Indy 500 for 2019

This is a tough decision, lot of good options. Here's my revised plan:

Daredevil Hall / Deviate (Saturday) - Both look great, they're kind of near each other and from Lawrence it's workable to hit both. This is my plan for Saturday as unfortunately with Deviate not open on Friday until 3pm that doesn't really work as I'm basically tied up that evening with other commitments. Daredevil for lagers to-go as it feels appropriate to be crushing pilsners and helles at the 500. As a sucker for Hazy IPAs and pastry stouts, Deviate looks way too hard to pass up.

Friday - I'm a bit conflicted. Either I'm going to hit Twenty Tap / Bier Brewery / Black Circle or go further south to do Tomlinson Tap Room / Indiana City / Central State. Will depend on the beer lists as we get closer to that day. I was also intrigued by Black Acre's tap list, but it's kind of out there not connected to anything else and it isn't strong enough to make a trek like Deviate is. Taxman in Fortville is interesting as well, partly because as a finance person the beer names and merchandise are humorous, but also they have quality belgians and Evasion stout variants look nice. Again though it's in the middle of nowhere. Holding out a bit of consideration for Sun King's Fisher location too who it appears is launching a number of collaboration beers this week. The tap list is strong, unfortunately the breweries nearby (B&B, Mashcraft, Redemption) are all meh so it's kind of an isolated place to go.

Very good problem to have with a lot of quality options. Thanks for the suggestions BA's. I will report back on experiences for those interested after!

 

I haven’t had the pils but in my online research the 3.32 rating on Untappd made me scared. Even for a Pilsner that’s pretty rough. Comparatively Daredevil’s Pilsner is 3.62.

 

Had a great time in Indy and taking in the 500. Thank goodness didn’t get rained out. My beer travels were as follows:

Friday Afternoon:
Taxman in fortville for lunch and sampled 7 beers. Their Evasion series is an incredible stout had the normal version and port raspberry. All their Belgians were strong examples of the styles and their hoppy offering was solid if a bit different with a maltier, spicier Belgian taste. Lot of to go options with many cans and bottles. Lunch was excellent too, super modern, clean establishment.

Sun King Fishers - nice new facility, great set up inside. It’s in an inconspicuous strip mall. Unfortunately I tried a flight of their barrel aged offerings and wasn’t too impressed. Struggled to finish them and decided wasn’t much point going deeper into the line up.

Saturday Afternoon:
Deviate - thought it would be packed on a Saturday before the race. I was first person there at about 12:20. Best beer I had for the week. Excellent pastry stouts and two good IPAs. Their Pimp Nuts peanut butter stout was excellent as well as DDH Hop Supremacy. Entire menu you could get in a growler or bullet as well as a few 22oz bottles to go. They definitely have a unique vibe. Some of the strangest rock music was playing the whole time. Awesome spot.

Daredevil Hall - really cool area it is in at bottom of a boutique hotel and other trendy, nice restaurants in the same spot. Looked extremely new and beautiful, large space. Had two flights of mostly lagers and two IPAs. All excellently done, their Helles Lager was a stand out. Many to go options. Grabbed a four pack of Pilsner for the race. Spoke to a lady who was drinking Parabola at the bar, real beer fan who had taken a long trip to Belgium recently. Great convo with her. Also had an excellent lunch here.

Had a number of more core flagship offerings at bars and other spots around town. Definitely like their lagers here and more malty IPAs. Great experience, thanks for the recs BAs!