I'm heading to West Lafayette in a few days for my yearly sojourn to Purdue for a conference, and I'm wondering if there are any hidden gems I should seek out. I always get into some FFF and 18th Street, and last year I discovered 450 North at one of the liquor stores, but it seems their hype now outpaces production, so I probably won't find any more Nuggets on the shelves. Are there other breweries that don't get wide distro that I should look for? Any brewpubs or beer bars near by worth much? The Pint in WL is cool and walking distance, but we'll have a car and a DD, so something within a shortish drive is cool. Thanks!
Breweries: Brokerage in WL and People's in Lafayette are my breweries of choice. Lafayette Brew Co (downtown Lafayette) has good food but their beer (besides one or two seasonal outliers) is solidly meh to me, YMMV. People's beer on tap I recommend: Hopkilla (big double IPA) Saison Noire (a dark saison, hadn't encountered the style before, now I get one whenever I go in) Brokerage beer on tap I recommend: The Premium Novelty (India Pale Lager, it's a style I enjoy but don't get a lot of, this is done right) Master of the Anvil (it's a solid Helles right in time for fall) Bottle Shops: The VBS (Village Bottle Shop) on Sagamore "the mothership" has the best selection in Lafayette/West Lafayette for my money. There was a VBS on campus, it closed and relocated, I think it's open again...but if you have a car, hit up the one on Sagamore parkway. Local breweries/Brewpubs that probably don't get distro in Nebraska: Taxman- they do some great Belgians. Black Acre- solid hoppy beers. Bare Hands- If the Thai IPA is on the shelf, pick some up, it's exactly what it sounds like and it's excellent. Cheers!
Sweet. Thanks for the info. I went to Lafayette Brew Co last year and was unimpressed, but I will definitely have to check out Brokerage and People's. I've been to the VBS on River down by State (since it's walking distance from the Hampton where I always stay) and found good stuff, but knowing there's a "mothership" is excellent news, and I'll be venturing up there for sure. Again, thanks for the recs. Much appreciated!
I get to Lafayette to see friends. They like Theays River Brewing. We all went for dinner, food was good. I liked the beer compared to others.
