Random Beer Roundup - the don't drink and shoot off fireworks edition

Whew! The long weekend is finally here. I hope you will be spending it with good fun, friends, and of course - good beer. This holiday is one of my favorites. I love watching fireworks and the louder they are, the better. I spent every year from the time I could drive until just a few years ago on the St. Louis Riverfront watching fireworks every night of their weekend celebration. This year, we'll be celebrating in Cincinnati in true American style - at a baseball game (Go Cards!). We'll hopefully catch some fireworks, but we'll definitely be drinking good beer. Does anyone have bar, liquor store, or restaurant suggestions for good beer? What are the rest of you doing?

It looks like some breweries and brewpubs are going to be 'out of the office' for the holiday, so be sure to call ahead or check their websites if you plan to make a special trip.

If you have any news, reviews, info, etc. to share for our next Random Beer Roundup, contact us at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. So grab the beer and fireworks, 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

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

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.


What's Brewing

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co. in Lafayette:

On tap at LBC:

Ouiatenon Wit; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Pipers' Pride Scottish Ale; Black Angus Oatmeal Stout; Dog Days Summer Lager; Weeping Hog IPA (both draft and cask-conditioned).

We also want to reminder everyone to fill those growlers and pick up those six-packs for the holiday weekend as LBC will be closed Saturday, July 4, through Tuesday July 7. We'll re-open on Wednesday, July 8, at 11 am with a brand new menu and a few minor dining room improvements. Hope everyone has a fun and safe 4th weekend!

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

WeizenHammer is Back!! OPEN JULY 4th from 11 - 2pm

At the Bar

From Dustin at Spencers Stadium Tavern:

On Tap: Old Style * Pride & Joy * Hop Devil * Summer Bright * Oberon * BBC Amber * Founders Pale Ale

If you haven't heard we are having another Brewer's Dinner. On July 15th @ 6 P.M. for $39 you get the chance to taste the first batches from Sun King Brewery. We will be closing the Tavern and going NON-SMOKING for the night. Only a few seats remain. For tickets go to Chef JJ.

From Lauren at Scottys Brewhouse:

New beer menus coming July 6 at all five Scotty's Brewhouse Locations featuring...Stone Levitation, Victory Golden Monkey, Widmer Drifter Pale Ale, Fat Tire and more!

Carry Out

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

New this week
Stone Anniversary Ale 22 oz $7.49
Stone Cali-Belgique 22 oz $6.49
Mad River Double Dread 4 nr $11.99

From Gabe at Goose the Market in Indianapolis:

Declare your independence and pick up some brews at the Goose. Remember, we are closed on Saturday, July 4th. The following are just some highlights, among lots of other tasty beverages:
Nogne O IPA
Schlenkerla Helles Lagerbier
Einbecker Premium Pils
Scaldis Refermentee
Mad River Double Dread Imperial Red
Two Brothers Hop Juice
Bison Honey Basil Ale
Brooklyn Local 1 & 2
Stone Cali-Belgique
Stone 13th Anniversary
Check out our ever-changing singles selection too.

From Todd at Keg Liquors:

Stone 13th Anniversary Ale - “Big, red, and a hop monster!” Stone 13th Anniversary Ale pours brilliant deep red with a light tan foam. Up front, the aroma is all piney, resinous and citrus hops. Upon tasting, the hops are still on the front, and they are balanced with the malty, toffee like flavors contributed from the blend of crystal and amber malts used in the brewhouse. The finish is deliciously bitter, with a touch of warmth provided by the 9.5% alcohol. Bitterness comes in at 90+ IBU.

- Stone Cali-Belgique IPA (Cali-België) - When reading the name “Stone Cali-Belgique IPA”, “Cali” hints that it is a California style IPA, and this brew has an undeniable Belgian influence, indicated by the word “Belgique” (which is how Belgium’s French-speaking population says the word “Belgian”; the Dutch speaking Belgians say “Belgie”). We carefully selected a Belgian yeast strain that illuminates a fascinating new aspect of the beer that is otherwise quite simply Stone IPA.

The result is both completely new and different, while still being recognizable as a Stone Brew – and Stone IPA in particular. Think of it as an otherwise identical twin to Stone IPA that was raised in a Belgian culture. Literally.

- Browning’s She Devil - The Louisville Original finally makes its way back in the market. This is the first batch of She Devil bottled by the “new” Browning’s Brewery. Of course its the same recipe, by the same brewer, but it’s still great to see this one back in stock.

- Victory Whirlwind Wit - A swirling dynamo of flavor, with a steady calm of satisfaction at its heart, that’s Whirlwind Witbier. Offering a tamed tempest of flavors both spicy and sublime, this softly fermented ale greets the nose and tingles the tongue. Imported Belgian yeast charges Whirlwind with an energy all its own. It is a refreshing interpretation of the classic, Belgian ‘white beer’ style.

From Anita at Great Fermentations in Indianapolis:

Great Fermentations will be closed on Saturday, July 4th to celebrate Independence Day with our families. We will be open normal hours on Friday, 11:00 to 7:00 and Sunday, 12:00 to 3:59.

Also, we will close an hour early at 5:00 on Saturday, July 18th due to our presence at the Indiana Microbrewers Festival. We do have a limited number of tickets available for sale at the shop for $30. Cash or check only please. Info

News, Reviews, and Gossip

From Mat at Cavalier Distribution:

Lots of things going on.

Sergeants American Ale:
What 4th of July celebration would be complete with out Sergeants American Ale? It is a very easy drinking beer and a great way to honor and pay tribute to all those who have server the good old USA! http://3sergeants.com/

Mendocino Red (Red Tail Ale) White (White Hawk IPA) and Blue (Blue Herron Pale Ale):
Check out the fine ales from Mendicino brewing company! The have all the colors of the stars and stripes covered! http://mendobrew.com/home.html

Stone 13 Anniversary Ale - Imperial Double Red Style:
It is in our warehouse and is making its way out to establishments that were allocated this amazing beer. Quote from stone website: "We used more pounds of hops per barrel than any beer we’ve ever made" 4.5 lbs per barrel to be exact! This is the Hoppiest beer Stone has ever brewed! WOW! FYI per the label "Do not cellar Enjoy in 2009". Get it while is lasts and drink it when it is fresh. http://www.stonebrew.com/13th/ale/

Stone Cali- Belgique - IPA:
Very limited amount of bottles in Indiana for the first time also making its way out to establishments that were allocated yet another amazing beer from Stone. This beer is Stone IPA with a Belgian yeast strain that produces a funky twist in the already superb Stone IPA. This one will be harder to find but is worth the effort. More of this beer should make its way to Indiana from time to time. It will be hit or miss as Stone brews it when the have tank space available for now. http://www.stonebrew.com/cali/index.php

Mad River Double Dread Red - Imperial Red Ale:
A very limited amount of this delectable brew is also making it s way into establishments that support Mad River. This is another limited release from the high gravity series. 8.6% ABV and it nears triple digit IBU's.

Bison Honey Basil Ale:
Infused with organic honey for its aroma and a hint of sweetness and fresh organic basil to lend a slight herbal note and basil aftertaste—a perfectly refreshing brew. A Portland, OR restaurateur shared this with the brewery: Pair this beer with pasta and marinara sauce, maybe some sautéed shrimp and the basil in the beer leaps forward on your palate. Wow! 6% Abv & 20 IBU's.

Mad River Steel Head Double IPA and Celis White are back in the warehouse after a too long extended absence.

I know this is Hoosier "Beer Geeks" But I am pleased to announce that Cavalier is also a full fledged wine distributor as well! This week we launched the Wine for Dummies Collection! We have twelve new wines to Indiana to start with and will add more as our program grows and develops. For more info on the program please check out the web site at http://karadeci.com/.

Lastly only eight people signed up at "CavalierBeerIN" to follow us on Twitter after the Random Beer Round up last week. Is that all the Hoosier Beer geeks out that that use Twitter? I think there is more of you that want to sign up to follow us on Twitter! So do not delay sign up now!

Some interesting beer articles from the week:

Time has an interesting article on breathalyzers in cars.

The LA Times writes about mmm Sour Beer.