Sure, almost every precinct of the country touts its own brews these days, but there’s something about the Midwest that makes the melding of hops, malts and water singular. Milwaukee’s got the magic touch – so too does Indianapolis.
Here are a few of Visit Indy’s sudsy suggestions as to where you can slake that thirst:
- Sun King Brewing Co. is a local affair, and its products are wondrous. The Velvet Fog is a must-try. The folks at the 2012 Brewers Association World Beer Cup partook and awarded the Belgian-style dark strong ale a gold medal.
- Broad Ripple Brewpub lays claim to being the oldest brewpub still operating in Indiana. The motif is Old English – dark woods, tin ceilings and such. Broad Ripple has won its share of kudos from folks who know what it takes to make great beer. Its IPA is especially good.
- Oaken Barrel is another good option for aficionados of Indy ale. It specializes in gourmet ales and lagers. Belgian Wheat Alabaster is a local favorite. It’s got a sublimely smooth finish. The brwery employs a 15-barrel set-up to brew its standard fare and specialty beers.
- Bier Brewery and Taproom ranks among Indianapolis’ newest breweries. They craft the product in very small batches. That way they can serve up an array of rotating offerings. If you’re in search of the best the place has to offer you can’t do better than Bier’s Belgian Dubbel. It won a silver medal at the 2012 World Beer Cup Competition.
- Fountain Square Brewing Company has a lot going for it. Besides bodacious beer, its location is lovely. As the name implies, you’ll find it in the Fountain Square Cultural District. This renders it a meeting place for the city’s artistic community.
(Image: Fountain Square)
