Random Beer Roundup - Love to the Homebrewer Edition

We had a great time last weekend in Cincinnati. Although it rained at the ballpark and the Cardinals lost, we still managed to have a good time and find good beer (Great Lakes and Flying Dog among others). We also spent some time eating, drinking, and listening to a great polka band at the Hofbrauhaus before (and after) catching the fireworks show on the Ohio River. We tried to hit up the Beer Sellar, but they had a cover charge and we thought that was dumb. We made up for it though, by picking up a couple gems at Jungle Jim's and the Party Source. I'm sure you'll be hearing about some of them later. How was your holiday weekend?

We want to wish good luck to all of the homebrewers who entered beer into this year's Brewers Cup. We are hoping for a repeat gold from Knights Rod and Jess, who won with their chili beer last year. Good luck as well to those judging the competition -- may your palates be ripe for tasting. Judging and awards for the event will happen this weekend at the State Fairgrounds. We wish everyone the very best.

So as the great Charlie Papazian would say “Relax. Don't worry. Have a homebrew.” This is the Random Beer Roundup.

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

Wednesday, July 15th at Spencer's Stadium Tavern in Indianapolis at 6pm:
Brewer's Dinner - For tickets go to Chef JJ. (details below)

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)

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 - Outdoor event, Live Music, Food, etc

What's Brewing

From Charlie at Brugge in Broad Ripple/Terre Haute:

Lots of things are happening at Brugge Brasserie and with Brugge Beer. Some are a bit inconvenient and some are exciting.

First, our main boiler at the brewery in Terre Haute decided to stop boiling. Replacing it requires some underground construction work for an upgraded gas line and meter.
This means we won't have any production until the work is finished. And I wish I could give you a completion date right now, but I can't.

We still have a limited supply of Tripel de Rippel and Rubicon Red for you to enjoy at the Brasserie.
And we'll be as desperate as you for more Brugge Black, White, and Tripel, so we promise to keep you up to speed on our progress.

In the meantime, Ted is hard at work crafting a couple of summer beers in our brewery at the Brasserie.
One is called Bruno ( not to be confused with some obscure Sacha Baron Cohen film ) . It is a summer "brun" ( French Belgian for Brown ) baby Dubbel. It should be ready within 5 to 7 days.
The second is a Belgian Blonde called Voyageur (not to be confused with, oh, never mind) hopped to American standards. It sounds like the perfect "Upper Deck" session beer and will be ready to enjoy within 2 weeks.

Also, we will be taking this opportunity to feature some sensational guest beers while we await the return of your Brugge favorites. This list will change frequently, so stay tuned.
Currently, we have the following outstanding selection upstairs:

Bitburger Premium
Franziskaner Hefe Weizen
O'Hara's Celtic Stout
Three Floyds Alpha King
Cane and Ebel Red Rye

In other news, while the brewery is under repair The Vigo Brewing Group, parent of Brugge Beer, will be investigating a potential new product line, including some very robust and aggressive American beers.

I'll keep you up to date on everything as we move forward.
Thanks again for all you support and loyalty to the Brugge brand.

From Scott at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington:

We have finally tapped the long-awaited Double Dragonfly Imperial IPA at our tap room. Dragonfly’s bigger brother comes in around 10% ABV and is a hop head’s dream. We only made one batch so it’s only available until it lasts!

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co. in Lafayette:

After a short closure over the holiday weekend, LBC popped the doors back open this past Wednesday with a new menu and some stylish new bench seating in the dining room. Tasty new dishes include: Our Signature Steak; Winner Winner Chicken Dinner; True Bleu Burger; Caribbean Pork Tenderloin; Nachos Papas and much, much more! LBC will also be hosting the Caleb Klauder Country Band on Friday night. Local favorites The Woodstove Flapjacks will open the evening of old-time country and string music. On Saturday, the street in front of LBC will be closed to vehicular traffic as the season's 3rd Mosey Down Main Street takes place. Live music, street performers, crafts, belly dancers, local food vendors and more take over Main St. from 6 pm to midnight. A great place to take LBC's new 1-liter growlers for a stroll! Admission is FREE!

On tap at LBC this weekend: Ouiatenon Wit; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Pipers' Pride Scottish Ale; Tippecanoe Common Ale; Black Angus Oatmeal Stout; Eighty-Five; Weeping Hog IPA (draft and cask versions) and the last bit of our Dog Days Summer Lager.

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

7 Beers Now on Tap + a Root Beer

1) JailHouse Bock
2) Celtic Pride Irish Stout
3) Special Force Ale (IPA)
4) Wiezenheimmer
5) Wit
6) BlueBerry
7) Crown Light

August 22nd - the Crown Challenge Pro-Am - Check out the site for more info
September 25th - Crown Brewing will be featured at the Pumpkin Bash (Lake County Fairgrounds 5 - 11pm)
September 26th - 2nd Annual Oktoberfest - Outdoor event, Live Music, Food, etc (211 S East St ~ Crown Point)

At the Bar

From Dustin at Spencers Stadium Tavern:

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 Amber at Scottys Brewhouse:

Scotty’s Liquor Mixer Thirst Quencher is coming Thursday, July 23rd from 6 – 9pm! This is a VIP Only event – you sign up to be a VIP for only $10 and get in FREE! Samplings of Scotty’s Cocktails, Wines and High Gravity Beers from Bell’s Brewing Company.

From Patrick at Patrick's Kitchen in Zionsville:

Please know that we just tapped Hop Wallop, Brooklyn Brewing Brown Ale, and have a keg of Coney Island Lenny's Rye IPA waiting in the wings.

In addition, our new bottles include Moylan's Double IPA (Moylander), Three Floyd's Apocalypse Cow, and we're all enjoying them very much.

Patrick's Kitchen and Drinks invites you to our Summer Beer Buffet, Tuesday, July 21 at 6:30 PM. This six course dinner will feature six beers specially paired to complement the food. Jo Vickery from World Class Beverage will be on hand to tell us all about the beers.
Tickets are $35 in advance, this includes the tax and tip. $45 at the door. Call 317-733-8755 for information and reservations, or email us at patrick@patrickskitchen.com

Carry Out

From Mike at Crown Liquors with various locations:

Crown will be receiving today, Founders Devil Dancer(allocated), Great Divide 15th BA IPA, Chocolate Yeti and Dbl. Witte as well as Heavy Seas Big DIPA. Giradin Geuze will be in next week and we still have some Stone 13th lingering.

From Todd at Keg Liquors:

Founder’s Devil Dancer - Founders most complex, most innovative, most feared and yet most revered ale produced. Massive in complexity the huge malt character balances the insane amount of alpha’s used to create this monster. More IBU’s than any brewery has documented, more than you would believe and dry-hopped for twenty-six days straight with a combination of 10 hop varieties. Dangerously drinkable and deliciously evil. We dare you to dance with the Devil. 200+ IBUs

Clipper City Heavy Seas The Big DIPA - Hopped 3 times in the brewing process, Big DIPA has an earthy hop aroma. In keeping with the Heavy Seas philosophy we’ve made a big beer with a surprising balance. The best part is that you’ll hardly notice it’s 10.6% ABV (est). The label artwork was created by Kurt Krol, one of our brewers who also helped to develop the recipe.

Southampton IPA - PAs are more highly hopped and a bit stronger than traditional pale ales. There are two distinct styles - English and American. English IPAs tend to be more subtle and a bit maltier while American IPAs have a bolder hop character. Southampton brewmaster Phil Markowski has combined the best of both styles in his IPA. He’s crafted an ale with the bold citrusy hop character of an American IPA and the maltier, more refined flavor of an English IPA. Although the defining characteristic of Southampton IPA is balance, its incredible blend of three American and two British hop varieties is sure to please any hophead! 40 IBUs.

Christian Moerlein Discovery Pack - Recently resurrected, this Cincinnati brewery was a local treasure until changing business climates forced them out of business. Now they are back. Their first available package in Indiana is a mixed 12 pack with the following: Barbarossa, a double dark lager, Over the Rhine Ale, Helles, and the Friend of an Irishman Stout. Pretty cool stuff here.

Oud Beersel Framboise - Framboise is a classic among the Belgian beers created by adding whole fresh raspberries (250 g/l)to a blend of young and old lambic. Framboise Oud Beersel is the missing link between beer and wine and is served chilled in flute glasses.

Oud Beersel Kriek - is a classic among Belgian beers. Created by adding whole fresh cherries to young lambic, which provides both seasoning and sparks another fermentation resulting in a product of great complexity. It has the acidity of champagne, the bouquet and delicate flavor of cherries, and balance of almondy dryness.

Girardin Geuze - is a lambic of exceptional excellence, the epitome of traditional gueuze, bombarding the palate with slightly lemon-grapefruit tang. Considered by many to be the finest lambic of all.

From Big Red Liquors in Bloomington:

New at Big Red Liquors:

Stone 13th Anniversary -Imperial Red Ale
Stone Cali-Belgie -IPA
New Holland Imperial Hatter IPA
New Holland Golden Cap Saison
New Holland Full Circle Kolsch
Founder's Devil Dancer -Triple IPA

As always don't forget about our FREE beer tasting every Thursday from 6-8pm at the downtown Bloomington store.

News, Reviews, and Gossip

From Mat at Cavalier Distribution:

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

Starting at 7:00pm, every hour we will tap one of five kegs that have either never been seen in Indiana or might as well have never been seen in Indiana.

7:00- Two Brothers Brewing Co. Hop Juice Double IPA
8:00- Stone Brewing Co. Sublimely-Self Righteous Ale
9:00- Founder’s Brewing Co. Maple Mt. Brown Ale
10:00- Schmaltz Brewing Co. He’Brew Oak Aged Bitter Sweet Lenny’s RIPA
11:00- Left Hand Brewing Co. Oak Aged Imperial Stout

To be able to get into any of these kegs is a real treat…to be able to tap all five of them in one night in one place is certainly a rare and special opportunity if you are any kind of beer geek at all.

Also from Mat is a huge listing of the beer they will be bringing to the BIG festival next weekend with the special tappings highlighted:

Atlantic Brewing Co. Bar Harbor Blueberry Ale 4/6/12
Berghoff Blond (Artisan series) 4/6/12
Bison Brewing Organic IPA 4/6/12
Boulder Flashback Anniv. Ale 15.5 keg
Breckenridge 471 IPA 12/22
Breckenridge 471 ESB 5 gal keg
Cave Creek Chili Beer 4/6/12
Clipper City Big DIPA 5.2 Gal Keg ***** 5 lbs of hops per Brl - the hoppest beer in the fest ...
Clipper City Loose Cannon Hop3 Ale 4/6/12
Dixie Blackened Voodoo 4/6/12
Founders Centennial IPA 15.5 Keg
Founders Cerise 15.5 gal keg
Founders Devil Dancer 5 Gal. keg *** Special tapping
Founders Double Trouble 6/4/12
Founders KBS 5 gal keg *** Special tapping
Founders Old Curmudgeon 5 gal keg *** Special tapping
Founders Red's Rye 15.5 keg
Founders Barrel Aged Red's Rye PA5 keg *** Special tapping
Great Divide 15 Ann. wood aged Dbl IPA 5 gal keg *** Special tapping
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout 15.5 gal. Keg
He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA 12/22
He'brew Bittersweet Lenny's RIPA Barrel Aged gal keg (special order) *** *** Special tapping w...
He'brew Origin Pomegranate Ale 12/22
He'brew Rejewvenator 12/22
Horse Piss Beer 6/4/12
J.K's Scrumpy Hard Cider (organic) 12/22
Lakefront Dark 4/6/12
Left Hand Haystack Wheat 15.5 gal. keg
Left Hand Imperial Stout 12/22
Left Hand JuJu Ginger Ale 15.5 keg
Left Hand Milk Stout 15.5 Keg
Left Hand Sawtooth 15.5 gal. keg
Left Hand Sawtooth Firkin *** Secial tapping
Looking Glass Mojo Risen 15.5 gal keg
Mad Anthony 'Ol Woody Pale 15.5 keg
Mad River Brewing Company Steelhead Extra Stout 4/6/12
MAD RIVER JOHN BARLEYCORN 13.2 KEG
Mendocino Blue Heron Pale 4/6/12
Michigan Brewing Celis Grand Cru 15.5 Keg
Michigan Brewing Co. Pale Ale 4/6/12
Original Sin Apple Cider 4/6/12
Pizza Beer Co. Mamma Mia Pizza Beer 24/16
Sea Dog Blue Paw Wheat Ale 4/6/12
Sergeants American Ale 4/6/12
Shipyard Pugsley's Barley Wine 12/22
Shmaltz Coney Island Albino Python 12/22
Shmaltz Coney Island Lager 12/22
Shmaltz Coney Island Sword Swallower 12/22
Southern Star Pine Belt Pale Ale 6/4/16 Cans
Sprecher Hefeweizen 6/4/16
Stone Anniversary 15.5 keg *** 13th ANNIV. ***** 4.5 lbs of hops per Brl - 2nd hoppest beer in ...
Stone Brewing Old Guardian 2007 15.5 keg **** 2007 Vintage ***
Thirsty Dog Old Leghumper 15.5 gal keg
Two Brothers Brewing Company Ebelweiss 15.5 Keg
Two Brothers Brewing Company Domaine Du Page 15.5 Keg
Two Brothers Brewing Company Oh Brother Triple 5 Keg *** Special tapping
Two Brothers Brewing Company Cane and Eble 5 Keg *** Special tapping
Warbird Brewing Gold
Warbird Brewing Red
Warbird Brewing Pale
Warbird Brewing Wheat
Warbird Brewing Irish Shantey

From Greg at Cavalier Distribution:

There is a lot of absolutely incredible beer hitting the Indiana market this week, but it's all very, very limited. If you can find some you will want to grab some asap, as these won't hang around for long:

Clipper City Big DIPA (Double IPA)
The CC Heavy Seas Big DIPA Double IPA is the first in the Heavy Seas Special Edition Series. Hopped 3 times in the brewing process, Big DIPA has an earthy hop aroma. In keeping with the Heavy Seas philosophy, Clipper City has created a big beer with surprising balance. The best part, is that you'll hardly notice it's 10.6% abv and 75+ IBU's. There is a finite amount that just landed in Indiana last weekend, so get it now while it's still available. You should start seeing it in your favorite craft/micro retailers now or very soon.

Founders Devil Dancer Triple IPA
Devil Dancer is Founder's Triple IPA, which is released once a year to kick down the doors of your pallet. At 13% abv and IBU's off the scale, Devil Dancer is a beast of a beer, humbling even the biggest of hop heads. This year the Devil Dancer is as rare and hard to find as ever, even more so than this year's KBS. There is not much at all in the state, so you will need to search for it at only the very best Founders retailers. Get it now while you can, because it is guaranteed to be gone soon.

Great Divide 15th Anniversary Wood Aged Double IPA
Based on their most award-winning beer, Denver Pale Ale, this copper-hued treat is a celebration of everything Great Divide does best. Plenty of malty sweetness provides a backdrop for earthy, floral English and American hops, while French and American oak round off the edges and provide a touch of vanilla. Thanks to everyone who's supported Great Divide for the last 15 years - here’s to 15 more! 10.0% ABV.

Great Divide Chocolate Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout
Welcome to the newest incarnation of Great Divide's revered imperial stout. The fellas at GD toned down the hops a bit to allow cocoa nibs to contribute some pleasing bitterness, while vanilla notes from the oak combine with the cocoa to create an aroma and flavor akin to a gourmet chocolate bar. A dash of cayenne keeps things lively, adding just a bit of heat to the finish. A Yeti for summer? Hell yes.

Great Divide Double Wit
Double Wit is Great Divide's more muscular take on the beloved white ales of Belgium. Unmalted wheat and Belgian malted barley give the beer a light body and straw hue, while coriander and curaçao provide the traditional notes of spice and light acidity. This cloudy, deceptively drinkable creation should be enjoyed without the addition of fruit. 8.1% ABV.

**There is a very, very limited amount of all 3 of these new wonderful Great Divide beers to hit Indiana. You will only be able to find these at craft/micro brew focused locations that have supported Great Divide for awhile. Get these while you can, because there is very little to be had and when they're gone, they're gone for the year.

Fullers London Pride Pale Ale & London Porter CANS!!
Fullers has released their incredible London Pride Pale Ale & Porter in 4pk 16oz CANS! Yes, you can finally enjoy this wonderful English Ale at the track, on the beach or on the boat as well this summer! It is the same phenomenal liquid that has made Fullers famous as one of the premier English Breweries, but in a can package. This will be a new everyday item, so grab a can of Fullers and enjoy!

De Troch Pineapple Lambic
Have you ever had a Pineapple Lambic? If not, now is the time. De Troch's Pineapple Lambic is a wonderful nectar perfect for the summer. It is full of fruit with a wonderful balance between sweet and tart. It is fantastic and unique, a must try!

Bob O. at Indianabeer has World Class Beverages' Hopapalooza line-up for the festival next weekend.
* But if you can't seem to follow a link...here is the list :)

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