Short trip to Indianapolis next weekend

Discussion in 'Great Lakes' started by ipc2000, Jun 3, 2017.

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  1. ipc2000

    ipc2000 Zealot (731) Dec 9, 2012 New York

    Making a short weekend work-related trip to Indianapolis next weekend. It'll be my first time in the city since the 1991(?) Final Four.

    I'm staying at the JW Marriott Thursday night thru Sunday morning. Probably won't rent a car. The area where I'm staying looks like it might not be hot spot for bottle shops, but any tips would be greatly appreciated. Shops to try? Bars and restaurants I should hit? I'm from the NY-area, so I've pretty much had nothing by 3 Floyds outside of a few festival sips and random shares. Other local stuff I should be on the lookout for?

    Any guidance would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!
     
  2. DMaCATO

    DMaCATO Zealot (513) Dec 19, 2013 Indiana
    Trader

    Uber will be your friend. Plenty of drivers in the downtown area.

    Sun King and Black Acre are worth the short Uber fair as well as Central States Koelship.

    Depending on how much you are willing to walk, Crown Liquors Downtown on 10th will be just fine for bottles. Big Red Downtown may also have some hidden jems.

    Have a blast!
     
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  3. WilliMo

    WilliMo Initiate (0) Jan 24, 2016 Indiana

    The Crown liquors downtown is actually pretty solid as far as Indy bottle shops go. They release their three Floyd's shipment every Saturday at open, so depending on your work you could get there a bit before opening and snag some zombie dust and possibly a more limited bottle if you're lucky. Most of the standard line of three Floyd's can be found anytime at this bottle shop.

    As far as places go, the Tap is on Mass Ave, which is either a long walk for you or a very short Uber. They probably have the best tap list in downtown Indy, with a mix of local and national stuff.
    Generally speaking though, I'd always recommend downloading untapped if you don't have it and checking tap lists there, as well as the websites for Pioneer(if you want high end food), La Margarita, the Yard house (chalkboard series), and Ralstons(close to the Tap and much better food). If you are looking to try zombie dust, someone somewhere downtown will have it. Same with nearly every three Floyd's beer currently available on tap, so you just have to look around a bit for what you want and what's available. I mention the ones above, because those are usually the best bets to have something unique on the menu like BCBS or KBS or BA Ten Fidy, that kind of stuff. Most of the other bars will have a pretty standard selection.

    As far as local breweries go, black acre is probably the best close one to you. It's probably a 15 dollar round trip in an Uber, just keep your expectations in check. No place downtown is going to stand toe to toe with Evil Twin or anything like that. If you do rent a car then by all means make the trek up to Deviate, which is the best brewery in Indy, but an expensive Uber for you(about 40 bucks round trip).
     
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  4. TargaFlorio

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

    Some good recommendations above, I would also add Tomlinson Tap Room to the list. Located on the 2nd floor of the City Market downtown, its actually owned by the Brewers Guild of Indiana. They have about 20 taps of Indiana beers rotating in and out. Plenty of Three Floyds and 18th Street brews, along with some great beers from places like Bare Hands Brewing (not as well known outside of the state, but they really make some great stuff).

    They update their tap list everyday on twitter. https://twitter.com/tomtaproom
     
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  5. ipc2000

    ipc2000 Zealot (731) Dec 9, 2012 New York

    Thanks for the tips and advice. I managed to expense my fill of Zombie Dust on draft, and even muled a few bottles back for friends. Had a few other 3F beers as well...I thought Alpha King was pretty exceptional. Very unique.

    Black Acre Saucy Intruder was great. Bare Hands Thai P.A. was amazing as well. Great tip on City Market...Friday lunch was tamale place take away + a seat at the Tomlinson bar. People at Crown and Big Red were cool and helpful. Just wish I'd had time to hit a brewery...next time.

    Cheers.
     
    TargaFlorio and Beer_Economicus like this.
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