Jason rants about beer at the Lucas Oil Stadium

Mr. Irsay,

Let me begin by saying I’m a big fan. A big fan of you. A big fan of the Colts. A big fan of Lucas Oil Stadium. I’ve been a fan since the Mayflower sailed into town. I’ve been a season ticket holder since 1994. I’m a fan of the stadium experience. I do appreciate that you and the Colts are trying to make the stadium experience even better. The line of scrimmage and first down lines are shown on the big screens, just like watching at home. With a smart phone, I can view different camera angles or the Red Zone Network. These are all great touches. But you know what is missing in my stadium experience? My beer fridge.

Now, it should come as no surprise that I want to talk to you about beer. First off, this is Hoosier Beer Geek. Beer is our middle name. Second, if you look at the archives, you will see how I have been critical of the beer selection at Lucas Oil Stadium.

As far as I can tell, beer selection is a matter of business dealings. Obviously, with Bud Light being the official beer or the Colts, they are all over the place. The coolest space in the stadium is named the Bud Light Zone. So obviously, since they pay the big bucks, they get a lot of presence. I get it.

But Coors Light and Miller Lite are also all over the place. My guess is that they aren’t paying for the same package as InBev A-B/Zink. Coors Light and Miller Lite are there because you know that not all fans are Bud/Bud Light fans. That is a concession you are making at the concession stands. So why not provide that concession to the drinkers of Indiana beer?

I know that Upland made some sort of deal to be in the stadium. How many locations? Six… maybe? Last season, there was an Upland stand near my seats in 613. Now, Upland can’t be found anywhere at the 500/600 concourse level. I know that Sun King can be ordered for the suites. But regular guys like me can’t find it anywhere.

I’ve heard an excuse once that because small breweries can’t guarantee enough production to keep their beer on at every game, they are not allowed into the stadium. But a tip on drinkers of Indiana beer: while they may have their favorite beers and breweries, they are also a fan of variety. A change up from one week to the next is not really a bad thing. Variety is appreciated.

So if you really want to make the stadium experience better, add some Indiana beer stands. Pour beers from multiple breweries. There are near 60 breweries in Indiana. I’d love to take you to Tomlinson Tap Room to show you how good it could be. I’ll even buy.

Let me finish by asking you to keep this in mind:

Budweiser… they are produced by St. Louis Rams fans.

Miller…made by a bunch of Cheeseheads.

Coors…while they love Peyton Manning, those brewers love him in a Broncos jersey.

So put some beers brewed by Colts fans in a stadium for Colts fans that are poured into cups by Colts fans for the enjoyment of Colts fans. Do it for the Horseshoe Hopheads!

Go Colts!

Random Beer Roundup - The Bibulous Lot Edition

TFN 7: Weiner Time! on November 3rd starting at 11am.  More information here and here.

Hoosier Beer Calendar

Events are subject to change

From the Brewers

From Darren at Bier Brewery in In Indianapolis:

Here's what we got for this week,

Sessie
Scottich 60 Shilling
Autumn Marzen
Dred Brown
Belgian Dubbel
Porter
Chronic Pale Ale
Pumpkin Ale - released Friday 3pm.

From Mike at Brugge Brasserie in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis:

BRUGGE BEER ON TAP
updated 10/18/12 - subject to availability
please bear with us while we move our brewery. great things are soon to come!
flight of 3 beers $7

tripel de ripple our blonde belgian-style tripel exhibits notes of vanilla & perhaps pears 10% limit of 2
union suit american pale ale light malt gives way to earthy bitterness and citrusy aroma, modest abv allows for consumption of multiple pints 5.5%
pooka sour & refreshing, brewed with boysenberry 6%

GUEST BEER ON TAP
power house diesel oil stout brewed in columbus, indiana. a black stout beer with a firm brown head, and lactose added for additional body. 6.6%
gaffel kolsch brewed according to a time-honoured family recipe and the german purity law of 1516 with water, malt, hops, and hops extract. delicately bitter, with a slightly hoppy flavor 4.8%
great divide hercules delivers a huge amount of piney, floral, and citrusy hop aroma and flavor from start to finish. a hefty backbone of nutty, toffee-like malt character balances an aggressive, punchy hop profile. 10%
new albanian tunnel vision a full bodied belgian strong pale ale with malt sweetness and fruity belgian yeast character 9.5%
northcoast pranqster this belgian-style golden ale features a floral nose, a full fruity flavor, and a clean finish. 7.6%

From Skip at Fountain Square Brewing Co. in Indianapolis:

We are tapping our Cinnamon Girl Autumn Ale this Friday at the brewery.  Spiced nicely with pumpkin, cinnamon and vanilla our Autumn Ale has a dark orange hue with of course a spicy nose.  The tap room opens up at 4pm on Friday. 

6.4% abv

10 ibu

From David at Triton Brewing Co. in Lawrence:

TRITON HOUSE BREWS

Fieldhouse Wheat, Four Barrel Brown, Magnificent Amber Ale, Deadeye Stout, Railsplitter India Pale Ale, Sin Bin Belgian Pale Ale, 500 Monks Belgian Strong Ale, Batch 1 (Bourbon Barrel Oatmeal Stout)  Fortshire British Mild, McQueenie’s Scotch Ale, Nutty Professor Peanut Butter Brown and Hatchblower Pepper IPA

GUEST BREWS

Brooklyn Blast, J.W. Lees 2011 Harvest, Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale, Napa-Smith’s Hopageddon, Widmer Omission Lager (bottle)

TRITON BREWERY EVENTS

Triton 1st Anniversary Bash October 20th 5-9pm at Triton Brewing Company

5pm-Party Starts

5-9pm Big Hoffa’s BBQ (cash only)

5:30pm Dedication of Beer Garden

5:30 Benito DiBartoli Band in Production Space

6-8:30 specialty beer tappings

Quaff specialty brews and celebrate our First Anniversary with the Triton Army! See us on Facebook and Twitter for more info! Don’t forget to get your commemorative 1st Anniversary glassware and clothing!

BW3’s West Lafayette Triton beer Tasting on October 25th, 7-9pm. Come out sample and enjoy some tasty Triton Beer!

BW3’s Lafayette Triton beer Tasting on October 25th , 9:30-11pm. Come out sample and enjoy some tasty Triton Beer!

From Charles at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington/Indianapolis:

Sour Reserve #2 

We have about 36 bottles at our Indy Tasting Room and 48 bottles at our Bloomington Brew Pub. When these locations open for business (11am for the Bloomington Brew Pub and noon for the Indy Tasting Room) this Saturday,October 20th, you’ll get your chance to take home a bottle.

Each bottle will be $25 plus tax, and there is a limit of one bottle per person. (No, you can’t pick up an extra bottle for your friend who lives out of town, and no, we don’t care that your wife really wants a bottle, but she’s busy giving birth to your firstborn child.) It’s first come first served, so get there early!

At Bars, Restaurants, and Carry Out
From Jordan at Beer Sellar in Castleton:

Our Goose Island Takeover this Friday 10/19/12 has been postponed until November and will include additional beers. Stay tuned for a date announcement.

From Karen at Patrick's Kitchen in Zionsville:

Currently On Tap

Founder's Breakfast Stout
La Trappe  (Belgian Quad)
Abita Amber
Two Brothers Atom Smasher
Paulaner Oktoberfest
Breckenridge 471
Flat 12 Half Cycle  -  Flat 12 Porter comes next!
Gaffel Kolsch
Chimay White

From Mike at Yogi's Bar and Grill in Bloomington:

http://www.yogis.com/index.php/about/blog/beer-blog/151-10-16-12

From the Distributors:
From Jen at Cavalier Distribution:

NEW TO THE CAVALIER WAREHOUSE

JK Northern Neighbor - a combination of Canadian and Michigan apple cider; new everyday offering; 22oz bottles only

JK Solstice Cider - lightly spiced winter apple cider; seasonal release; 22oz bottles only

ACE Apple Cider - traditional apple cider; new everyday offering; 6 packs only

ACE Joker - dry and champagne hard apple cider; new everyday offering; 6 packs and draft

ACE Perry - pear cider using Madagascar vanilla; 6 packs and draft

ACE Pumpkin Cider - pumpkin cider made with allspice and apples; seasonal release; 6 packs only

Thirsty Dog Pumpkin Ale - spiced pumpkin ale brewed with real Ohio pumpkins; seasonal release; 6 packs and draft

Thirsty Dog 12 Dogs of Christmas - winter warmer; seasonal release; 6 packs and draft

Affligem Cuvee 950 - brewed for the 950th Anniversary of the abbey and is a quadruple hopped blond ale; limited release; 750ml bottles only

Breckenridge Christmas - Winter Warmer; seasonal release; 6 packs and draft

Boulder Never Summer - Winter Warmer; seasonal release; 6 packs and draft

Great Divide Hibernation - English style Old Ale; seasonal release; 6 packs and draft

Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti - Oak Aged Imperial Stout; limited seasonal release; 22oz bottles and draft

Great Divide Fresh Hop - Fresh Hopped Pale Ale; limited seasonal release; 22oz bottles and draft

Hoppin Frog Barrel Aged Outta Kilter - Barrel Aged Scottish Red Ale; limited release; 22oz bottles only

Hoppin Frog Doris the Destroyer - Double Imperial Stout; everyday offering; 22oz bottle only

Hoppin Frog Goose Juice - Rye IPA; everyday offering; 22oz bottles only

Hoppin Frog Hop Heathen Black Ale -  Imperial Black Ale; everyday offering; 22oz bottles only

UPCOMING EVENTS

  

10/20 - Craft Tasting @ Deer Park in Ft. Wayne; 1pm-5pm

10/21 - Craft Tasting @ 21st Amendment on Binford Ave; 5pm-7pm

10/23 - NABC Tap Takeover @ Sahm's Trivia Night; 8pm

10/24 - Founders Breakfast Stout Pint Night @ Rocky's on the River in Jeffersonville; 6pm

10/25 - Founders Dinner featuring KBS @ Scotty's on 96th St; 7pm

10/26 - Founders Breakfast Stout Pint Night @ Gerst Haus in Evansville; 6pm

10/26 - Craft Tasting @ Cap N Cork on New Haven; 5pm-7pm

10/27 - Craft Tasting @ S&V Dupont in Ft. Wayne; 5pm-8pm

11/1 - Founders Breakfast Stout Pint Night @ Knob Hill Tavern in Newburgh; 5:30pm

11/8 - Founders Breakfast Stout Pint Night @ Shooters in Madison; 6pm

11/16 - Celebrate Election Day with Elector at Yogi's; Bloomington; all day event

11/29 - Collesi Beer Dinner @ Peterson's in Noblesville; 7pm

Upcoming Events
From Jason at Tuxedo Park Brewing Supply in Fountain Square, Indianapolis:

Midwestern Order of Nin-Kasi (M.O.N.K.)

The 2012 M.O.N.K. Chili Bowl is upon us!  This is a beer and chili competition combined. The rules are simple:

The beer must have a chili ingredient in it somehow. Wait, what?  That's right, mash with some beans, throw in a pepper or two and a squeeze of lime. Okay, maybe not all of those but you get the point.  The chili must have either a beer ingredient or beer in it. That's it, it's that simple.  You can enter one or both. The winner of the big ol' chili trophy is based on the total score.  Dave Kern was the winner last year. .. Can he be defeated?

See rules and details on the Facebook page:

All proceeds benefit the Order and support their endeavor to make awesome home brew!  Prices are as follows:

Non-Members: $10

Members: $5

Enter beer/chili: (1) Free

Enter Both:  (2) Free

Buy tickets in person at Tuxedo Park Brewers Supply or at the door.  But please RSVP if you intend to come!

Mini Michigan beer tour

I hit Michigan with a good friend recently. Michigan really has a flourishing and wonderful craft beer market that is impressive to immerse yourself in for a few days.

Most of these places have all been written about ad nauseum so I'm going to post many of the great pictures my friend Dan took on the trip.

Our first stop was about three minutes after The Livery opened up in Benton Harbor.  We walked in the door and we were beaten to the bar by locals on their lunch break.  If you go to The Livery I hope you have Mike as a bartender.  Truly one of the best people I've talked to in quite some time.  A great outlook on life, and a great story teller.  Good beer and conversation is hard to beat.

Wall outside of The Livery

Shingle

Another outdoor sign

Flight of beers at The Livery

Tap list.  The bottom beer named Bier Munro was named by the great Steve Martin. True story. 

Pint of ginger peach pale ale

Our next stop was at Bell's Eccentric Cafe in Kalamazoo.  It is a very easy drive from Benton Harbor.  It was only about 45 minutes from The Livery.  I really like going to Bell's Eccentric cafe.  I think they do a very good job of keeping classic favorites and a large number of brewpub-only beers. My highlight from this trip was the bourbon barrel Batch 9000.  It is a beast of a beer right now.  This One Goes To 11 was really good as were several of the saisons.

Bell's Chalkboard.  Everything with a yellow sticker is brewpub only. 

Stained Glass at Bells

Bell's beer flight

Bell's tap handles

Outdoor beer garden

Our next stop was at the brand new Perrin Brewing Company in Grand Rapids.  I had heard some good things about Perrin, but I wasn't expecting anything like it. This place just caught me by complete surprise. This place is massive, and I mean massive in size.   The brewery and brewhouse are located in a brand new 23,000 square foot facility with the ability to brew 20,000 barrels a year right out of the gate.  They will brew about 5,000 barrels this year and they have only been open since September.  The head brewer is a former brewer from Founders. You can tell they spared no expense for anything.  Brand new everything, complete attention to detail in the brew pub, and just a great atmosphere overall.  They will be canning their beers in the future in flat-top cans that will require a church key to open up.  This is the kind of place I would love to open for myself if I had access to the type of funds it would take to open up a place of this magnitude.  You can tell the owners are certainly going with the mantra go big or go broke.  I can't wait to go back to Perrin again, as this was one of my favorite stops on my trip.

Outside of Perrin

Interior Crest

Shiny new tanks

They can seat 281 patrons and they were at capacity at 4:30 on a Friday

I really like places that tier their prices with many pour size options

One of the best I've ever had in the category.  Extra pale ale with all Michigan hops

They had 10 beers on tap.  This is the sampler.  Note the sampler board in the shape of the company crest.  They make two pretty tasty fruit beers as well. 

Their imperial stout was a big  highlight as well

Food options are a "food truck" inside of the building that is the kitchen.

I will post most pictures and more places this weekend.

Cheers! 

Matt 

*All pictures courtesy of Dan N. Productions and cannot be reused with out the express written consent of Dan N. Productions, MLBPA, the NFL, and Gary Cole.