Beers, Cheers, and Sneers – November 29

Ordinary beer does not compute, so Tin Man Brewing in Evansville is now open for business. Look for their beers at Tin Man's taproom (1430 W. Franklin Street), on draft, and packaged in 16 ounce cans (note: cans will not be on shelves until early 2013). As a robot after my own heart, Tin Man’s brewing process emphasizes sustainability through resource conservation. They are the first U.S. brewery of their size to employ a high-efficiency mash filter system that uses 40% less water and 15-20% less natural gas than conventional systems. Tin Man’s offerings are touted as session beers, despite an IPA that pushes 6% ABV, and include:

Circuit Bohemian Pilsner	IBU: 35	ABV: 4.5%	Light and crisp Czech pilsner with heavy use of Saaz hops
Rivet Irish Red Ale	IBU: 22	ABV: 5.1%	More colorful and flavorful version of its English relatives featuring Caramel malts and Willamette hops
Alloy American IPA	IBU: 36	ABV: 5.8%	Well-balanced with citrus notes from Warrior and Cascade hops
3 Gear Robust Porter	IBU: 55	ABV: 5.4%	Big dark fruit flavor and hop aroma, but amazingly balanced and easy to drink
Dry Cell Irish Stout (draft only)	IBU: 37	ABV: 4.5%	Served on nitrogen with dry and roasted flavors and a balancing sweetness

 

As we approach the end of the year, the requisite “best of” lists for anything and everything will be making their way around various media outlets. The top 25 beers of 2012 from Draft Magazine includes Sun King’s Velvet Fog, which will be released soon in the now familiar Alumi-Tek pint bottles. Other beers that may be available locally include Founders Bolt Cutter Barleywine, Left Hand Milk Stout, Stone 16th Anniversary IPA, and Urban Chestnut Zwickel. Wine Enthusiast’s Top 25 does not include any Indiana products, but does include Ayinger Celebrator Dopplebock, Boulevard Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale, Founders Bolt Cutter Barleywine, Jolly Pumpkin La Roja, Left Hand Polestar Pilsner, Stone Ruination Tenth Anniversary IPA, The Bruery Saison Rue, and Weihenstephaner Vitus Weizenbock. So the consensus is you should get your hands on a bottle of Founders Bolt Cutter – good luck, and pick me up a bottle if that somehow works out for you.

 

Random Beer Review of the Week. These brief reviews should be an occasional addition to this column. While it’s fun to review super rare or out-of-market beers, I’ll try to focus on potentially interesting products that you can actually find in better craft stores around the state. This installment features Sam Adams Double Bock, which I picked up while looking for inspiration for a homebrewed recipe of the Dopplebock style. This beer took the silver medal in German-Style Dopplebock or Eisbock at this year’s Great American Beer Festival. These are fairly big beers, but Double Bock really pushes the envelope at 9.5% ABV. The batch number is 7832 but no freshness date is indicated.

Malty, rich aroma with prominent dark fruit and hints of brown sugar and molasses. The flavor characteristics are very similar to the aroma with some residual sweetness balanced by alcohol in the finish. The carbonation is moderately high but doesn’t quite tame the lingering alcohol in the finish. This is one seriously rich, strong, malty beast of a beer. It’s a good beer, but you don’t find yourself immediately wanting to go back for more. The overall character reminds me of a Strong Scotch ale more than the smooth, drinkable character expected from a Dopplebock. The beer has good flavor and reminds you of a nice after-dinner drink during cold weather months. But it just doesn’t have the drinkability I’ve found in other examples of this style. It would probably round out and be a little more enjoyable with some age.

At $11.99 for a 4-pack, I found Sam Adams Double Bock enjoyable and generally worth the price. But that price point is not a large advantage over some of the finer imports like Weihenstephaner Korbinian or Ayinger Celebrator. I would probably pay the slight premium for a reasonably well-kept example of one of these imports, or save my pennies for the February release of Bell’s Consecrator.

 

Rogue has created a new beer called White Whale Ale to celebrate the 41st Anniversary of Powell’s Books in Portland. The beer was given a special touch when pages from Moby Dick were added to the brew kettle. So you beer judges think twice before assuming that papery character is the result of oxidation. If you’d like to try this experiment at home, allow me to suggest using <ahem, shameless plug> Hoosier Beer: Tapping Into Indiana Brewing History by Bob Ostrander and Derrick Morris. A copy that was not destroyed in a brewing experiment also makes a great Christmas gift for your favorite Indiana beer lover.

The comic strip Failure was recently canceled by the Boston Phoenix, allegedly due to a strip that insulted Phoenix sponsor Bud Light. The offending strip discusses dystopian society and compares Bud Light to the Victory Gin of Orwell’s 1984. Well, that and diluted horse piss. The Phoenix denies that this was the reason and cites their move to a new format and questioning if Failure was a “fit for the new publication”. I would suggest we all accept the Phoenix’s reasoning and end this futile better beer resistance movement. Ignorance is Strength. Big Brother is Watching You.

Cheers, Nathan

eBay Quits Listing Beer (unless empty)

A while back I gave my 3 Stone Vertical Epic 03-03-03 and three 8-08-08s to a friend to put on eBay. No sooner were they listed than he got an email from eBay:

     You recently listed the following listing:

     330831605668 - Stone Vertical Epic '03
     330831606955 - Stone Vertical Epic '08

     Unfortunately, we had to remove your listing because of the following:
     Due to recent policy violations, we are temporarily suspending selling activity for full bottles of beer and spirits listed in the Collectibles category.
     We appreciate that the majority of sellers follow eBay policies regarding the sale of alcohol, and apologize that you may be unduly affected due to the violations of a few. We expect to allow these items to be listed again after developing and implementing additional, reasonable requirements to support seller compliance with our policies and applicable laws. We will continue to allow listings by pre-approved, licensed wine sellers.
     You may relist if all of the alcoholic contents are emptied.
     eBay does not permit listings for most alcoholic beverages and tobacco products on our U.S. Web site. In addition, non-U.S. members are not allowed to sell alcohol to an eBay member who is located in the United States.
     Please note: violation of this or other eBay policies may result in forfeit of eBay fees on cancelled listings, limits on account privileges and account suspension.
     We appreciate your understanding.

     Thanks,
     eBay

It seems the TV show 20/20 did a hit piece by having a minor order some high-end vodka from an eBay auction so eBay changed its policy. Arrrgh. The first time I've wanted to sell anything on eBay and wouldn't ya know . . . So now for the advertisement.

Stone Vertical Epic available for your 12-12-12 party:

Qty 3: 03-03-03. A Belgian Strong Ale. 9% ABV. Stored in a dark closet. 98 points on RateBeer, 91 on BeerAdvocate. 03-0-3-03 has sold on eBay for $50 to $100. Yours for $50 each.

Qty 3: 08-08-08. A Strong Belgian Golden Ale. Stored in a dark closet. 8.4% ABV. 98 points on RateBeer, 90 on BeerAdvocate. None have previously been listed on eBay that I could find. Yours for $20 each.

Qty 2: 09-09-09. A Strong Belgian Ale with heavy notes of chocolate and orange. Stored in the back of my garage refrigerator. 8.6% ABV. 98 points on RateBeer, 91 on BeerAdvocate. 09-09-09 has sold on eBay for $10. Yours for $10 each.

Call Bob at 317-856-6092 (after 10am) or bob@indianabeer.com.

Thanks for the indulgence.
Bob.

Some people say this is the earliest picture of beer drinkers. Edinburgh Ale in 1844.

Beers, Cheers, and Leftover Turkey – November 23

Apologies for my brief absence from the blog while other aspects of life got in the way. I’ll try to make it up with a bit of news and some extended ponderings near the end. As if the tryptophan wasn’t enough to put you in coma already…….

Congrats to Sun King and Three Floyds for taking home medals from the 2012 Festival of Wood and Barrel Aged Beers competition. Sun King took a gold in Classic Styles with Afternoon Delight and silver in Strong/Double/Imperial Dark Beer with Pappy Fog while Three Floyds took the silver in Fruit Beer with Ronaldo. Best in Show went to Goose Island’s Cherry Rye Bourbon County Stout which was aged in rye whiskey barrels with whole Michigan cherries. If you’re near the Chicago area, Cherry Rye Bourbon County Stout will see a limited release there on Black Friday (initial reports had the retail price at $45 a bottle).

New Albanian’s Saturnalia winter solstice celebration kicks off today with the annual hedonistic pleasures found in rare, seasonal, and festive drafts from around the world. Delirium Noel, Boulevard Saison-Brett, Corsendonk Christmas Ale, and exotic selections from Lafayette and Munster are among the highlights of this year’s event. New kegs in the lineup will be tapped periodically through the month of December.

Founders isn’t kidding when they say their barrel-aged beers are cellared in the caves beneath Grand Rapids. Check out some great pictures here of employees mining for KBS and other assorted brewery pictures. Bottles of the 15th anniversary Bolt Cutter should be making their way to your neighborhood liquor store should you be interested in bribing the beer manager to procure a bottle.

Our friend Frank Petrarca paid a visit to Turoni's Pizzeria and Brewery in Evansville and offers the following review:

It appears to be a small-batch brewery and it was too late to get a brewery tour. The building was old, had lots of character and plenty of vintage signage and pictures gracing the walls. I ordered a 5-beer sampler for $5.75.

Vinny’s Lager- A good German-style Lager. Slightly grainy, smooth, no off-flavors.  Darned tasty.

Honey Blonde- Light crisp, but almost too sweet for me. Overall not a bad brew aside from the sweetness.

Thunderbolt Red Ale- Clean, Malty lots of flavor, maybe a little too much crystal malt for my liking but a good brew.

Blue-Eyed Moose IPA- Malty, Amber colored but maybe a little tame on the hop aroma and flavor.

Ol’ 23 Oatmeal Stout- Dark, chocolatey, a little heavy on the roasty side for me, low oats aroma and flavor but still good.

All in all the beers really pretty good. There were no off-flavors, very drinkable and pretty true to style. I ended up with a pint of IPA. My wife Theresa really enjoyed their Pumpkin Ale. Pints are $3.75 all the time!

But the  pizza absolutely blew me away. I grew up in the Chicago area eating thin crust, scorching hot pizza with real Italian sausage and great toppings. If you know me you’ll know I have made literally hundreds of pizzas. Some of you have been to my little pizza shindigs I’ve thrown and you know I enjoy great pizza- it’s one of my passions. Aside from the ones I make on the stone at home I have not had pizza like this since moving away from the Chicago area 31 years ago. Seriously… Good…. Pizza! (Not a description I throw around lightly either)

$5.75 samplers. $3.75 pints. Fast, attentive service even though they were packed. The BEST pizza you’ll find in Indiana.

Bottom line- if you ever find yourself in Evansville, Indiana go to Turoni’s on Main Street. When we return it’ll be our first stop.

Thanks Frank!

Chris Cooley was recently re-signed by the NFL’s Washington Redskins despite a failed contract negotiation that would have netted Cooley a case of beer after each game. Upon learning of Cooley’s predicament, Flying Dog brewery stepped up to offer a Shock and Awe variety pack for the remaining six games. So Flying Dog was able to generate a little publicity with this deal, but don’t expect Roger Goodell to formally endorse sponsorship from Doggie Style Pale Ale, Raging Bitch Belgian IPA, or Pearl Necklace Oyster Stout in the near future. This is wholesome family entertainment they’re messing with here.

A recent report from Time Magazine notes that the bastardization mainstreaming of darker, stronger beers appears to be well underway. AB InBev is rolling out a new family of lagers that up the ante at around 6% ABV including Budweiser Black Crown (actually an amber lager), Michelob Black Bock, and Rolling Rock Black Rock. But my personal favorite is definitely the Busch Black Light Lager option for budget drinkers. Yes, apparently there is pent up demand from college students everywhere for more intense hangovers and added color in their vomit.

In other Goose Island news, founders John Hall and Tony Bowker are stepping down from their roles of CEO and COO of the brewery. Stepping in to the CEO position will be AB InBev executive Andy Goeler, whose claim to fame includes attempting to trick craft beer consumers into buying a beverage so edgy it needs mohawk-sporting fruit to capture its essence. Cheers to Mr. Hall (who recently turned 70) for his success in developing the Goose Island brand and looking to spend more time with his family. I haven’t been one to ridicule GI based solely on the AB InBev acquisition, but this move places the brewery firmly under Anheuser-Busch managing control and it’s hard not to be cynical about the principles that will now drive the company’s future. The good news is that Goose Island leaves behind a fertile craft beer industry that is not under multinational corporate control…….yet.

It’s a popular debate in the craft beer world, but tensions between independent craft brewers and the macrobrewers that covet their growing market seem to be increasing. A recent article for CNN Money included the predictable arguments from the big brewers about the benefits of increased consumer choice and the arguments from independents about why you should care who makes the beer you drink. It ultimately comes down to the drinker and the intrinsic values they place in viewing craft beer as a community (albeit a rapidly growing one). Really, some of the same values are in play when you select a local brewery’s six-pack over the latest offering from a national craft brand. I’m one to believe there is a certain valuable culture inherent in supporting independent craft breweries that can’t be replicated in a glass of Blue Moon. Put another way, buying a ticket for a Broadway performance of “American Idiot” is not quite the equivalent of supporting independent punk rock. A former coworker once expressed alarm upon learning I was attending local punk shows and offered to start going along as my wingman, presumably as backup when the leather-studded heathens decided to beat my face to a bloody pulp just for showing up. In reality, there is a real sense of community among strangers at these shows and I’m more afraid of drunken frat boys at Jimmy Buffet. The point being that I prefer to think of craft drinkers as belonging to a culture of particular values that don’t always fit nicely into a defined corporate demographic. But maybe that’s just what I want to believe. And if you get tired of both sides, you can always just say screw it and make your own damn beer!

Cheers, Nathan

This Just In From Dash-In - November 16

From Dash-In's Facebook page, they just tapped the following beers:

Left Hand's Warrior IPA (6.8% abv) - Brewed only once a year with fresh hops hand-picked in Longmont, CO and Warrior hops straight off the vine from Yakima, WA. Warrior is brewed using a unique style called “Wet Hopping,” which requires only hops that are no more than a day from the vine. “Wet Hopping” imparts only a mild aroma, but an exceptionally fresh unfiltered hop flavor.

Sixpoint's The Crisp (5.5% abv) - A blend of German and Bohemian Pils love. German hops all the way. Sehr mean "very" in German. AKA - "The Crisp"

Founder's Backwoods Bastard (10.2% abv) - Big and delicious for your ’perty mouth. Expect lovely, warm smells of single malt scotch, oaky bourbon barrels, smoke, sweet caramel and roasted malts. A bit of earthy spice and a scintilla of dark cherries. It’s a kick-back sipper made to excite the palate.

 

For more information about Dash-In visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/#!/DashInfortwayne

 

 

ThanksBeering! - November 15

Looking for a great way to jump start the Thanksgiving holiday that includes beer?  If your answer is yes, the Trion Tavern in New Haven, IN will be tapping eight (8) beers and here are the details of their event:

For a detailed description of the beers that will be tapped at this event and for a complete list of their other draft beers, their website is http://www.triontavern.com/index.php

Acme Bar Beer Dinner (Fort Wayne) - November 13

Sunday, November 18:

The Acme Bar will be hosting a beer dinner from 4p.m.-7p.m.  The cost is $50 per person, seating is limited to 50 attendees and tickets must be pre-purchased as the Acme Bar is normally closed on Sundays.*  The menu is as follows:

Acme Beer Dinner

Chef Rob Lampros’ menu for the evening:

Appetizer

Popcorn Action Station

Choose your own combination of: bacon & duck fat, truffle oil, assorted cheeses & toppings

·      Paired with 3 Floyds Calumet Queen (Kolsch)

Courses

Chicken Osso Buco

Chicken “shanks” braised in a rich chicken stock finished with thyme & rosemary

·      Paired with Bell’s Expedition Stout

IPA-brined Porkloin

Dry-hopped herb brined porkloin smoked for 3 hours and finished with sour ale BBQ

·      Paired with Boulevard Tank 7 (Farmhouse Ale)

Oysters Casino

Lightly broiled oysters topped with butter, bacon, herbs, diced red peppers and breadcrumbs.

·      Paired with Victory Prima Pils

Acme Brats

Housemade brats with a 50/50 blend of veal and pork. Served with housemade saurkraut and spicy brown mustard

·      Paired with Rivertown Dunkel

Desserts

Stout cakes

Mini Pumpkin Pies

Popcorn with chocolate & wort caramel

·      Paired with: Lindemans Framboise (Raspberry Lambic), Tyranena Coffee Imperial Porter and Flat12 Half Cycle (IPA)

 

*Because the Acme is closed on Sundays, this will be a uniquely private event!

Since 1941, the Acme has been located at 1105 East State Blvd near the the intersection with Crescent Ave. Follow them on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/AcmeBarAndGrill.

Worst Episode Ever - Revisited

I can't say something nice about Three Floyd's without also panning them an instant later.  About a year ago I made the effort to buy tickets to their 15 year anniversary celebration and was less than pleased about the experience.  However, I did walk away with a very limited Baller Stout, a blend of Three Floyd's Dark Lord, Surly Darkness, De Struise Black Albert, and Mikkeller Beer Geek Brunch, the beer to end all beers.  Ok, maybe not.

If you feel like revisiting that day, you can find the exploits in the way back machine of this blog.  The reason I bring it up today is because Three Floyd's is doing a second brewpub release of Baller Stout.  Near the Munster, IN area?  Walk into the brewery and pick one up.

Mutiny and the Mollusk

Mutiny and the Mollusk, the collaboration between Half Acre and Three Floyd's was my pick for International Stout Day.  The reasoning of course, is that it is a rare breed and it happens to be an oyster stout.  Now, my beer acumen is not nearly at the level of say a Nathan Compton or a Bob Ostrander, so I actually had to Google the term oyster stout to see what it was all about.

Don't let the name fool you, there may or may not have been oysters used in the brewing of this beer.  I say this because I am hard pressed to find any information about the ingredients, what the brewers intended for it to taste like, or why they decided it would be a good idea.  Oyster stouts are by design, stouts to be consumed while eating oysters.  You'd think I would have done this research before drinking the beer.  Alas, I had no food as a companion to my ale and had to taste the beer on its own merits.

The beer, as suspected, was very good.  Rich, dark, and dare I say powerful, this stout slams you down with its coffee laden flavor if served chilled.  As the room temperature catches up, the stout mellows and isn't nearly as bitter (bitter as far as a black coffee is concerned).

I have to commend Three Floyd's on this one.  They simply announced the collaboration and released it at the brewpub so that their adoring public could line up to buy a bottle or two.  Nothing particularly flashy and definitely not the hop heavy flavor most of their beers are notorious for, which may be the influence of Half Acre.  I must admit, I've never had a beer from Half Acre, which is a shame because they are so gleefully close to my home.

Mutiny and the Mollusk was released in March.  I don't really know why I let it age for so long, maybe just wasn't in the stout mood at the time.  I do have another bottle, so maybe I'll actually get oysters for that one.

Heorot Pub and Draught House (Muncie, IN) - November 12

The Heorot Pub and Draught House in Muncie, has on tap today Barley Island Barfly, Flat 12 Red Oat-tober, and Fountain Square Rise N' Shine.  Last Friday, they tapped Sun King Osiris and Sun King Stiff Upper Lip.  If you are not familiar with this establishment, it is well worth your while to stop in and check them out for their great selection of draft and bottled beers.  According to their Facebook page, "we offer 66 different types of ales, lagers, and ciders on draft and there are over 350 kinds of bottled beer for the choosing".  Can you say beer, beer and more beer?  https://www.facebook.com/Heorot-Pub-and-Draught-House/

Fort Wayne Events - November 12

Monday, November 12:

As a reminder, Dash-In in downtown Fort Wayne is having their Monday night Grand Opening featuring their new dinner menu and their draft beers are priced $1.00 less tonight.  Along with the tapping of Goose Island Bourbon County Stout for this Grand Opening, they will also be tapping Three Floyds Zombie Dust.  https://www.facebook.com/DashInfortwayne

Wednesday, November 14:

800 Degrees Three Fires will be having a HOPFEST event to celebrate the changing of the seasons along with the harvest of fresh hops.  The featured beers will be:

Boulevard Harvest Dance
Great Divide Fresh Hop Pale Ale
Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA
Upland Harvest Ale

This event will be from 5p.m.-10p.m.  They will also be featuring a few special menu items for the event.  https://www.facebook.com/800DegreesThreeFires

Friday, November 16:

Cap n' Cork, located at 10020 Lima Road, will be having a FREE beer tasting from 5p.m.-7p.m.  They will be featuring beers from a wide variety of breweries for your sampling enjoyment!  Come out and sample these beers and maybe find something new to enjoy during this cooler weather!  (Must be 21 years of age or older with valid Government-issued ID) http://capncork.com/

Legal Guide to Starting a Brewery in Indiana

IndianaBeer note: Today we’re pleased to bring you a guest article from Sara Aisenberg of Surety Bonds. As we’ve witnessed an increasing number of professional and amateur brewers pursuing the dream of launching their own brewery, Sara brings you some helpful tips on legal items you’ll need to consider.

If you make a great homebrew, you know that crafting beer is a process — from preparing to fermenting to conditioning to packaging and everything else in between. If you’ve decided to turn your hobby into a licensed business, you probably have the brewing part of the equation down. However, you might not know much about the business side of things. To ensure that your brewery gets up and running without any setbacks, follow this legal guide to starting a brewery in Indiana.

Know the law.

Anytime you jump into a venture that involves legalities, it’s important to know every law that applies to your industry. A great place to start is researching Indiana’s brewer permits as stated in Indiana Code 7.1-3-2. It’s also important to understand the federal laws pertaining to the brewing industry. For example, the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission doesn’t require brewery owners to post a surety bond to get licensed at the state level, but a bond is required at the federal level. In most cases, individuals interested in starting a brewery will need to post a brewer’s bond or a brewer’s collateral bond. For clarifications on fulfilling this surety bond requirement, consult the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau website.

Determine which liquor license you need.

The first step in getting an alcoholic beverage license in Indiana is to determine what kind of license you need, which you can do by visiting the license type section of the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission website. In most cases, individuals wanting to open an independent brewery will need a brewer or small brewer license. If you plan to sell your beer on site, in restaurants or in stores, you might also need a beer retailer or beer wholesaler license.

Once you’ve determined the type of license you need, you’ll have to find out if that particular type of license is available in your area. If the license you need is available, you can move forward with the licensing process. If the quota for your particular license is filled, you can try to buy the license from a current license holder. In most cases, assistance is available to connect individuals seeking a license with individuals looking to sell their license.

Submit your paperwork.

When you’re ready to begin the application process, contact the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission to request the necessary forms. You must submit the following paperwork to be considered for an alcohol license in Indiana:

• four copies of your floor plans signed and dated by you
• any necessary articles of incorporation
• a signed lease or proof of ownership of the premises where the license will be used
• property tax clearance from your county treasurer
• a “consent to transfer” form signed by the current license holder, if applicable
• a renewal application if the license expires in less than four months from the transfer date, if applicable
• a transfer of location application, if applicable

After you’ve submitted your paperwork, you can expect to wait anywhere from 8-12 weeks before the process is completed. Most counties in Indiana require that applicants seeking an alcoholic beverage permit appear at a local board meeting. A member of the Indiana State Excise Police serves on this board and will visit the site at which you intend to operate the permit at some point during the application and approval process.

Although dealing with legal requirements is a large part of starting a business, doing so is just the beginning of the start-up process. Once your application is complete, it’s time to brainstorm and execute the tasks that will turn your idea into a tangible business and brand, which includes marketing products, setting prices, hiring employees and developing a company culture. Understanding the legal aspects of starting a brewery will give you a solid foundation on which to build.

Sara Aisenberg is the executive writer for the SuretyBonds.com educational outreach program, an effort to helps entrepreneurs of all kinds understand the legal requirements they must fulfill before starting their own businesses. As a newcomer to Columbia, Missouri, Sara is exploring all that the Midwest has to offer — including some local beer! Follow Sara on Twitter @SaraAisenberg.

Badass American Lager?

Beer is still good.  It has been countless days since I put my thoughts about beer into this blog.  My life of beer consumption reached a dramatic stand still.  My wife and I have been blessed with a beautiful daughter and I was fortunate enough to land a new job closer to the homestead.  I haven't made an appearance to any of my favorite breweries or pubs in a long time and I made a promise to my wife that I wouldn't buy any more beer because I had a stockpile in the cellar already.  I haven't even been able to enjoy them!

My reporting on the Northwest Indiana brewery seen will commence shortly, but the spots hit will be a little far between.  I would love to spend every night of the week at a different establishment, but that's just not happening.  In the interim, my creative drive just can't stay under wraps, so I will be back to writing my usually snarky beer reviews spewing of negativity usually reserved for a certain establishment in Munster (whose beer I thoroughly enjoy!).

For this installment, I have to address quite possibly the worst beer I have ever consumed.  Guinness Black Lager takes a close second to Kid Rock's Badass American Lager.

This was the sorriest excuse for beer I've ever had.  Miller 64, Michelob Ultra, and Budweiser Select all had more color and flavor that resembled beer than the fluid poured from these bottles.  I received a six pack as a gift and I was determined to finish it off while watching quite possibly the worst televised programs to date: the 2012 election results telecasts of CBS, NBC, ABC, CNN, and Fox News.

Badass American Lager comes out of the bottle looking like Welch's Sparkling White Grape Juice.  I know that my daughter will not be sampling New Year's Eve champagne this year, but she very well could have a sippy cup of Badass American Lager and probably be no worse off than if it were water.

If the transparent liquid in the glass isn't enough to turn you off, then the faint Asti Spumante taste of it will.  Seriously, I was reminded of my childhood when I was allowed to sip little bits of champagne from my parents' flutes.  I was pretty sure the ensuing morning headache was inevitable.  Fortunately, Badass American Lager packs zero punch in the alcohol department.

For those of us living in Indiana, be thankful that this is not available on the shelves (at least not as far as I can tell).  For our neighbors up in Michigan, my apologies that your state's grand tradition of craft beers has to compete with this latest offering.  I would think the city of Detroit would disown Kid Rock by now for associating itself with whatever this is (I can't even bring myself to call it beer anymore).

My negativity will certainly subside as it is back to my own beer cellar and the wonderful offerings that lie within.  I missed International Stout Day due to a class I'm taking (another challenge when drinking beer), but tonight I am sampling Three Floyd's Mutiny and the Mollusk, an oyster stout brewed in collaboration with Half Acre.  Back to the good stuff!

Fort Wayne Updates - November 7

Friday, November 9:

Cap n' Cork's Coldwater Road location is having a FREE beer tasting from 5p.m.-7p.m.  There will be beers available for sampling from Upland, Southern Tier, Oaken Barrel to name a few.  (Must be 21 years of age or older with valid Government-issued ID) http://capncork.com/

Monday, November 12:

Dash-In will be staying open until 11p.m. on Monday evenings.  To go along with the change in Monday night hours, they will also be debuting their new night menu.  Also, on Monday at 4p.m. they will be tapping the Goose Island Bourbon County Stout!!!  If that's not enough to get you to go to Dash-In next Monday, they will also be having $1.00 off all draft beers!! https://www.facebook.com/DashInfortwayne

Want New Albanian? But not the drive?... + other tapping news

Yogi's Grill and Bar, Bloomington, will be hosting a Tap Takeover of New Albanian beers tonight(Nov. 6) at 7:00. Think 45 minutes south of I-465 instead of 2 hours. Of Course New Albanian Elector is the theme beer, but also included are Hoptimus, Old 15 B, Beak's Best, Tunnel Vision, Black and Blue Grass, Naughty Girl and Hoosier Daddy. The NABC open its doors 25 years ago in southern Indiana and have been cranking out great products for a quarter of a century.

And... if you ARE near the Ohio River: Zombie dust, Zes, Zes, Zes, Black Heart, Moloko, Gumball Head, Munsterfest on tap and Calumet Queen in the bottle at Rocky's Sub Pub NOW, (Nov. 6) Jeffersonville, IN

In other tapping news: RAM on November 14th taps the fourth leg of their RAMAGEDDON 2012 series, Final Countdown Imperial IPA, released at both Downtown Indy (7:00) and Fishers (6:30) locations. If that wasn't enough, S'no Angel Weizenbock will also be tapped this night in case you need extra enticement.
November 21st - Tomlinson Taproom in the Indianapolis City Market, RAM Brewers will be taking over all 16 taps at Tomlinson in one event including cellared seasonals and rare releases such as Barrel-aged Apocalypto Barleywine and Nitro Vanilla Stout among many others.

Flat12 announces: Moustache Ride Red - Movember tapping and fundraising (11/17, 6pm).

Rock Bottom, College Park, taps Winter Tartan Scottish Ale, Tuesday, Nov. 13, 7:00 PM

Brew Bracket 5: AMBERgeddon!

"I don't wanna close my eyes 

I don't wanna fall asleep 

'Cause I'd miss you, Brew Bracket

And I don't wanna miss a thing"


The time has come again for another Brew Bracket!!

Brew Bracket 5: AMBERgeddon!

This competition is better than the rest because YOU get to help decide the winner brew. 

How does it work? 

400 attendees sampling beer from 16 breweries in a March Madness style bracket taste off.  After 4 hours of blind tastings, 4 rounds of voting a winner is announced!

So come one, come all to the Indiana State Fairgrounds on December 8th from 12:30-5pm to participate in this fun, beer swillin' time for only $35 which also helps out a great cause - Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, Inc. 

Tickets available at : www.brewbracket.com

This season's participants are some old favorites, previous winners and some new guys:
Triton Brewing Co.
Flat 12 Bierwerks
The RAM Restaurant and Brewery (BBIV: Bourbon Barrel Aged - Winner)
Half Moon Brewery
Bloomington  Brewing Co. 
Barley Island Brewing Co.(BBIII: Wheats - Winner)
Bier Brewery (BBII: Stouts - Winner) 
Three Wisemen Brewing Co. ( a new one to the competition!) 
Rock Bottom  (Rock Bottom Downtown - BBI: IPA - Winner)
Bulldog Brewing Co. 
Fountain Square Brewery
Upland Brewing Co. 
Iechyd Da Brewing Co. (welcome another newbie!)
Powerhouse Brewing Co. 
Oaken Barrel Brewing Co. (Hi - newbie!)
Twisted Crew Brewing Co. 

For some more recaps of the fun of Brew Bracket see our previous blogs:
BBI: IPA
BBII: Stouts 
BBIII: Wheats
BBIV: Bourbon Barrel Aged

Also - Be on the look out for Kathleen and her new Beer Socks. Going red and white for Christmas!

Upcoming Beer Events (Fort Wayne) - October 31

Friday, November 2:

Cap n' Cork located in Covington Plaza will be having a FREE beer tasting from 5p.m.-7p.m.  They will have the Monk's Cafe Sour Beer and beers from Flat 12, Victory, Boulevard, Abita, and various other breweries to sample.  Come out and sample some beers and find some new beers to enjoy this Fall!!   (Must be 21 years of age or older with valid Government-issued ID) http://capncork.com/

Monday, November 5:

JK O'Donnell's Irish Ale House in downtown will have their last local food dinner for 2012.  This one is being called "Hail to Kale" and it starts at 6:30p.m.  There will be six (6) courses of food paired with Bell's beers.  A Bell's representative will be at this event to share a firkin of Bell's Two Hearted beer.  The menu is available on JK's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JK-ODonnells-Irish-Ale-House/83904179658 along with information price and reservation information.

Group Tasting and Reviews – Fresh Hop Ales

The fall season in craft beer brings us a trio of specialty styles with Oktoberfests, Pumpkin ales, and a growing number of so-called “fresh hop” ales with that year’s harvest making a quick trek from the field directly to the brew kettle. Rather than following the traditional process of drying, processing, and packaging; these hops are often added whole upon arrival while they are still in their “wet” form. Sierra Nevada, the legendary brewery from California that can take credit for launching many a craft beer trend, also claims to have started the fresh hop craze with their first harvest ale in 1996. An increasing number of breweries are now producing these beers, and Indiana homebrewers have had success planting hops at home and creating their own unique examples (my Cascades are pictured at the right).

To prepare you for the growing number of these beers hitting Indiana retail shelves, a blind tasting was assembled to try some of the more prominent examples in our market and give you a peek at the liquid behind the label. Beers were procured from Founders, Sierra Nevada, Three Floyds, Two Brothers, and Upland and served in a random order to the tasting panel by our lovely hostess Poppi Rocketts. Joining me on the panel were Andrew Korty, Jason Cook, and Tim Palmer. Here is each beer sampled, along with the brewery’s description and the panel’s tasting comments.

 

Beer #1: Upland Harvest Ale - Upland’s Harvest Ale is an American Pale Ale by design, but an even more vibrant rendition by loading up our hopback with freshly harvested Citra hops. Expect huge wafts of tropical fruit notes, balanced by a moderate bitterness and light toasted malt character. A showcase for one of our four favorite ingredients and a delight for all the hopheads out there.

Andrew: Hop aroma of grapefruit, pineapple, mango, shallot. Low caramel and grainy maltiness. Orange-gold body with brass highlights. White, lasting head. Substantial graininess in flavor. Caramel is pronounced also. Hop flavors soon surpass this malt backbone with vegetal flavors and notes of citrus, dried flowers, and resin. While finish is not bone-dry, bitterness is strong and lingers long and strong on the palate through the aftertaste. Medium body, moderate carbonation. Slight alcohol warmth.

Jason: Decent hop aroma. Initial hit of hop character that fades quickly into strong bitterness with a very heavy finish.

Nathan: Assertive hop character up front with a dominant pineapple character complemented by other citrus fruits and a bit of pine. The hop character fades at the finish and is replaced by an assertive, lingering bitterness. Has a distinct green plant character, which can be expected from the wet hops, and leaves behind a resinous, mouth-coating sensation. The malt character is subdued and allows the hops to shine through. A tasty beer that could use a bit less bitterness and more complex hop flavor when compared to the other examples.

Tim: Had a very faint citrusy and resin hop aroma which was a little surprising considering this is a wet hopped beer and I was expecting more hop aroma. This beer had a light golden color with a large off white head that persisted. The piney and resin hop character was more pronounced in the flavor as compared to the aroma. The bitterness was moderate and lingered into the back of the throat, but there was a hop slickness that coated the tongue.

Beer #2: Three Floyds Broo Doo - This beer is brewed during the hop harvest with a portion of unkilned or “wet” hops fresh off the vine. Apricot in color, Broo Doo’s nose has dominant orange, pine sap and floral notes, balanced by a glazed nut and toffee malt body. This celebration of the hop harvest has intense tropical fruit, citrus and spicy accents that showcase the complexity of the hops we all love. 7% ABV 80 IBU

Andrew: Vegetal notes up front at low levels accompanied by resinous, citrusy notes. Orange-gold body is slightly hazy. Thick, white, lasting head leaves a heavy lace. Hints of sulfury peach character. Vegetal character carries over into flavor. Hop notes of orange and grapefruit. Grassy notes in finish. Malt backbone is only there for support; nothing prominent, just hints of bread and caramel. Dry, elegant, and easy to drink. High carbonation enhances dryness and produces a slight carbonic bite.

Jason: Very fresh hop aroma. Taste of citrus on the back of my tongue. Good bitterness but not overpowering. Seems fairly clean and doesn’t linger.

Nathan: Slightly darker in color with a nice orange hue. Prominent notes of pineapple, peach, and tropical fruit dominate the flavor. The malt character is again subdued and allows the hops to be featured. This beer is highly carbonated which contributes to the impression of a dry, crisp finish. There is a slight amount of vegetal/green plant character from the wet hops but not quite a noticeable as in sample 1. Very flavorful but easy-drinking beer that makes you want to go back for more.

Tim: Very strong citrusy (grapefruit)/piney hop aroma right up front and in your face with hints of caramel and toffee. This was a very clear, light amber colored beer with a persistent off white head. This was heavily carbonated with a crisp mouth feel. Bitterness was very strong and hop flavor was powerful with some grassy notes from the wet hops. Beer finished dry which contributed to wanting to drink more.

Beer #3: Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA - Heavy Handed IPA is brewed to celebrate the harvesting of the hops every year. Within moments of harvest we add freshly picked "Wet Hops" to this IPA. Since the hops have not been dried before use, they add a wonderful character found in no other beer. A hop lovers dream. 6.7% ABV 65 IBU

Andrew: Malt is subdued with hints of bread and grain. Hints of toasted bread, caramel, and toffee in flavor. Clear, light amber body with thin, white head. Hops are more straightforward but subdued and reminiscent of dried flowers although not entirely devoid of citrus. Pear-like esters round out the flavor profile. Considering the malt, hop, and ester profile, this beer seems more like an English pale ale. Moderate carbonation, medium body. No alcohol warmth. Darker in color than all other samples except number 5.

Jason: Nearly undetectable aroma. Color is closer to an Amber. Stronger, sweet malt character than I would have expected for the style but it isn’t unwelcome. Finishes pretty clean with nice bitterness.

Nathan: Bready malt character with some caramel notes and a slight mineral quality to the water. Hop character is far more subdued than the first two samples, but is fairly well-balanced with a soft, floral, slightly citrus character. Seems to lean more towards an ESB style than an IPA hop showcase, although the bitterness could support a more aggressive hop flavor. It isn’t quite the style I expected, but still a very enjoyable beer.

Tim: Was surprised as there was very little hop aroma present when I first sniffed this beer. There was some toasty and bready notes, but little hop aroma. Beer was brown in color and had an off white head that laced the glass. The flavor heavily favored the malt, but there was some firm bitterness with some citrus and piney flavor, but the malt was taking the lead here. As beer warmed, fruity esters started to appear more and this beer reminded me or had more of an English Bitter character.

   

Beer #4: Founders Harvest Ale - This liquid dream pours a hazy golden straw color with a white, two-finger head. Your first sip rewards you with a super juicy hop presence bursting with fresh citrus, then finishes to introduce toasted malt undertones. 6.5% ABV 70 IBU 

Andrew: Powerful and complex hop aroma with hints of orange, peach, papaya, spruce, black pepper, grass, and a hint of garlic. Hop character carries over into flavor. Brilliant pale gold in color—lighter than the other samples. Bread-like, caramely malt character is present throughout in a supporting role although it does contribute sweetness to an almost unwelcome level. Seems big and a bit boozy. Bitterness is aggressive and lingers long into aftertaste. Moderate carbonation, medium body.

Jason: Citrus hops are very prevalent in nose. Very light and clear in color. Nice bitterness with strong hop character and flavor throughout.

Nathan: Very light colored but seems to have a solid malt backbone. Very aggressive hop character that showcases grapefruit and other citrus and lingers long into the finish. The bitterness is well-balanced and the beer leaves you with the type of mouth-coating sensation observed in sample 1. A bit of a grassy character from the hops. The finish is a little sweet for my taste and the beer just generally feels a bit heavy. Overall a great beer, but seems like it would be hard to drink a lot of in one sitting.

Tim: Right up front, this beer was going for hop presence. You get hit a strong citrus, mango, peach aroma, which overpowered any malt character that was trying to break through. This was very clear golden colored beer with a very persistent white head. Harvest Ale had plenty of carbonation that helps with the crispness of the beer. The hops packed plenty of bitterness and had a nice citrusy and woodsy note. There was low toasted malt character that broke through and finished this beer nicely.

Beer #5: Sierra Nevada Nothern Hemisphere Harvest - The cornerstone of our Harvest series is the beer that started the modern-day fresh hop ale phenomenon in America, our original Harvest Ale. Created in 1996, Harvest Ale features Cascade and Centennial hops from the Yakima Valley in Eastern Washington. These hops are harvested and shipped as “wet” un-dried hops—the same day they are picked—to our brewery in Chico where our brewers eagerly wait to get them into the brew kettle while their oils and resins are still at their peak. 6.7% ABV 60-65 IBU

IndianaBeer note: Sierra Nevada also produces a beer called Southern Hemisphere Harvest in the spring that features fresh hops from New Zealand.

Andrew: Subdued aroma with some hints of sulfur. Hint of umami / soy sauce. Perfume notes emerge with warmth. Brilliant amber-copper in color—darker than other samples. Tall, thick, lasting head. Flavor is more malt focused with biscuity, nutty, toasty notes. Esters of pear and other white fruit. Hop flavor is present but not complex, with elements of wood, spruce needles, and dried flowers. Powerful bitterness lingers long into aftertaste. High carbonation, medium body.

Jason: Mild hop aroma present. More amber in color and style. Stronger malt presence with nice bitterness. More balanced, the hop character is not featured but still present.

Nathan: Reddish color with the type of caramel and toasted malt character you would expect to find in an American Red or Amber. The hop character is subtle and leans more toward a piney character than the other samples. There is a moderate level of bitterness with a dry, crisp finish. A well-balanced and easy drinking beer, but I expected a little more of a showcase for the hops. This beer would taste pretty much the same without going to the trouble of using wet hops.

Tim: This beer starts out with a very balanced slight toasted caramel malt and low citrusy hop aroma. Beer has beautiful amber color with a creamy off white head that lingered in the glass. This was very highly carbonated with crisp pleasant mouth feel. Had a strong bitterness and citrus flavor, but enough malt character to balance this beer out.

 

After tasting and discussing each individual beer, we lined up a sample of each to determine a 1-5 ranking of each person’s preference. After tallying up the scores, our collective preferences averaged out to (drum roll please):

Fifth Place: Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest

Fourth Place: Upland Harvest Ale

Third Place: Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA

Second Place: Founders Harvest Ale

First Place: Three Floyds Broo Doo

All of these examples were solid beers that exhibited a bit more diversity than we initially expected. The Three Floyds and Founders samples were the best examples of the hop showcase you typically expect from these beers and made at least the top three on each of our individual lists. Does that mean these are the beers we recommend? That might depend on what you prioritize when choosing a beer as these were also the most expensive beers we sampled (not to mention quite possibly the more difficult examples to find). In our shopping, Three Floyds Broo Doo ran $9.99 for a 22-ounce bomber and Founders Harvest Ale was nearly $7 for the two 12-ounce bottles we were able to score from the local liquor store rationing.

On the other hand, an argument could be made that Two Brothers Heavy Handed IPA at $11.99/six-pack and Upland Harvest Ale at $10.99/six-pack represented better overall values. Our results would not make a strong recommendation for Sierra Nevada Northern Hemisphere Harvest as it was neither highly-rated or the cheapest at $6 for a 24-ounce bottle. But Sierra Nevada could very well be the best option for those who enjoy hoppy West Coast Red Ales like North Coast Red Seal (and it was Poppi’s favorite of the group, which is the vote that really matters).

Cheers, Nathan

Dribs and Drabs

The Riley Ridge homebrew store in Lanesville (west of New Albany) is closed. We're told they hope to open soon in New Albany itself.

It's about time to make that Pumpkin Keg.

Upland's Helio Pale Ale got a 90 score in the latest All About Beer magazine. Also, Caleb's Sour Reserve Blend #2 was reviewed by Roger Protz ("sour and tart fruit aroma, with hints of herbs, freshly-mown grass, smoke and oak. Creamy malt coats the tongue and a gentle hint of hops peeps through the sourness . . . Challenging but rewarding") and Garrett Oliver ("Some rosy floral accents, apricots and a little balsamic vinegar. There are plenty of sours out there these days, and many are cartoons. This is a painting. And, oddly, it'll work wonders with barbecue.")

It's also time to plan the Stone Vertical Epic Party. Stone's been putting out this beer annually since 2.2.02 with each a different style. The last of the series, 12.12.12 is planned to hit the stores then. A 11-flight vertical will be very interesting - especially if you have all 11 - or even just a few. 1.1.01, 7.7.07, and 8.8.08 aren't to be found by themselves. Full sets have sold for $2,500 Other Ebay selling prices are:

02.02.02 - $455                   03.03.03 - $53 average
04.04.04 - $54 average         05.05.05 - $55
06.06.06 - $45                     09.09.09 - $10
10.10.10 - $17

Stone is having a tasting party in Escondido, CA for $150.
I have three 3.3.03 and three 8.8.08 if anyone needs them for their own party.

In 2009 Tennessee's laws allowed distilling in only three counties. They changed it then to add 41 more counties. But in Hamilton County where Chattanooga is stills are still stilted and coppers will cop your coppers. In other words it is risky to make whiskey. So what are the folks at Chattanooga Whiskey to do? They contracted from the Indiana Distillery. Article in the Times Free Press. Did they have to headline it Indiana Whiskey Gives Us a Hangover?

The results of the ATC auction of liquor permits is online. 279 permits were sold by the state for a total of 3,800,000.United Package Liquors spent $450,000 for a store license in Brownsburg. Friendly Package Liquors in Yorktown will get a competitor who paid $275,000. Most of the action was done by Liquor Licenses R Us and Dolgencorp (Dollar General).

Liquor Licenses R Us. Hmmm. A reseller. But its illegal to sell licenses for more than the auction value. Here's a story about another reseller.

BeerAmerica.TV is great for those who like beer and watch videos.

The Cheltenham Motor Club in Gloucester won best southwest private club in this year's CAMRA competition. I've spent a half-dozen enjoyable evenings in their friendly embrace. Good guys. Sometimes race cars, more often drink real ale in fine condition. Congratulations. (Noted here in hopes a member googles this entry and swells with pride.)

Whaaat? A/B is making Becks in the U.S., exporting it to Germany. Article

Brewmeister Armageddon. 65%. That's PERCENT. 130 proof. Beer. Buyable. $60 + shipping from England.
 
Whiteclay, Nebraska sells more beer per capita than any other town. Anywhere. Four million cans. Population: 11. The nearby Winnebago tribe is Siouxing. Not a happy story.

Recent Tappings (Crown Point, Fort Wayne and New Haven - October 26

Crown Brewing in Crown Point, IN has tapped their Bourbon Barrel Aged Industrial Porter http://www.crownbrewing.com/.

Dash-In located in downtown Fort Wayne has tapped Great Divide Oak Aged Yeti Imperial Stout.  More information about this beer and Dash-In can be found at https://www.facebook.com/DashInfortwayne.

Trion Tavern in New Haven, IN has tapped these beers since October 19th: 

   Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale by Lexington Brewing Co.
   471 by Breckenridge Brewery
   Sorachi Ace by Brooklyn Brewery

Check out Trion's website to see what else they have on their list of 58 taps http://www.triontavern.com/.

Club Soda Bell's Event (Fort Wayne) - October 26

Thursday, November 8 @ 5:30p.m.:

Club Soda will be having a Bell's beer event featuring their Jazz Series beers that consist of three (3) Bell's beers that usually are not released outside of Bell's brewpub.  Jason, from Bell's, will be in attendance and there is the possibility of yet another Bell's beer to be featured at this event that is a highly sought after beer and it too is not readily available.  There will also be music provided by "The West Central Quartet".  The beers are:

Le Batteur Ale -             Style:  Biere de Garde
                                       ABV:  6.0%

This beer has a distinctive yeast aromatic character mixed with light bready notes. Noticeably dry, the finish is crisp with a mild, refreshing acidity. The French term for a drummer, Le Batteur takes its name from a component of a classic jazz trio.

Le Contrebassiste Ale - Style:  Biere de Garde
                                       ABV:  7%

This beer blends roasted & lightly smoked malts and is fermented with a special French ale yeast which lends its own distinctive aromatic notes. The beer's namesake, the Double Bass, is reflected in the deep, rich flavors that resonate in this unique offering.

Le Pianiste Ale -            Style:  Biere de Garde
                                       ABV   6.5%

This beer starts as a malt forward beer, combining biscuity, breadcrust notes with a light caramel flavor.  Noticeably dry, the finish is crisp with a lively, refreshing acidity.

The above information about each of the beers was found on Bell's website (http://bellsbeer.com/).

The cost of each beer is $5.00 per pint.  To make a reservation for this event, call Club Soda at (260) 426-3442 and their website is:  (http://www.clubsodafortwayne.com/).