might remember that we once brined a turkey for a HBG thanksgiving. This beer had a lot of the same elements we used in our brine. My guess is that that's the juniper coming through in large doses. Does it work as a beer? Yes, yes it does. As with most Dogfish bombers, the price isn't cheap, but as with most Dogfish beers, you know there was a ton of work put into making it as interesting as possible.

My only complaint is that the beer might be too rich - which isn't a complaint you'd normally hear out of me. But you don't have to take my word for it. 3.64 Mugs

Dogfish Head Sah'tea
Mike: 3.64 Mugs | Gina: 4.5 mugs | Chris: 3.6 mugs | Jim: 3.9 mugs | Rod: 3.9 mugs | Jess: 4.1 Mugs | Matt R: 2.2 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.69 Mugs


BregDog Dogma

BrewDog is spicing things up over in Scotland's brewing scene. Not only are they introducing a lot of American style craft beer, they're also creating some of their own wacky concoctions. Dogma is a good example of this. Its unique ingredients such as heather honey, guarana, and kola nut make it sound a bit more like a Red Bull than a beer. I really have no idea what guarana is supposed to taste like, but with the inclusion of poppy seeds, I think they're just trying to get you fail a drug screening for reasons other than being drunk.

Dogma turned out to be a lot weaker in flavor than I thought it would be, especially with its 7.8% ABV. To the nose, this beer smells very diluted. A definite mineral presence brings hard water to mind. Honey is definitely there, and a flowery background implies that this is the heather honey. Spicy notes of pepper are very bold and a hint of Coca-Cola rounds out the nose. The kola nut is definitely present, but without a strong sugar presence to bring out its flavors, it's sort of lost in a watery body. Poppy seeds and rye create a spicy malt-like canvas but there's no real action happening on top of it. I don't know what I wish this beer was, but I know it didn't live up to that. I'm left with a lot of stray, interesting spices and nothing solid to bring their highlights together.

I'm sad to give this beer 2.2 mugs, as I appreciate what BrewDog attempted, but I feel the attempt fell short of what was intended.

BrewDog Dogma
Rodney: 2.2 Mugs | Gina: 1.6 Mugs | Jim: 2.0 Mugs | Jess: 1.8 Mugs | Matt R: 1.99 Mugs | Mike: 2.75 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 2.05 Mugs


Founders Blushing Monk

Tom Keifer sang it best when he sang, "Don't Know What You Got (Till It's Gone)". Like it's true for everything else, it's true for this beer. Founders Blushing Monk is the bigger, stronger brute of a brother to Rübæus. Founders has since gotten rid of Rübæus (ale with Raspberries), trading it in for Cerise (ale with cherries). And with this trade of raspberries to cherries, so goes Blushing Monk as well. What a shame!

I've always been a fan of Rübæus, but my first attempt at Blushing Monk did not leave me with a favorable impression. To be fair, the first time I had Blushing Monk, I was fairly new to "imperial" styles of all types and my palate was simply not ready. Of course, something as silly as "not liking the beer" rarely means we won't try it again at some point.

The beer poured a rich red color with a bright pink head. The nose was like paint, heavy and stinging. But the taste was a spectacular blend of tart raspberries and alcohol with a Belgian finish. I re-found this beer a little too late and will miss it as much as I miss Rübæus. I guess I'll have to wait and hope for an Imperial Cerise to take its place. 4.5 Mugs

Founders Blushing Monk
Gina: 4.5 Mugs | Mike: 4.25 Mugs | Chris: 4.3 Mugs | Jim: 4.5 Mugs | Rodney: 3.9 Mugs | Jess: 3.9 Mugs | Matt R: 3.25 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 4.08 Mugs


Three Floyds/Mikkeller Oatgoop

Like most Three Floyds one-time-only beers, this is big. I'm talking monumental big, and when you throw a rock star brewery like Mikkeller into the mix, you get something that smells like graham crackers and tastes like fruity pebbles. We had meant to drink this right away but had put it off a few months while it stewed in our beer cellar. When we had an opportunity to share it with the rest of HBG, we knew it was time to experience the Oatgoop.

Pouring it out it flows thickly from the bottle and appears copper in color, almost like maple syrup, but then it still delivers a nice billowy head (which it retained throughout enjoying this heady brew). The nose is like someone has been dunking their graham crackers in a nice aged barleywine (why you would do that I don't know - I can only assume that Nick Floyd does that as his afternoon snack). Hints of hops and lots of boozy notes make you curious to know where the graham cracker comes from and then you taste the beer.

It explodes on to your tongue with lots of sugar and grassy notes - then it hits you. You're drinking the adult version of drinking the milk after having a bowl of fruity pebbles. You taste what Fred and Barney were arguing about on those commercials as a kid and you decide you have to drink more. That's when you realize that this wheatwine clocks in at 10.4% ABV and you had better back off before you're on the floor. That's the sign of a great high gravity beer, although I'm still trying to figure out what a wheatwine is for a style. I still haven't figured it out after drinking Oatgoop.

I give Oatgoop 4.6 mugs as I like fruity pebbles and graham crackers. I never thought I'd like them in beer, especially with hops.

Three Floyds/Mikkeller Oatgoop
Jess: 4.6 Mugs | Mike: 4.75 Mugs | Rodney: 4.0 Mugs | Jim: 4.1 Mugs | Matt R: 3.4 Mugs | Chris: 4.1 Mugs | Gina: 3.9 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 4.12 Mugs


New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red

If your grandma could bake a mean cherry pie, it would taste like this in beer form. This isn't really beer in the truest sense, but more of pure cherry bliss in a bottle. It has a rather light nose that is mostly cherries. It also has a wonderfully rich flavor profile that is all cherries, floating from decadently sweet to sour and packing in every sip a full pound of cherries per bottle. The mouthfeel has plenty of carbonation that really helps cut through the richness of this beer. This beer is a true classic in every sense of the word. I love cherries and this beer is about as perfect a fruit beer that you are going to taste. I think many fruit beers taste like beer + fruit, but Wisconsin Belgian Red sets the standard for the style and is the best made fruit beer I've ever tasted.

I wish that you could find this beer in Indiana, but what is nice is that if you are in Wisconsin you will most likely find this beer sitting on the shelves in grocery stores. New Glarus beer is widely available all across Wisconsin in grocery stores. Indiana once got New Glarus, but they pulled back from all markets a few years back and now only brew just for Wisconsin. I found some information that stated this year that New Glarus would brew around 85,000 barrels of beer just for Wisconsin. I guess New Glarus heads is a more fitting title than cheese heads.

New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red
Matt: 4.85 mugs | Mike: 5.0 Mugs | Chris: 4.6 Mugs | Jim: 4.9 Mugs | Rodney: 4.4 Mugs | Jess: 4.9 Mugs | Gina: 5.0 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 4.80 Mugs

(It's worth noting that this rating of New Glarus Wisconsin Belgian Red makes it our fourth highest rated beer ever, even under the scrutiny of 7/9ths of the KOTBR.)

Random Beer Roundup - I Need a Vacation Edition

Wow! How about that Microbrewer's Festival? Can someone order the same weather next year? It was spectacular. We hope everyone had an enjoyable time. Thanks also to everyone who helped make the show a success. I look forward to volunteering again next year.

I don't know about you, but I need a vacation. Mike and I are looking forward to spending next week with our niece. I think we've got a soccer game and perhaps a trip to Cedar Point in the works. I think it will be a great time, I haven't been on a roller coaster in years! I hope your weekend is great too!

If you have news for the next edition of the Roundup, submit it to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com.

So, grab your tickets to the Hoosier Beer Geek third anniversary party, this is the Random Beer Roundup.

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

Various Dates and Locations in August - Scotty's Brewhouse Beer Dinners (Details below)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Smock Golf Course in Indianapolis (Details below): Rock Bottom BrewMasters Charity Golf Tournament (you can bid our our basket!)

Saturday, August 22nd: The Hoosier Beer Geek 3rd Anniversary Party, Sun King Brewing Co. Tickets are limited and can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets.

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.

Saturday, September 26th at Crown Brewing Co. in Crown Point: 2nd Annual Oktoberfest and PRO AM Brewing Competition - Outdoor event, Live Music, Food, etc

What's Brewing

From the folks at Three Floyds:

If you go to your local beer store in the next few days and see some of our beers with gold colored crowns instead of our usual FFF crowns, please do not panic. With our expanded production and long lead times on our custom crowns, we have had to supplement our normal design with plain ones until our orders can catch up to our production. There is nothing different about these except for the fact that they are plain gold instead of normal Three Floyds.

From Matthew at Rock Bottom Brewery Downtown

On Tuesday, July 28th, we will be holding our BrewMasters Charity Golf Tournament as a fundraising event specifically for the Miracle on Washington Street. First of all, we’re looking for golfers to participate in the event! If you or anyone you know is interested in joining us for one of the best golf outings in Indianapolis, we’d love to have you! You can go to our Web site at www.rockbottom.com for more information, or download the event registration brochure at http://www.rockbottomrestaurantsinc.com/RBFoundation/1062golfbrochure.pdf.

A little about the Miracle on Washington...each year on Christmas Day, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Downtown Indianapolis holds the Miracle on Washington Street, an event designed to offer more than 500 homeless and displaced guests from Indianapolis-area shelters and non-profit organizations an extraordinary dining and holiday experience. Our honored guests are provided complimentary transportation, are seated at tables dressed in white linen tablecloths and napkins, silverware and china, and enjoy a traditional holiday meal complete with all of the trimmings. We offer gifts of warm adult and children’s clothing, children's books and toys. Professional photographers are on-hand to provide family portraits and pictures with Santa, cell phones to call loved ones, and more than 100 volunteers to make sure each guest’s needs are provided for. Our event is designed to fulfill our belief that everyone deserves a Christmas to remember.

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

ATTENTION ALL HOMEBREWERS!!!

Crown Brewing is pleased to announce that it will be having its first ever "Crown Challenge" PRO-AM .

EVENT DATE = September 26th
BEER SUBMISSION DATE = September 24th
REGISTRATION FEE = $5.00

The competition is open to homebrews only.
No entries brewed with professional assistance, on professional equipment, or at a commercial brewery are eligible.

For all rules, regulation and to download a registration form, please visit, CrownBrewing.com

A T-Shirt & A Pint Only $15!! Stop in anytime now through July 31st and get both a T-Shirt and Pint of choice for only $15.

From Mike at Granite City Food & Brewery:

Granite City has 300 gallons of Blueberry Ale left. Get it while you can. We blew a keg in 1.5 hours at the Indiana Microbrewers Fest.

At the Bar

From Sam at Buffalo Wild Wings Downtown:

Short and sweet.

Buffalo Wild Wings Downtown has good beer!

Being tapped Friday July 24 is Three Floyds Blackheart

Also on Tap:

Founders Reds Rye and Imperial Stout

Stone Arrogant Bastard

Bells Two Hearted and Oberon

Three Floyds Gumballhead and Alpha King

Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere

Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout

New Belgium Fat Tire

Victory Prima Pils

Dogfish Head 90 Minute

Abita Turbodog

From Lauren at Scottys Brewhouse:

Tuesday, August 4: Downtown Indianapolis, 6 – 8pm – Sam Adams Brewing Company
Thursday, August 6: West Lafayette, 6 – 8pm – Bell’s Brewing Company
Tuesday, August 11: Muncie, 6 – 8pm – Magic Hat Brewing Company
Thursday, August 13: North Side Indianapolis, 6 – 8pm – Sun King Brewing Company
Monday, August 17: Bloomington, 6 – 8pm – New Belgium Brewing Company

“[The beer pairing dinner] is a stylistic pairing of Scotty’s food with featured brewery products,” said Martin.

The dinners include an appetizer, choice of entrée, a brewhome-made dessert and, of course, a variety of brew to sip on with each meal course, while brewery representatives offer insights and background.

“The Sun King Brewery will have just released it’s first beers right around the time of the event at 96th street, so this is a great opportunity to sample beers from a new and up-and-coming winning brewery before most others will have the opportunity to do so,” said Martin.

A ticket to the beer dinner is $25 and can be purchased online at www.scottysbrewhouse.com or at any Scotty’s Brewhouse location.

From Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

We've got Beer School #2 just around the corner: Thursday , July 30th at 7 p.m. This month's topic is "IPA's" $10 includes beer & appetizers. Call 841-0800 to reserve your spot.

Here's what's on draft at the Ale House this week:

Founder’s Pale Ale 4
Sea Dog Blueberry Ale 4
Goose Island Summertime 4
Original Sin 4
Bell’s Two Hearted 5
Bell’s Oberon 5
Three Floyds Robert The Bruce 5
Victory Prima Pils 5
Stone Smoked Porter 5
Coney Island Albino Python 5
Great Divide Saison 6
Boulder Flashback Anniversary 6
Rogue Somer Orange 6
Stone Levitation 6
Sun King ESB 6
Left Hand St. Vrain 7*
Hebrew Barrel Aged RIPA 8*
Stone 13 Anniversary 8*
Dogfish Head 90 min. 8*
Stone IRS 10*

*excluded from pint specials

***Come see us in the Beer Garden on Saturday, August 1 for the Flavor of Fishers (www.flavoroffishers.com) we'll be pouring Oberon & Fat Tire among others...plus tons of caramelized bourbon bacon for noshing!***

Reserve your spot for our next week's Beer School. $10 for brew & snacks. Call 841-0800 to reserve your spot!
*excluded from Tuesday & Wed. pint night special

Carry Out

From Big Red Liquors in Bloomington:

Several new items from Victory (did you know that this Philadelphia brewery employes as one of its brewers former Hoosier and BRL employee Dave Sippel?):

* V12 -a 12% abv Belgian inspired ale
* Wild Devil -IPA brewed with Brettanonyces yeast
* Prima Pils & Hop Wallop now in a 22oz bottle
* Brooklyn Local 2 -ale brewed with honey & citrus peel
* Belhaven Scottish Stout
* Two new offerings from Harpoon -Cider and Leviathan Imperial IPA
* New Belgium 6pk bottles -Fat Tire Amber, Mothership Wit, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black, & Skinny Dip Seasonal (brewed with Kaffir Lime)
* Spaten Oktoberfest 12pks

Also, don't forget about our weekly beer samplings. They are every Thursday from 6-8pm at our downtown Bloomington location.

News, Reviews, and Gossip

From Greg and Mat at Cavalier Distribution:

Left Hand Brewing Co. has a couple exciting additions to the Hoosier Beer Community this week, hot on the heels of an outstanding showing at the Microbrewers Fest. The Moo Mobile was in full effect on Saturday, pouring 31 gallons of beers out of the hatch back. In celebration of the Moo Mobile, Left Hand is offering Nitro Milk Stout kegs to top Left Hand draft accounts in the state. These kegs are packed with Nitrogen, so they are ready to be poured on Nitro lines with the correct gas blend. Pouring on a Nitro line gives the Milk Stout that silky presentation and mouthfeel, and only enhances the wonderful flavors of the beer. It's creamy, delicious and makes for a great presentation.

Additionally, Left Hand is releasing Jackman's Pale Ale to the market as an everday offering. Jackman's is a traditional American Pale Ale, assertively hopped with a solid malt backbone. It is hopped with Centennial and Cascade and then dry-hopped with Mt. Hood. This is a wonderfully balanced Pale that is perfect with big, spicy food and should be hitting store shelves and bars this week

Pizza Beer on today show!
If pressed for time fast forward to 8:40 mark to go right to it!

The Hoosier Beer Geek Third Anniversary Roundtable - Full Details

Two years ago we sent out a message to our email subscribers that started out as follows: "You are receiving this email invite because we consider you a friend." Here we are two years later, and we're proud to say that most of our friends are still with us. We've also picked up quite a few new friends along the way. We can't thank you enough.

As has been the case in the last two years, we are picking a day in August to celebrate the anniversary of Hoosier Beer Geek. In our first year we celebrated with a tapping of 90 minute IPA at Deano's Vino. For our second anniversary we celebrated with our friends at Brugge Brasserie. This year we'd like to introduce you all to Indiana's newest brewery, Sun King Brewing Company.


THE HOOSIER BEER GEEK THIRD ANNIVERSARY ROUNDTABLE
6PM - SATURDAY, AUGUST 22ND, 2009 - SUN KING BREWING
135 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46202
The event includes a full sampling of beer from SUN KING, but we thought that maybe that wasn't enough. So we asked some of our other brewery and distributor friends to contribute. Breweries such as BRUGGE, UPLAND, OAKEN BARREL, BARLEY ISLAND, SCHLAFLY, and ROCK BOTTOM DOWNTOWN have all committed to providing beer for the event. In addition our friends at CAVALIER DISTRIBUTING and WORLD CLASS BEVERAGES will be providing us with kegs of something special.

Of course all that beer can tends to make a person hungry. So we worked with our friend Chef JJ to come up with food stations, and a menu with enough variety to keep anyone happy. We came up with the following:

CHEESE AND CRACKER TRAY WITH GRILLED SAUSAGES
MINI BLACK BEAN BURGERS
GORGONZOLA MINI BELLA SANDWICHES
STEAK KABOBS WITH SWEET POTATO FRIES
CHICKEN WINGS
So... we think we've put together something pretty special. Your ticket also includes a commemorative tasting glass with the Sun King and Hoosier Beer Geek logos, and there will be some prizes and surprises in store as well.

Tickets for this event are limited, and when they're gone, they're really gone. They're available from now until August 9th for $30 - that price will increase after August 9th, so you'll probably want to act fast. The tickets can be purchased through brown paper tickets, and the link to tickets is here: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/71571

Lastly, in case you're wondering, $20 Designated Driver tickets are available now through the brown paper tickets at the same link as listed above. Designated drivers will not receive a commemorative glass, but will receive the same food. DD beverage choices will be limited to water and soda.

On behalf of Jason, Jim, Gina, Matt, Rod, Jess, Matt, and Chris, I'd like to say thanks for your patronage. And we'll see on August 22nd!

Mike

Southern Indiana...Where Can I Find This!?!

Sometimes we are asked where particular beers can be found around the state. Sometimes we know the answer, sometimes not. We hope that help can be found by passing the question along to you.

From Glenn in Jasper IN...

Thanks for the neat site. I was wondering if you could help me locate the nearest location to purchase Arrogant bastard beer in Indiana. I reside in Jasper, Indiana approximately one hour north of Evansville and 2 hours south of Indy. Thanks for your time and effort.

Thanks for the question Glenn! I don't know if you are looking for Arrogant Bastard on tap or bottled, so we'll ask for both and see what comes up.

Anyone from the area know of establishments (bars, liquor stores, etc.) near Jasper where Glenn would have luck finding Arrogant Bastard either on draught or in a bomber?

Edit: Glenn emailed to let us know that he found a place.

For all concerned,

I discovered a place in French Lick IN called Red Dog Liquors that has every brew imaginable. They carry all the available micro brews made in the hoosier state as well.

Thanks to everyone for your responses!

What's cooking for HBG 3, literally

Maybe we mentioned something about our super awesome third anniversary extravaganza. I think there's a big ad for it somewhere on the website. Tickets are $30 in advance and are currently limited to 100, so hurry up and get on that before it's too late! If a little breakfast event earlier this year is any evidence of the kind of parties we throw, there's no reason not to come! Not even being pregnant or getting married or living out of state! NONE!

Oh, maybe you want to know what we have up our sleeves? As we said before, up and coming grill-master and chef extraordinaire Chef JJ will be whipping up something special for our birthday. 5 courses of something special. They currently look something like this:

• Cheese and cracker tray with grilled sausages


• Mini black bean burgers


• Gorgonzola mini bella sandwiches


• Steak kabobs with sweet potato fries


• Chicken wings

I think there's something in there for everyone. Obviously we're going to have beer too. A lot of beer. But that's another post.

Buy your tickets HERE

Microbrewers 2009 - The Hangover

The 2009 Microbrewers Festival is now officially over! We didn't get to drink as much beer as we normally do since we were all volunteering, but such is life. If you didn't see us working the Firkin tent then that's your fault! We were pouring one of the best selections of Firkins the festival has ever seen!

This is going to be an open thread. Post in the comments and tell us your favorite beer of the festival. Heck tell us your least favorite too! What was improved with this year's festival and what would you like to see next year?

Here's an assortment of VIP Brewer's Dinner photos and a random shot of the festival because I know you love pictures.



Catfish Escabeche with Upland Wheat


Venison Terrine, Berkshire Lomo and Thyme Truffled Bologna with Diamond Kings 2009


Indiana Tomato and Mushroom Pizza with Barley Island Sheet Metal Blond


Brochette of Beef in Mushroom Sauce with Tippecanoe Common and Monon Porter


Decadent Chocolate Dessert with 21-month Oak Aged Anniversary Ale from New Albanian


Chris pouring sweet firkin love

Random Beer Roundup - The Weather Looks Great Edition

Congratulations to Knights Rod and Jess on their Gold medal win from last weekends Brewers Cup. Congratulations to the rest of the homebrewers and professionals who took home medals for their beer also.

Welcome to the weekend. We hope to see you at the Microbrewer's Festival. If you go, be sure to stop by the Firkin tent near the band. At least one of us should be there at any given time. Stop by, try one of the great beers, and be sure to say hello. If you haven't had a chance to check the weather forecast for Saturday, it looks like it is going to be pretty nice. Hopefully it stays that way, but who knows?

If you have news for the next edition of the Roundup, submit it to hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com.

So, grab your Microbrewer's Festival tickets, this is the Random Beer Roundup.

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

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

Friday, July 17th at Chumley's in Broad Ripple starting at 7pm:
Indy Microbrewers Fest Kick Off (details below)

Saturday, July 18th at Optimist Park in Indianapolis:
14th Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival. You can purchase tickets online here.

Tuesday, July 21st at Patrick's Kitchen and Drinks in Zionsville at 6:30 pm:
Summer Beer Buffet - Six course beer dinner (details below)

Thursday, July 23rd at Deano's Vino in Fountain Square:
Beer Dinner with Upland - $30 for a four course meal with Upland beer pairings - RSVP by July 20

Various Dates and Locations in August - Scotty's Brewhouse Beer Dinners (Details below)

Saturday, August 22nd:
The Hoosier Beer Geek 3rd Anniversary Party, Sun King Brewing Co. Tickets are limited and can be purchased from Brown Paper Tickets.

Saturday, August 22nd at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:
Crown Challenge - PRO AM Brewing Competition (Details below)

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.

Saturday, September 26th at Crown Brewing Co. in Crown Point - 2nd Annual Oktoberfest - Outdoor event, Live Music, Food, etc

What's Brewing

From our Good Friend, Ted, at Brugge in Broad Ripple/Terre Haute:

transferring Bruno today Voyageur tomorrow

*What I think Ted meant is that there is beer at Brugge and you should come and drink it.

From Matthew at Rock Bottom Brewery Downtown

On Tuesday, July 28th, we will be holding our BrewMasters Charity Golf Tournament as a fundraising event specifically for the Miracle on Washington Street. First of all, we’re looking for golfers to participate in the event! If you or anyone you know is interested in joining us for one of the best golf outings in Indianapolis, we’d love to have you! You can go to our Web site at www.rockbottom.com for more information, or download the event registration brochure at http://www.rockbottomrestaurantsinc.com/RBFoundation/1062golfbrochure.pdf.

A little about the Miracle on Washington...each year on Christmas Day, Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery in Downtown Indianapolis holds the Miracle on Washington Street, an event designed to offer more than 500 homeless and displaced guests from Indianapolis-area shelters and non-profit organizations an extraordinary dining and holiday experience. Our honored guests are provided complimentary transportation, are seated at tables dressed in white linen tablecloths and napkins, silverware and china, and enjoy a traditional holiday meal complete with all of the trimmings. We offer gifts of warm adult and children’s clothing, children's books and toys. Professional photographers are on-hand to provide family portraits and pictures with Santa, cell phones to call loved ones, and more than 100 volunteers to make sure each guest’s needs are provided for. Our event is designed to fulfill our belief that everyone deserves a Christmas to remember.

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co. in Lafayette:

On tap: Ouiatenon Wit; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Pipers' Pride Scottish Ale; Tippecanoe Common Ale; Eighty-Five; Weeping Hog IPA and Black Angus Oatmeal Stout. We also have Weeping Hog IPA available on cask.

LBC is proud to announce that our Tippecanoe Common Ale has received a medal for the third consecutive year in the Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup competition. The TCA took home the bronze medal in the amber hybrid category this year after receiving 2 consecutive golds in '07 & '08. We're quite pleased with the high level of consistency we've achieved with our best-selling beer!

Hope to see a great turn-out for the Indiana Microbrewers Festival this weekend. Look for some 10-year-old Big Boris Barleywine to make an appearance along with our Tippecanoe Common Ale; Black Angus Oatmeal Stout; Eighty-Five and a firkin of Double Dry Hopped Tippecanoe Common Ale.

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

ATTENTION ALL HOMEBREWERS!!!

Crown Brewing is pleased to announce that it will be having its first ever "Crown Challenge" PRO-AM .

EVENT DATE = August 22nd
BEER SUBMISSION DATE = August 19th
REGISTRATION FEE = $5.00

The competition is open to homebrews only.
No entries brewed with professional assistance, on professional equipment, or at a commercial brewery are eligible.

For all rules, regulation and to download a registration form, please visit, CrownBrewing.com

At the Bar

From Dustin at Spencers Stadium Tavern:

This year the brewers of Indiana decided to brew an Alt Beer. Come down to the Tavern and sample the beers side by side. Thursday July 23rd @ 7 PM. We are hoping to have between 6 and 8 beers to taste.

We are the FIRST place to have SUN KING Beer on Draft. We are currently featuring Sun King American Pale Ale. A nice session pale ale.

We also will be selling Sun King beer To Go in 1/2 Gallon Growlers.

New Growler $12

Refill $8

From Lauren at Scottys Brewhouse:

Scotty’s Brewhouse Beer Dinners ($25 Tickets in Advance)
• Tuesday, August 4: Downtown Indianapolis, 6 – 8pm - Sam Adams Brewing Company.
• Thursday, August 6: West Lafayette, 6 – 8pm – Bell’s Brewing Company.
• Tuesday, August 11: Muncie, 6 – 8pm – Magic Hat Brewing Company.
• Thursday, August 13: North Side Indianapolis, 6 – 8pm – Sun King Brewing Company.
• Monday, August 17: Bloomington, 6 – 8pm – New Belgium Brewing Company.
Each beer dinner includes an appetizer, entree, dessert, and of course brew! Log on to www.scottysbrewhouse.com for more information!

From Patrick at Patrick's Kitchen in Zionsville:

SUMMER BEER BUFFET TUESDAY, JULY 21 - 6:30 PM

Boom Boom Shrimp - Fried shrimp coated in a spicy sauce
-Victory Hop Devil-Menacingly delicious, with the powerful aromatic punch of whole flower American hops backed up by rich, German malts.

Beer Brats - Grilled and served with onions and peppers
-Spaten Dunkel-Easily drinkable with a pronounced malt palate.

Portly Pork Loin - Sliced pork loin in a luscious port/gorgonzola sauce
-Brooklyn Brown Ale-Complex malt flavor, fruity, smooth, and rich, with a caramel, chocolate, and coffee background.

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms - Charbroiled and served with red wine sauce
-Belhaven Scottish Ale-Its sweet ruby mix of malt and hops pampers and primes the palate, preparing you for a smooth creamy finish.

Chicken Orzo Salad - Herb-roasted chicken breast with orzo pasta, in a light olive oil-lemon dressing.
-WITTEKERKE BELGIAN WHITE ALE-Light, crisp, and refreshing, and although the hoppy bitterness is an underlying taste, it is never dominant.

BETH'S Red Velvet Cake - Rich red devil's food cake with snowy buttercream frosting.
-westmall dubble trappist ale-Deeply malty, with a subtle and dry finish that hints at tropical fruit.

From Matt & Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

We've got Beer School #2 just around the corner: Thursday , July 30th at 7 p.m. This month's topic is "IPA's" $10 includes beer & appetizers. Call 841-0800 to reserve your spot.

Here's what's on draft at the Ale House this week:

Founder’s Pale Ale ……….……………. 4
Sea Dog Blueberry Ale ………………... 4
Berghoff Blond …..…………….….…….… 4
Fat Tire.............................................4
Bell’s Two Hearted ………………….……... 5
Bell’s Oberon …………………….………... 5
Three Floyds Robert The Bruce ……..….. 5
Victory Prima Pils …………....…………… 5
Two Brothers Domaine Dupage .........….. 5
Original Sin ……………...………...………. 5
Stone Smoked Porter …….……….......…. 5
Three Floyds Pride & Joy ....................... 5
Goose Island Fleur …………………….…. 5
Stone Levitation ……………….……….…. 6
Hebrew RIPA …….………………….…...... 6
Hebrew Rejewvenator ……………………. 6
Great Divide Saison …..……..….………... 6
Boulder Flashback Anniversary Ale ........ 6
Dreadnaught IPA ..……..………….…..….. 9*
Stone IRS .……………………..….……... 10*
*excluded from Tuesday & Wed. pint night special

Carry Out

From Gabe at Goose the Market in Indianapolis:

Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA (singles)
Founders Old Curmudgeon (singles avail.)
Founders Double Trouble (singles avail.)
Great Divide 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA
Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Clipper City Heavy Seas The Big DIPA
Brasserie Dupont Moinette Blonde
Hitachino Nest Weizen
Stone 13th Anniversary
Stone Cali-Belgie
Stone Imperial Russian Stout
Stone Old Guardian Barleywine
Scaldis Refermentee

From Todd at Keg Liquors:

Great Divide Oak Aged Chocolate Yeti
Great Divide 15th Anniversary - Barrel aged Double IPA
Great Divide Double Wit
Shipyard Pugsley’s Signature Series XXXX IPA

From Kirk at Mr G's in Noblesville:

Great Divide 15th Anniversary 22 oz $8.99
Great Divide Chocolate Yeti 22 oz $10.99
Clipper City Big DIPA 22 oz $5.99

News, Reviews, and Gossip

From Mat at Cavalier Distribution:

Chumley’s 838 Broadripple Avenue - Indy Microbrewers Fest Kick Off, Friday, July 17

Last reminder about the 2nd annual night before the Micro brew fest at Chumley's Friday night 5 amazing kegs tapped each hour from 7 to 11! Many of the brewery reps for these kegs should be there as well!

7:00 Two Brothers Hop Juice
8:00 Stone Sublimely Self Righteous Ale
9:00 Hebrew Barrel aged RIPA
10:00 Founders Maple Mt. Brown
11:00 Left Hand Oak aged Imperial Stout

looking forward to warming everyone up for Saturday

Micro brew fest special keg tapping schedule

tapping at
3:00 *** He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA Barrel Aged 5gal keg
3:30 Great Divide 15 Ann. wood aged Dbl IPA 5 gal keg
5:30 Clipper City Big DIPA 5.2 Gal Keg ***** 5 lbs of hops per Brl - the hoppiest beer in the fest ...

3:00 *** Founders Old Curmudgeon 5 gal keg
4:00 Founders Devil Dancer 5 Gal. keg
5:00 Founders Barrel Aged Red's Rye PA5 keg
6:00 Founders KBS 5 gal keg

4:30 Two Brothers Brewing Company Oh Brother Triple 5 Keg
5:30 Two Brothers Brewing Company Cane and Eble 5 Keg

4:30 Left Hand Sawtooth Firkin *** Special tapping

*** Tapped and ready to go when gates open when they are gone they are gone


Brewery reps at the fest

Melissa Komadina, Hebrew
Dave Egbers, Founders
Mike Walters, Lefthand with the Moo Mobile
Aaron Tyrell, Stone Brewing

Be sure to stop by their tables and say hello to them.

Two Hoppiest beers at the fest

As best as I can tell the Clipper City Big DIPA (to be tapped at 5:30) at 5 pounds of hops per brl and Stone 13th Anniv Ale (on tap from the start until it is gone) at 4.5 pounds of hops per brl will be the two hoppiest beers the fest. Make sure to get a taste of both.

New in this week

A truck from Left Hand (thanks to shipping guru Eric Carter) arrived at the Cavalier warehouse today with the Sawtooth firkin for the fest as well as some goodies from Longmont, CO. New to Indiana is 6 packs of Jackmans Pale Ale and Nitro Milk Stout kegs!

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Chumley's and the Fest.

Bob O. at Indianabeer has full information for World Class Beverages' Hopapalooza line-up for the festival next weekend. The list of beers is below.

Brewery	Beer
21st Amendment	Brew Free or Die IPA
Abita Brewing	Jockamo IPA
Atwater Brewery	Salvation IPA
Avery Brewery	Hog Heaven
Avery Brewery	Maharaja
Avery Brewery	IPA
Bell's Brewery	IPA
Boulevard Brewery	Double Wide IPA
Dark Horse Brewing	Double Crooked Tree IPA
Dogfish Head Brewery	120 Minute IPA
Firestone Walker	Double Barrel Pale Ale
Firestone Walker	Union Jack
Flying Dog Brewery	Double Dog Double Pale Ale
Harpoon Brewery	IPA
Harpoon Brewery	Leviathan IPA
Hoppin' Frog Brewery	Mean Manalishi
Lagunitas Brewing	Hop Stoopid
Lost Coast Brewery	Indica IPA
Ninkasi Brewing	Total Domination IPA
Ninkasi Brewing	Believer Double Red
North Coast	Red Seal IPA
Port Brewing	Wipe Out IPA
Port Brewing	Hop 15
Rogue Brewing	Double Dead Guy
Schlafly Brewing	Export IPA
Victory Brewery	Hop Wallop

Knight Chris found talks of a new Bells DIPA - The Oracle.

11 Things A New Beer Festival Visitor Should Know

Summer weekends are usually jam-packed with beer festivals across the country. This is a great way to introduce new beers and beer styles to both seasoned veterans and new craft beer drinkers. While the seasoned veterans may already know how it works, the new craft beer festival attendee may find it simply overwhelming. With experience on both sides of the tap handles, we've hopefully come up with a helpful guide for a beginner.

At these festivals it's usually really hot and you find yourself in long lines, sometimes not even being really sure what the line is for. You get up to the table and all of a sudden you need to make a decision. You've heard of the brewery, but you are not sure about the beers they offer. What beer should you pick? The simple answer is that if you are not sure, just ask.

If this is your (or your friend's) first time to a beer festival, dress comfortable and arrive early. The lines to get in are usually quite long.

Here are 10 more tips that may make your first-time experience more enjoyable.

1. Do not say, "Give me the lightest thing you have". This phrase is too vague to be helpful in any kind of way. Do you mean lightest in color or lightest in alcohol? If you are not clear, you may end up with a Tripel (upwards of 10% alcohol) when you really wanted a Pilsner (usually around 4-5% alcohol). If you are not sure what to get, let the server know that you are new to craft beer and are not familiar with all the styles.

2. Do not go up to a merchandise booth and ask what beers they have. Be aware of your surroundings and of where you are. If you are oblivious to the fact that there are no taps, bottles, or coolers on the table, you may want to rethink getting another beer at all.

3. If there is a long line behind you, do not stand around after your beer is poured and offer your thoughts. Get your beer and move out of the tent. Enjoy the beer with your friends out of the way of others.

4. Do not be mean to people pouring your beer. Better yet, do not be mean to anyone. There are lots of people moving around trying to get somewhere. Sometimes your server is a volunteer; sometimes it's the brewer. Some of these people work in beer for a living - try to imagine what it would be like for you to go to work and all of your co-workers were drunk.

5. Either know a little bit about beer, or be open-minded. We've heard stories or actually have seen people throwing their beer at the server because it had sediment in it. Please do not do this under any circumstance.

6. It is not a race to see how much beer you can drink. You will not be able to try everything, so take time to enjoy what you do get. Take advantage of the food offerings and drink some water once in awhile. You may think that a couple hours is not enough time, but it really is.

7. Be prepared for long lines for the restrooms. The whole festival is about beverage intake after all. Just get a beer, get in line, and wait your turn. Don't cut in line, don't shout at people, and for the love of god, DO NOT TIP THE PORT-A-POTTY OVER. If you are germ-weary, bring hand sanitizer. Sometimes the paper towels/water runs out. Often the restrooms are beyond disgusting.

8. If you smoke, please do not do it inside the tents. For some people, smoke = gross = no beer enjoyment. Smoke outside, then place your butt in a proper receptacle (proper receptacle does not equal the ground).

9. Do not ask for more beer after the festival has ended. And as the old bar adage goes...You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here.

10. Get a designated driver, go somewhere else and sober up, or rent a hotel room. Sometimes a hotel is not an option. Anticipate for this and make necessary arrangements.

We want everyone to have a safe, enjoyable experience, and we would like to see you again at the next event.

KOTBR #79 - Apocalypse Cow

It's not all that often that you hear about a Double IPA brewed with lactose. Clearly when we heard about this and its tapping at the Downtown Indianapolis Buffalo Wild Wings, we knew what our next roundtable would be. We made a few calls, got the band back together, and headed out for a night on the town. One problem remained: we had no idea what kind of wacky gimmick we should employ to keep this fresh and entertaining for our readers. Unfortunately, as you're about to see, we didn't have any good ideas. I now present to you the COWS OF THE APOCALYPSE.



Greetings from California! I've had this beer when I visited a little pub in Carlsbad. Now, I know that a cow in a brewpub may not be common, but we cows enjoy a libation from now and again, just like you bipeds. Besides, the farmer lets us. He tells us that it will help relax our muscles, make them more tender or something. Now if that isn't the nicest thing, no wonder we're so happy. Anyway, I chose this beer because it had an old college girlfriend of mine on the label. Ol' "One-Eyed Bessie" we called her. She wasn't a looker, but she was a nice gal. All she talked about was going into the military, and something about a red button. I don't know whatever happened to her, but drinking this beer brought back all kinds of memories of our time in college. When we went to school in Indiana, we drank loads of Gumballhead. This beer reminds me of that, but much creamier and with more alcohol. There are grapefruit and piney flavors and the mouthfeel is thick and just a touch resin-like. I hope to get back to that place soon; they have the best cheeseburger pizza! I wish I knew what was in those meatballs. They were wonderful.

Well, I have to go. The farmer is telling me I'm going to a place called processing! I wonder where that is?

Hello, I'm Vienna Schwarzencow, the bovine BGH muscle machine from Austria. I love all those BGH horomones and pumped up steroids we get to increase our milk and cheese production for the masses. Since I am extreme, I need for my beer to be extreme and out of the ordinary. I reach for FFF's, you know, since they are not normal, just like a cow that types a message onto a beer blog or a cow that can pump out 40% more milk than nature intended. I came out for the keg tapping of this DIPA that has had lactose added, and knew that I needed to try something that my udders had a part in. One of my favorite beers from FFF's is fresh Dreadnaught and this has the same flavor profile with ripe mangos, passion fruit, pine, and plenty of citrus notes. The mouthfeel is thick and full and I can really tell what that lactose has done for this beer, and there is a malty sweetness that balances out those hops. This was a real treat and udderly delicious.



Straight from the mouth of Chicago's most famous cow--

I was blamed for one of the most destructive fires in history. But history has vindicated me. Similarly, when Nick Floyd started up his Chicagoland brewery in 1996, people weren't quite sure what to expect. I'm sure many doubted that he would succeed. But history, too, has vindicated Mr. Floyd with his highly-regarded beers, so I feel that I'm a kindred spirit with him. And wouldn't you know it--he even brewed a beer with a cow on the label!

Mr. Floyd's Apocalypse Cow provides the drinker with a conflagration of flavor. An incendiary combination of caramel-like malt, citrusy hops, and lactose produce a peachy DIPA with a wonderfully creamy finish. Yes, it's a bonfire of grapefruit and sugary goodness. Mr. Floyd has lit the fuse with this beer. Mooooove over, Hopslam. You have company.



It's my fault that you're now reading reviews written by famous cows - it was my dumb idea. As it turns out, there really aren't all that many famous cows, and even if you find one, pretending to be a cow writing a beer review isn't nearly as entertaining as it might seem. So instead of that, here are some cow facts from my favorite website (Facts About Cows) that you may not know - and I'll try to tie them back to the beer.

1) Cows are referred to as the foster mothers of the human race because they produce most of the milk that people drink.

In my house, Three Floyds beers are often referred to as the Cindy Crawford's mole of the refrigerator because they're always lurking there on the bottom shelf and turning me on in a weird way that I shouldn't share with strangers on the internet.

2) Before milking machines were invented in 1894, farmers could only milk about six cows per hour. Today, farmers use machines to milk more than 100 cows per hour.

Before selling off their old filler, Three Floyds could fill just two bottles of beer per hour. Although many people think the beer's popularity contributes to the all-to-common sight of no Gumballhead on store shelves, the truth is that the old filler was the culprit. Luckily, with new machines, they are now able to fill not only their own bottles, but also the bottles of babies, milkmen, and perfumists. Stay tuned for Chanel's new Alpha Coco.

3) A cow chews her cud (regurgitated, partially digested food) for up to eight hours each day.

Some people say that Nick Floyd does the same thing with the souls of lesser brewers.

Anyway... the beer of review: Apocolypse Cow has a head like tapioca, with a nose that's like an orange-flavored Gumballhead. The first thing I noticed was the creamy texture, followed by grassy fruit and a sweet finish. The beer is bitter and slightly funky, like close to expiration date milk. There's also a bitterness there that lives right in the middle of the palate. "F*cking weird" is the last thing I wrote.

Three Floyds Apocalypse Cow
[MattR 4.55] [Mike 3.49] [Jim 4.75] [Gina 4.05] [Jess 3.2] [Chris 4.2] [Rod 3.5]
KOTBR Score - 3.96 Mugs




Chris' table before they realized we stuck them with the tab.