Minor Leagues, Major Brews

The Indianapolis Indians have their first pitch of the season tomorrow. I'm always impressed with the quality entertainment that can be found at Victory Field. Not to mention the impressive craft beer lineup (especially when compared to other, nearby sporting venues... I'M LOOKING AT YOU LUCAS OIL STADIUM AND CONSECO FIELDHOUSE!!!). As we do most every year, here is a breakdown of craft beer options at the old ball game in Indy and around the area:

Victory Field, Indianapolis, IN
-Oaken Barrel: For the 12th year, OB beers can be found on draft. Victory Amber (aka Indiana Amber) is behind home plate and Razz Wheat is in center field.
-Sun King: The 16 ounce can lineup of Sunlight Cream Ale, Osiris Pale Ale, and Wee Mac Scottish Ale is available. A rotating seasonal tap will also be available at the new Captain Morgan Cove bar. 1887, a California common beer, will be the first beer on tap.
-Other bottled selections: Bell's, New Belgium, Sam Adams, Goose Island
-Neither Vic Field nor Monarch Beverages could confirm if Upland will be returning this season. Cari at Upland informed me that Victory Field ordered bottles of Wheat, so they should be available.

Parkview Field, Ft. Wayne, IN
-Mad Anthony: The beers travel less than a mile to reach the home of the Ft. Wayne TinCaps. You'll find them on draft.
-Granite City: also available on draft
-Sierra Nevada: available on draft
-Other bottled selections: Mad Anthony, New Belgium Fat Tire

On Saturday, April 9th, a beer tasting event will be held prior to the game. Four themed tables will be providing samples from 4:05 to 5:05. Themes include A Taste of Mexico (Dos Equis, Tecate, Carta Blanca), Thorwback (Schlitz, PBR, Old Style, McSorley’s), Tenth & Blake (Blue Moon Seasonal, Leinenkugel Seasonal, Pilsner Urquelle, Grolsch), and Local Favorites (Upland, New Holland, Goose Island, Mad Hatter). Tickets are $40 and all you can eat meal and game admission is included. Advanced purchase is required. Call 260-407-2802 to reserve your ticket. An event flyer can be downloaded here.

Two more beer tasting events are planned for this season.

Coveleski Stadium, South Bend, IN
While it is a shame that local brewery Mishawaka isn’t served at the home of the SilverHawks, one beer that beer geeks might find enjoyable is Great Lakes Brewing Company’s Edmund Fitzgerald Porter.

US Steel Yard, Gary, IN
Bottles: Goose Island 312, New Belgium Fat Tire, Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada; Draft: Leinenkugels Summer Shandy, Blue Moon

Slugger Field, Louisville, KY
The battle for craft beer at the ball park is well documented by NABC’s Roger Baylor at his blog The Potable Curmudgeon (here, here, and here), two craft beer taps were made available. At first, NABC’s Beak’s Best and Kentucky Ale were on tap. Later, BBC’s Nut Brown, BBC’s American Pale Ale and Cumberland’s Red.

Fifth Third Field, Dayton, OH
Sam Adams is the only craft beer available right now, but the Dragons have an annual craft beer tasting about midseason. Last season, 60+ beers were available for sampling and a few are selected for availability the rest of the season.