Buffalo Wild Wings

Bar, Eatery

15 E. Maryland Street
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46204
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.07
Reviews:
28
Ratings:
28
pDev:
9.58%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by shbobdb:
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Reviewed by shbobdb from Indiana

3.54/5  rDev -13%
vibe: 2 | quality: 2.5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
10-19-2005
OK, so let's suppose you've been a good heathen and died. Now, technically, you oughtn't make it to heaven, but through some mistake in the celestial beaurocracy you make it in. So, you're in Heaven, you've got all the perks, but you're surrounded by people that you absolutely cannot relate to. That's what this BW3's is like. Friendly service and the beer list! The beer list!!!! I cannot express the divine rapture I feel when I read it, when I stroke it and put it underneath my pillow to dream of the next days adventures. But, it is a BW3's. It is a sports bar. I couldn't sit through even three innings of a football game, let alone sit immersed in its culture. But, like any other place, if you bring the party, then you are good to go.

So bring the party, drink the beer, and be merry.
Speaking of which, since we all complain about how much the atmosphere sucks, anyone in Indy, feel free to drop me a beer mail. Let the beer snobbery begin!
---
7-28-06
So, nearly a year has passed and I've been drinking at BW3's a lot. I noticed something unusual while I was drinking there recently: My Ruination tastes the same as my Alpha King, tastes the same as my Sierra Nevada Celebration. Why? Because they a) don't clean their lines very often and b) let their kegs get OLD!!!

Still an awesome selection, but be *really* careful about what you order. For example, it is the end of July. They still have Sierra Nevada Celebration on tap. I'll leave it to your imagination as to how ancient that beer must be.

So, I found a solution: ask which beers have most recently been tapped. If they bartender doesn't know, ask him to find out and leave a nice tip. It will make the difference between a mediocre drinking experience and an awesome drinking experience. ASK, ASK, ASK.

Still an awesome selection, and still fairly priced. Just keep it in mind. Or head over to MacNiven's or the Rathskeller, where the beer will be much fresher but also more expensive.
Oct 19, 2005
More User Ratings:
Photo of JToad
Reviewed by JToad from Indiana

4.2/5  rDev +3.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
I was in town for a Pacers game last night, so my friend and I made it a point to check out this BW3's after hearing so much about it.

Incredible selection of brews available. Started with a Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA out of the bottle. At $15 it was a little expensive, but what the hell you only live once. Next up was a Double Bastard on draft, which made it a hell of a lot smoother than the first time I had one..

We ended on a Bell's HopSlam and Two Brothers Hop Juice on draft.

Typical sports bar atmosphere, but the selection of beer well made up for it.
One of the best spots in Indiana to get great beer.. and with so much to choose from, you will never get bored..
Dec 27, 2006
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Reviewed by doppelmeup from North Carolina

4.03/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3
Visited this restaurant while on a business trip to Indy, and was able to meet up with fellow BA shbobdb, who also provided me with some Dreadnaught and Bell's Expedition Stout. Thanks, shbobdb!

Bar is typical collegiate type wings bar. A bit smokey in the bar area, televisions all around, and on this evening we received a visit from the Indiana U pep band and cheerleaders. It made for a memorable evening.

Started out with a Dreadnaught cask conditioned ale. What a start! There were several Three Floyd's brews, an interesting Hell Hath no Fury brew, and a great overall selection of micro and craft beer, including Arrogant Bastard on draft, several good looking stouts and some Belgians as well.

Waitress was good, but we didn't ask her much about beer so I don't know how knowledgeable she was.

Food was typical of a restaurant like this. We ordered wings and they were excellent, and they also had burgers, fries as so forth.

Overall, this was a great place to hang out if you're not looking for a fancy sit down restaurant.
Nov 14, 2006
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Reviewed by AmorousAngel from South Carolina

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 3.5
Visited this place in June while on a business trip with a beer-loving colleague. We researched on Beer Advocate beforehand, or we never would have found it.

At first glance, this was a typical casual-dining chain restaurant. When we were there, the music was very loud and the air conditioning was broken, both of which detracted from the experience.

The service was good, though we quickly realized that the bartender, rather than the waitress, was the person to talk to for recommendations.

The selection was phenomenal (hence the need for recommendations). Being from South Carolina, where the beer laws are shall we say... restrictive, I was overwhelmed by the selection. I was able to try several beers that are not available in my area. I wish I had taken notes so that I could review the beers.

That being said, we were disappointed by one thing. The main reason we went to this place, was for the Dogfish Head 90 Minute IPA filtered through the Randall. My colleague is a serious hop-head, so he was very excited about this prospect. Unfortunately, they had stopped using the Randall a few weeks earlier because of problems with it becoming clogged. He was crushed until he realized that they had the 120 Minute IPA.

The food was typical bar food, but the main attraction was definitely the beer selection.
Jul 24, 2006
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Reviewed by shivtim from Georgia

3.93/5  rDev -3.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5 | food: 3
This place was in the same building as our hotel, so of course we made it the last stop of the night. WOW, the selection was amazing. 40 beers on tap (I counted 24 American microbrews) plus a bottle selection. Probably one of the best selections of on-tap microbrews I've ever seen. The special of the night was "$2.50 USA pints"... yep, that meant multiple brews from Rogue, Bells, 3 Floyds, Stone, Breckenridge, Dogfish head, Harpoon, etc were all only $2.50. Can't beat that.
The atmosphere and food are what you'd expect- hey, it's a B-dubs. There are, however, a ton of craft beer stickers and such decorating the bar area. Service was good even though it was pretty crowded. Basically it amounts to a typical sports bar that just happens to have a stunning selection of microbrews.
Jul 17, 2006
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Reviewed by BAbaracus from Texas

3.7/5  rDev -9.1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
The 42 beers BWW downtown has on draft are carefully selected with a strong emphasis on regional microbrews. In fact, there are frequent specials on Indiana beers, and Monday is $2.75 you-call-it. The bottled selection runs a little deeper toward other US micros, with Stone and Dogfish Head especially well represented. Of course, this being a sports bar, not everyone sauntering in care about good craft beer, and so there’s not as much emphasis put on bartender education than there would be at some other dedicated beer bars. In particular I’ve heard more than one bartender describe just about any beer over the usual 5-6% abv as "kind of like a barleywine". In addition to the casks of JW Lee’s Sherry Harvest Ale & Tally Ho they have a keg of hand drawn DFH 90 served through a Randall. It’s simply stunning that the best beer selection in Indianapolis is at a Buffalo Wild Wings (visit one of the other local locations to find out just how rare this is). Kudos to the manager for keeping it real on the craft brew front, especially in the downtown, conventioneer-happy section of a city that is still overwhelmingly macro crazy.
May 24, 2006
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Reviewed by mcallister from Ohio

3.8/5  rDev -6.6%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 1
Wow if only every BW3 were like this one I'd probably be completely broke. Great beer selection. Started off with a Dogfish Head 90 minute IPA Randall the Enamel Animal draught, then went to a BBC Jefferson's Bourbon Barrel Stout, then a cask conditioned Bell's Double Cream. Other beers they had draught were 3 Floyds Alpha King and Scotch Ale, Arrogant Bastard, Double Bastard, Breckenridge 471 IPA (lady got this very good), Dirty Bastard, dead guy, Rogue Mogul, Rogue Private Reserve, Sierra Nevada Celebration, hoppus maximus and last but yes least bud light.

Bottle wise they had some great beers including Dogfish 120 min, immort, midas, punkin, world wide stout, old rasputin, Stone old guardian, ruination, ,vertical epic. Many kick ass belgians, bocks, imports. Basically beer heavan especially for a Dayton Ohioan.

That's about as good as the review gets. Atmosphere wasn't all to atmospheric I mean hell it is a BW3. Food sucks so we did not eat. In a town like Indianapolis you can find an option or two better than mini chicken wings.

Well worth the trip. The trip back is what may get you in trouble.
Apr 08, 2006
Photo of JiminKY
Reviewed by JiminKY from Kentucky

4.03/5  rDev -1%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
This place never ceases to amaze me. It's a find by any beer-lover's standard, and even moreso considering what you'd expect at the average Buffalo Wild Wings ("BW-3") or other chain restaurant. I wish the whole chain would add the Indy beer menu to their great food selections. I have posted scans of the beer menu (as of 3-29-06) at the following links (cut & paste):

Bottles: http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/28scan0001.jpg

Drafts: http://www.photohost.org/gallery/data/500/28scan.jpg

I know a lot of beer snobs think a sports/college bar atmosphere is tacky and annoying, but I have no problem with it. And that is what you get here during busy times like a Saturday afternoon before the NCAA Final Four begins down the street. It was a madhouse, and hard to find a table, but the service was good nonetheless--while standing, leaning at the bar, and when I eventually found a seat. And one advantage is that when a bartender's running crazy he or she will often do something like fill a 23oz glass with Breckenridge 471 (which the menu says will only be served in a pint size) and charge only $3.75.

I was also there the Friday afternoon, before, and the place was near empty, so it was much quieter, less smoky, and more relaxed. In fact, I even got a hell of a freebie from the bartender when she handed me the remainder of the pitcher she used to deal with the "foam" as she poured me a DFH 90 Minute through the fresh hops of Randall the Enamel Animal. It turned out to be another full glassful, once it settled.

In addition to being the first place I got to try fresh-hop infused 90 Minute, this place also had two hand pumps from which I ordered Bell's Special Double Cream Stout on this trip, and J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale (Sherry Cask) on a previous trip. These kind of things are not an everyday find for me in the Louisville area (though I have been impressed with Rich O's Publick House).

The food at BW-3 is great, as far as I'm concerned. I have it for lunch at lease once just about every week. At my local BW-3, where I'm stuck with little more than Sam Adams, I gladly partake in the super-hot end of the sauce spectrum. For lovers of the truly spiced, BW-3's new Mango Habanero is not to be missed. Old standbys like Carribean Jerk and Blazin' will also getcha goin'. At Indy, though, I stuck to the Honey BBQ sauce to keep my tastebuds intact for the beer.

Pricewise, everything was more than fair--beer and food alike. I just really wish they would clone the bar section and add it to the rest of their locations.
Apr 04, 2006
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Reviewed by mportsch from Illinois

3.89/5  rDev -4.4%
vibe: 2 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 5
I was on a bus trip from Peoria to visit the local brewpubs, and I noticed that the BW3's was a short walk from Ram and Alcatraz (thanks, Beerfly!), so we checked it out. I must say - I was prepared for great selection from reading the reviews, but I was still floored. I'm used to my local BW3's, which doesn't give you anything more craft than Newcastle and Guinness. I remember seeing a couple Three Floyds brews, some Stone (Arrogant Bastard and OAKED Arrogant Bastard), some smaller Indiana breweries... the selection was just great. I had a pint of Oaked Arrogant Bastard for just $4.25 and was very happy...
I must agree that the atmosphere is terrible. Even if you were there for sports, the setup just isn't that good and I didn't notice any exceptionally big TVs. Obviously, if you don't like sports, the atmosphere is even worse. My sister even thought the place "smelled like feet".
This is definitely worth a stop just to see the strange combination of a BW3's with killer beer selection. I wish our local BW3's had even one-tenth the craft beer selection.
Jan 31, 2006
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Reviewed by marksto from Florida

3.98/5  rDev -2.2%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
A sign near the door proclaims that this place was voted by a local magazine to have "Indy's best beer selection" - and it's true. The key is not so much amount but quality and variety of unusual stuff. Fortunately it's not uncommon anymore for bars to feature 40 some odd taps, but I've not seen many that have such offerings as my lineup yesterday: Oak Aged Stone Arrogant Bastard, J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale aged in sherry casks, Kulmbacher Eisbock, and Dogfish Head 90 Min IPA served "hop infused" from The Randall - an interesting device that flows the beer through a few pounds of whole leaf hops on the way to the glass. The latter beer was particuarly tasty...

BW3 is a chain of wing place/sports bars. The beer offerings vary by location, but this one is unique. Clearly the owner/operator is a true beer afficionado.

Other things I really liked included the fact that they had an updated beer list at every table. I've seen too many places with lots of taps only print a beer menu a few times a year, and in such cases you always have to ask the bartender or go scan the tap handles to fingure out what's changed - not here. Not only was the beer menu up to date, but it even included a few "vintage dated" bottles and a small section suggesting beers to pair with desserts!

I also liked the fact that our server, an attractive girl in short shorts who I figured wouldn't know an IPA from Chardonnay, dove right in when of of the people at my table was looking for a suggestion from the draft list and seemed fairly knowledgable about the beers. We ordered a few appetizers from the food menu that were OK, but clearly the attraction here at least for me is the beer not food.

Overall, a very pleasant experience. I highly recommend a visit along with the other nearby brewpub offerings in downtown Indy.
Jan 23, 2006
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Reviewed by blitheringidiot from Pennsylvania

3.78/5  rDev -7.1%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 3.5 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5
You can win a bet if you know what the three Ws stand for. (Wild Wings and Weck) It's a chain, but this one apparentley bucks the system with their 40 beers on tap as the outside neon light declares. WARNING: No parking in this section of town. Just pay $6 and use a garage.

Inside is a big space with many tables. I bellied up the the 40 tap bar with 35+ working. The barkeep was 1/2 asleep at the switch but managed to look if you waved him away from his cigarette break.

This joint is 100% revolving around 40 taps and bottles. I had Founders Dirty Bastard Scotch and Stone Oak Barrel Aged Bastard. $4.25 a pint. Not bad. Shot the moon with a local beer loving couple.

Not really worth the long drive downtown to me. If you don't go, you ain't missing much. If you're bored, then go! 40 taps carries some weight for sure, but this place just didn't quite warm the cockles of my heart. Cold box contains some prizes like DFH WWS, DFH 120, Imort Ale, De Dolle, Konings Shoven Quad, and a few other assorted goodies.

Could you take your Mother here? I wouldn't. It's a guy-man-dude sports bar.
Cheers!
Dec 23, 2005
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Reviewed by PatYoda from Colorado

3.53/5  rDev -13.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 3.5 | service: 2.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
As other reviewers have mentioned, atmosphere and food are typical of a BW3. Servers know nothing about beer unless you get really lucky. Also, probably due to the large number of taps and relative obscurity of the place (at least as far as beer geeks are concerned) you will too often find beer that is past its prime on tap. Servers are always willing to replace any bad beers. The selection is amazing! I have only been to one or two other bars in the country with a better tap selection, and the bottled selection is not half bad at all! Good prices as well. As you can see, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with this place. I still go there all the time though.
Oct 10, 2005
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Reviewed by mtullius from Minnesota

4.49/5  rDev +10.3%
vibe: 2 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5
What a bizarre place! A truly astounding selection of beer, especially given what one would expect for a Buffalo Wild Wings (a place I would normally have to be dragged kicking and screaming into). Our bartender was clearly a beer nerd, and he was friendly and efficient. He brought a glass of water to my girlfriend when he noticed she was halfway through her JW Lee's Harvest Ale (on sherry cask-- yum!), saying that that's when people usually needed water!

So: the atmosphere is, to my taste, hideous-- chain restaurant, sports bar type place. No food that I'd want to eat. Loud, kinda smokey.

But the beer selection is amazing. Bartender happily gave me a sample of one I hadn't tried. We had a Bell's Cherry Ale and the aforementioned JW Lee's Harvest Ale on cask (worth a trip all by itself). Dozens of taps and a nice selection of bottles to boot (including a bunch of vintage beers from Bell's).

I wouldn't go there too often because of the unfortunate atmosphere, but the beer possibilities make it too good to pass up now and again.
Sep 08, 2005
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Reviewed by Bierguy5 from Ohio

4.1/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
As many people have stated this is not your average Buffalo Wild Wings. Not by a long shot. Sure you have you wings, boneless wings, sauces and burgers. However, upon seeing the bar, you have to take a double take. 40 taps, including 2 beers on cask, and a huge bottle list. On our visit, they had J.W. Lees on cask, along with Adnams Tally Ho. Taps included Dogfish, 3 Floyd's and many others. Bottles included Dogfish World Wide Stout, and 120 minute. This is a must stop, even if you don't like the sports bar, chicken wing type place. Our service was very good, especially for our large group.
Aug 07, 2005
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Reviewed by granger10 from Wisconsin

4.55/5  rDev +11.8%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
I don't get what the deal is with other peoples reviews of this place. If there were a BW3's like this around Grand Rapids I would never ever leave it! The tap selection is astounding and the bottle selection is quite amazing as well.

I went up to the bar and was helped right away. The bartender could see that I was struggling with the immense selection and asked what style I prefer. I told her I was feeling hoppy and she suggested the Stone IPA. Good choice but I wanted to try the hand pull's first. Free samples (around 5 oz's) of JW Lee's Harvest Sherry and Adnams Tally Ho came my way! I got the JW Lee's first and when it was almost finished a fruit fly landed in the drink. So the bartender poured another healthy serving of the Tally Ho for me. Awesome.

As I said before the selection is mind boggling. Too much for me to say. After those two I also had a Stone IPA and DFH 90 min. from the tap.

As for the food, I love BW3's wings and boneless wings. I could eat their boneless wings all day and night. Other BW3 food is average at best but their boneless wings and regular wings are a work of genuis.

My only problem with this place might be that it is connected to a hotel and has a little of that hotel restaurant feel. Also, its a bit cramped and doesn't seem like the best place for watching sporting events. But that's my only minor complaint. Good service, great food, and probably the most amazing selection I have ever seen. This is a must when in downtown Indy.
Jul 17, 2005
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Reviewed by rugger from Arkansas

3.65/5  rDev -10.3%
vibe: 3 | quality: 3.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 3
I was in Indy for the Six car debacle that was called a formula one race, and we were told that this was one of the places to visit. They do have a nice selection of taps and bottles, but the reason to go here and we went back a second night for J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale in a sherry cask. Damn that stuff is good. The food is lacking, but the nice looking waitresses made up for that. The second night we were there the bud rep came in to pass out samples of bud select and I refused (keep in mind that I am drinking J.W. Lee's Harvest Ale from a sherry cask), the chick who was passing out the samples for the bud guy asked why I didn't want to try it, so obviously I told here that I didn't like bud or any of their products and I just wasn't intrested. She then had the nerve to say and I quote "oh you must like those fruity tooty beers" My jaw hit the floor and I asked her what made a good craft brew fruity tooty. She saw that I was going to give her shit so she went on her way, which was probably a good thing. Anyway a good place in terms of selection, kind of small and cramped by the bar and the stools really sucked. If you get a chance to get by here I would recommend it, they do have two beer engines, however the other one was infected and when I told our waitress she was confused and told me that she liked it. I guess that is becasue the infection gave the beer a really heavy CO2 taste and the body was gone which I guess to them it tasted like bud or something down that line. Compared to the selection at Kahn's I would have expected more in the line of taps.
Jun 28, 2005
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Reviewed by GreenWBush from Oregon

2.89/5  rDev -29%
vibe: 1 | quality: 3 | service: 2 | selection: 4.5
In effect a remarkable duplication of other chain BW3's, though the exterior makes you think otherwise. The cliched interior is composed of long tables around televisions, pool tables, Golden tee, a digital jukebox, and the usual suspect BMC neon. Notable exception: a slowly pulsing LED Delirium Tremens sign I would kill to have at home.

At midday the place was pretty abandoned. The bartender was a stereo-typical co-ed who knew little about the beers but everything about the pricing schedule. She also got really salty when I asked for a sample which I found a bit ridiculous. When she finally gave in, I got a 1/4" of froth in my glass. Grrr.

The tap selection was good for Indiana. Abita, Arcadia, Bell's, GLBC, Harpoon, Lost Coast, Rockies Brewing, Sierra Nevada, Sprecher, Stone, Two Brothers, Widmer, Mad Anthony, Terre Haute, Three Floyds, and Upland were all featured on-tap, as well as well as Weinstephehan and Adnam's Broadside on cask. Unfortunately some of the beers I was seeking weren't on, but what do you do.

This place is pretty expensive for my Muncie pocketbook, especially compared to the BW3's we used to have. Pints are right around $4.50, with limited specials on the good stuff.

I hate to bite the proverbial hand that feeds, but why does good beer have to be stuck in such bad surroundings. Sports bars are loud, smokey, rowdy, and full of people like the guy next to me: a belligerent douche-bag who ordered Budweiser like it was his job, and when the keg blew he was convinced they were going to put on a "stale keg" all the while swearing and yelling like an inflated 2-year old. I guess I got spoiled to Pub culture while living in Britain ... finding a good pint in nice surroundings shouldn't be mutually exclusive.

But alas, we follow where the good beer leads..
Dec 11, 2004
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Reviewed by oracle from Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 2.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 5
Final stop on the BA Indy Pub Crawl.

Call me too old (my wife already does), but when I go out for a pint or two, I want a place with a good selection where I can sit and be by myself if I want or strike up a conversation about beer if I want.

BW3's succeeds most admirably in the first area and falls down a little in the second.

With 40 taps (with 2 hand pumps!) and a very good bottle selection, there is something here to please everyone. I saw Stone, Three Floyds, Dogfish Head and many other too numerous to mention here. Good selection any way you look at.

However, like all the other BW3s out there, this one is very sports-bar-ish. They had a DJ there host some kind of music trivia game very loudly. There were numerous TVs. If that's the kind of place you like, then this is the place for you.

Our server was very good and very quick to take orders, deliver food and beer and check back with us frequently to see if we needed anything else.

Maybe I just need to go on a weeknight to see if it is any quieter.
Oct 19, 2004
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Reviewed by soper2000 from Texas

4.6/5  rDev +13%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 4 | selection: 5
The nightcap for the latest Indy BA gathering. To say that I had high expectations for this place would be a gross understatement. I was expecting some serious selection and I wasn't let down. I took one glance at the tap handles and promptly ordered a fresh Gumballhead. This is simply not available on draught in my part of the state. This was followed by an amazing sherry aged cask of J.W. Lees on the handpull, simply amazing for a bw-3's and it was served in a wide mouthed chalice! Although I was hoping for Dreadnaught on the handpull as well, I had to settle for the draught offering. Still outstanding though. I wish that I had more room for some of their other tap offerings like 90 min, Piraat, Stone IPA. That's not even touching their bottled selection which includes a slew of DFH, included a bottle of 120 min. that BA CIBAS split with a couple others. A few vintage beers are also to be had as well. Prices are very reasonable. Oh yes, I will be returning to this place with frequency.
Oct 19, 2004
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Reviewed by cerevisiaephilus from Michigan

4/5  rDev -1.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Neat place right downtown in Indy...possibly the easiest city to get around ever!! I mean, maybe on a Pacers game night or Indy500 weekend this wouldn't be so...but this past Saturday it was practically empty. Parked 2 blocks from BW3 (as this establishment is known) right next to the Conseco field house.

Very sports bar esque. Which isn't bad, but kind of glitzy with lots of neon and tvs and people cheering for the college football. Nice bar with comfortable stools. The wings were decent...small and expensive, but good authentic wing sauce at least.

Beer selection was pretty great. Their draft selection was the most impressive thing: Stone Old Guardian, Arrogant Bastard, and IPA, DFH 90min, 3Floyd's Gumballhead and Robert the Bruce, Spaten Optimator, Arcadia ESB, IPA and Whitsun, Bell's Oberon, Dead Guy, Upland Wit, Champagne Velvet, Sam Adam's Fest, and all the usual suspects plus a couple others as well.

Bottles were very nice with just under 100 I'd say not including the handful of late model vintage bottles including Bell's Consecrator Doppelbocks from '00, '01, and '02. Also had 3Floyd's Dreadnaught, DFH120, WWS, Midas, Immort, Chicory Stout, Stone Vertical Epic, Smoked Porter, Ruination and AB and Old Guardian. Had decent selection of Belgians with the 4 De Dolle brews the high point: Still Nacht, Oerbier, Arabier, and Bos Keum. Also have Celebrator and Eggenberg Urbock. McKewans, soime Youngs, Sam Smith (including Imperial Stout), Skullspliter, EKU28, etc. etc.

If you're in Indy...stop by.
Sep 12, 2004
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Reviewed by winomark from Missouri

3.94/5  rDev -3.2%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 3 | selection: 5
Within walking distance of the RCA Dome and Conseco Fieldhouse, along with all the hotels, BW3 is well worth a stop. Right across the street from the Hard Rock Cafe, it is easy to find.

The selection is quite good, with 40 beers on draft, and another 60 by the bottle, I was quite pleased. Most notable on draft were Alpha King, Old Rasputin, DFH 90 IPA, Stone Old Guardian, J.W. Lee's Vintage, and Lindeman's Framboise. The bottles include lots of DFH, and numerous Belgians.

Something also interesting was the fact that you could purchase both growlers and bottles of vintage-dated brews from Bells. Nice touch.

Stop by if you are in downtown Indy, it is well worth the time.
Feb 16, 2004
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Reviewed by mikeys01 from Colorado

4.18/5  rDev +2.7%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Visited the BW-3 in downtown Indy on my last visit a few weeks ago, having heard good things. Wasn't very impressed by the atmosphere- very smoky and college-ish, but what do you expect froma BW-3 I suppose. However, everything else was very good. The have by far the best beer selection I've ever seen at a BW's, populated withthe likes of Bell's Two Hearted, Oberon, Java Stout, Stone Arrogant Bastard, 3 Floyds, etc. The beer made me want to stay, and the service and food are quite good too if you're in the mood for wings. Also very convenient if you're staying somewhere downtown. I think Tuedays or Wednesdays are $2 beer nights; I did a double take when I ordered a Bell's 2 Hearted and was told the price was only 2 bucks. The bar staff was quite knowledgeable and helpful as well.
Nov 30, 2003
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Reviewed by Jon from Michigan

4.3/5  rDev +5.7%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3.5
BW3 Downtown definitely has the largest beer selection in Indianapolis. They have 40 draught selections and about 100 different bottles from which to choose. The draught beer list is always rotating, featuring seasonal offerings from Indiana and US micros, as well as additional beers from around the world. Cask-conditioned Three Floyds Dreadnaught on one of two handpulls? Yep. Only a few macro taps are to be found. They have started to sell aged brews, including offerings from Bell's (Consecrator Dopplebock and November Stouts) and Rogue (I2PA). Personally, I find the atmosphere of this place to be quite uninteresting -- annoying music, tons of TVs, NTN trivia, etc. -- but it's all worth it for the beer. I suggest trying the buffalo wings, as most varieties tend to be tasty. This is a great beer bar, minus the atmosphere. If only it was located closer to my house....
Jul 03, 2003
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Reviewed by AtLagerHeads from Ohio

4.28/5  rDev +5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
A really good BW3. Plenty of variety in the beers, a decent atmosphere, and reasonable pricing combine to make this a great choice in Circle City. The waitstaff is friendly and helpful. As with all center city locations there is usually a pretty sizable crowd and lots happening.
Jun 27, 2003
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Reviewed by Indybeer from Indiana

4.53/5  rDev +11.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4
BW3's may be known for its wings, but this downtown BW3 has got to be one of the best around. The atmosphere is typical for a BW3, loud! But the service is very good and the servers are knowledgable of what they are serving. The owner Michael DeWeese has gone all out to get a variety of beers! Over 40 on draft, Favorites like Arrogant Bastard, Dread Naught Imperial ale, Rogue dead guy, Hacher Pschorr Weisse, just to name a few. There is also about 100 different types available in bottles. This is one place that I will visit more often!
May 17, 2003
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Reviewed by TPoling from Texas

4.38/5  rDev +7.6%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5
On visiting the downtown Indy Buffalo Wild Wings on the recommendation of erstwhile reviewer Zerk, I found a selection that made my mouth water and my wallet quake.

They had several cask conditioned ales on tap including the Three Floyd's Dreadnaught IPA. Many of the best microbreweries making "big" beers were represented with 40 taps and 100 bottles. Stone Brewing, Dogfish Head and others were well represented. Prices on some of the imports and hard to find micros and bottles were the equivalent of a blow to the head, but probably reflected the rarity.

Service was excellent at the bar, where the young woman playing tap jockey was incredibly knowledgeable about the inventory. She was able to give some very discerning tasting notes of her own to inquiring patrons that helped them make decisions about what would best suit their taste.

I was on a quest for beer not available in Texas and didn't expect to find this cornucopia at a chain place whose other locations are not known for selection.
May 01, 2003
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Reviewed by jaz from South Dakota

4.63/5  rDev +13.8%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
BW3 downtown is by far one of the best beer bars in Indianapolis. They have over 100 bottles and 40 taps of some of the finest beer available. The atmosphere is good if you go earlier (it tends to get really noisy later on), and the wait staff and bartenders are knowledgeable and pleasant. Another perk is their "Passport" club, only offered at the downtown location. They give you a booklet, or passport, that has around 120 different beers listed in it. If you try each one in one year they give you a 3-day trip! Plus, it's a good way to keep the interest going, and it’s great to have my own personal beer menu when with when I want to try something new. This place is a must for anyone looking for a great beer in downtown Indianapolis. A+++
Apr 17, 2003
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Reviewed by zerk from California

4.35/5  rDev +6.9%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4
Buffalo Wild Wings, or BW3, is a chain of restaurants known for their Buffalo Wings, not their beer selection. In fact, all of the other BW3's in the Indianapolis area generally have a decent, but uninspired beer selection. The downtown BW3, however, is special. The atmosphere is pretty noisy, but they do have a non-smoking side and pretty good ventilation. That's a big plus for me... it's nice to be able to enjoy the smell of your beer while you're drinking it. The food is good as is the service, the bartender also knew a fair deal about the beers they sell. The selection of beers is outstanding! They have 40 beers on tap, with selections like Three Floyd's Dreadnaught (cask conditioned), Alpha King, Bell's Double Cream Stout, Arrogant Bastard, Hair of the Dog Adam, Stille Nacht, Rogue Dead Guy Ale, Harviestoun's Old Engine Oil (cask conditioned), Bigfoot Barleywine, and Samichlaus... local beers from Mad Anthony, Oaken Barrel, Back Road, and Barley Island ... as well as over 100 varities in bottles.

This is a place I will surely be frequenting more often!
Mar 16, 2003
Buffalo Wild Wings in Indianapolis, IN
Place rating: 4.07 out of 5 with 28 ratings