Friends of mine are visiting Indiana U. (on 22nd) and I was wondering what I should ask them to bring back and from where. I'm in Massachusetts. I think their schedule will be really full so I don't want to send them around on a chase. And they're not really beer geeky. If you were to pick only one store, what would it be? I don't know where they're staying, but I assume somewhere close to 107 S. Indiana Ave. (And just in case, what would be a 2nd choice?) And what beers, local or with limited distribution, are available right now from... I don't know Upland, Three Floyds, Great Lakes, Kuhnhenn, New Holland, New Glarus, Central Waters? I don't know what else... Schlafly, Half Acre, Brew Kettle, Tyranena, anything else you might think isn't widely available outside of the area? Thanks in advance.
They've pretty much got 2 choices: Sahara Mart (one on 2nd street and one on 3rd street) or Big Red (multiple locations around town, but the main one is at the corner of College and 9th). No-go on Kuhnhenn, New Glarus, Central Waters, or Great Lakes, but plenty of other options - Upland of course, although no special releases out right now beyond their Imperial Red (Ard Ri, but at 5.99/bottle it's pretty decent for the price) and pretty regular access to FFF's main 6ers and bombers. Good access to plenty of midwest beers that only see spotty releases in MA (or none at all), like Bells... also maybe worth checking out some other Indiana breweries doing good work, like Flat 12 or SunKing. Hope they have a good visit!
Depends on what exactly you are looking for. Sahara Mart on the east side has the largest selection, but I wouldn't buy a non-bottle dated IPA there. The Big Red downtown would be next and probably closer to where they are staying. Good selection there as well. Of what you listed we get Upland, FFF, New Holland, Schlafly and Tyranena. The rest we don't. You'll probably find some Artic Panzer Wolf and Dreadnaught with Alpha King sixers. Probably no Gumballhead unless they are lucky and almost definitely no Zombie Dust.
Beyond the obvious FFF beers I recommend getting.... Flat 12 Pogue Run Porter and Sun King based on whatever style you like. Upland is OK and I would take a total pass on anything from BBC/Lennies or New Albanian. If you don't get Fat Heads they just started selling it in Indiana and both Sahara Marts are carrying Headhunter. The 3rd Street Sahara Mart does have a wider selection.
Thanks for the answers, everybody! What are FFF's, Upand's, Bell's, New Holland's regular bombers right now? And is there anything special available at all, something like stouts, barley wines..? I would need to make a list for them what to look for with alternates and such. Thanks again.
