Indiana Beer love

No worries. I try to totally avoid any hop-forward beer that isn't dated as well; I just buy 18th Street stuff at the brewery where it's pretty much always fresh. BTW, if you want to try some fresh stuff from 18th, feel free to BM me -- their IPAs / DIPAs really are top notch and I'd be happy to go $4$ (what I pay up here) on a trade with you. It definitely sucks that you guys in Indy seem to be overpaying for old faded beer, and I understand that frustration having been there myself many times, but IMO that's typically a retail / distribution issue and not primarily on the brewery in most cases.

 

No love for Central State (sours, brett, & a bit of stouts), Taxman (Belgian styles), Daredevil (solid offerings, also good on being true-to-style), Upland (sours are getting better and most of their 6pk beers are solid like Latitude Adjustment), and so on?

 

Well, if you're looking for places strictly on the NW side, then what @mayorQuimby said. Though, there's definitely a few other solid places if you have the time and willing to travel to other parts of the city.

 

@chewymangos already has an 18th street mule, lol.

 

We Indy guys aren't "overpaying" - hence why their stuff sits everywhere. I'm glad you're friends with the guys there and have their back. Admirable. Doesn't change the fact that they're pricing themselves out of the Indy market.

 

Probably will have evenings free, but will only be in town Sunday night-Tues afternoon. Not sure if I'll make it to Deviate if they aren't open M/T but I'll see what time I get into town on Sunday. What else would you recommend if time wasn't an issue? Also is Kahn's on Keystone still the place to shop?

 

There so many new breweries around Indy that I haven't hit. Thoughts on places open less than a couple years? I'm really like Round Town. Their lager is textbook perfection. I had a pretty sub optimal experience at Redemption and Metazoa. I've not hit 4 Day Ray, Centerpoint, Black Circle, Wabash Brewing, and probably a few more I don't know about.

 

Deviate closes at 6pm on Sundays unfortunately, so you're likely SOL there...Black Acre on the east side, the Koelschip (Central State) near downtown. Don't waste your time with Kahn's on Keystone. Way out of the way and nowhere near as good as it used to be. Vine & Table in Carmel, Payless on 96th St, Crown Downtown (that's about as far as I would go from the NW side). If you really don't have time constraints, could also journey down to Taxman; awesome place, decent to very good beer and a lot of guest taps, very good food. About 40 minutes from the NW side.

 

I think Lazer Raptor is excellent and quite finely priced. For me personally, Upland's standard items are kind of meh. I do think Coast Buster is very good but they don't bottle date either, so I only get it on tap at the source, typically. The sours are too expensive but the fact they're introducing the smaller format bottles now makes me more inclined to buy in every once in awhile. Just had their new batch of Peach at the Tap Mass Ave a couple weeks ago and it was divine.

 

John Hall is moving to Indianapolis to take over Metazoa.

https://indianaontap.com/news/metazoa-brewing-co-announces-john-j-hall-new-brewmaster/

 

If time wasn't an issue, I'd recommend the following:
-Black Circle Brewing (just opened up not too long ago, but awesome space, the few of their own beers that are on tap are solid, and it's really close by to Kahns) --- Kind of close is The Koelschip, which is Central State Brewing's bar. Not 100% sure, but you just might be in town for a couple of their next releases, both of which are quite tasty (especially a BA one).
-Fountain Square area (La Margarita & Kumas for bars, Chilly Water & New Day for brewery/meadery) --- If you're into arcade games, Tappers is a 1 minute walk from Chilly Water
-North side Indy (Pint Room & Ale Emporium for bars, Deviate might be open by the time you arrive on Sunday)
-South side Indy [Taxman (although it's kind of far out) & Mashcraft for breweries, Crown Liquors #2 on Southport Rd. for stores) --- Listed the Crown simply because I work there. hahaha

To add to the Fountain Square area, Sun King is pretty close by. I'm not the biggest fan of Sun King, but they should have at least a few good beers on by the time you come to town.

I know I'm missing more good spots to hit, but I'm a bit too tired to list them out.

 

Black Circle has a few of their beers on tap now and all of them are solid. Definitely a place to check out, especially since their space is awesome. Plus, if you're into Metal at all, some really good shows will be held there within the next few months (bands like Conan, Uada, Begrime Exemious, etc. will be playing).

I'm planning on going there probably this Friday, but I've heard good things about Chilly Water, especially their Pilsner. People that I trust have mentioned their Pilsner to be true to style and everything. So, I have a feeling you might want to check them out.

I haven't been yet, but I'd be interested in seeing how Metazoa's beers transform within the next 6 months.

I know there are a few other newer breweries like Cannonball, but I can't remember right now.

 

Four Fathers is having its 3rd annv party April 15 where they will be releasing BA Sloth Love Chunk. ... If you are one of the many with nut allergies, you will be disappointed to learn there will be no BA Epipens.

 

Does anybody know how far south Evil Czech Brewing out of Mishiwaka distributes? Had their stuff at a beer fest and really liked it. Static Chipmunk (dipa) was phenomenal. Bigsby (white stout) was also very good. Surprised not to see them mentioned yet amongst the NW Indiana crowd.

 

They at least distribute as far South as Indianapolis. Though, I know they were in a bit of shitstorm last year, something about one of their waiters, sexual harassment, and the manager not doing anything? I can fully remember the details, but I do know it made quite a few people pissed off at the brewery. That might be why not too many people talk about them?

 

Thanks for the info. If you know of a location in Indy with a good selection of ECB please let me know.

 

I'd imagine we'll be seeing their stuff pop up more within the next 6 months as they just signed up with the distributor Craftroads Beverage.

As of right now, I only know of Parti Pak and possibly downtown Crown. There might be some others, but I don't know off hand.

 

Some love for those south of Indy...

Taxman in Bargersville as mentioned is very good.

Upland has some good beers if you get away from the normally distributed stuff. Coastbuster, Helios Pale Ale, Hopsynth (sour) are all good. They're really focusing on sours of late.

Zwanzigs in Columbus is similar, if you can get away from the heavily distributed stuff, they always have 3-4 barrel aged beauties (and good pizza).

 

Zwanzigz barrel aged stuff is among the best in the state. Yet nobody knows they exist down there in Columbus. Can't beat a flight of those before an order of their pizza and breadsticks.

 

Some more love for Zwanzigz. They're never top of mind because you never see their stuff in Indy, but the pizza/breadsticks are very good and they always have some excellent stuff on tap. My wife is from Columbus; when we lived out of state and were visiting/staying down there, frequently hit Zwanzigz and always thoroughly enjoyed it.