Indiana Beer love

I picked up a couple yesterday, the total bottle count is sitting at 1200.

 

The Indiana State Fair Brewers Cup results are up. Daredevil was the overall Brewery winner, and they also had Best of show.
http://www.indianastatefair.com/state-fair/competitionscontests/indiana-brewers-cup/

 

For some perspective, wasnt Byway the big winner last year?

 

Decided to give them a second chance on the 4th of July because nothing else was open (ok Wildrose was open but they blow too). Mediocre to bad beer served in plastic glasses. Hard to believe they won anything.

 

Yes, sometimes breweries get lucky. They won a gold this year for a Vienna, Silver for a stout.

Remember that beers are judged to style, you may consider a beer mediocre if you don't know or appreciate the style.

 

With this talk of breweries winning medals, New Oberpfalz Brewing won a gold medal in the US Open Beer Championship for our Helles.

Disclaimer: I work there.

 

I have some Daredevil Pilsner in my fridge right now. One of the best german pilsners I've ever had so very deserving winner.

 

A little harsh to suggest I may not be able to appreciate a beer to style.

 

Just read Sun King is expanding to distro in Chicago and Louisville...

It'll be interesting to see how they hold up against the Chicago beer market. IMO, I think they'll struggle a bit up there. Thoughts?

On the other side, I think they'll do real well in Kentucky...

 

Having had Sun King's "regular" offerings, I can't see them making an impact. I'm guessing they will pull out of Chicago in a year.

Just one idiot's guess, obviously.

 

Make that two idiots. Agreed.

 

Call me crazy but I think they will do ok. No, they won't take over Binnys and rival Pipeworks and Firestone Walker, but that really isn't their market. I'm sure everyone here from Indy knows several people who think Sun King Osiris or Cream Ale is the best thing ever and drink nothing but. I'd bet there are enough Indy people who have moved to Chicago who would love to pick some up that they will do ok. No why you'd choose that over practically anything at a Binnys is another question...

 

I have a feeling they won't do that well either. I do enjoy Osiris and Cream Ale, and plenty of their one-offs, but even when I'm in Indy, I rarely pick up their stuff to bring home. I think their biggest detractor is being to late to the game. There are way too many shelf turds as it is in this city. The one thing they really have going for them is the 4-pack cans. That trend (and deservedly so), is really catching on here, especially in the spring/summer months. So maybe that's what helps them do well here.

 

and a damn fine beer it is. Love most of the lagers you guys make. Love the username btw

 

Thanks man! We're struggling to keep up with our production, but we're trying to have at least a few lagers on at all times. Oktoberfest season is coming up soon too. Keep an eye out for 6-packs.

 

I am also a big fan of N.O. Just because I am curious (and you may not be able to answer), you did mention that you have having trouble keep up production. Your brew facility is rather small. Is there any chance that might change soon?

 

We're going to be staying in the same facility for now, but there may be enough room for one or two more fermenters. Here's hoping!

 

Anyone know if I can find GFJ near Hammond still?

 

I smell a rat.

 

Does anyone in the industry have a sense of how many breweries enter competitions like this one, maybe as a % of overall breweries in the state? I'll look at the results of these competitions sometimes and be surprised by the winners in some categories. Not saying the winners are undeserving, just that some breweries who I think make great beer never seem to be on the winners lists.