Random Beer Roundup - The Pools are Closed and Schools are Open Edition

This highly anticipated long weekend is almost here! I can almost taste the mouth-puckering goodness of those Lambics already. Hopefully there will be some left by the time we get there!

There are a lot of events scheduled this month in the Indiana beer community. If there is something coming up that is not listed, we would love to hear about it! If you have any news, reviews, info, etc., to share for our next Random Beer Roundup, contact us at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com.

So, pucker up, this is the Random Beer Roundup.

Hoosier Beer Calendar
Events are subject to change

Friday, Sept 4 at Rich O's in New Albany: Lambic by the Glass

Saturday, September 5th from Noon - 4pm at Crown Liquors in Noblesville: Beer Bash to benefit Riley Hospital. Tickets available at all Crown Liquor stores, $20 in advance and $25 DOE.

Thursday, September 10th: Micro Brew Night at Zing - All Micro Draft Pints and all Bottled Micro Beer are only $2!

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 12th at Upland Brewing Co. in Bloomington: Hillbilly Haiku American Music Festival.

Monday, September 14th at 6:30 at Patricks Kitchen and Drinks: Tapas with a Twist - $45/person. Menu and more information here.

Thursday, September 17th at Chef JJ's Back Yard in Broad Ripple: GABF Preview Party with Sun King - $75 for food and brew.

Saturday, September 19th at Mad Anthony Brewing in Fort Wayne: Octobeerfest. $25 in advance and $30 DOE.

Saturday, September 19th from 1 - 5 PM (CST) at Back Road Brewery in LaPorte: Fall Fest, ages 21+ only, $20 to sample beers from Back Road, Shore Line Brewery (Michigan City), Crown Brewery (Crown Point), The Livery Brewery (Benton Harbor MI), and Three Floyds Brewery (Munster).

Saturday, September 26th at Crown Brewing: Crown Challenge Pro-Am Competition (see details below)

Saturday, September 26th at Mad Anthony Brewing in Fort Wayne: Beer Dinner - Limited tickets @$75.00/plate. Advance tickets only. Reserve your tickets at www.HOPECSA.org or call 260.982.4961
(See details below)

What's Brewing

From Greg at Lafayette Brewing Co in Lafayette:

On tap at Lafayette Brewing Co. this weekend: Ouiatenon Wit Bier; Prophet's Rock Pale Ale; East Side Bitter; Pipers' Pride Scottish Ale; Tippecanoe Common Ale; Eighty-Five; Black Angus Oatmeal Stout; and Collaboration Java Porter. Weeping Hog IPA is the current cask conditioned selection. We'll also be releasing our latest specialty beer, I Am An American IPA, on Saturday. The IAAA IPA is best described as the bastard stepchild of our Tippecanoe Common Ale and our Eighty-Five. Plenty of pale and a touch of crystal malt produce just enough body to support the 75 ibus worth of Chinook hops that we used to bitter and dry hop the brew. Resinous pine and citrus aromas blast out of this hoppy ale. ABV 5.9% IBUs 75

More things will be hopping around LBC and Lafayette, in general, this weekend. In addition to the kickoff game of Purdue's football season, two highly successful festivals will be combining efforts in downtown Lafayette as Mosey Thru Layflats hits the town. The day begins with Layflats free arts and music festival at Tapawingo Park on the Levee in West Lafayette. At 6 pm, the festivities will move across the river to the Mosey Down Main street fair on Main Street. There will be several stages for live music and kiosks of arts & craft vendors and local food vendors the length of Main St. Folks can even purchase a 1-liter or 1/2-gallon growler from LBC and mosey down the street with it! For late-night fun, Layflats continues with live music at 8 downtown venues accessible via the purchase of a wristband for only 5 bucks. The late-night line-up at LBC consists of Rick DeSutter & the Clutter; Double A Daddies; Ben Ezra; and The Millers (of America's Got Talent fame). If you're football fan, a music lover, or just enjoy a good festival atmosphere, Lafayette is a good bet for big fun this weekend!

From Adam at Crown Brewing in Crown Point:

- Crown Brewing in Crown Point will be having its 1st ever Crown Challenge Pro-Am Competition on September 26th.

The Crown Challenge is an AHA/BJCP sanctioned competition and provides an opportunity to have your homemade beer evaluated by BJCP (www.bjcp.org) ranked judges and/or judges with experience in evaluating beers. The winning beer across all categories (Best of Show) will have the opportunity to be scaled up and brewed in Crown Brewing’s 7-bbl system. Beers placing first, second, and third in each flight will also be recognized.

The competition will be held on Saturday, September 26th at the Crown Brewery (www.crownbrewing.com), in Crown Point, Indiana. Judging will take place in two sessions (9am-NOON and 1pm-4pm). Winners of each category and Best of Show will be announced at an awards ceremony at the conclusion of the competition. Entrants and a guest are invited to attend the awards ceremony, which will follow the conclusion of the Best of Show judging, or as soon as possible after 5pm. Entrants and guests wishing to attend the ceremony will register upon arrival at Crown Brewing on the day of the competition. Everyone attending the awards ceremony will be given a raffle ticket for a free chance to win door prizes.

An Oktoberfest event is scheduled to take place at Crown Brewing after the Challenge.

Drop off Locations

Crown Brewing
211 S East St
Crown Point, IN 46307

Alternative Drop Off:
Kahn's Fine Wines & Spirits
5341 N. Keystone
Indianapolis, IN 46220
(317) 251-9463


- A new Brewing Supply store recently opened in Crown Point:

Kennywood Brewing Supply
3 N Court St
Crown Point, IN 46307

From John at Half Moon Brewery in Kokomo:

Wee Heavy
O.G.=1.077 ABV=7.85% IBU=19

From Clay at Sun King Brewing in Downtown Indianapolis:

Our Oktoberfest comes out on September 10th. Tasting room will be open Thurs. 5-7, Fri. 3-7, and Sat 1-4. We will be doing tours and people will be able to sample our beers and buy to-go growlers or kegs.

From Mad Anthony Brewing in Fort Wayne:

- All Mad Anthony locations will be open this Labor Day and as we do every Monday we will be serving half price pints of MadBrew.

- Join Mad Anthony and the Brewers of Indiana Guild Saturday Sept 19th for our annual Octobeerfest. The beer festival which is held in the Mad Anthony Brewing Co's parking lot in Fort Wayne will offer samples of over 40 Indiana Microbrews as well as beers from the Fort Wayne Homebrew Club, and Belmont Beverage. Tickets are $25.00 in advance or $30.00 on the day of the event. The price of admission includes a complimentary tasting glass with unlimited beer samples from 2pm -6pm, a free t-shirt for the first 300 paid guest, and live music by The Melissa Neels Band. Food will be offered for sale by Shigs In Pit Competition BBQ Team. Tickets are now available at all Mad Anthony locations, Don Hall's Guesthouse, The Bike Depot, & Belmont Beverage Liquor Stores.

These fine breweries will be in attendance: Mad Anthony Brewing Co. Lafayette Brewing, Broadripple Brewing, Brugge Brasserie, Sun King Brewery, Rock Bottom (Downtown Indy) Rock Bottom (North), Shoreline Brewing Co, Upland Brewing Co, Barley Island Brewing Co, Fort Wayne Homebrewers, Belmont Beverage and more

- On Saturday, Sept. 26th enjoy a gourmet meal in the midst of nature's bounty, prepared by "locavore" chef Jennifer Disler using sustainably raised meats and vegetables from J.L. Hawkins Family Farm, North Manchester, IN, River Ridge Farm, Laketon,IN Winger's Sugarbush N. Manchester IN and more. Each course will be expertly paired with locally hand-crafted beers from Mad Anthony Brewing Co. Limited tickets @$75.00/plate. Advance tickets only. Reserve your tickets at www.HOPECSA.org or call 260.982.4961

From Kwang at Oaken Barrel in Greenwood:

Seasonals on Tap: Cream Ale and Weizen-Bock

The Weizen-Bock is on tap. This wheat beer is the last of our “Summer of Wheat” series, and it is a great one. Best way to describe it is double Uberweizen. Maltier than our traditional wheat beer with twice the clove and banana flavors.

At the Bar

From Matt and Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

Join us Thursday, September 10th at 7 p.m. We'll taste a great selection of reserve brew from GI. $10 per person at the door includes beer and free appetizers.

From Lauren at Scotty's Brewhouse (multiple locations):

Monday
$5 Microbrew Draughts 24oz MUG CLUB REFILLS (must purchase mug)

Tuesday
$7 48oz Sam Adams Draught Pitchers
$3 12oz Select Microbrew Bottles

Wednesday
$7 48oz Microbrew Draught Pitchers

Thursday
$2.50 Pint Night (List of Beers)

Sunday
$5 Microbrew Draught 24oz Mug Club Refills (must purchase mug)

Carry Out

From Great Fermentations in Indianapolis:

There's a grain sale going on now! Sale ends September 15th.

From Big Red Liquors in Bloomington:

Victory Festbier
Dogfish Head Punkin Ale
Upland Oktoberfest
Goose Island Harvest Ale
Samuel Adams Oktoberfest
Brooklyn Pumpkin Ale & Oktoberfest
Bells Oktoberfest
Buffalo Bill Pumpkin Ale
Schlafly Oktoberfest
Clipper City Imperial Oktoberfest & regular Oktoberfest
Flying Dog Oktoberfest
Shipyard Pumpkin
Sprecher Oktoberfest
Harpoon Oktoberfest
Leinenkugel Oktoberfest
Left Hand Oktoberfest
Weihenstephaner Oktoberfest
Hofbrau Oktoberfest
Spaten Oktoberfest
Dogfish Head Burton Baton
Original Sin Cider
Harpoon Cider
3 Floyd's Moloko Stout

And as always don't forget about our FREE beer tasting every Thursday from 6-8pm at our downtown Bloomington location.

Distribution News, Reviews, and Gossip

From Mat at Cavalier Distribution:

The biggest news is that Greg Blackman (Cavalier Sales Manager) and his wife Kristi had baby boy this week!

New beer in this week:

Mendocino Autumn Lager - new to Indiana this year
Coney Island Freektoberfest - Blood Red Lager at 6.66% ABV
Kingway from China - new to Indiana
Siagon from Vietnam - New to Indiana
Breckenridge Lucky U IPA - kegs only to start with
Founders Breakfast Stout - Kegs only to start with
Jolly Pumpkin Bam Weizen - limited amount
Great Divide Yeti & Hercules now available in 4 packs of 12 oz bottles - Big Beer in small bottles - Still available in 22s as well
Strusie - Very very very limited amount of Black Albert, Pannapot & Strusie Mikkeller IPA arrived and has been allocated

Lots of goodies from Brew Dog
Brew Dog Devine Rebel - Mikkeller Brew Dog collaboration beer
Brew Dog Dogma - new to Indiana
For those who enjoy beer aged in Whiskey Casks -
Brew Dog Paradox Port Dundas aged Imperial Stout - new to Indiana
Brew Dog Paradox Isle of Arran aged Imperial Stout - new to Indiana
Brew Dog Paradox Smokehead aged Imperial Stout - new to Indiana
We also have Hard Core IPA, Punk IPA and Rip Tide Stout back in stock

We sold out of the Hofbrau Oktoberfest 5 liter mini kegs already! They went fast. Still have plenty of 6 packs in the warehouse!

Left Hand 400 pound Monkey IPA is on tap at the Old Town Ale House in Fishers!

The Stone 09-09-09 arrived at the warehouse on Thursday and is ready to be allocated next week! We received less cases than last year so it may be harder to find this year. We also got some kegs of the 09-09-09 for the 1st time ever!

Also look for a limited amount of cases and kegs of Cali Belgique IPA to pop up soon as a limited amount of it arrived on the Stone truck yesterday as well.

From Meagan at World Class Beverages:

- Saranac is now available through World Class Beverages. Below is an image of the Matt Brewing company which supplies Saranac. WCB will carry the following brands: Octoberfest, Pale Ale, Pumpkin, Trail Mix, Pomegranate Wheat and 12 Beers A Falling!

- Victory V-12 now available!

Amber, aromatic strong ale...

Our vintage-dated, Belgian-style specialty ale, offered in corked 25.4 oz. bottles, is a sensation in subtlety.

Heady with a aromatic fruity start and taste, this amber ale features hints of pear and apricot in its well-nuanced flavor. The initial impression of fruitiness concludes in a refreshing dryness that begs you to sip again. Be fore-warned, this ale is immense as it registers 12% abv.

COMPOSITION
Malts: imported German malts
Hops: Styrian Goldings & Tettnanger whole flowers
Alcohol by Vol: over 12.0%

Upland Coming Soon To Indianapolis

In just four to six weeks, Indianapolis beer geeks will be able to get their hands on fresh growlers of Upland beers from the kitschy confines of their new retail space in the Uptown Business Center at 49th St. and College Ave.



In selecting a location for their expansion into Indy, Upland wanted to make sure they were a bit off the beaten path, specifically not competing with the bar scene in Broad Ripple. 49th and College seemed ideal to them: an up-and-coming intersection in the Meridian-Kessler neighborhood with some cool old storefronts and low rent to try out their concept. This intersection also has some other new projects in the works, with Greg Hardesty looking to open a new restaurant on the NE corner of the intersection soon, as well as preliminary plans to rebuild the NW corner with a mixed residential and retail project called The Uptown.



Upland's concept for this space is pretty simple, if hard to describe. They'll serve beer, but they're not a bar. They'll serve food, but they're not a restaurant. The best way to describe it is that they're going for the feel of a coffee shop with an emphasis on beer. You'll be able to grab a beer and relax in a funky chair or just walk in with a growler and head home to enjoy some fresh Upland beer there. Food options are not yet solidified but will include things like hot/cold sandwiches, soup, coffee and milk.


Love the furniture and decoration of bygone eras? Then you'll love the interior of this cozy space. Whether you call it "classic" or "dated", there's no doubt that the decor will get people talking and leave an impression.


One small gripe: Upland needs an awning (maybe one is in the works?). The only thing indicating what's inside the storefront is a small neon sign in a recessed window above the door. That's not very good visibility, particularly for advertising to all the cars that pass by each day. (Upland has informed us that they "will have two signs that are very visible, just closer to when actually open."


Otherwise, job well done Upland! Stay tuned -- we'll let you know when Upland plans to officially open their doors.

KOTBR #83 - Oaken Barrel's Award Winning Lineup

Oaken Barrel did quite well for themselves at the Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup held earlier this year. They won 7 awards, including a Best of Show for their Pumpkin Ale, and the Brewers of Indiana Guild Champion Brewery.

It wasn't long ago that the following message showed up in our mailbox:

We are having a dinner with award winning beers and our brewers who won the Brewery of the Year. We’ll have “the best of show” Pumpkin Ale, Java Stout, Munich Helles, Oatmeal Stout, Uberweizen, Kolsch, and Uncle Jack’s Barrel Stout. Beers will be available in pints only, and only in the Brewhouse. When these beers are gone, they are gone until we brew again next year. Please come join us, and share the story of how we won the Brewery of the Year at State Fair Competition.

In the quest to provide the best Indiana beer news available, we decided to investigate.

Since coming aboard at Oaken Barrel, Brewers Mark Havens and Andrew Castner have really done a spectacular job with the beer, expanding the lineup and experimenting with new styles and flavors. Of the award winning beers available, we selected three to review: Java Stout, Jack Barrel Stout, and Pumpkin Ale.


Oaken Barrel Pumpkin Ale - A nice blend of pumpkin spice, nutmeg, and coriander in the nose and a taste that stands up equally well. I wonder how this would have done in our pumpkin beer showdown. I think it would have done very well! 3.8 Mugs

Oaken Barrel Pumpkin Ale
Gina: 3.8 Mugs | Matt: 3.75 Mugs | Mike: 3.55 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.55 Mugs



Oaken Barrel Java Stout - The first thing you notice is the very strong coffee nose on this beer, and I'm not talking freeze dried Taster's Choice. I'm talking serious gourmet shit. Aside from my Pulp Fiction reference, the nose is a heavy mix of coffee, espresso, and a touch of licorice. The flavor profile didn't quite match up to the nose, but had the same flavors on the palate, but just more muted than the nose with the classic roasted grain flavors of a stout combined with bitter coffee notes. The mouthfeel was very nice and matched their best beer, Snake Pit Porter, and I would have happily had another one of these beers. This was a very tasty beer if you like coffee. 4.1 Mugs

Oaken Barrel Java Stout
Matt: 4.1 Mugs | Mike: 3.65 Mugs | Gina: 4.0 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.91 Mugs



Oaken Barrel Uncle Jack's Barrel Stout - I think there's a trick to making a bourbon barrel stout; a lack of bourbon flavor can only lead your audience to disappointment. But I'm an equal opportunity drinker, and I try to not to put too much stock into a beer's name. OB's Jack's Barrel stout looks exactly like their Java Stout, with an opaque black color that poured dead and headless. The nose hinted at dark chocolate and malt. I didn't find any bourbon. The front was all Hershey's Syrup and milk, and the flavor followed through to a chocolate milk shake finish. As the beer warmed the bourbon finally came out, though I'd say that it was a minor flavor in the mix. My only complaint with the beer is that I'd like a little more life and mouthfeel, but considering that Oaken Barrel had been sitting on this a while, I think those tiny flaws are excusable. 4.17 Mugs

Oaken Barrel Uncle Jack's Barrel Stout
Mike: 4.17 Mugs | Gina: 3.9 Mugs | Matt: 3.25 Mugs
KOTBR Score: 3.77 Mugs