Indiana Beer love

Sooooooo. I was wondering if anyone wants to chip in and talk BCBS in Indiana. Specifically anything within an hourish of Indianapolis. (So I suppose that means everything from Lafayette down to crawfordsville down to Terre Haute, down to Bloomington, no idea what is to the east, on up, and to the NE i guess would be Fort Wayne).

I would expect most people go to Indy. I was just curious what type of allotments are around, where the best stores are, how early people get in line, etc. With effort, what can you expect to score?

 

Big Red on Broad Ripple Ave is usually the place people line up. I’m not sure what all Kahn’s does since Al left. Whole Foods tends to get a lot of regular BCBS.

 

Thanks! Much appreciated.

Any idea how early people line up? I'll give them a call about allocations, but I figured they won't actually know about the line.

 

The first group of crazies usually line up the night before. I’d say most get in line around 5

 

Greatly appreciated.

I'm allergic to nuts, so I only really care about BCBS, BCBCS and BCBBW (That is, I'd like to get 2 each BCBCS abd BCBBW if I could, without being greedy). Otherwise, only really interested in BCBS. We'll see how I fair =). I'm still contemplating Chicago, but I don't know it will work out time wise.

 

Binny’s is way worse as far as turnout. They’ll get 10x the amount Big Red will.

 

Yea, I'm just not sure what the pro-con list is. I mean, if I can only get 2 BCBS, 1 BCBCS and 1 BCBBW, I think I'd rather try chicago? I guess I sound like an asshole. BCBS is just my favorite, and this is the first time I've been around to try to get some. So, I'm trying to make the most. Even though Chicago will obviously have way more, if I could manage to get a decent amount (read: not the 4 i totaled above), I'd definitely be fine with staying here. I'm definitely interested to see what their allotments will look like.

 

Revisiting the Rock Bottom Indy discussion from a few weeks ago, it looks like some of the College Park beers are indeed making their way to the downtown location.

Their website lists "Barrel Aged Niko Liko" as being on tap right now (aged in Buffalo Trace barrels). I LOVED the non-barrel aged version of this when I had it at College Park. Thought it was right up there with "Mexican Cake" and some of the other terrific Mexican-style stouts from around the country.

There's also a beer called 21 Gun Salute Hazy IPA, listed as "Unfiltered East Coast IPA brewed with Mosaic, Citra and Galaxy." A portion of the proceeds from that beer go to Operation Homefront. I haven't visited the downtown location in years so I don't know if that's also Jason's work or not.

 

Has anyone seen BA Ten Fidy (or anything else new and good) yet this week? Once it hits Indy it is usually too late for me, but I might have a chance, so trying to really stay on top of this.

 

Has anyone ever gone to the Kahn's release? It says effectively that doors open at 8, sampling of beers (but no BC) starts at 8, but sales start at 9. I'm wondering if you have to get there by 8 to ensure an allotment, or how this will work. If anyone has past experience with their release, it would be welcomed!

 

I went to Kahn's two years ago, but not early. I got there about lunch time, there was no one there, and they still had numerous cases of barley wine and regular BCBS available with no limit. All the variants were gone though...

 

Cool. I am not really looking for variants, just be happy to score some regular.

I called last week and asked how long it lasted - if it was gone quick and he was like "in the first hour."

They then did a poll online this year to set allotments - and they are alloting 6 Per. I can probably get there by 8 or 8:15, but I'd hate to drive over just to get shut out, so this is encouraging news.

 

Interesting, I was jumping on here to say how impressed I am with the RB Downtown location and going to ask why you guys are keeping this place a secret. I’m from Chicago and happened to be working in Indianapolis this week, a couple blocks from RB. Went in with low expectations ( been to a couple RBs that were very unimpressive) and ended up being super impressed with everything I tried. Reminded me of the days Shaun the Brewer was at Ram (another Brewery chain). 21 Guns is on par with the many of the best hazy offerings from Chicago (Corridor & Forbidden Root) has to offer and BA Niko Lill was great! Keep up the great work Jason, glad out paths crossed. I’ll be back for sure next month.

 

If you're just looking for regular I wouldn't go out of your way. Based on what I've seen at various stores around Indy the last couple years, you should be able to get as much regular as you'd like at about any time throughout the day on Black Friday. The variants go quick but regular will sit around at many places for the entire day or even for a few days.

Also, I believe Kahn's is a known location by many. Go to a less frequented store and you'll likely find more.

 

Can anyone confirm that Northwoods variant is super allocated this year? A buddy of mine manages a liquor store and the rep told them they got very little and were allocating individual bottles...

 

I can't believe I am being "that guy," but I'm really excited for the giveaways at Kahn's, and I am thinking about trying to be one of the first 2 in line. It's indiana, not Chicago. Any idea how early people have lined up in the past? I won't go at 10pm the night before, but I'd be fine with getting there at 1am.

 

I’ll be in the Mooresville area on Friday. Any word on which store might have some BCBS? What about a good place to get local Indy beers?

 

Best as I can tell, you'd be best heading east to Greenwood, and going to Big Red.

 

I’ve lined up at 4am there before and was about 10th in line

 

This is incorrect. Big Reds release is at their Cask store in Greenwood. DO NOT go to Broad Ripple Big Red or the only thing youll be buying are beers that were already on shelves the night before. Check Big Red Facebook.