It's 2023! Selected Indiana Craft brewers thrive. No Alcohol really is a thing.
February 2023. [400 words, 1 1/2 minute read]
NielsenIQ’s data shows the market for nonalcoholic beer, wine and spirits grew more than 20% last year — and more than 120% over the last three years. The market now sees almost $400 million in annual sales. NA is a real thing! Several Indiana as well as large regional breweries feature no alcohol products.
It's still unclear what impact "Dry January" had on alcohol consumption in 2023, after an early survey (Morning Consult) showed less consumer interest this year. One author (https://www.newsweek.com/alcohol-drinking-dry-january-results-1777470) referred to "damp January" when not remaining totally committed to no alcohol. Yet clearly this trend with spirits and beer continues!
Some local breweries such as Scarlet Lane continue to expand! In early February, Scarlet Lane announced they will take over the space Black Acre (Irvington) was leaving, involve some of the former Black Acre crew, and continue a couple of the Black Acre brews!
While some smaller breweries folded, some such as Feed Store in Bloomfield, IN, (https://www.feedstorebeer.com/) made a niche in their community as a local hub and remain in good shape.
For years I've followed Iechydda Brewing, and I know I have to look it up to spell it, too. (http://www.iechyddabrewingcompany.com/) Owners Summer and Chip are two of the nicest people I've met and they put their heart and soul into success in Elkhart, IN. Of course, others have put their heart and soul into a business that didn't make it. Yet, these two seem to have a special knack for community, reasonably p-iced snacks, pizza, and sandwiches, and what we could call mainstream beer.
If you want to talk trends for a minute, 'craft beer' in contracting in sales (fewer sales) according to the National Beer Wholesalers Association who send me their warehouse withdrawals trends from the nation's beer distributors every month. Only imports and low priced beers are actually doing as well as they did a year ago. Yet enough people still want what I always referred to as flavorful beer to keep what we often call 'craft' going!
Cheers! Greg Kitzmiller
Oh yeah, I remain a writer with several different writing projects but I am NOT Indiana based anymore. I DO get a LOT of information about beer in Indiana and I have a number of family and contacts who send me information. I also do get to Indiana on occasion to check on the scene personally.
Wow. Finally open?
it has been a tough time and things change! But bars and tap rooms are opening up! NOW is the time to support local! We are pushing out information on our Facebook Page (LIKE Indianabeer) let's all get behind #supportlocal for those who can.
We moved then bounced back.
if you found us here, look at our facebook page for now. indianabeer. not too much to say for awhile
Bloomington Craft Beer Fest April 9 - Update!
Nearly 60 Craft breweries from all over Indiana will pour samples; many with their regular beers but many with very special beer! Here are just a few we would put on our list to check out!
First we have to give a big shout out to the "Locals:"
Bloomington Brewing always brings the regulars and some of their special beers this year include a bourbon barrel pale, vanilla Belgian dark strong beer, and rhubarb (think local!) IPA
Function Brewing has TWENTY SEVEN beers on their list; to include Mayan chocolate stout, orange IPA, Sour cherry, Chai brown, experimental yeast beers, a cascade single-hop, a brand new bitter, more + look for a cask of Hefe with pineapple and toasted Coconut. Brewer Steve says he is ahead this year but will have very fresh and tasty beer!
The Tap Beer Company has already announced plans to bring a Beatbox Samurai and an American Brett Ale along with others.
Upland not only brings their regulars and Oak Aged Belgian Quad, Oak Aged TBK, a Coffee Blond, Coffee brown and more!
And let's include Salt Creek located about 20 minutes down the road who brought a powerful double IPA last year.
Finally, Quaff On has a restaurant and brew pub locally and has really been delivering delicious beers. They will have their regulars plus a strawberry blonde
Then let's mention some of the newer brewers that are in this year:
Big Lug from Nora has a very nice session brown that let's us drink more beer.
Brew Link from Plainfield may be bringing their Belgian Wit (we hope).
Deer Creek has opened in Noblesville as a sister to long-running Barley Island and features a few different variations we want to try.
Hoosier Brewing has been around nearly two years and is moving to Franklin. We love their Indiana focus and ingredients! they've added a pina colada stout to their mix
Metazoa of Indy loves animals (donates a %) but loves been more. They opened in 2015 and will bring a honey weiss, dark mild, cream ale, their dubbel, an Irish red, a (wait for this name...) FrangIPAna Midwest IPA, and an American Red
Saint Joseph has been around awhile now with a very seasoned brewer and anything they bring will be a delight while their Belgian Blonde or Black Lager will be a particular delight.
Schnitz of Seymour has a session hefe that brings flavor with low %.
Of course, we often also gravitate to Zwanzigz of Columbus because it might not be complete without a ghost chili pepper stout but they will offer a Rauchbier we've tried that is truly made the traditional way!
AND Daredevil is ALSO pouring Rauchbier (5.2% ABV) but for the VIP session -- inspired by the Bamberg style that uses a Märzen base recipe with the traditional smoked malts sourced from Germany.
Union Brewing Company's "Are You A Cop?" - well, no it is actually a Porter but gets good ratings! They also will bring a Belgian Strong Ale and a Raspberry Jelly Donut Porter! along with others.
Two Yard has a LOOONG list including tapping a Black Japanese Malt Liquor at 4PM. They also offer a double pale (7.7%), Imperial Oatmeal stout (8%), and Imperial Red (11%!) plus more
Look for the Cask Section at the South End of the Building on 'high ground' where we'll find such beers as Triton's Belgian Blonde Ale with hibiscus and chamomile while Tin Man Brewing offers a Prickly Pear Alloy Firkin! Must be a trend because Two Yard (Indy) will have a cask of Belgian blonde with hibiscus & chamomile. Triton brings a pin of O'rye Galaxy w/cara oranges (hey, that's what THEY wrote).
Oh, and Broad Ripple Brewpub announced they willl have a Barrel Aged Red Bird Mild!
And, yes, Wabash returns with BaconFace Brown ALd (named after a dog.... I've just GOT to get that dog story!!)
Here was our highlights from 2015 CLICK HERE TO READwhich points out some excellent beers we tried!
And here is a look back at a piece written here two years ago that will likely whet your palate for some good brews this year! CLICK HERE TO READ
We get letters
Hello
–
I
recently purchased a New Albany, Indiana paperback book “Postcard History
Series” by David C. Barksdale and Robyn Davis Sekula. On page 83 it
shows a photo taken in 1907 during a flood. The caption reads “This
building was located on the northeast corner of East Third and Water
Streets. For years the building housed the John E. Meyer Saloon. In
1907, when this area flooded, the building was vacant., etc”.
Copies of 4 U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists for the years 1862,
1863, 1864 and 1865 show my Great Great Grandmother, Maria
Eva Meyer paid tax for this liquor business. This would lead me to believe that
she owned the business prior to John E. Meyer. Since they both have the
same last name there seems to be a connection.
I
have used an old 1925 map and it appears the location would be the same for the
photo and the tax info I have. I’m thinking the building would be
between 3rd and 4th on Upper Water Street, as below is
how the Tax Assessment Lists read:
The 1862 tax info lists “Upper Water” and “Hotel”The 1863 tax info lists “3 & Water streets” (twice)The 1864 tax info lists “Upper Water”The 1865 tax info lists “Upper 4th and Water st)
My
GG Grandmother married on January 5, 1867 in New Albany and moved to Louisville
with her new husband, Charles Rott. This would explain why she sold the
business. If your readers have any information, I look forward to hearing it.
Cathy
Rott Nuzum
This is the picture from the Postcard History book. The New Albany Beer sign seems to be an ad for the New Albany Brewing Co. - a continuation in 1886/1887 of the Market Street Brewery.
Dribs and Drams
A short calendar for the rest of the month:
Rita's Nuvo column covers New Boswell in detail. And of course more.
More about Scarlet Lane from Indiana On Tap.
15 Scotch Secrets from Glenfiddich’s Malt Master including "small stills make better scotch.
2015 GoEuro Beer Price Index. $2 in Krakow, $6 in Geneva. No U.S. prices.
Feb 26 until the
beer runs out near the end of March.
|
New Albany
|
New Albanian's Gravity Head. NABC Public House. Opening with
Stone Brewing offerings.
|
| Mar 26 | Fort Wayne | Beer Bourbon Bacon Festival (now who can turn that down?) $11.54-80.12. 5-9pm. |
| April 2 | Hammond | Brews at the Shoe. Beer tasting at the Horseshoe Casino. $37-$73. 3-7pm. |
Rita's Nuvo column covers New Boswell in detail. And of course more.
More about Scarlet Lane from Indiana On Tap.
15 Scotch Secrets from Glenfiddich’s Malt Master including "small stills make better scotch.
2015 GoEuro Beer Price Index. $2 in Krakow, $6 in Geneva. No U.S. prices.
Dribs and Drams
Finally, and finely, a brewpub with a bocce ball court. No Mean City reviews Blind Owl Brewery
Rita's columns have been about "Prohibition and Privilege" and "Coffee and Beer, a match made in Heaven". Of course, both have lots of other news. Her columns are always a must-read.
An Nuvo also has a timely review of "St. Paddy's Day Pubs in Indy" by Cavan McGinsie.
And an announcement that Metazoa Brewing Co. will open in Indy April 1st.
The defunct Terre Haute Brewing Co. has been sold and the new owner says he'll be up and running in 2016. Hmmm.
When you fall back this Sunday night, thank the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for extending Sunday night sales to 4am.
State parks in Indiana could soon sell alcohol
The AB-InBev and SABMiller is still in the works.
Inside the Global Scotch Shortage. Single Malt's popularity is overwhelming what the distilleries planned for, what, 7 years ago. With prices looming can whisky futures be the next hot trading commodity?
The NTSB wants a nationwide .05% rule.
For Sale: Large Handmade "Game of Thrones" style drinking horn. Real cow horn. $34. On Amazon.
Zomething Different: The Zima Story
6 Delicious Breakfast-Themed Beers
Rita's columns have been about "Prohibition and Privilege" and "Coffee and Beer, a match made in Heaven". Of course, both have lots of other news. Her columns are always a must-read.
An Nuvo also has a timely review of "St. Paddy's Day Pubs in Indy" by Cavan McGinsie.
And an announcement that Metazoa Brewing Co. will open in Indy April 1st.
The defunct Terre Haute Brewing Co. has been sold and the new owner says he'll be up and running in 2016. Hmmm.
When you fall back this Sunday night, thank the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission for extending Sunday night sales to 4am.
State parks in Indiana could soon sell alcohol
The AB-InBev and SABMiller is still in the works.
Inside the Global Scotch Shortage. Single Malt's popularity is overwhelming what the distilleries planned for, what, 7 years ago. With prices looming can whisky futures be the next hot trading commodity?
The NTSB wants a nationwide .05% rule.
![AleHorn Large Handmade "Game of Thrones" style Drinking Horn]({"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517sXO%2BX9NL.jpg":[410,500],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517sXO%2BX9NL._SY355_.jpg":[291,355],"http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/517sXO%2BX9NL._SY450_.jpg":[369,450]})
For Sale: Large Handmade "Game of Thrones" style drinking horn. Real cow horn. $34. On Amazon.Zomething Different: The Zima Story
6 Delicious Breakfast-Themed Beers
Dribs and Drabs
Rita's Nuvo Column spotlights Twenty Below, Black Acre, QuaffON, Big Lug and more. Last week she wrote about Black Acre, Fountain Square and, of course, more.
LaOtto Brewing is open. LaOtto is north of Fort Wayne. Video
Indiana Craft Beer Week is April 24-30. Organized by Indiana On Tap. They say it's the first of the kind but they probably didn't know about the BIG Indiana Beer Week of July, 2008.
Martin's Supermarkets in Michiana have increased their beer shelving dramatically. (Thanks, The Beer Is Good)
The Ratebeer ratings of best in each state are out. Winners: the New Albanian Public House, M. Moggers, New Day, Keg Liquors, the Heorot.
The state Senate committee has approved bills to increase the number alcohol permits in Hamilton and Boone County. Sunday sales for artisan distilleries. Growlers of mead and cider. Turns down Sunday sales again.
Beers to hit the state soon include Ballast Point (launch at Boombozz in Carmel March 8, 3pm. - Thanks Eric)
Meijer's is going to bring in Michigan beers. Bell's Founders, Short's, New Holland, Atwater, Arcadia.
Tallgrass Brewing is coming in via Cavalier.
10 Reasons to Brew Your Own Beer.
Whaaaaa? AB InBev is trying to buy SABMiller? Cost $100 million. Heck you can buy a presidential nomination with those bucks. Stock $ goes down.
Chicago's Field Museum has an ancient Peruvian beer on tap starting Mar 3.
Here's Men's Journal's pics of the best 10 new IPA.
Coffee fixes your liver. Well, it keep your liver healthier. Got to give this a try.
The Sandford Park Alehouse in Cheltenham is CAMRA's best pub in England. Runners up are a couple of perennials, The Drovers Rest in Carlisle, Kelham Island in Sheffield along with a micropub, Broadstairs, in Kent.
Marble's Chocolate Marble was named the Champion Winter Beer. It's a "strong mild" from a small small brewery in Norwich. "It embodies everything a great winter beer should be, packed with flavour, complexity and depth, but still incredibly drinkable."
Meanwhile in England, CAMRA found half pints are charging between 41p and 50p more for two half pints than for a full pint. They are not amused.
LaOtto Brewing is open. LaOtto is north of Fort Wayne. Video
Indiana Craft Beer Week is April 24-30. Organized by Indiana On Tap. They say it's the first of the kind but they probably didn't know about the BIG Indiana Beer Week of July, 2008.
The Ratebeer ratings of best in each state are out. Winners: the New Albanian Public House, M. Moggers, New Day, Keg Liquors, the Heorot.
The state Senate committee has approved bills to increase the number alcohol permits in Hamilton and Boone County. Sunday sales for artisan distilleries. Growlers of mead and cider. Turns down Sunday sales again.
Beers to hit the state soon include Ballast Point (launch at Boombozz in Carmel March 8, 3pm. - Thanks Eric)
Meijer's is going to bring in Michigan beers. Bell's Founders, Short's, New Holland, Atwater, Arcadia.
Tallgrass Brewing is coming in via Cavalier.
10 Reasons to Brew Your Own Beer.
Whaaaaa? AB InBev is trying to buy SABMiller? Cost $100 million. Heck you can buy a presidential nomination with those bucks. Stock $ goes down.
Chicago's Field Museum has an ancient Peruvian beer on tap starting Mar 3.
Here's Men's Journal's pics of the best 10 new IPA.
Coffee fixes your liver. Well, it keep your liver healthier. Got to give this a try.
Marble's Chocolate Marble was named the Champion Winter Beer. It's a "strong mild" from a small small brewery in Norwich. "It embodies everything a great winter beer should be, packed with flavour, complexity and depth, but still incredibly drinkable."
Meanwhile in England, CAMRA found half pints are charging between 41p and 50p more for two half pints than for a full pint. They are not amused.
Tailspin fest, Feb. 20 - a great way to learn Indiana and Kentucky beers in a historic setting
The airplane hanger at Bowman Field provides a great historic setting for brewers from sixteen states! Against the Grain Brewery of Louisville was part of the Brewdogs television series and distributes in several states as well as several countries! ATG will have a barrel aged wheat wine and a rye imperial stout along with others. Sponsor West Sixth Brewing of Lexington will serve several beers including a coconut porter and a tripel. Country Boy of Lexington will offer a Red Ale aged in sherry bbls with blackberries along with other beers. Goodwood of Louisville features a coffee stout on oak. Yet another brewery in a church has opened in Louisville, and 3rd Turn Brewing will offer a porter and a cucumber saison. Rhinegeist Brewery of Cincinnati, with former Indy brewer Jim Matt, will share a bbl aged imperial stout and a Belgian style dark ale. Louisville's Apocalypse Brewing, with strong ties to Indiana, presents a Pro-Am collaboration with LAGERS local New Albany home brew club. Dry Ground Brewing of Paducah, KY is so named because their building, an old Coca-Cola bottling plant was flooded by the Ohio River in 1937. They too will bring a bbl aged imperial stout, a Belgian style rye PA, and a tripel.
With over 200 beers offered from nearly 50 breweries to sample between 3-7PM this Saturday and a chance to help the Dare to Care Food Pantry the event will build on the three successful past years offering up Honky Tonk music plus several food trucks and promised sixty-degree weather this year! For tix, directions and more CLICK HERE Everybody get's a free empty growler from Liquor Barn.
Dribs and Drams
The House Public Policy committee turned down the bill to allow carry-out Sunday sales. Cold beer still will be only in liquor stores and pubs. Everything stays the same. Tap rooms and brew pubs can still sell growlers on Sunday. link
Rita talks about Beer and Donuts, especially in Wabash with Wabash Brewing. Also an interview with Redemption Alewerks' Dan Gohr. New titles on the beershelf. And more.
Roger says the B.I.G. is looking for board members. He also has the lineup for Gravity Head that starts on Feb 26.
The Beer Is Good.com passes on that in north central indiana, Martin's Super Markets have added a lot of craft beer. link
Hammond's Byway Brewing aspires to be world-class. Opens today. more
Banana Flask. $17.63
Wine Enthusiast magazine has a long article about America's Mead Renaissance.
Why You Feel the Burn when You Drink Alcohol.
The 101 Best Beers in America (per the Men's Journal).
Canada's 12 Oldest Bars
The Rise and Fall of the World's Most Unlikely Pub. Yeah, it's near a tourist attraction but the hiking path over a 14,000 ft. pass from Machu Picchu takes four days. And that's the only way to get there unless you're a llama. (Porters are available.)
Going to the pub is good for your wellbeing - CAMRA press release about an Oxford study.
Find Love at your local this Valentine's Day - Another CAMRA pr
Rita talks about Beer and Donuts, especially in Wabash with Wabash Brewing. Also an interview with Redemption Alewerks' Dan Gohr. New titles on the beershelf. And more.
Roger says the B.I.G. is looking for board members. He also has the lineup for Gravity Head that starts on Feb 26.
The Beer Is Good.com passes on that in north central indiana, Martin's Super Markets have added a lot of craft beer. link
Hammond's Byway Brewing aspires to be world-class. Opens today. more
Wine Enthusiast magazine has a long article about America's Mead Renaissance.
Why You Feel the Burn when You Drink Alcohol.
The 101 Best Beers in America (per the Men's Journal).
Canada's 12 Oldest Bars
The Rise and Fall of the World's Most Unlikely Pub. Yeah, it's near a tourist attraction but the hiking path over a 14,000 ft. pass from Machu Picchu takes four days. And that's the only way to get there unless you're a llama. (Porters are available.)
Going to the pub is good for your wellbeing - CAMRA press release about an Oxford study.
Find Love at your local this Valentine's Day - Another CAMRA pr
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