Indianapolis Area Suggestions

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, May 2, 2017.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    Hey all,

    I'll be heading back to my hometown later this month and am looking for suggestions on the best beer spots to hit. For reference, I'll be staying with family east of Indy and will be there for about a week. I'll have a car, so traveling isn't an issue.

    I moved not long after getting into craft beer, and the craft beer industry wasn't as big as it is today, so I'm really not familiar with the beer scene there. I've visited Sun King (downtown) and Triton, and I'm familiar with Upland, Flat12, and Three Floyds (obviously). Also, I plan to stop by Ale Emporium for some Hermanaki wings. Other than that, what else should be on my radar (breweries, bottle shops, bars, restaurants, etc.)? Any special releases or events at the end of May I should be aware of (please don't say the Indy 500... lol)? I'm mostly an IPA guy (hazy or clear, as long as they're well made and fresh), but I am also willing to try other styles as long as they aren't too esoteric/extreme. Not really a fan of sours, beers with added ingredients (fruit, spices, etc., with coffee being an exception), or big stouts.

    Also, I'm actually flying into and out of O'Hare and driving between there and Indy. Definitely planning another stop (or two) at Three Floyd's. I've got a late night return flight, so I'll probably have some time to kill in Chicago before I head to the airport. If I only have time to hit one brewery/craft beer spot between the Indiana border and O'Hare, what should it be?

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, May 2, 2017
    Last edited: May 2, 2017
  2. myersk27

    myersk27 Initiate (0) Oct 21, 2011 Indiana

    Black Acre in Irvington, Deviate on the NW side, and Daredevil by the speedway are my favorite 3 breweries in the city. Central State also has a beer bar called the Koelschip which is fantastic and right next to Goose the Market where you can get a sandwich and carry-in to the bar...get the Batali.

    I'm unfamiliar with bottle shops on the east side but I would assume Kahns at 54th and Keystone is still a solid spot.

    Restaurants, I've been impressed with Fountain Square....La Margarita, Repeal, Rook and many other great spots.

    Have fun!
     
    #2 myersk27, May 2, 2017
    TheodorHerzl and hopfenunmaltz like this.
  3. DrippingI

    DrippingI Zealot (617) Apr 12, 2012 Indiana

    Breweries:
    -Black Circle
    -Deviate
    -Daredevil
    -Black Acre
    -Chilly Water
    -Taxman

    Bars:
    -The Koelschip
    -La Margarita
    -Kumas

    Stores:
    -Crown #2 on Southport Rd.
    -Kahns

    I'm sure there's more out there that I'd add to these lists, but the ones listed are the first to pop up in my head.
     
    #3 DrippingI, May 2, 2017
  4. Becvar

    Becvar Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2017 Indiana

    This is pretty much spot on. I'd highly recommend hitting these 4 spots for sure, especially Deviate. Only open from 4-8 on weekdays though (closed Mon and Tues).
     
    #4 Becvar, May 3, 2017
  5. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    Thanks for the recommendations, everyone! I definitely plan to hit Black Acre. My grandma lived in Irvington and I never would have thought there would be a brewery there, let alone one that comes so highly recommended! I was also hoping to get out to the track one day, even if I can't make it race day, so Daredevil will be a convenient stop. Deviate is a bit outside of the area I plan to be, but I'll see what I can do. I was planning a day south of Indy, so Taxman is likely going to happen.

    Do any of the places you guys recommended bottle/can? If so, special brewery-only releases or core lineup packaged and distributed?

    Also, a potentially divisive question: Who makes the best IPAs in town? What is the single best IPA from the Indianapolis area? Being my preferred style, whoever does IPAs the best will take precedence if I get crunched for time. :wink:
     
    #5 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, May 3, 2017
  6. drac86

    drac86 Zealot (517) Jan 28, 2014 Indiana
    Trader

    Black Acre has cans, and many Indy guys will claim their Saucy Intruder as one of our best IPAs - that also is one of the ones they can, and it's very good. For my own palate though, I'd likely take Daredevil's Lift Off or Rip Cord over that one, and both of those are house beers that they keep in cans at all time there. Daredevil also does crowlers so you can get lots of their stuff to go conveniently. Taxman does tons of packaged stuff, and Chilly Water has a few things too.

    Also... as much as I love Deviate and second the recommendations, it will be a bit of a haul for you to get to and they are heavy on adjunct beers, which you said you don't like. If I were you, I might not make it a priority.
     
    #6 drac86, May 3, 2017
  7. Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse

    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse Zealot (744) Jul 20, 2016 Indiana

    Thanks for the insight! I'll keep an eye out for those beers you mentioned. I took a look at Deviate's Untappd page, and you're probably right; interesting stuff, but it doesn't look like my cup of tea. I'll definitely try their Hop Supremacy IPA if I see it on tap somewhere else, though... unless I shouldn't :rolling_eyes:.
     
    #7 Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse, May 3, 2017
  8. Becvar

    Becvar Initiate (0) Jan 19, 2017 Indiana

    Deviate currently has an Orange Juicy Caboosey IPA on tap right now that's easily top 5 I've had in Indy. I would very much recommend making a trek up there to try it. Well worth it.
     
    #8 Becvar, May 3, 2017
  9. TargaFlorio

    TargaFlorio Pooh-Bah (2,311) Jul 3, 2012 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Good to hear you'll be making it to Black Acre, they're great. One of my favorite pizza places in town is right next door, "Jockamo Pizza". They always have a solid rotation of local beers on draft.

    I'll echo the above mention of Daredevil Lift Off and Rip Cord as couple of the best IPAs in town. Another local IPA I really like is actually brewed by "The Tap", a pretty big craft beer bar in the "Mass Ave" area of downtown. Their "Bionic Dragon" IPA is really solid imo. Not sure when you lived here last, but Mass Ave has become a really fun area to walk around and grab dinner and drinks.

    If you make it out to the track, keep an eye out for a couple of craft beer trailers they've had the last couple of years. One is normally located right behind the Pagoda. The selection isn't amazing (although i do think they have Lift Off), but its better than the ubiquitous cans of Miller Lite you see out there.
     
    #9 TargaFlorio, May 3, 2017
    Ten_SeventySix_Brewhouse likes this.
  10. jmarsh123

    jmarsh123 Initiate (0) Mar 31, 2010 Indiana
    Trader


    My favorite IPA in Indy is actually an IPL. Natural Liberty from Black Acre is the bomb. Otherwise this post pretty much nails it. Daredevil does good stuff and can get some crowlers. Bionic Dragon is also great although I'd recommend going down the street somewhere else for better food.
     
    #10 jmarsh123, May 4, 2017
    mayorQuimby and TargaFlorio like this.
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.