Random Beer Roundup - Holy Crap, it is so cold that I have been dreaming of starting Turks and Caicos Islands Beer Geek edition

I hate the cold. It drives me nuts. I've lived in Indiana all my life and I am still not use to winter.

Every winter I ask myself, "Why am I still here? I can move south to warmer climates." Apparently, I'm too stupid to do anything about it. Or I'm a glutton for punishment. The only good thing that I have found with the cold is that you don't need to buy ice for your beer cooler at tailgate sessions.

Okay, that's enough belly aching. It is time for the weekly Random Beer Roundup. Remember, if you have any beer news you want to share, drop us a line at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com. On with the show...

Winterfest:
The Brewers of Indiana Guild is having their first Winterfest on Saturday, January 24th from 3-7pm.

This indoor tasting at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will have beer from all 27 Indiana breweries as well as from many out of state. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.

Highlights include the Cask Conditioned Firkin table which will serve 16 rotating beers served by gravity instead of CO2. Six breweries will bring their ReplicAle - a Scottish Ale that has been aged in Jack Daniels barrels.

This Winterfest will use a token system. Your entry includes 10 tokens for 4oz pours. Extras will be available ($5 for 5 tokens). Designated Driver entry is $5.

See http://www.brewersofindianaguild.com/festival.html for more information and to buy online tickets.

Other Beer Events:
From Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

January 19th: Beer Tasting..."Porters & Stouts" @ 7 p.m., Come sample beer!
$10 per person includes, appetizers & featured brew will be available for order at special prices. Call for reservations.

From Big Red Liquors in Bloomington:

Now every Thursday at the 418 North College Store in Bloomington there will be free beer tastings from 6-8pm!

From Cari at Kahn's in Indianapolis:

Monday, January 19 from 5-7 p.m., we will have a tasting of Mad Anthony Beers from Ft. Wayne, hosted by Ryan Pierce from Cavalier distributing.

Now on tap:
From Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

Current draft line-up is on our website.
Dreadnaught is on tap right now...come get it before it's gone!
Look for Bell's Hopslam...coming soon!

Patrick at Patrick's Kitchen and Drinks in Zionsville:

ON DRAFT
Carlow O'hara's Irish Stout
Great Divide Hibernation Ale (A Winter Warmer 6oz. pour)
Bell's HopSlam----------Back for a limited time only!!
Bell's Two-Hearted IPA
Gaffel Kolsch

BOTTLES
Tilburg Dutch Brown Ale
Dogfish Head Palo Santo Brown Ale
Avery 14?er ESB Ale
Clipper City Winter Storm Imperial ESB
Boon Framboise Lambic
Bass Pale Ale
Victory Brewing Hop Devil
Clipper City Loose Cannon Hop 3
Looking Glass Cold Hop British Style Ale
Two Bros. Heavy Handed IPA (fresh hops)
Breckenridge 471 IPA (Small Batch)
Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA
Mad River Steelhead Double IPA
Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch Style Ale
Left Hand Milk Stout
Breckenridge Vanilla Porter
Dixie Brewery Blackened Voodoo Lager
Pranqster Belgian Style Golden Ale
Duvel Belgian Golden Ale
Bosteel Tripel Karmeleit
Stella Artois

DINNER BOTTLES
Boulder Obovoid Empirical Stout (Oak Aged)
Brother Thelonious Belgian Style
Avery Salvation Belgian Style Golden Ale
Stone Brewing Arrogant Bastard Ale
Three Floyds Dreadnaught IPA
Great Divide Hercules Double IPA
Great Divide Yeti Imperial Stout
Stone Brewing Smoked Porter
LaChouffe Belgian Blonde
McChouffe Belgian Artisanal Brown Ale
Ommegang Hennepin Saison Farmhouse Ale

WHEAT BEERS
Three Floyds Gumball Head Wheat
Celis Belgian White Ale
Blue Moon Belgian Style
Harpoon UFO Hefeweizen
Shock top White Ale

Now on the shelf:
Gabe at Goose the Market in Indianapolis:

Here are some of the nectars available at the Goose:
Left Hand Imperial Stout
Mad River Extra Stout
Founders Imperial Stout
Founders Porter
Sterkens White
Three Floyds Behemoth Barleywine
Three Floyds/Mikkeller OatGoop
The following are available in singles and packs (quantities are limited)
Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine
Brooklyn Monster Barleywine
Bells Expedition Stout
Dark Horse Tres Blueberry Stout
Dark Horse Special Reserve Black Bier
Founders Old Curmudgeon
Founders Backwoods Bastard

From Mat at Cavalier Distributing in Indianapolis:

The long awaited Founders Porter snuck into Indiana a few days before Christmas and is making its way out into the Indiana beer world!

A special keg of Stone 11th Anniversary (brewed in 2007) will be on tap at the Winterfest.

Since the 2007 release of Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper was the Hoosier Beer Geek beer of 2008 I feel that I should let you know that we still have a few cases of the 2008 (just Released) Mikkeller Santa's Little Helper in the warehouse.

Founders Double Trouble, an Imperial IPA at 9.4% and 86 IBUs, just hit our warehouse and we will be able to get it out on the trucks for Indy north side deliveries on Friday 16th. It will make its way out into the rest of Indiana market starting next week. Be sure to look at the label upside down.

From Todd at Keg Liquors in Clarksville:

Here is a product update for Keg Liquors in Clarksville:
- Bell's Hopslam (arriving on Thursday)
- 3 Floyds Black Sun Stout (Arriving on Thursday)
- Founder's Backwoods Bastard. One lonely case came in from the distributor. Last chance til next year on this one
- Founder's Imperial Stout. Back after a 2 year break. And in very limited supply. 4- 4 packs left in stock as I type this.
- Founder's Porter - A new offering from Founders.
- Mendocino Eye of the Hawk - American Strong Ale
- Mendocino Red Tail Ale - Amber Ale
- Shipyard Prelude Ale - Winter Warmer and do we need this for the cold weather we have this week!
- Shipyard IPA - 100% Fuggle hops.
- Shipyard Pugsley's Barleywine - English Style Barleywine, first time available in our market
- Shipyard Pugsley's Imperial Porter - English Porter, first time available in our market.
- St. Sebastiaans Dark - Belgian dark ale.
- Einbecker Urbock-Dunkel - German Dark Bock

From Cari at Kahn's in Indianapolis:

New out this week:
Hopslam! Hopslam! Hopslam!
Founder's Double Trouble
Magic Hat #8

On special:
Whitbread English Pale Ale 6 packs: $6.99
(get it while we still have it, it has been discontinued)
Anchor Christmas 6 packs: $5.99
Paulaner Hefe Weiss, Munich Original, and Premium Pils 6 packs $8.49
Schlafly All Varieties 6 packs $8.49

From Big Red Liquors in Bloomington

New Items at Big Red Liquors This Week:
Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine
Founder's Imperial Stout
Founder's Porter
Dogfish Head Chicory Stout
Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine
Leinenkugel 1888 Bock
Goose Island Mild Winter
3 Floyd's Black Sun Stout
Left Hand Smoke Jumper Porter
Brooklyn Monster Barleywine
Bells Hopslam
Unibroue 17th Anniversary Ale
Victory Baltic Thunder Porter
Victory Storm King Imperial Stout
3 Floyd's Oat Goop
Brooklyn Black Ops
Van Steen Bruge Variety 6pks (Bruegel, Bornem Dubbel & Tripel, Piraat, Augustijn, & Gulden Draak)
Gulden Draak Vintage

Also, look for our new Big Red Sampler that includes 2 glasses 2 each of Bells Winter White, Barley Island Brass Knuckles Oatmeal Stout, Anchor Steam Porter, Brooklyn EIPA, and Dinkel Acker Pilsner.

An email update from Flying Dog:

Introducing the Canis Major Mixed 8-pack of 7-ounce bottles. High-gravity beers pack quite a punch, and you might not want to drink an entire 11.5% ABV beer in one shot. These little puppies might be small, but they deliver all the awesomeness that our Canis Major series of beers has to offer. Plus, with two of each Canis Major style, these beers are perfect for sharing with friends. The Canis Major Mixed 8-pack is now available; bug your favorite retailer about availability.

Homebrewing:
From Anita at Great Fermentations in Indianapolis:
1. Upcoming beginning brewing classes:
Sunday, January 18th at 1 PM
Wednesday, February 4th at 6 PM
Sunday, February 15th at 1 PM
Wednesday, February 25th at 6 PM

2. Winemaking with kits Wednesday, February 11th at 6 PM

3. Serving our Belgian Blond at Winterfest

News:
$5.2 million expansion moves ahead at Bell's Brewery

Old Style Beer going old school

Coming soon to L'Explorator in Indianapolis: The 2009 Indiana Craft Beer and Food Symposium. Stay tuned for details.

KOTBR #64 - Forgotten Landmarks

A book I once read¹ contained a sentiment I'll now do a poor job of conveying: There's very rarely excitement in visiting your own monuments. I'll consider a few vacations I've made; I've been to Devil's Tower in Wyoming, and the Parthenon in Nashville, but I've never been in the State Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in the middle of Monument Circle in Indianapolis. It's a rare thing to appreciate what's right in front of you.

Consider Broad Ripple Brew Pub (840 E 65th St, Indianapolis, (317) 253-2739, indoors smoke-free, smoking section on outdoor patio) - a true monument to craft beer in Indiana. Very few would consider it a "sexy" location, but perhaps it's only because of familiarity. It's cozy, inviting, and everything a brewpub should be. Despite all that, it's rarely our first choice when looking for a place to get a drink.

But it should be. A beer lineup that touches on most styles, a brewer who's been at it longer than most, and a menu with enough variety to keep even a Jewish vegetarian lawyer² happy mean that Broad Ripple Brew Pub is the perfect kind of place for a rolling group of beer fans like ourselves.

But lets talk about the now on cask Monon Porter ($4.50/pint), the best reason to visit BRBP right now. A cloudy brown beer that laces the glass nicely, a sweet chocolately nose (with a hint of root beer?), a sweet pretzel-like taste, and a perfectly balanced mix of nose, flavor and mouthfeel meant that I knew immediately that this beer deserved a score with numbers I don't throw around lightly. 4.86 Mugs.

I agree with Mike's sentiment that the Broad Ripple Brewpub is a place we tend to take for granted but shouldn't. Case in point: the Brewpub's Monon Porter is undoubtedly one of the best beers we've reviewed. It is so good, in fact, that I had to make a return visit with my wife three days after our review just to get some more (along with some of the Brewpub's excellent vegetarian offerings--I had the delicious garden tacos). The Monon Porter has a luscious, creamy mouthfeel. The creaminess is enhanced by its low carbonation, thanks to the fact that it's a cask ale. And how to describe the flavor? Well, if there were a way to make a milk chocolate cookie, I imagine that it would taste like the Monon Porter. Heavenly...

I wish the Brewpub would have this beer on tap as a year-round offering. But since that's not the case, I'm simply happy to get it when I can. So, good readers, get yourselves to the Brewpub to drink some while it lasts. My rating: 4.90 mugs.


Sometimes when you're really into beer, you get stuck in a rut. You keep going bigger and bolder, more hops, more malt and more alcohol and especially more rare. You forget to enjoy the simple things in beer. Beers that you could drink the rest of your life and be perfectly happy. Personally, I would say those are the kinds of beers Broad Ripple Brewpub brews. Their Monon Porter is a perfect example of one of those beers.

The cask conditioning makes this beer perfectly smooth. Served at just the right temperature (the mountains would NOT be blue), this beer goes down easily. You might have to strain to pick up the coffee notes in the nose, but they are definitely present when you take your first sip. Those coffee flavors blend nicely with dark chocolate, vanilla and a creamy milk-like flavor. A nice dryness follows and keeps this beer from overpowering your tongue.

If you like Founder's Breakfast Stout, you're going to like this. The more relaxed alcohol content and more balanced flavors make me somewhat prefer this beer. If I'm just going to have one, I'd go for Breakfast Stout, but any more than that and the Monon Porter is where it's at. 4.6 mugs.

I've been craving balance lately (sometimes you just want a sessionable beer with a lot of flavor) and with watching the NFL Playoffs I find myself craving a beer with drinkability. Maybe I've just been watching too much TV, or maybe it says something about the state of the advertising industry, either way this beer is what the drinkability concept should be.

The Monon Porter starts out with a creamy, pillowy head leading to a dark brown beer with hints of ruby where the light is able to escape. When you lean in to take a sip you notice the roasted malt, hints of chocolate and a bit of a coffee scent. This is only the beginning of what draws you in, begging for more. Monon Porter is on cask, so it is supposed to have a slightly higher temperature and a slightly smoother finish. This beer was made for cask conditioning, it's smooth creamy mouthfeel coats your tongue with coffee, chocolate and toffee notes. It leaves you with just a hint of nuttiness on the finish and makes you wish you had just one more.

I think Kevin hit the nail on the head with this amazing beer, and it's a shame that it's only seasonal. I highly recommend you get there before it's gone. 4.7 Mugs.

All Scores
Mike: 4.86 Jim: 4.90 Rodney: 4.60 Jess: 4.70 Matt E: 4.80 Gina: 4.40

Final Score: 4.78 Mugs
Currently at fourth place in our all time rankings

* * * * *

¹If this seems familiar to you and you've read the book, leave a comment with the title. It's driving me crazy.

²KOBTR Jim is the Jewish vegetarian lawyer I refer to.

Random Beer Roundup - The Triumphant Return Edition

Congratulations to you, dear reader. You survived. No more office parties. No more family gatherings. No more holiday shopping. And no more Christmas songs played over and over and over again.

Yes, dear reader, you survived the holidays. And what better way to celebrate than with beer!

To help you celebrate, it is the triumphant return of the Random Beer Roundup, the Hoosier Beer Geek weekly report about all things beer in Indiana. So let us get to it, people!

Winterfest:

The Brewers of Indiana Guild is having their first Winterfest on Saturday, January 24th from 3-7pm.

This indoor tasting at the Indiana State Fairgrounds will have beer from all 27 Indiana breweries as well as from many out of state. Tickets are $15 advance and $20 at the door.

Highlights include the Cask Conditioned Firkin table which will serve 16 rotating beers served by gravity instead of CO2. Six breweries will bring their ReplicAle - a Scottish Ale that has been aged in Jack Daniels barrels.

This Winterfest will use a token system. Your entry includes 10 tokens for 4oz pours. Extras will be available ($5 for 5 tokens). Designated Driver entry is $5.

See http://www.brewersofindianaguild.com/festival.html for more information and to buy online tickets.

Economic conditions keeping you away? Here's an opportunity to get in for free! We at Hoosier Beer Geek are attempting to help out with the organization of volunteers to work at the festival. We need people who are willing to work a 3 to 4 hour shift sometime between noon and 8pm. The work includes: checking in brewers, checking ID's, selling and collecting tickets, manning doors, crowd control, keeping the brewers stocked with ice, working a merchandise table, etc. No moving and setting up tables. No trash duty. In return for your help, you'll a free ticket in, free tasting glass, free parking, and access to some additional free stuff. If you are interested, email us at hoosierbeergeek@gmail.com and let us know. We have a limited number of volunteer spots, so email early and often!

Other Beer Events:

From Elizabeth at Old Town Ale House in Fishers:

January 19th: Beer Tasting..."Porters & Stouts" @ 7 p.m., Come sample beer!
$10 per person includes, appetizers & featured brew will be available for order at special prices. Call for reservations.

From Mike at Crown Liquors (various locations):

Just thought I would let you know that we are doing a Upland tasting starting at 5 this Friday at store #19 in Carmel. Popping their seasonals, regular lineup and some Lambics to see how they are coming along.

Now on tap:

John at The Black Sparrow in Lafayette:

On Tap:
Rogue Double Dead Guy
Founders Red's Rye
Delirium Tremens
Okocim OK Lager
Left Hand Snowbound
Stone Ruination IPA
Brugge Triple De Ripple
Kostritzer Black Lager

Coming Soon On Tap:
Left
Hand Sawtooth
Founders Dry Hopped Pale Ale

Founders Rotating Bottle:
Old Curmudgeon

From JeffreyT at the Good Beer Show:

De Struisse Black Albert just went on tap at the Heorot in Muncie for $10.50 a pint.
Fickle Peach should follow soon.

From John at Half Moon Brewery in Kokomo:

Honey-Rye on tap (Going Fast!)
Winter Warmer on tap
Amber Wheat in the works

From Jerry at Rock Bottom in Downtown Indianapolis:

It's that time of year again here at the Indy Rock Bottom to start some TROUBLE!

Trouble Ale that is, this year's version is a Strong Golden Belgian Ale with a wonderful spice and fruit flavor and aroma. Don't let the light color, fruit and spice fool you.

This beer is called Trouble for a reason! Weighing in
around 9% ABV, we are going to need to pace ourselves!

OG: 20.0 degrees
Plato
ABV: 8.7%
IBU: 23
Malt: Canadian 2 Row Pale, Winter Wheat,
German Munich Malt
Hops: UK hops

From the Ram Brewery newsletter:

All Ram award winning ales and lagers are available To-Go in our 64oz refillable jug for half price. If you do not already own a refillable jug, a purchase of one is required to receive this offer. Ask your server or bartender for details!

Now on the shelf:

Mike at Crown Liquors (various locations):

Brooklyn Black Ops (VERY LIMITED)
Brooklyn Monster
Moylan's Dbl IPA
Moylan's IPA
Dogfish Head Raison D'etre, Fort, WWS, Theobroma (Back in stock)
Founder's Imperial Stout (VERY LIMITED)
Founder's Porter
Upland Lambics, Blueberry, Strawberry, and Raspberry (Back in stock)
Dark Horse Perkulator

Todd at Keg Liquors in Clarksville:

- Three Floyds/Mikkeller Oatgoop
- Victory Storm King
- Victory Old Horizontal
- Left Hand Smoke Jumper Smoked Porter
- Flying Dog Canis Major Mix Pack (8 beers of their high gravity series)
- Jenlain Ambree
- Biere de garde
- Avery the Kaiser (back in stock!)
- Buffalo Bills Blueberry Stout
- Dogfish Head Raison' d'Extra, word from the brewery is that this is the last batch of this to be brewed. Get it while it lasts.

Cari the Beer Queen at Kahn's in Indianapolis:

Special Blowout deals, these are good ageable beers:
- Anchor Christmas
$5.99 a 6-pack, was originally $11.99
- Oaken Barrel Epiphany $4.99 a
6-pack, was originally $10.99

Some goodies that were in short supply,
now back in:
- Mishawaka Hop Head Pale Ale
- Mishawaka Four Horsemen
- Mishawaka Lake Effect
- Mishawaka Founder's Stout
- Dogfish Head Palo Santo Marron
- Dogfish Head Raison d'Etre
- Three Floyds Dreadnaught Imperial IPA

New Seasonal Releases:
- Dogfish Head Olde School Barleywine-Style
- Brooklyn Monster Barleywine-Style
- Victory Old Horizontal Barleywine-Style
- Victory Baltic Thunder

Very Very
Limited Releases:
I was lucky to get a case each of Three Floyds and Mikkeller collaboration Oatgoop, an Oatwine, and Brooklyn Black Ops, a Russian Imperial Stout that was aged in bourbon barrels for four months and refermented with Champagne yeast. Like I said, very little available, so it will be first come first served but allocated to one bottle per person.

News:

From Crazy Kegs (Ted) at Brugge Brasserie in Indianapolis:

News - Beergeeks lob cheap shots at Ted via cowardly third person email - He fires back!

Updates - Jason is still drawing pretend buildings for a living

New Beers - Wait til you guys get a load of the next one - think Justin Wilson meets Ted

Specials - Try the veal - actually there is a very nice Thai beef crepe on at the moment - you should have one

Washington Post bit on Rauchbeer

Buying booze, no membership required

Release Calendars:

Left Hand 2009 release schedule:

Oak-Aged Imperial Stout - March
St. Vrain Tripel - Late May
Oktoberfest Marzen Lager - Late July / Early August
Snow Bound Spiced Strong Ale - October
Warrior Fresh Hopped IPA - October
Oak-Aged Widdershins Barleywine - Late November

Dogfish Head 2009 release schedule:

Seasonal Beers:
Spring: Aprihop (available in March & April)
Summer: Festina Peche (available in June & July)
Autumn: Punkin' Ale (available in September & October)
Winter: Chicory Stout (available in December)

Occasional Rarities (limited quantites, while supplies last):
120 Minute IPA (available in January, May & September)
Burton Baton (available in March, July & November)
Red & White (available in January & February)
Black & Blue (available in March & April)
BRAND X (will be available in April & May, but we're not ready yet to tell you what it'll be!)
Immort Ale (available in April & May)
Chateau Jiahu (available in June & July)
Theobroma (available in July & August)
Pangaea (available in September & October)
Olde School Barleywine (available in October & November)
World Wide Stout (available in November & December)
Fort (available in November & December)

Ommegang release schedule:

Inauguration Ale (a.k.a. Obamagang): January - February
Ommegang Biere de
Mars: January - March
Ommegang Rouge Flemish Red Ale: April - June
Ommegeddon Funkhouse Ale: June - August
Ommegang Chocolate Indulgence:
September - November
Ommegang Christmas/Noel/Winter Beer: November -
December