Wednesday - Indianapolis: Ed Herrmann, Brewmaster at Upland will be at Chalkies in the evening along with a cask-conditioned Dragonfly IPA.

Thursday - Indianapolis: Dick's BBQ, Broad Ripple beer and BBQ tasting. 8pm. $25. 10 beers to taste including 5 vintage-dated from Mike DeWeese's cellar. Oh, and also an entree. Limited to 40 people. Call 317-255-3425.

Saturday - New Albany: World Class Beverages Ale Fest at Old Mill Wine & Spirits. 2 - 4pm. Includes homebrew contest.

Sunday - Indianapolis: Great Fermentations beginning brewing class. 1pm. $15. With style tastings and, if the weather is good, brew a batch outside. Reservations needed by Friday.

According to Upland's press release, their Weizen can be found in Indianapolis on at the Melody Inn, both Union Jack locations and Holiday Inn - Airport

First, the problem. It's the Constitution. Specifically the 21st Amendment - Section 2. "The transportation or importation into any state, territory, or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein of intoxicating liquors, in violation of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited." When alcohol was again allowed in the U.S. they allowed individual states to remain dry. 

This also gave broad powers to the states to keep specific beverages such as those over 6% ABV, or over 3.2% ABV, out of their territory.

But the 21st Amendment conflicts with Article 1, Section 8, Clause 3. "The Congress shall have Power To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian Tribes;"

What's the question? Michigan allows in-state wineries to ship direct to consumers but out-of-state wineries can't. It seems to be allowed by the 21st Amendment but prohibited by the commerce clause.

Interestingly, the first time this hit the Supreme Court was in the case of Indianapolis Brewing v. Michigan Liquor Control Commission back in 1939. This is the seminal case but there have been 12 similar cases before the Supreme Court since. Oh, by the way, the Michigan non-importation law was found constitutional so don't expect anything to change in this most recent run-up since it's basically the same question this time around.

20 states disallow direct interstate shipments including Indiana. In fact, the 1998 Indiana anti-mail-order law was overturned in the District Court back in 1999 and we may well find it back in force sometime after this latest Supreme Court case is decided.

The other 19 states are Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland and Tennessee. 

Problems in the past have also included 

• A bet between Jeb Bush (FL) and Gray Davis (CA) over Super Bowl XXXVII. Tampa Bay beat the Raiders and Davis owed Bush a bottle of Groth 1999 Reserve Cabernet but he couldn't ship it.
• Beer Across America was fined $25,000 for shipping beer to Utah. On appeal, those charges were dismissed in 1997 but were reinstated in 1999.

More info for those with lots of time and the penchant to read legalese: Burt Lancaster's case, another MI case, SD vs TX, another analysis with extensive footnotes, 

Owner Mike Rowe hopes the Bock will hit the streets in July and plans an industry kickoff party around that time.

From their newsletter, "The name XXX Pale Ale is intended to signify "a very light or "extra pale" ale. We created this beer with Summertime in mind and made it light, dry, crisp, and refreshing. To push the envelope and make this beer different than the normal MABC ale we brought in many new ingredients changing the flavor profile considerably. The malt bill is all American 2 row barley and American Cara-Pils making a very light colored beer with a starting gravity of around 1.044. Hops are American grown Willamette hops with an IBU level of around 30 and a light dry hopping in the fermenter. Yeast choice for this beer was an American ale yeast with a neutral flavor profile (look for this yeast to turn up again very soon in another special beer). So whether you call it lawnmower ale, west coast pale ale or simply golden ale, we think you will find it a delicious departure from the MABC norm."

German beer consolidation continues. Bitburger has bought Holsten's stock in Konig-Brauerei.

France is the world's biggest malt exporter, having sent out more than 1 million tons last year. 15% went to Belgium, 11% to Germany. Then send malt everywhere including 10,000 tons to Cuba and the Ivory Coast.

The brewers strike in Norway is over. It doesn't look like the US supply of Norwegian beers will not be interrupted. Oh, there aren't any beers imported from Norway except Aass which isn't distributed in Indiana anyway. Never mind.

After a man was run over by a bus in Newport while he was on an organized pub crawl, one of the Rhode Island legislator says he's going to introduce a bill banning pub crawls. article

The latest from Foster's (at least in England) is Foster's Super Chilled lager that is designed to be served at 30°F.

Monday - Avon: Dick's BBQ's May tasting. 6:30pm. $20. 8-10 beers to taste, a sandwich, and a side.

Saturday - Indianapolis: Craft beer sampling at the Loading Dock in the middle of the Stutz Building - 1045 N. Senate.2-5pm.

Saturday  - Speedway: The night before the 500 booze-up on Georgetown Rd. Dusk until very late. Open container rules are ignored in the area. Ain't what it used to be but still a good excuse to walk down the street at night and drink cheap beer.

Saturday  - Speedway: Indianapolis 500 IRL race. 33 (or less) of the world's most mediocre drivers run 200 laps in identical spec-cars. Ain't what it used to be but still a good excuse to sit in the sun and drink cheap beer.

Georgia's governor has signed a bill allowing beer to have up to 14% alcohol (they were one of the 6% states).

Stella Artois has a new for-bar use carrier that keeps 5 bottles cold. Beats a bucket of ice.

A strike against the major distributors in British Columbia has led to shortages of Miller, Coors, Budweiser, Molson, and Labatt's beers. Sleeman, Granville Island, and Okanagan Spring beer sales are up threefold. The smaller guys are all hopeful new converts have been made.

Redhook has re-signed with AB to distribute Redhook beers. AB will increase their ownership of Redhook from 29% to 34%.

AB has fired back at Miller's President of Beer TV spots  with a full-page ad in today's USA Today. The ad shows a Miller Lite with the text "The Queen of Carbs". and "South African Owned". This is the start of a Natural Light campaign.

All 12 breweries in Norway shut down this morning when their combined 2560 employees went on strike. Hoarding is expected, but only in Norway.

Heineken will contract brew their flagship lager at the Lion brewery in Australia.

Czechvar is in town. Here's photographic proof.

Also: Spaten Octoberfest - last fall's but still darn good beer. $12 / 12-pack. Alpha & Marathon Greek beers in stock. St. Bernardus liters: Tripel & Prior 8 at $8, Abt 12 at $9. Rogue Morimoto Imperial Pilsner in a designer 16oz bottle at $13. St. Sixtus Westvletern 12oz at $10

An American Hefeweizen will be introduced tomorrow evening at a Mug Club meeting; joining, rather than replacing, the German Hefe for the summer.

We've heard a rumor about corporate scouting for a 2nd Ram location in Indy. Just a rumor right now.

A summer Bock coming in June will have 7% ABV. Preliminary taste shows lots of bocky maltiness with perfect balance. It's a very light colored beer with a big grain bill that was ground coarser than normal. We're suggesting the name Summary Bock. A sleeper.

Omar questioned my use of the term "Mt. Hood hops are also a bit unusual for a bock" back on 4/29/04 and he's right. Mt. Hood hops are an American derivation of German Hallertauer.

An IPA will replace the IPL copper-colored beer in June also. Very Cascade-hophead-friendly.

BW3's 23oz and 10oz servings are half price on Monday.

Young's current specialty, Double Chocolate Stout, might be followed by a new beer to our shores, Golden Zest, a 4.7% ale with a citric fruity bitterness  Then in September, Ramrod comes back followed by Winter Warmer in November through next March. Their Christmas Pudding Ale might make the U.S. shelves this year - it was sold last year in England and Denmark.

Wednesday - Indianapolis: Rock Bottom mug club unveiling of Heartland American Wheat.

Friday through Sunday - Frankenmuth, MI: Wolrd Expo of Beer

Saturday - Indianapolis: Craft beer sampling at the Loading Dock in the middle of the Stutz Building - 1045 N. Senate.2-5pm.

Saturday - Dyer: Finnegan's Wake car show. 4pm - 8pm

Barley Island's seasonals on tap are their malty Maibock and a Belgian style Wheat Ale - Sheet Metal Blonde.

Some SMB will be bottled (12 oz) to drink at home. It's a traditional cloudy wit with coriander, orange peel and some secret spices.

Michael's newest offering, Stumblebus, will be out in a couple more weeks. It's a 10.5% 100IBU IPA. They mane have a Berliner Weiss during the height of summer. Bush Hog, Mercks, and Saison Scalawag, will be returning this summer with ConeSmoker and Kaiser the 2nd Reising in the fall. Gad, the year goes by fast.

• Jeff Crotty, manager and inspiration behind the Legends of Notre Dame is moving on.
• Two Brothers French Country Ale is coming back in July, Legends will have it on tap.
• Back Road's Belgian Wit will be out about Memorial Day.
• Back Road's Blueberry Ale is out now. This is a highly respected beer, even among fruit poo-pooers and it there may be enough to last through Labor Day.
• The rumor that Aberdeen Brewing may not brew for a while looks to be true. Sam Stupeck is gone and they will probably contract-brew their beers.
• Three Floyds expanded again with 3 more 65 bbl conditioning tanks. Pride and Joy Mild will come out of some of these tanks in bottles.
• Three Floyds next seasonal will be an Oatmeal Stout, massively malty with East Kent Goldings and Fuggles hops. Following, in June, will be Rabbid Rabbit Saison (in draft form only - 7.2% ABV) - my favorite.
• Rumors of Duneland Brewing being for sale are also true. Wanna buy a brewpub with a built-in good brewer? Just a mile of the interstate. 219-878-9180.
• Early June will see Lafayette Brewing's Summer Kölsch.
• In Ft. Wayne, Mad Anthony will have Old Crown Java Porter in June using coffe from the local Old Crown Coffee Roasters. Other summer brews include a wheat, an IPA, and APA, and an Old Ale. In July their All-American Red Ale will make its first appearance.

• The Hops brewpub chain has filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This doesn't mean they are closed, though.
• The Uinta Brewing Company in Salt Lake City is entirely wind powered.
• Pennsylvania is having a fine legal mess. First they gave tax credits to PA breweries. Then Miller complained. Then they made it just small breweries. Then Pittsburgh Brewing wanted to be included. Now it includes bigger breweries also (Yuengling, Latrobe). Now Miller is complaining again. At least the Brewers of Indiana Guild will have a formula and precedent to use to try to get tax credits for new equipment expansion for Indiana breweries sometime down the road.
• Dopplebock name: "Antimator"
• Kingfisher Lager, the best selling Indian beer is actually being made by Mendocino Brewing in CA and Olde Saratoga Brewing in NY.
• "Would you really trust a skinny beer writer?"
• Ommegang will have a summer beer out real soon now - Witte - a Belgian wit. Don't know if it will be distributed this far west though.
• Brit brewer Charles Wells is bottling a beer called Banana Bread Beer. Hmmmm.
• Derby, population 250,000, has, by count, 121 brands of real ale on tap at it's 76 pubs. Only 6 of those pubs have no real ale. The Flowerpot has 19 hand pulls, two others have 14. Marston's Pedigree is available in 45 pubs, Draught Bass in 27. Average price for Pedigree is £2.10 ($3.70) for 20oz. Cheapest is £1.09 ($1.92) for Wyre Piddle ales at the Babington Arms.

Mr. Fizz makes a CO₂ cartridge powered picnic tapper for kegs. Keeps the oxygen out of your beer. Makes sense.

Still on: Red Hook Blonde, Weihenstephan Hefe, Mad Anthony Ol' Woody Pale Ale, Stone Arrogant Bastard, and Three Floyds Robert the Bruce.

Coming up: Java Porter (Old Fort infused with Starbucks), Plum Porter (Old Fort fermented with Italian plums), and some of the Winter Strong Ale will be tapped after almost 6 months of aging.

Meanwhile, in Galveston, the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe is being sued by Starbucks for selling a house brew named Starbock.

New Mexico proposal - anyone with a DUI can't buy alcohol for 5 years. Their driver's license would be specially marked. Every liquor store and bartender would have to card everyone.

Oregon - editorial saying 20-year prison sentences for any DUI-caused injury is insufficient. The cure for the epidemic is 0.00 BAC and ignition interlocks set at 0.02.

Yet another article in the Indianapolis Star for raising alcohol taxes. This one based on an AMA poll purporting 65% of Americans want higher taxes to reduce underage drinking. This one calls the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (which funds only anti-alcohol causes) a "New Jersey-based health care philanthropy".

Saturday - Ft. Wayne: World Class Beverages Ale Fest at Muchie Emporium on DuPont Rd. 2 - 4pm. Includes homebrew contest.

Saturday - Indianapolis: Craft beer sampling at the Loading Dock in the middle of the Stutz Building - 1045 N. Senate.2-5pm.

Sunday - New Albany: FOSSILS 3rd Annual Breweriana Sale at RichO's. 11am - 5pm. Free admission. Dealer tables: $15.

On tap right now on CO₂: Robert the Bruce, McEwans, Upland Wheat, Harp, Bass, Newcastle, Bells 2 Hearted, Holten Festbock. On nitro: Belhaven Scottish, Young's Double Cream, Guinness, and Boddingtons. Most at $5 / 20oz.

Bottled surprises: Broughtons, Skullspitter, two from Taquair House, Pyramid Tilted Kilt. $4 - $10.

Minimal bar back that pays homage to classic pillars and adds contemporary lighted glass block booze rack. Rock music on the sound system, 5 small TVs, open windows to the street. 3 pictures of Ursula Andress in the men's room. 23 single malts priced from $6 - $10.

Most 20oz drafts are $5. 

Pyramid Tilted Kilt - Dark red. 6.3% ABV. Malty, way scottich malty. Excellent to style.

Great Lakes Holy Moses - Belgian wit. Quite tart citric. Quite strong flavor.

Arcadia Witsun - Now made with East Keng Goldings. Sweeter yet crisper. Complex. A favorite.

Upland Maibock - Sampled a couple of bottles (which will be very rare). Creamy. Some hints of smoke and tobacco. 

Other breweries that might be formulated include one on the south side of Ft. Wayne, one in Gas City (which we personally don't think stands much of a chance), and one in Indy (which will also involve people who have been involved in other breweries).

Chalkies has Terre Haute Brewing's CV Pils on tap now.

The President of the worlds oldest brewery, Weihenstephaner, Dr. Radler, the export manager and the USA importer, Geahrd Ritter will be at the Rathskeller this Saturday evening. They'll hang out in the biergarten after dinner - say 7:30 onward.

• On average, Chinese brewers used 12 kg of malt per litre of beer in 2002 but less than 9kg per litre in 2003 according the the E-Malt industry newspaper.
• The U.S. barley crop this season is 276 million bushels, up significantly from 227 million bushels last season. The price is $2.80 / bushel, up slightly from $2.72 / bushel.

• Upland Amber Ale - Heady beer with lots of carbonation. Deep color. Complex flavors that include hints of pear, ginger, tobacco, brown sugar.
• Jumping Cow Amber Ale - New Ulm brewery for Trader Joe's. Deep red copper. Slightly malty and fairly bitter. Good aftertaste.
• John Courage Amber - Yellower. Crisp and bitter and a little sour.
• Bell's Amber Ale - Yellower. Malty and smooth. Whoops, it's gone.
• Murphy's Red Beer - Surprisingly made in Holland. Sharper edged with a mellow finish. 5% ABV.
• Fischer Amber - French. Very yellow. Cidery and fruity. Not our favorite of the bunch.

1) The Bell's dinner at Something Different is tonight rather than Thursday.

2) The craft beer tastings at The Loading Dock are on Saturday rather than Friday.

Chalkies will have a keg of Terre Haute Brewing's CV Pils and Amber (bock) coming up. But we don't yet know when.

Stone will have their Imperial Stout back out in June and also promises to send 8 kegs of Ruination IPA to be tapped in Indiana. We'll let you know which usual suspects will be ready to kill your taste buds and when.

The President of the worlds oldest brewery, Weihenstephaner, Dr. Radler, the export manager and the USA importer, Geahrd Ritter will be at the Rathskeller this Saturday. We don't know exactly when yet. We have to find out real quick.

They are also going to have live music in their beer, er, wine garden this summer on Tuesdays from 5-7pm and Saturdays from 1-4pm. Grab some wine and have food delivered to your table from Bazbeaux, Santorini's or The Villa.

Tuesday: Election day. (No alcohol served until 6pm.)

Wednesday - Indianapolis: Larry Bell, President of Kalamazoo Brewing will speak at a 5-course dinner at Something Different (4939 E 82nd St.). 6:30pm. $60 per person. Limited seating - call for reservations at 317-570-7700.

The courses will be prepared with and served with Oberon, Two Hearted, Amber, Sparkling, and Java Stout.

Saturday - Indianapolis: Craft beer sampling at the Loading Dock in the middle of the Stutz Building - 1045 N. Senate.2-5pm.

Saturday / Sunday - Fort Wayne: Fox Island's Sol Fest. Family events, music, and a beer tent including Mad Anthony beers.

Another seasonal is Copper Top Rauch Beer - Copper to exactly match their bar top. Nice gray head. A nice smoke aroma but the smoke really hits the roof of the mouth then dies away when a balanced malt flavor sets in. Excellent stuff.

In late May, Bridal Beer will be unveiled in honor of head brewer Christopher Johnson's marriage on the 29th to Jessica VanDerPlaats. It will be a common ale (her favorite) with 1st gold hops and some crystal malt. We don't know which bridal registry has the gold and crystal listed.

The first of

Next fest. May 15th in Fort Wayne.

Linda Swihart, a member of the Tippecanoe Homebrew Circle, won the homebrew contest and her Northern Brown will go on to the Indianapolis finals to be possibly brewed by Upland later this year.

Upland's DragonFly has turned into the hot thing at the Slippery Noodle since the firemen in town discovered it last week.