Mahon's Mash

Hello again my fellow beer lovers. Time again to put finger to the keyboard and tell you about what has been going on around town.

Before I get started...As you may have seen, Bob Ostrander is back with us, and providing alot of information. I for one am glad to have him back.

Ok on with the show.

First up we have another of Mike Sprinkle's Ratebeer tastings.

This one was held at the Dicks BBQ in Broadripple on March 31st. Here is a list of the beer that we sampled

Jamtlands Hell	Southamptons Double White
Jamtlands Heaven	Victory Ten Years Alt
Pizza Port '04 Double Overhead	Left Hand Chainsaw Ale
Smuttynose Scotch Ale	Cantillion Fou Foune
'02 Stone Arrogant Bastard	Deschutes Hop Henge IPA
Rogue Imperial Pale Ale	Canaster Winter Scotch Ale
'02 Dulle Teve Mad Bitch	Cantillon Grand Cru
Cassissone	Southampton Old Herb Barleywine
Hair of the Dog Adam	Founders Kentucky Breakfast Bourbon Aged Stout
Middle Ages Dragon Slayer Imperial Stout	New Glarus Belgian Red
New Glarus Raspberry Tart	Dogfish Head Forte

Really makes your mouth water doesn't it. Want to find out how you can be a part of this, just drop me an email.

Ok what's next....I stopped in at Rock Bottom, they had a very good Barley Island on, and by now they have tapped their Fire Chief Ale, which is a ESB.

As some may have noticed, and I'll be the first to admit, I've neglected visiting Alcatraz. There was just something about the beer that I did not like, so I just avoided the place.
Well I'm here to remedy that! I stopped in on the 17th since I was in the area, just to see how things were. I stayed away from the "house" beers, as I do at alot of places...and went for the seasonal choices. In this case they had sseveral to choose from. They had a Black Stout, Belgian Trappist, a Bock, and a Abbey Ale. Being a lover of the dark beers, I went for the Stout....Twice! Let me tell you it was fantastic! Loads of Malt and Roasty goodness in every glass. Put that with a tasty burger and it made my day. I'll be stopping in again real soon! Got to make time to talk with the Head Brewer Omar!

I also made a pit stop at the Ram, to see what seasonals they had. They had a Doppelbock and a ESB named Prometheus. I went for a pint of the ESB, but also had a sample of the Doppelbock.....both were excellant too! I had a chance to talk to Dave, and find out whats coming up. By the time this is posted the Maibock will be tapped, as will most likely the Vienna Lager. He also told me that he has a Bohemian Pils coming up, plus in the wings some of his doppelbock that he put in a Jack Daniels barrel. Can't wait for that one. While I was there I was lucky enought to get in on his Mug Club. There was only one left, so if you want in you had better hurry.

On April 22, a few of the local Beer Advocate folks got together for a small pub crawl around Indy.
We started off at MacNivens, which has probably the last cask of Gales Prize Old Ale that you will ever see around here, due to Fullers by the Gales Brewery. We had quite a few glasses of this nectar, before we headed out for our next stop. Oh and I'm not sure if I should tell you this, or keep it to myself, but they have bottles of Three Floyds Dreadnaught available too!

Our nex stop was at Alcatraz. I convinced my fellow beer lovers, that Alcatraz was well worth the stop. And I am pleased to report, that they too were surprised.
This time out I tried the Trappist Ale, and can tell you it was a very tasty beer. Looks like I'm going to be spending more time here!

We met up with another BA and his wife just as we left Alcatraz, and headed out to one of the best bars in downtown Indy. Where might that be you ask? Why none other than BW3's.

Well that is all I have for you for now. I was planning on going to either the Three Floyds Dark Lord release, or to The Keg's Fest of Ale in Clarksville this past weekend. However due to circumstances beyond my control...damn bosses...my schedule was changes and I missed out on both. But I'm sure I can get some info on it from someone and I'll post it next time.

Remember we are coming into beer tasting season, so stay tuned!

mark@indianabeer.com