Visiting Indianapolis

Where on the east side are you staying?

Black Acre will probably be close to you, and I'm a big fan of them. Lots of options downtown too. I'd skip Tow Yard though. If you are willing to drive a little, Bier and Brugge Brassiere are both very, very good. Brugge is a decent spot for dinner too.

Good tap rooms can be found around town. Downtown is Tomlinson Tap. Up College Ave, just past the Upland tasting room, is Twenty Tap (my favorite tap room in town). There's a new place up in Carmel (north side of town) that just opened and has 100+ taps, though I haven't heard great things. And if you want something other than beer, Ball & Biscuit downtown on Mass Ave is by far my favorite bar in town. Best old fashioned I've ever had.

As for bottle shops, Kahn's on Keystone is probably your best bet. Crown downtown is decent too. Parti Pak on the south side has a really good selection too, though avoid anything you want fresh as their stock doesn't turn over very often, and good luck finding a price for any bottle you're looking at. However, PP does allow singles of everything, so you can make your own mix packs from anything they have in stock, which is awesome.

Oh, and in regards as to what to get here... Upland MIGHT have some bottles left from the current release. Three Floyds is hit/miss, and the most wanted bottles (ZD & GBH) come and go w/in hours. When I look for sours or saisons, I usually end up with Prairie or Boulevard stuff, though that's just me.

Dinner spots in downtown abound. Bru is popular, but expect a wait on a saturday evening. Good drinking spots around there too. Shoefly Public House is another favorite of mine, but it's not really downtown. And I think North End BBQ is amazing, but it is on the north side of town.

Also, I'll probably be going to the MotoGP race too. Just an FYI, they allow coolers there (14x14x18 I think), which I can't recommend enough. Just take cans though, no glass. I usually take Oberon or Daredevil's Lift Off.

 

I'm guessing you meant 69 instead of 89. Anyway, the Ale Emporium is just down the road and always has 4-6 three floyds on tap with some other great beers. Also, they have the best wings around.

 

Psykosis pretty much covered it, but I thought it was worth emphasizing that you should really visit Brugge.

 

If you want to work out something IP, let me know. I'd be interested. And since you're now on the NE corner, Kahn's and Brugge are now closer to you and not so far out of the way.

HERMANAKI WINGS! Might be making a minor road trip this evening...

Thanks. Their fries are awesome, and the duck confit sandwich is so good. Plus they usually have a house sour on tap, and I LOVE all of those. Harvey, Pooka, etc. They are my favorite Indy-brewed beers, without question.

 

Go to Pint Room in Carmel if you get a chance....massive tap list. a lot of Indiana beers on tap as well. i think they have over 100 draft beers there. all craft.

 

How is it there? I've read it's overpriced a bit and that the selection, while large, isn't usually overly special. I haven't had a chance to make it up there to find out personally, though the few bad reviews I've read haven't exactly put me in a mood to rush up there.

 

I will second the love for Brugge - on tap with some of the best beer I've found.

If you are downtown, I'd recommend Bru, a high end burger and beer place on Mass Ave.

Your chances at Upland sours or a big 3 Floyds score are not high.

 

personally I've loved it. I haven't eaten much there, but when I go I'm not going for the food. Their tap lists have a little bit of everything and the IPA list is usually very strong. I've been 4-5 times now. I think their pricing is maybe a tad high, but so is everything in Indiana when it comes to craft beer. I like that you can do 4 four ounce pours in one flight of anything on the menu. I usually stop in for a pint and a flight and get a side of french fries to munch on. The bar itself is pretty nice. Had Pooka on tap there last night and that's always a win IMO. Also had GFJ and Head Hunter. They are having 25 lines of Bells next week with Black Note. I have zero complaints about their tap list....

 

yeah the only chance you have at Upland sours is to be in town the day they release the leftovers from the lottery. so not impossible, but might require some coordinating.

 

Hmmm. I'll have to check it out.

Speaking of Pooka, I just saw they will have it on tap at Outliers tomorrow. If I can actually get a growler of it finally, I'll be beside myself with joy. I LOVE that beer.

 

I'd also be up for an IP trade for some Jester King stuff if I have anything that you're looking for let me know!

 

Both my wife and I struck out on the Upland Sour Lottery this go around

 

Pooka is excellent as is Tripel De Ripple! I put it on par with my favorite Tripels

 

That Hilton is in my neck of the woods. If your looking for bottle shops, it isn't the best, but here is what I would try:

- Victory liquors - 8215 Center Run Drive - near Castleton mall, maybe 1/2 mile from the hotel. Run-down looking place, but they'll have some bombers and 6ers of 3 Floyds, odds and ends of other stuff. Just look along the refridgerated cases and go all the way into the back.

- Payless Liquors - 9520 Uptown Dr. - this is just 1 exit past your hotel exit off 69. Huge selection, they buy tons of 3 Floyds and almost always have a few cases of Alpha Clause and Moloko (great milk stout).

 

almost always have Alpha Klaus and Moloko? I've actually not tried letting them sit, but I am guessing they're good with age, although I think drinking them fresh is probably best. Seems strange they would almost always have them since they're only released once a year....

 

I had an Alpha Klaus a few months ago and it really didn't hold up well at all. Maybe it would be better after a year or two? I have one left that I plan on keeping for awhile since it can't get any worse IMO.

 

You must hit Sun King!