Carmel, IN

I don't know Carmel very well as I'm a southsider, but I've always had a very good experience at Union Brewing Company.

 

do you have the means to travel?

If so, go to Brugge Brassiere in Broad Ripple for dinner and drinks, and hit up Kahn's on Keystone on the way back to Carmel.

 

Kahns on 86th and Towne just outside of Carmel is pretty damn solid.

 

For Carmel:

If you want the best burger you've ever had, go to Bub's downtown. Beer selection is pretty week though.

Matt The Miller's has good food and excellent beer selection (so I'm told).

Ditto Granite City.

If you're in the mood for pizza try Bazbeaux or Pizzology.

Now, if you want to drive about 20 minutes, head to Broad Ripple (62nd and College Ave), several excellent places: Brugge; Broad Ripple Brew Pub; Three Wise Men; a great little place called 10-01, they have good food (not run of the mill pub fare) and excellent tap & bottle list. All of those places are within walking distance of each other.

But for the best tap list anywhere in town, check out Twenty Tap, it's a little farther south, so if you stop at the aforementioned places first, you'll want to grab a cab or drive south down College Ave. Parking down that way shouldn't be an issue on a weeknight.
Twenty Tap tapped a keg of Daredevil Lift Off IPA today. Try it if you dig IPAs.

 

Payless on Adams Rd. in Carmel usually has a ton of beer. Also gotta give Vine and Table a shot as they often have awesome selection. There is an Upland in Carmel now and Union is supposed to be pretty good. But I agree with the others here, if you can travel, get to Twenty Tap.

 

Disclaimer: If you are going to drive and have a beer or two, be warned that Carmel PD and Hamilton County Sheriff's love to pull people over and have a chat. Consider using the Uber app to call a car/taxi.

Disclaimer Aside, here are some places:
- There is a Payless at 96th and college that I have had some luck with.
- Bub's burgers, Bazbeaux pizza, or Divvy (small plates) in Carmel will treat you well if you don't want to drive/cab/Uber
- Union Brewing in Carmel is cask-focused.
- Brugge Brasserie is a great spot for crepes/frites and beer in Broad Ripple.
- 20Tap (38 taps) is great for beer, sandwiches, and cheese curds. Horseradish aioli.

There is also a Cigar/Bourbon bar called Blend on 82nd street about a mile west of Keystone Ave. if that interests you. It is brand new and the air is 100% cycled every four-ish minutes, so you don't smell like complete humidor.

 

Does the Indy Cigar Bar still exist?

 

I should note that our beer manager over there just resigned, so they are a little thin on staffing

 

Carmel Beer Stores - Crown, Vine & Table and possibly the Adams or N Rangeline Payless

Carmel Food - Bub's, Bazbeaux, City BBQ, other good stuff but they aren't necessarily unique

Carmel Food w/Beer - BoomBozz, Fox & Hound (may have specials), Matt the Miller (good food, good enough beer list but probably not as good of a list as BoomBozz), Granite City if you hate yourself

Carmel Breweries - Union is decent and w/ guest taps

North of Carmel - There is a place in Kokomo called the Hugger

South of Carmel - Ale Emporium wasn't mentioned, they have good wings and other food as well as a generally strong tap list...though this is more East than South.

 

ugh.....this is sad news. but i figured this would happen sooner or later.

 

i second the Hugger. great spot.

 

Shilpa put in her two weeks, I hired a replacement and he resigned after three weeks. Bad two weeks...

 

That sucks man.

Hope you find someone good and stable soon.

 

daaaaamn. sorry to hear that man. hopefully someone stable will get in there for you. I wish I could do it, but just not feasible for me. good luck!

 

Ditto. I'd apply, but I'm pretty stuck where I'm at. :/

 

I was just thinking the same thing. I've been stuck buying 6pks of TH that are from late July. Ugh, breaks my heart every time.

 

Upland has a location in Carmel. Not the craziest beers but solid line-up. I thought the campside was good and seems to still be on tap. can never go wrong with a bad elmer's or the wheat tho either. i haven't eaten at the carmel location but i always thought the food was pretty good down in bloomington.

http://uplandbeer.com/

 

let me guess...buying them just to drain pour them right? The flavors don't taste right after hour 23....i'm pretty sure.