18th Street Celebrates First Anniversary

18^th STREET BREWERY SET TO CELEBRATE ITS FIRST YEAR

Three days of festivities include bands, beer and fresh food

One year after opening its doors, 18^th Street Brewery will host a three-day celebration featuring an eclectic mix of bands, house-made fresh food and award-winning beers from around the globe.

In just 12 months, the Gary-based brewer has made a major expansion and earned awards and acclaim that include “Indiana’s Best New Brewer” honors from RateBeer. The festivities at 5725 Miller Ave. are free to attend and open to the public from noon to midnight Friday and Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. Sunday.

“We wanted to do something special to say ‘thank you’ to the community,” said owner Drew Fox. “The support we have received has been overwhelming and this is a way to celebrate our success with the people who have made it all possible.”

All ages are welcome to attend in the brewery’s front-room space, while those 21 and over are welcome in the taproom. Due to anticipated crowds, all food and beer sales will be cash-only.

18^th Street will offer its own unique and rare beer offerings throughout the weekend, while friends at well-known breweries are also planning to provide special select beers, in support of the 1-year anniversary. In addition, Chef Virgie will be manning the kitchen, with fresh-made food – including vegetarian meals – on the menu.

The weekend’s musical performances will range from rock to pop and blues to hip hop.

 

Music begins at 8 p.m. Friday, when the Corey Dennison Blues Band, featuring Gerry Hundt, take the stage. Dennison delivers dynamic blues and compelling soul, while Hundt is a multi-instrumentalist known for his work with the guitar, harmonica and mandolin.

From 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Northwest Indiana’s own Nomad Planets will rock the stage. Their rock music has been heard on WXRT, the Taste of Chicago festival and countless clubs in Chicago and Indiana.

Saturday night, Sweet Cobra hits the stage at 7 p.m. The Chicago-based band is known as a post-hardcore band that is known for both ripping guitars and rhythmic rock. 

From 2:30 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sunday, groove-heavy pop and dance tunes will come from The Diggity. Expect original and eclectic music that covers a 1980s-style techno-pop and experimental funk from the Northwest Indiana ensemble.

Sunday night, Free Ajents bring their hip-hop sounds, while CoJack & Co. will deliver thought-provoking raps, all from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free Ajents feature a live drummer, bass and guitar players and two emcees, whose sounds are joined with hip-hop, rock and electronic samples that bring a raw and hypnotizing sound. CoJack & Co. relies on free-style performances that are simple yet inquisitive, tying together topics ranging from work to family and partying.

That diverse blend of music is representative of the diverse base of support 18^th Street Brewery has seen since opening its doors. Starting with self-distribution only in the immediate area, their beer is now distributed in the Indianapolis area and is also available in Denmark, where Fox has collaborated with renowned Mikkeller Brewery.

18^th Street Brewery has also increased its production capacity – creating even more jobs in Gary - and is now capable of churning out 1,000 barrels a year, up from just 500 barrels. They have also invested in new, larger fermenters and a canning line, which means faster production to meet the incredible demand and possible further expansion. 

HopCat Offers Free Meal for Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

HopCat – Broad Ripple to offer free meal to veterans and active duty military personnel on Veteran’s Day—November 11, 2014

 

Indianapolis, Ind. November 7, 2014 -- BarFly Ventures today announced it will offer a free meal on Veteran’s Day for all military veterans and active duty military personnel at HopCat Broad Ripple, 6280 N. College Ave. The offer includes a choice of an entrée, salad, or sandwich and a soft drink. 

 

“A free meal is just a simple way we can say ‘Thank You’ and show our appreciation to veterans and active military personnel,” said Mark Sellers, founder and owner of BarFly Ventures.

 

BarFly Ventures is proud to employ veterans at many of its restaurants. The transferable skills attained during their time in the service as well as their ability to rapidly address challenges and learn new skills are an asset to BarFly Ventures.

 

Proof of service is required. Limit one meal per veteran or active duty military personnel. Alcoholic beverages and gratuity not included. Unaccompanied minors are allowed at BarFly Ventures establishments on November 11, 2014 only if they are veterans or active military personnel.

 

 

About BarFly Ventures

Founded in Grand Rapids, Mich., in 2008, BarFly Ventures is the parent company of HopCat, a craft beer bar named “No. 3 Beer Bar on Planet Earth” by Beer Advocate Magazine, “No. 2 Beer Bar in America” by CraftBeer.com and “No. 1 Brewpub in the United States” by RateBeer.com. HopCat has locations in Grand Rapids, East Lansing, and Indianapolis with new locations under construction in Detroit, and Ann Arbor. BarFly Ventures also owns and operates Stella’s Lounge, a whiskey and retro-arcade bar in Grand Rapids with Giant Stuffed Burgers named “Best in America” by GQ Magazine. BarFly also owns the award-winning Grand Rapids Brewing Company, Michigan’s only certified organic brewery, and McFadden’s Restaurant & Saloon, host of Irish on Ionia, Michigan’s largest St. Patrick’s Day Street Party.

 

Chris Knape

Marketing & Communications Director

BarFly Ventures
1 Ionia SW, Ste 200
Grand Rapids, MI 49503 

O: 616.965.9780
C: 616.293.1886
F: 616.965.9796 

chris@barflyventures.com ​

Scarlet Lane Announces New Head Brewer

Some very exciting news from our friends over at Scarlet Lane! Take a look at their press release below for all the details.


McCordsville, Indiana - Scarlet Lane Brewing Company is excited to announce Simon Sothras as the new Head Brewer and business partner to Scarlet Lane. Sothras comes to Scarlet Lane from Ninkasi Brewing Company in Eugene, Oregon where he was one of the original brewers that helped launch Ninkasi into being one of the most popular breweries on the West Coast. Before starting at Ninkasi, Simon was a winemaker for Eugene Wine Cellars.


A long-time friend to Scarlet Lane, Sothras will relocate to Indiana mid-November. Eilise Lane, CEO/Brewer and Sothras have previously brewed together while Lane was in brewing school at the American Brewers Guild. Sothras brings a wealth of talent and experience to the Indiana brewing community and will immediately become a partner in the Scarlet Lane Brewing Company LLC. Sothras will be joining Eilise Lane, Doug Sheets, Nick Servies and a primarily female investment team in the management and operation of the business.


Ninkasi Brewing and Scarlet Lane continue to have a close working relationship. “We are stoked for Simon on his new role with Scarlet Lane, and look forward to opportunities to collaborate down the road!” Nikos Ridge, CEO Ninkasi Brewing Company


Simon officially began his role as Head Brewer on October 31, 2014.  Sothras has a passion for Northwest style ales and is specifically interested in barrel aging, IPA development, barley wines and imperial stouts.


Scarlet Lane distributes its kegs through Zink Distributing, Boone Beverage and a self-distribution territory to service the Central Indiana region.


About Scarlet Lane Brewing Company:
Scarlet Lane Brewing Company was launched in May 2014 in McCordsville, Indiana. Owners/Founders Eilise Lane, Doug Sheets and Nick Servies are Indiana natives. Head Brewer and Partner Simon Sothras is a Chicago native with experience in wine making and brewing. The Company operates as a female owned business with majority female interest and investment in the Company. Scarlet Lane produces three flagship beers, Dorian Stout, Vivian Red IPA and Lenore Pale Ale, as well as, a rotation of Seasonal and Specialty Beers. You can find Scarlet Lane beers throughout the Indianapolis and surrounding areas.


About Ninkasi Brewing Company:
Founded in 2006 by Jamie Floyd and Nikos Ridge, Ninkasi Brewing Company continues to grow from its first batch of Total Domination IPA, to two brewhouses, a 55-barrel and a 90-barrel brewhouse, located in Eugene, Oregon. Ninkasi’s Flagship beers—Total Domination IPA, Tricerahops Double IPA, Believer Double Red, Oatis Oatmeal Stout, and Vanilla Oatis Oatmeal Stout—are sold throughout Oregon; Alaska; California; Idaho; Montana; Washington; Nevada; and Vancouver, British Columbia. The brewery remains privately-owned and is committed to community support and giving. Ninkasi’s Beer Is Love program offers in-kind donations and support for organizations throughout its footprint.

Bloomington Brewing Co. Persimmon Ale

We're always excited to be included in announcements from Indiana breweries. Take a look at some news we just received from Bloomington Brewing Co. Will you be heading out to pick up any of their Persimmon Ale as a part of this limited release?


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


Contact:
Mark Cady, Business Manager
Bloomington Brewing Company
C 812-322-1287
E mcady@bloomington.com
www.bloomingtonbrew.com


BLOOMINGTON BREWING CO. RELEASES LIMITED SEASONAL PERSIMMON ALE


Summary:


Bloomington Brewing Company is releasing their Persimmon Ale in 22oz. “bomber”
bottles and on draft beginning October 30th. A special release party will take place at Big Red Liquors at their downtown Bloomington location at: 418 N College Ave. The beer will be bottled and sold on the same day, providing the freshest possible package you can find. Bottles will be available locally in Bloomington, at locations where Bloomington Brewing Company bottles are currently sold, the following day. You can also find Persimmon Ale on draught at the brewpub and in select local establishments where craft beer is sold. Look for the bottle statewide beginning the
first week of November.


As Indiana’s indigenous fruit, Persimmons can be found when the leaves begin to
turn and the chill begins to bite. Bloomington Brewing Company pays homage to
this sweet and slightly citrus fruit by infusing more than 140 lbs. of locally sourced
Persimmons from our good friends at Twin Tykes located in Orleans, IN. This batch
is very limited and is only available for a short time.


Ingredients include: Pale and Caramel Malts and Cascade Hops.
6.2% ALC/VOL • IBU 9 • 15.2 ̊ OG


Bloomington Brewing Company was established in 1994, and is the fourth modern-
era brewpub in the state and the first in Southern Indiana. This is their first year of
bottle production after 20 years of draught only service. You can visit the brewpub at
Lennie’s Restaurant and try their beers from one of their 15 draught lines, including
Nitro and Cask styles. You can also purchase their bottles or draught beer for
carryout seven days a week. Visit their website at www.bloomingtonbrew.com
or follow them on twitter and facebook at @BloomingtonBrew and Bloomington
Brewing Company, respectively.

Bringing Beer to Your Doorstep

I can't tell you how many times we've joked around about how nice it would be to have a service that delivers beer to your door. Forgot to plan for that party? Running out of cocktails and want to impress your friends? Delivery would be perfect in these situations. We were (mostly) kidding when we said these things, but apparently there's a company that can actually do it.

 

Drizly has recently announced that Indianapolis will be the next city where it will offer delivery service through a partnership with Big Red Liquors. Interested consumers can place their order via Drizly's app and in 20-40 minutes, beer arrives at your door. You can read the IBJ article here for more details about the partnership and the services offered.

 

I'm a big fan of convenience and this certainly fits the bill. But something about this feels a bit off to me. Is this really a good idea? The drivers have the option to refuse delivery if they deem that the consumer is already too drunk and needs to be cut off. That helps, but I'm not sure if it's enough.

 

We drink frequently, but we're always responsible about it. The Big Guy and I have an advantage in being a team for the different events we attend and the bottle shares we go to with friends. The advantage is that one of us stays sober enough to safely drive home, or worst-case scenario we get a cab. Even if that cab is $100 because we're just that far out in the burbs. Still worth it.

 

Does this app promote binge drinking and people being unsafe and taking unnecessary risks? Maybe I'm cynical and don't have enough faith in people. Either way, I'll certainly be watching this partnership to see what happens next, and I'm not going to completely rule out using it at some point.

 

Would you use this service? If you did, what kind of situation do you think it would best in?

 

For even more details, here's the press release we received this morning.

RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL DELIVERY COMES TO INDIANAPOLIS AS DRIZLY ANNOUNCES EXCLUSIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH BIG RED LIQUORS, THE AREA'S LARGEST PACKAGE LIQUOR RETAILER

Leveraging Drizly’s proprietary ID verification technology, Big Red can responsibly provide unparalleled convenience to Indianapolis consumers for the same price they pay for products in store

 

INDIANAPOLIS, IN. – October 23, 2014 – Drizly, the technology company powering fast, convenient beer, wine and liquor delivery across the United States, and Big Red Liquors, the largest Indianapolis-area package liquor retailer, today have announced a strategic partnership to bring responsible alcohol delivery to consumers in the Indianapolis area.

 

Indianapolis becomes the 8th major metropolitan market served by Drizly, joining Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, New York and Washington D.C. Areas in Indianapolis where Drizly is now available to consumers include Broad Ripple, Brownsburg, Downtown, Fishers, Fletcher Place, Fountain Square, Geist, Irvington and Meridian-Kessler. Additional areas will be announced as they become available.

 

With a proprietary Forensic ID Verification technology, Drizly will offer Indianapolis consumers of legal drinking age Big Red’s extensive inventory of products right from the Drizly smartphone app or Drizly.com, all delivered conveniently to your door.

 

So whether you are watching the big game with friends, hosting a dinner party, or planning office happy hour, Drizly takes the trip to the store out of the equation with a convenient, safe and reliable solution for ordering beer, wine and liquor.

 

“Leading retailers across the U.S., like Big Red, are embracing cutting edge technologies to answer their customer’s desire for convenient alcohol delivery, if it can be done responsibly,” said Nick Rellas, co-founder and CEO of Drizly. “Big Red is particularly focused on doing delivery the right and responsible way, and with Drizly’s proprietary ID verification technology we were uniquely positioned to help them provide added convenience to their loyal customers.

DRIZLY: AS CONVENIENT AS ORDERING PIZZA

To use Drizly, consumers simply download the free app to their smartphone (iPhone and Android) or log on to www.Drizly.com, confirm they are of legal drinking age, and are then given access to thousands of products from Big Red’s inventory, all at the same price as in the store. With a few taps of the finger, the consumer’s beverages of choice are selected, paid for via credit card, and delivered conveniently to your door.

 

Before products are handed to the consumer, the Big Red delivery driver confirms the age of those accepting the order using Drizly’s propriety ID verification technology. If the consumer is not of age, or appears inebriated, the delivery driver does not complete the purchase.

 

“Adding the convenience of smartphone and Web ordering, and fast delivery, to the Big Red experience is something we are thrilled to offer to our loyal customers,” said Don Rix, President of Big Red Liquors. “But more importantly, Drizly’s proprietary technology enables us to meet growing consumer demand in a way that is safe and responsible.”

 

As a special welcome to new users in Indianapolis, Drizly is offering free delivery on all orders for the next 30 days. The free delivery, a $5 value, will be automatically applied at checkout. For these type of promotions and more, residents of Indianapolis are encouraged to follow @DrizlyIndy on Twitter.

ABOUT DRIZLY

Drizly is a technology company powering fast, convenient delivery of beer, wine and liquor to consumers across the United States. With a free mobile lifestyle app for iOS and Android, and an e-commerce Web site, consumers of legal drinking age simply log in, and with a few clicks, their favorite beer, wine or liquor is on its way. Delivery drivers authenticate and validate IDs upon arrival using proprietary Drizly technology. Backed by a world-class group of angel and institutional investors, the company has raised $4.8 million to become the premier alcohol delivery service in Austin, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, New York City, Washington D.C., and other cities across the United States. For more info, please visit www.drizly.com.

 

AVAILABLE ON iPHONE, ANDROID AND WEB

• iPhone: http://driz.ly/ios
• Android: http://driz.ly/android
• www.drizly.com 

 

HOW DRIZLY WORKS

1. Download Drizly to your iPhone or Android phone, or log on to Drizly.com.
2. Sign up and add your favorite beer, wine and liquor to your cart.
3. Check out, enter discount codes, pay and tip your driver, all right from Drizly.
4. In less than one hour, your alcohol will be delivered.

 

CONTACT:

Kerry McGovern, Sr. Director of Communications & Media, Drizly Inc.347.853.6009, Kerry@drizly.com
Matt Bell, on behalf of Big Red Liquors 317.910.7572, Matt.Bell@catalystpag.com


Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and on the web at Drizly.com.

# # #

 

When Smaller is Better

I'm back (I'm back!- Slim Shady!) I'm back. 

Another Upland sour lottery has come and gone, and as usual the normal complaining follows in its wake (this last round coincided with the 2015 Secret Barrel Society membership announcement- talk about a sourstorm of epic proportions). The lottery system is flawed; lots of locals don't win (and they should get preference), and lots of non-locals win and never see their beers. Don't like the lottery? Then join the Secret Barrel Society, Upland says. (No matter all the fancy math and club perks you throw at me the SBS is not a good deal.)... or wait for the bottle clean-up. Bitching aside Upland's sours are in high demand whether they're getting traded, consumed locally, or being used as a cleaning solution. 

I don't bother with the Upland sours anymore for 2 reasons: Price and drinkability (looking at you lambics). $25-30 is an expensive beer to take on alone, especially when it's going to rot your teeth and stomach lining. Take it to a share you say? Sure and I'm privileged to be apart of an awesome share group, but we have stretches where we don't meet and occasionally it's nice to drink something special on your own (stop waiting for that special moment). Also, not everyone has "those people" they share beer with. I started to wonder what would get me to enter the Upland lotteries again, and not surprisingly it's a lower price and higher drinkability. I don't expect either of those things to happen, so the next best thing I could come up with is format size. 

Upland put your sours in smaller bottles. The 375ml or 500ml format is calling your name Upland... and for that matter anyone doing big alcoholic beers in large formats. 

This solves a lot of issues in my opinion; price drops and there's less beer to deal with in a serving. In theory, breweries are going to brew the same amount of beer regardless of package format, so that means more bottles (or cans) to go around... Maybe twice as much. More lottery winners, more bottles at clean-up. Price per oz would likely go up a bit, because of the increased material and labor costs, but I doubt enough to cause people to even blink. 

Several breweries have done just fine offering special beers in smaller formats: Sun King, Russian River, Crooked Stave, Prairie, and countless Belgian breweries to name a few. Prairie and Jolly Pumpkin have recently gone from large format bottles to more palatable 375ml and 500ml bottles, and Upland, yes Upland, has put Teddy Bear Kisses in 12oz 4-packs. So Upland has already made the switch a bit, why not keep following that trend?