Indiana Beer News from February, 2003

2/28 - INDY - It's reported that Oaken Barrel's current batch of Gnaw Bone Pale Ale is "bitchin". Some of that batch is being bottled and you can identify it on shelves as "Batch 25".

2/28 - Bigfoot Barleywine for 2003 has been spotted. Larger Marsh stores are reported to be the most economical outlets.

2/26 - All About Beer Magazine is organizing a public opinion and lobbying effort to double North Carolina's 6% ABV limit on beer. They're calling it "Pop the Cap". Cute.

2/25 - Anheuser-Busch is suing Caught-On-Bleu Brewery in Franconia, NH for naming a beer "Billy Budd" (think Herman Melville). Apparently corporatebrains think Caught-On-Bleu's Billy Budd Classic American Ale sounds like Budweiser.

2/24 - The Swan Public House in Essex has been named the CAMRA pub of the year. Their normal taps include Adnam's Best, Crouch Bale Brewer's Gold, Fuller's London Pride, Green King Abbot, and two from local Mighty Oak.

2/19 - INDY - Kahn's has Riggwelter Yorkshire Ale from the Black Sheep Brewery in Masham, England. The Theakston family-owned company made such well know beers as Old Peculier. Theakston's but was bought by Scottish & Newcastle. Paul Theakston split with the rest of the family, bought the other brewery in Masham, and opened Black Sheep.

2/19 - INDY - Yakima Berwing's Grant's beer is back in town with new packaging. Their IPA, Scottish, and Perfect Porter have been spotted at numerous locations.

2/19 - INDIANA - Here's a partial list of current Indiana bills concerning beer and alcohol in congress:

2/15 - INDY - Rock Bottom has tapped a Milk Stout that's deep black and creamy and 6.6% without much of the sweetness of Mackeson. There's also a "Dry-hopped Pale Ale" on the handpull that not really hophead hoppy, just pleasantly full of Liberty hops. It's a goldish copper tone (tough to pin down without sunlight) and quite creamy with a full head.

2/15 - INDY - Ram has tapped Crossroads ESB, a 4.5% golden ale with a big, stable head. It's crisp and well balanced and dry with all the sweetness fermented out - which makes it a bit thin for style. Very subtle aroma that's also well balanced. Mine was served in an iced mug. Be sure to ask for a warm glass.

2/15 - INDY - BW3 Indy Brewfest - About 35 folks braved a winter storm to get to beer and Ice. They tried Hacker-Pschorr Dunkel, Ommegang Rare Vos, SS Winter Welcome, SN Porter, North Coast Old Rasputin, Hair of the Dog Fred, Gale's Prize Old Ale `98 & `99, SN Bigfoot 2000 & 2002.

2/13 - INDIANA - Senate Bill 377 will allow grocery stores to sell distilled spirits even without a pharmacy on premises if they have 10,000 sq ft of total space. It will also make it easier for gas stations to get permits. Star story

We don't know if it's going to pass or not - we're obviously not really very good "media" as my local State Rep doesn't return my emails or phone calls. Northwest Indiana News says the bill has stalled.

For the record, we're philosophically against this law. Indiana already has plenty of outlets for alcoholic swill - which is what is sold in convenience stores. People in many neighborhoods have a legitimate concern about beer being sold by underage clerks, alone, at night, down at the corner.

Meanwhile Senate Bill 317 will define a grocery store more strictly - eliminating permits for convenience stores. \We'll see which one passes.

2/12 - INDY - Easley Winery has pressed Marion blackberries and red raspberries for homebrewers who want to do a lambic or other fruit beer. Get it fast - might be gone by the weekend.

2/12 - INDY - BW3 has Three Floyds Dreadnaught and Harviestoun Old Engine Oil (6% liquorice and chocolate from an "old Celtic recipe" - $4.25/pint) on the handpulls. Also World Wide Stout in bottles.

2/12 - INDY - Broad Ripple Brewpub has tapped "Anklebiter" a mature barley wine with smoky accents. It and Wee Alec Heavy are on the handpulls.

2/11 - INDY - John's has some 1996 Thomas Hardy's and 1997 Gale's Prize Old Ale. (We opened a 1991 TomH recently and it was excellent. These are suitable for laying down.)

2/11 - AB has booked about 18% more profit (32¢ per share) in the 4th quarter 2002 than 2001. The cause was an October price hike and minimal slowing of sales.

2/10 - New Albanian Brewing - Tunnel Vision - Belgian Rye Wit - brewed 1/17.

2/9 - The poor folks in Pennsylvania, just today, finally have Sunday sales of alcohol. 61 of the 638 state stores opened under a 2-year trial period. There were sporadic protests around the state by drys.

2/8 - INDIANA - Lafayette Brewing's Winter Warmer tasting was an advance-sellout at 220 tickets. And a good time was had by all - as Greg warned the staff (2nd picture).

"Excellent, and we mean really excellent, beers were on hand, and the music of Hogeye Navvy seemed the perfect match as we tasted away the chill of an icy February night. Many people and organizations contributed time and product to make this event a success, and we owe them our gratitude. Hat's off to all those who utilized a designated driver or our free cab service home- thanks for being responsible! Special thanks also goes out to those folks who contributed above and beyond the ticket price. Everyone's donations enabled us to raise sufficient money at this year's event to fund the 2003-2004 scholarship and make a contribution towards the long-term scholarship endowment set up in memory of Laura. Thanks again and we hope to see you at next year's Winter Warmer 2004!"

2/7 - Both Hops "brewpubs" in Columbus, OH have closed.

2/6 - INDIANA - Lafayette Brewing has a new-look web site.

2/6 - INDIANA - Mad Anthony (Ft. Wayne) has opened a tap room in Auburn, IN 

2/5 - INDY - Barley Island is planning to bottle their first batch this weekend. See 1/22 below.

2/4 - INDY - Ram - A 4.5%abv ESB made with Fuggles hops.

2/3 - New Albanian Brewing - Community Dark - Imperial Mild - brewed 1/14.

2/1- INDY - Tim Marshall at the Rock Bottom is changing the menu around a bit. Instead of rotating wheat styles and having one stout (Hoosier Ma), he's going rotate stouts and have one wheat. The new hefeweizen uses German malts and hops with American yeast to minimize the clove notes. Hoosier Ma will be back along with Irish, Imperial, and Milk stouts.

Tim also plans to have either the Pale Ale or the IPA on the cask conditioned pull most of the time. The cc'ed Pale Ale will be subtly altered by re-hopping to keep the alpha acids high. Tim didn't expect to find a bunch of hop-heads in Indy but they're lining up.