Get Ready to Dig IN

If you haven't heard of Dig IN, it might be because it isn't a brew festival, its a food festival. There are tons of chefs from great restaurants out in force, bringing some of their best bites to us. The festivities take place Sunday, August 25th from noon-five. Tickets are still on sale at the above link.

On top of everything else there are sixteen breweries from around the Indianapolis area. Expect to see Barley Island, Bier, Black Swan, Bloomington Brewing Co, Broadripple Brewpub, Brugge, Cutters, Daredevil, Flat 12, Fountain Square, Sun King, Three Pints, Three Wisemen, Tin Man, Triton and Upland.

For those of you who are foodies, expect to see Chef JJ, who I just visited earlier this summer. We have also checked out the Local Eatery and Pub.

O-Dawg is volenteering and the Little Lady and I will be checking out their VIP experience. Look for write ups next week, or better yet, just plan on coming out to check out the fun with us on Sunday.

Can't Dutch This... well actually you can.

An ode to Thr3e Wise Men's Can't Dutch This Belgian Style Belgian Strong Ale. On a stout, whether dry or otherwise I enjoy the head, the foam, flavor of it all. On a Belgian, I think it's the equivalent of meringue on a coconut creme pie; an absolute waste. On this particular beer it is a barrier one must suffer through to arrive in paradise. While the effort may be worth it, I just wish there was another route or at least a better pour. As I've less than subtly hinted at the the newest seasonal from Scott Wise's crew at Thr3e Wise Men's brewing in Broad Ripple is absolutely delicious. The start is smooth and even a bit sweet then transitions into the classic and spicy notes of a traditional Belgian and finishes with a champagne crispness that is surprising as it is delicious. I say all of this without being much of a Belgian fan. There's a particular brew just down the road from here that has some mighty fine Belgians and in a blind taste test I might confuse this brew as one of theirs; a compliment to both establishments.

Ok, now the facts: ABV: 8.1%, IBU: 20. It's golden and is a bit clearer than a lot of similar brews in this category.

The Scene: AMBERgeddon!!!

AMBERgeddon!!!

Winners!

1st:  the RAM - "Buttface Amber"

2nd: Half Moon - Nameless entry

My Favorites of the Event

Flat 12 [who doesn't love a little Joe in their Beer?!]

3Wisemen [This shocked me... Seriously!]  

Shameless I know... Go to their website! 

TheBigGuys card.  

He was looking off of the Professor!

And I got Photo bombed... 

 "Welcome to Mid-EVIL TIMES!"

 That's Right... TheBigGuy wants a slice too or 

did he already eat the other half of the pizza AND Spice Box?!

The Professor with a Chewbacca from 

Der Pretzel Wagon!  Get the Vader TOO! 

"Gggggggggrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrlllllll!!!"

Shots are on me! 

Featuring the elusive photo guy, O-Dawg!

I finally know what Michelle was talking about all those years ago...  

JOE!  Being bitter... as usual...   

The Crew! Plus 2 minus 1! 

Swag! 

I dub him SIR Noodle... 

The boy can double pour with the best of em! 

SHEEEp! 

MOOOO! 

Ducks go Quack! 

The molecular structure of this fluid seems to be too volatile to... nope its beer.

Der Pretzel Wagon! 

People!  Not the Brewery... /sadface 

"Which should I vote for?" 

BEER! 

1st:  the RAM - "Buttface Amber"

Oktoberfest - Thr3e Wisemen

Thr3e Wisemen made one hell of a Oktoberfest. Sadly, I take a shitty picture when I have been drinking. My bad.

This beer came out with a nice golden brown color, darker than a lot of Oktobefests I've had this season, and a snow white head that stuck around throughout the entire pint.

This Oktoberfest was maltier than most Oktoberfests I've had this year. It had a great caramel malty flavor in the body of it with some nice fall spices. The spices were accented by the hops which gave it a robust all around good taste. With all the maltiness, I was impressed that they were able to keep the sweetness more subdued. This helped keep it from just becoming a sweet beer with nothing else. There was a great sweetness upfront with a really crisp dry backbone. I could drink this all night, in fact...

I had a couple of pitchers, and the last pint was going down just as smoothly as the first.

I give this Oktobefest a 4.

Centennial Martyr Double IPA

So I don't hide the fact that IPAs are not my favorite beers. I prefer something sweet and maltier, but in the summer I am happy to go a little hoppy on a hot day.

Thr3e Wisemen does a great job with beer and food. I was out with some of my boys getting ready to head into Broadripple for a night of heavy drinking. There is nothing better than good beer and pizza to prepare you for a night of domestic lite beer and shots of Godknowswhat.

Thr3e Wisemen's Centennial Martyr Double IPA is great. When it comes to you at the bar it has a nice dark yellow brown color with a half inch of head. It was a nice solid dark color for an IPA. That always bodes well for me, because normally it indicates that I am going to get some sweetness with my hops.

This double did not disappoint. It had a floral scent with a hoppy flavor right up front. As it drinks the maltiness comes out and counter acts the bitterness. There is a honey finish that added to the overall complexity of the beer.

All in, it has a very light feel which is great for a summer day.

I give it a 3 1/2