Misc News – Sept 8

From the Indianapolis Business Journal: "A local liquor board cleared the way Tuesday for the Indianapolis City Market to begin selling beer there later this fall. The three-member Marion County Alcoholic Beverage Board voted unanimously to approve a carryout liquor license for the historic downtown site. The permit will allow the Indiana Brewers Guild to open a bar at the market featuring local craft beers to drink on-site and for take-out." . . .

"The bar would be open 8 p.m. or later Wednesday through Saturday. The hope is that other vendors, which typically close by mid-afternoon, also would remain open later with customers flowing into the market during the evening."

The new Tomlinson Tap Room (named after the Indy's first convention center) would occupy 1,600 sq ft on the second floor of the main hall. This is all part of a $2.7M city plan to renovate the City Market which will include tearing down the west wing. Three years ago Indy spent $2.5M on a similar renovation which has been met with yawns if not downright scorn.

Rock Bottom, Downtown Indy, now has Big Brew Special English Mild on tap. Reason enough to visit the city center. This is being sent to Denver as Jerry Sutherlin's Pro-Am beer – made with Rodney and Jessica Weaver (of HBG fame). It won them the Blue Ribbon for English Brown Ale at the 2009 Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup. Made with Maris Otter, Chocolate Malt, and others with Willamette hops (US version of Fuggles). At 3.2% ABV it's a session beer with body and malty presence befitting a Dark Mild found in the west and southwest of England.

The style originated as a weaker and cheaper version of the porters of the mid 1800s. It became popular during the heat of summer among those doing the sweatiest jobs. Less alcohol (and less £) meant it could be enjoyed in larger quantity. This one is not as hoppy or dry as, say, Brains Dark from Cardiff – more along the lines of Wizard Black Magic from Warwickshire.

At Rita Kohn's suggestion, Jerry plans to have the servers highlight the 3.2%ness for the lunch crowd. Have two beers for the BAC of one.

Ram put their Oktoberfest on last night. It has a dryness not often found in the style. Finally Free Cream Ale is also on tap.

Rumor has it the certified best homebrewer in Indiana, Bill Ballinger, may be starting up a production brewery – the Blue Republic Brewing Co. It's a full-fledged company with a full-fledged logo. Bill was named Brewer of the Year at the ISF Brewers Cup competition in 2010 and 2009.

Greg Hardman, the guy behind the Christian Moerlein restart in Cincy is going all Geraldo (or Mike Rowe) on us. He's found some tunnels under the old Kaufmann Brewery building he bought and is inviting the press to the wall-breaking. article

Earthquake in New Zealand causes a beer shortage. article

Stone 10.10.10 will be an “ale brewed with Muscat, Gewurztraminer and Sauvignon Blanc grapes and chamomile”. It will be out, on October 10th this year – or October 11th in Indiana.

If you are heading for Denver and the GABF, Beer Advocate has some crawls and stuff that are still open for more participants. Boulder Crawl, Denver Crawl, and the Great American Craft Beer Experience ($45).