July 14^th Beer Tasting at Anthony’s Café in Highland, Indiana

Tattoos and beer may seem to go hand in hand, but the stereotypes have gone through quite a metamorphosis as of late; you might say a Mephistopheles Metamorphosis, just one of the beers sampled at the July 14^th beer tasting at Anthony’s Café of Highland, IN.

Mephistopheles Metamorphosis Belgian Triple was one of two representatives from Bluegrass Brewing Company in Louisville, KY.  The second was Professor Gesser’s Mind Numbing Ale. Both come in a 750ml chardonnay style bottle and at circa 7% &10% abv, well warrant the use of such packaging.

Jonathan Hogge, co owner and manager, was on hand to pour and inform us on the particulars of each offering. The tasting was held outside on their patio.  The weather was great and the beers were interesting. I was, however, expecting a few more from Indiana, as per their email invite, Mad Anthony’s Gabby Blonde Lager, from Fort Wayne, was the only one that made the final list.

Here is the complete list of the beers at the tasting:

Boss Cox Dark IPA                            Barrel House, Cincinnati, OH
Red Legg Ale                                      Barrel House, Cincinnati, OH
Professor Gesser                                 Bluegrass Brew Co, Louisville, KY
Mephistopheles Metamorphosis         Bluegrass Brew Co, Louisville, KY
Horse Piss Beer                                  Bluegrass Brew Co, Louisville, KY—contracted
Gabby Blonde Lager                           Mad Anthony, Fort Wayne, IN
Hefe Crystal Clear                               Erdinger Weissbrau, Erding, Germany
Lager                                                   Henninger Brau, Frankfort, Germany
Pilsner                                                 Radeberger Brewery, Dresden, Germany
Original Lager                                     Weihenstephan Brauerei, Freisberg, Germany
Zelta Gold                                           Aldaris Brewery, Riga, Latvia
Engine Oil                                           Harviestoun Brewery, Alva, Scotland

The last on their list was first on my list of favorites. Harviestoun Brewery was founded in 1984 by brew master Ken Brooker, a former design engineer for Ford Motor Company. Engine Oil got its name from its visual similarity to the life extending fluid of Ken’s second love, the automobile. The beer is very dark and full of chocolate and coffee with excellent balance between sweet and bitter. It’s heavy and full flavored in the mouth yet lightly carbonated making it very smooth to drink.

Another keeper on the list was Original Lager by Weihenstephan Brauerei. Founded as a monastery by St Korbinian in 725, their archive museum houses the original brewery and tavern license applied for by Abbot Arnold in 1040 and proves their claim to fame as the oldest brewery in the world. So when they say a good beer takes a long time they mean it. The extra lagering time they provide this pale beer makes it very mild and flavorful. Anthony’s Café offers this beer in a gift box set with a glass for $55.00.

Thin profit margins due to high competition in Germany, forced Henninger Brewery (no current website found) to start packaging their lager in cans back in 1996. This may explain why, according to Beercollections.com, their parent company filed for bankruptcy and the brewery closed its doors in Frankfort back in October of 2002. However, there seems to be an incarnation of this brand being brewed in Greece.

Every year on May 1 the professional cycling race, Rund um den Henninger-Turm, is held circling the Henninger grain tower multiple times. The tower has two rotating restaurants and an open air observation deck which are, sadly, closed to the public as well.

Horse Piss Beer is an interesting story if not such an interesting beer. It’s brewed by Bluegrass Brewery on contract for Louisville, KY entrepreneur Gerard Russell who donates a percentage of sales to disabled jockeys and thoroughbred adoption programs. At least it’s a good reason to raise a glass with Horse Piss in it.

Gabby Blonde Lager by Mad Anthony’s fell somewhere in the lower tier of this eclectic list of Midwestern micros and European imports.

Raderberger Brewery supplied more than just their beer for the tasting. They also furnished the temporary tattoos for the staff to place where they wished to promote their product; a great conversation starter to say the least. The tattoos were a bigger hit than the beer itself. It’s a decent Pilsner that can quaff a thirst away.

Anthony’s Café celebrated ten years in business this past June.  Located in boutique downtown Highland at 2936 Highway Ave, the restaurant is open seven days a week from 11am to 10pm and serves predominately Italian but rotates a Creative Cuisine monthly. They feature over 100 bottles of wine (20 by the glass), 80 different bottled beers and now offer seven beers on tap.

Check out their website for the next beer or wine tasting and to find out the Creative Cuisine of the month.

Jonathan and his staff are waiting for you!

Cheers,

Tony Gonnella