Worth The Trip

Beer from Right Here

BY CHRIS COLLINS ILLUSTRATIONS BY JULIA RICKLES

Of all the reasons to grab a local pint, perhaps this is the most obvious: Tons of really good beer is made right here in our backyard. Half the fun is seeing where it all happens—you know, meeting the brewer, nosing around the equipment, sampling and taking home a growler to share with friends—which is why Edible Indy created this guide to breweries in Indianapolis and beyond.

It includes the newbies, up-and-comers and old favorites—even a few chains with their own brewmasters on site. To help you make the most of each visit, we’ve indicated where you’ll find patio seating, facility tours and food trucks waiting outside.

Wondering what pints to try when you get there? Recommendations from our beer critics will point you in the right direction.

Cheers!

1. GRANITE CITY FOOD & BREWERY

150 W. 96th St., Indianapolis; 317-218-7185; gcfb.net

When it comes to its beer, Granite City is part chain, part local. Corporate headquarters starts the brewing process, and each store then completes the fermentation onsite. Even so, we would still say that a beer called Brother Benedict’s Bock is more interesting than a Bud. Of particular note at this far Northside locale is the head brewer’s enthusiasm for the summer shandy—a beer and lemonade mix probably created after a hot day outside when all that was in the fridge was a little of each. Enjoy one on Granite City’s soon-toexpand patio.

2. BROAD RIPPLE BREWPUB

842 E. 65th St., Indianapolis; 317-253-2739; broadripplebrewpub.com

Indy’s oldest brewpub is the best of all-weather worlds—a warm, cozy pub to quaff a pint on a cold winter’s night, and a vibrant patio scene for a summertime beer and some Monon Trail peoplewatching. New this summer is their Aboriginale—a pilsner-style lager using Australian Galaxy hops that’s great for the latter. The Brewpub now also offers its beer in plastic growlers, a boon to bicyclists who like to break even, calorie-wise.

Critic’s pick: Try the Lawnmower Pale Ale, an easy-drinking golden ale. The initial malt sweetness is balanced by a soft bitterness in the finish. Subtle fruity esters add some additional flavor. It finishes just dry enough to balance the malt and make you want more. It’s the perfect beer for a hot summer day—especially after cutting the grass, as the name suggests.—R.S.

KEY

Tasting room Growlers available Outdoor seating Food available

Food truck hangout Summer entertainment Tours offered

3. BRUGGE BRASSERIE

1011 E. Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis; 317-255-0978; bruggebrasserie.com

Brugge has cornered the classic handcrafted Belgian beer market like no other in town. Known for its potent yet smooth Tripel de Ripple (10% alcohol, limit two), Brugge beer has been steadily showing up in local restaurants and retailers statewide. The double-decker patio offers a nice Broad Ripple perspective while sipping a Gato del Sol IPA and munching on the must-have cone of pommes frites.

Critic’s pick: My favorite this time of year is a sour style beer called Pookah. Pookah is made with fresh boysenberries and uses a special type of yeast that leaves a dry and sour finish. This is as refreshing as lemonade on a hot summer day.—M.R.

4. BIER BREWERY & TAPROOM

5133 E. 65th St., Indianapolis; 317-253-2437; www.bierbrewery.com

The 2011 Indiana State Fair Champion Brewery sits at a unique spot between Allisonville Road and Binford Boulevard. But once you find it, you’re likely to hang out for a while enjoying a wider array of beer than you’d find at most of its brewing brethren. In March alone, Bier released nine new beers, including an eminently drinkable cream ale—perfect on a summer day. Bier offers special pint nights, has space for private events and has become a food truck destination.

5. BARLEY ISLAND BREWING CO.

639 Connor Street, Noblesville; 317-770-5280; barleyisland.com

After closing its Broad Ripple location, Barley Island has concentrated its efforts on the original Noblesville location, just off the downtown square. It has a “small town” feel while offering decidedly sophisticated brews, and the restaurant and its outdoor patio will be smoke-free starting July 1. Check out the new Damien Belgian Golden Strong this summer—and at 8.4% alcohol, probably one goblet of this is all you’ll need.

Critic’s pick: Dirty Helen Brown Ale is sweet and malty, but light enough for even the hottest of summer days. You can’t go wrong with this beer and some barbecue.—G.R.

6. THR3E WISE MEN BREWING CO.

1021 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis; 317-255-5151; thr3ewisemen.com

Sporting a classic lodge feel inside, Thr3e Wise Men microbrewery is part of the Scotty’s Brewhouse empire. On nice days, the long strip of outdoor seating fills up fast, so grab a good summery choice like the Snow Bunny Blonde inside and put your name in. You can expect great pizza and decadently salted free popcorn, too. (Beer helps with that.) Stop in on Fridays to get your growler refilled for $8. Kidfriendly, too: they eat for free on Mondays.

Critic’s pick: Centennial Martyr Double IPA has fruity and spicy aromas and a lot of malty flavors. At around 8%, this one is at the higher end of the alcohol scale. —G.R.

7 & 16. UPLAND BREWING CO. and TASTING ROOM

Tasting room: 4842 N. College Ave., Indianapolis; 317-602-3931, uplandbeer.com

Upland’s Indy store sits in the heart of burgeoning SoBro (south Broad Ripple) at 49th and embodies a true tasting room—collegestyle furniture, board games and a coffeehouse vibe. There’s sitting space towards the back of the store, and even a small patio for al fresco sipping. Upland is as committed to their community as they are to a great product.

Brewery and restaurant: 350 W. 11th St., Bloomington; 812-3362337; uplandbeer.com. Meanwhile, at Upland’s brewery and restaurant in Bloomington, a large patio awaits—and you won’t find a better place to perch on nice days with a pint of wheat ale or IPA. The laid-back restaurant dishes up elevated pub food indoors and outdoors, and local ingredients are used throughout the menu.

Critic’s pick: Wheat beers are a summertime staple, and Upland’s version is very refreshing. This cloudy brew has a Belgian twist and a lot of citrus notes.—G.R.

Though a relative newcomer, Triton is turning beer snobs’ heads with top-quality microbrews and a community-based approach to not just its business, but beer overall. Located in a quickly developing area of Fort Benjamin Harrison, Triton’s beer lineup targets the sophisticated palate, while being very inviting to newbies. With a different food truck nearly every day (open Wednesday through Sunday), you’ll always find something interesting at Triton. Family friendly, and flat screens are always tuned to one game or another.

Critic’s pick: Magnificent Amber, an American amber ale, is a well-balanced, medium-bodied, copper-colored beer with toasty and caramel malt flavors, a citrusy and floral hop character and soft fruity esters for added depth. This beer finishes semi-sweet with some residual sugar, but it is still dry enough to be refreshing on a summer day. This is a flavorful beer that perfectly balances malt and hops.—R.S.

9. FLAT 12 BIERWERKS

414 N. Dorman St., Indianapolis; 317-635-2337; flat12.me

Tucked away between two one-way streets on the near eastside, Flat 12 has become something of a Sunday destination for craft beer lovers citywide. It was an early adopter for the food truck/microbrew scene, and with an expanded patio and tasting room, head brewer Rob Caputo and team offer a potent combination of delicious beer, a foodie partnership with nearby Smoking Goose and acoustic entertainment.

Critic’s pick: For a very drinkable hop-focused beer, try Walkabout Pale Ale. A spicy, citrusy and earthy hop aroma greets the nose initially, setting the stage for a similar hop flavor. A sweet malt character is there for balance. A dry bitterness lingers into the finish with a wonderful residual hop flavor.—R.S.

10. RAM RESTAURANT & BREWERY

140 S. Illinois St., Indianapolis; 317-955-9900. Also 12750 Parkside Dr., Fishers; 317-596-0079. theram.com

While Ram is a mostly Midwestern chain, downtown Indy’s locale is looking far to the south for one of the more interesting beer promotions we’ve seen. Starting in May, the End of Days series celebrates the Mayan calendar’s dire warnings on the end of time. Head brewer Andrew Castner plans four to five big imperial beers, all designed to age properly for a huge party on Dec. 31. A decent-sized patio awaits downtown, while even more al fresco seating is offered at the Fishers location. It’s the end of the world as we know it, but we’ll feel fine.

Critic’s pick: This time of year, I really enjoy the Big Horn Blonde. It is lower in alcohol, but it still has a wonderfully refreshing bite to it. This is a great beer that is very conducive to conversation, and will please both men and women alike.—M.R.

11. SUN KING BREWERY

135 N. College Ave., Indianapolis; 317-602-3702, sunkingbrewing.com

By now, you may have already tasted the phenomenon that is Sun King, known for packaging its house beers in cans and for turning out a slew of seasonal and specialty brews, like summer’s Popcorn Pilsner. Their beer is practically everywhere, and on any given Thursday or Friday the tasting room takes on a party vibe. Though it’s a bit of a destination, you can usually find something going on at the brewery, whether it’s a beer tapping, a film festival or a DJ. The Sun King crew stays very connected to the community; keep up with their amazingly busy schedule at the website.

Critic’s pick: Osiris Pale Ale is perfect for the pool, festivals or cheering on the Indians (Sun King is now the official craft beer of the Indians, in fact). The cans can be brought where glass isn’t permitted.—G.R.

12. BLACK ACRE BREWING CO.

5632 E. Washington St., Indianapolis; 317-219-6266; blackacrebrewing.com

Irvington’s long-awaited microbrewery has arrived, in every sense of the word. The small-batch artisan brewery (only three barrels) sits right along the “strip,” offering its creative seasonal flavors and a rotating roster of the best local microbrews in one of the city’s most gorgeous taprooms. Black Acre’s first batch of brews—the Green Tea Pale Ale and Robust Porter—hit pint glasses in late April, and Apricot Wheat and Watermelon Wheat are on tap for summer.

13. ROCK BOTTOM RESTAURANT & BREWERY

10 W. Washington St., Indianapolis; 317-681-8180. Also 2801 Lake Circle Dr., Indianapolis; 317-471-8840. rockbottom.com

If you’re strolling around downtown on a summer day, you’re likely not far from one of the better urban patios on which to sip a cold beer. And that patio is expanding this summer. Along with the corporate office’s official beers that each store must produce, local brewers at the downtown and Northside locations can add their own signature to the Rock Bottom lineup. Patio full? Grab a growler for a cookout and enjoy on yours.

Critic’s pick: The Kölsch is a great summer thirst quencher and a good example of a traditional German Kölsch, which is only brewed in Indianapolis’ sister city, Cologne, Germany. This light-bodied golden ale has more malt flavor than traditional American lagers, and subtle, fruity pear-like esters also add character. It finishes with a crisp, dry bitterness.—R.S.

14. FOUNTAIN SQUARE BREWING CO.

1301 Barth Ave., Indianapolis; 317-493-1410; fountainsquarebrewery.com

If you could sum up Fountain Square Brewing Co. in one word, it might be funky—its “bullets” (half a growler), its décor, its customers. (About the only thing that’s not funky is the beer.) The brewery has a roadhouse feel; the ceiling is layered with rough tin siding, and the open garage door, lone pinball machine and outlaw country playlist create a rowdy space. They started serving in September, and have fit right in to the neighborhood ever since.

Critic’s pick: I’ve been very impressed with the Workingman’s Pilsner. This light lager will have the most appeal to fans of Bud, Miller and Coors products, but this is how a Pilsner should taste. This is very refreshing and would be perfect for any spring and summer activities.—M.R.

15. OAKEN BARREL BREWING CO.

50 N. Airport Parkway, Suite L, Greenwood; 317-887-2287; oakenbarrel.com

Opened back in ‘94, the venerable Oaken Barrel seems to be the place that keeps that little plaza going. If you’ve been to a beer fest in Indiana, it’s likely you’ve tasted one of their brews—Indiana Amber, Gnaw Bone, Razz-Wheat and Snake Pit have been there since the beginning. Beer geeks will rejoice in an expanded brewery and can enjoy the summery Uberweizen at any of their 15 outdoor tables.

Critic’s pick: Oaken Barrel makes a really phenomenal India Pale Ale (IPA) called Superfly IPA. Expect big and bitter flavors that range from sugar-coated grapefruit rind to resinous pine. Grab a pint out on the beer garden and take a growler of this bitter and refreshing IPA home with you.—M.R. This brewpub, known as BBC, is one and the same with Lennie’s, a family-friendly pizza place, making it a destination for creativelytopped pies and craft beers. Or, snag a seat at the bar to survey the tanks (though much of its beer is now brewed at an off-site facility across town) and mull the nitro and hand-pull options that are offered. Ruby Bloom Amber is a reliable favorite, and fans of wheat ale should branch out to the limited edition Biere de Mars, a flavorful farmhouse-style beer with mild citrus notes.

18. CUTTERS BREWING CO.

812-335-2337; cuttersbrewing.com

Though this year-old Bloomington brewery isn’t yet open to the public, Cutters beer can be found in the area at restaurants, bars and liquor stores (look for the muted-yet-striking bottle labels by Bloomington illustrator Kurtis Beavers). Steady brews include Monon Wheat, Full Court Imperial IPA and Floyd’s Folly Scottish Ale, but experimental batches roll out from time to time.

19. BIG WOODS BREWING CO.

60 Molly Lane, Nashville; 812-988-6000; bigwoodsbeer.com

At this timber-frame brewpub tucked into downtown Nashville, the signature beer is a well-balanced hybrid called Busted Knuckle Ale— dark, rich and smooth with a sweet finish that’s built for summer or winter drinking. Burgers and pizza are offered at the brewpub, or take the group to the family-friendly Big Woods Pizza Co. next door. Big Woods brews a top-notch root beer, too.

20. POWER HOUSE BREWING CO.

322 Fourth St., Columbus; 812-375-8800; powerhousebrewingco.com

Columbus’ only brewery is housed inside Columbus Bar, with 20 taps devoted to beers from Indiana and beyond. A handful of the offerings are brewed in-house and have locally minded names—Diesel Oil Stout is a nod to Cummins, the diesel engine manufacturer, and Jack the Bum Pale Ale references a man from area folklore.

MEET OUR BEER CRITICS

Matt Robinson is a member of Hoosier Beer Geek (hoosierbeergeek.com), a social group and blog devoted to local brews. Gina Rakers is a member of Hoosier Beer Geek. Ron Smith is a beer judge, educator, certified cicerone and a home brewer. Smith owns the Carmel marketing firm MarketWise Solutions.