I believe everyone is aware of the Indiana Microbrewers Festival. You and four thousand of your closest friends; four hours in a park in Broad Ripple; mad dash to drink hard to get beers that are tapped maybe once a year.
But did you know there is a dinner the night before? Limited to couple hundred people? And it includes food? You didn't? Well, let me tell you about it.
The Brewmasters' VIP Dinner is a five course dinner where each course is paired with a beer or two brewed in Indiana. And each course is done by a different chef. Details of the menu have yet to be completed, but this is what we know so far:
First course: Ceviche by Dan Orr of Bloomington's FARM Bloomington. Logically, he is working with Caleb to pair his chilled fish dish with a beer from Upland Brewery.
Second course: Charcuterie by Chris Ely of Indianapolis' Goose the Market. The assortment of cured meats will be paired with a sour beer from Brugge according the Ted Miller (who is sue happy at the moment, but that's another story).
Third course: the "Bistro" course - Regina Mahallick of Indianapolis' R Bistro will be making a grilled Indiana tomato and mushroom pizza using cheese from Trader's Point Creamery and a beer reduction sauce. Jeff Eaton at Barley Island is pairing the pizza with his Sheet Metal Blond (and perhaps another BI beer)
Fourth course: the main entree – This is still under development by Greg Hardesty, formerly of Broad Ripple's H2O Sushi and Indianapolis' Elements. He is working with John and Kevin at Broad Ripple Brew Pub and Greg at Lafayette Brewing Company to pair up a food with BRBP's Monon Porter and LBC's Tippecanoe Common Ale.
Fifth course: dessert - Albert Trevino of Rene's Bakery will be creating the dessert. He is working with Nick at Three Floyd's and Roger at New Albanian Brewing Company to create an appropriate pairing.
Dinner begins at 6pm at Optimist's Park (same location as the Festival). It is under a tent, so its rain or shine, and will be a table service meal, so no waiting in lines. There will be musical entertainment.
Tickets are $40 and are available at the Broad Ripple Brew Pub, Brugge Brasserie, or at the door. If you don't want to travel to Brugge or BRBP, but want to insure that you have a ticket, you can call either joint and order by phone or talk to your favorite local brewmaster about how to get a hold of a ticket (I know that Greg at Lafayette or Jeff at Barley Island can take your money and get you a ticket if you ask nicely).
Very cool, thanks for the heads up.
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