Beer Bars, Taverns & Restaurants

UNION BREWING COMPANY UPDATE – CARMEL

As you are probably aware, Union Brewing Co. stopped brewing their beer sometime in 2022, prior to moving to their new location on Gradle Drive, which opened in January 2023. Thay have been operating as a craft beer bar, since that time, with an emphasis on beers from Short’s Brewing out of Bellaire, Michigan. It was originally thought that Short’s was going to contract brew Union Brewing’s beers, but that never came to fruition.

The brewery was sold a few months ago, and the good news is that the new ownership has plans to begin brewing again prior to the end of the year. It appears that their beer could be contract brewed by Centerpoint Brewing in Indianapolis.

Hoppy visited Union Brewing last weekend where he met the new owner.

While there, he quaffed a Blueberry Boyfriend Sour Ale from Prairie Artisan Ales – It is brewed with blueberries and lemon zest and it clocks in at 5.4% ABV.

Pictures from the visit follow:

Signage
Digital Draft List
Prairie Artisan Ales Blueberry Boyfriend
New Owner of Union Brewing Co. – Travis

THE DISTRICT TAP NORTHSIDE – INDIANAPOLIS

Last evening Hoppy visited The District Tap northside location in Indianapolis. Their slogan is, “Craft beer on tap and damn good food.” They are also a sports bar and a live music venue. There were 63 items on draft during the visit.

While there, Hoppy drank a Big Lug Brewing Big Tree Reserve Cold IPA – Described as having been put in their store picked High West Bourbon barrel. This lagered IPA took on notes of oak, smoke, and vanilla and added to the silkiness already abundant in Mr. Big Tree. 7% ABV, 80 IBU.

Pictures from the visit follow:

Exterior
Restaurant Seating
Seating
Seating
Seating/Decor
Video Wall
Bar
Bar
Bar
Tap Selection
Taps Selection 2
Tap Selection 3
Tap Selection 4
Brewery Board
Big Tree Reserve Cold IPA

THE TAP – INDIANAPOLIS

Hoppy visited The Tap Beer Bar in downtown Indianapolis last Saturday. They boast having 200+ craft beers including up to seventy on draft. That would include up to twenty of their own beers, brewed in Bloomington, and up to 50 guest tap brews.

Hoppy indulged in brunch during his visit, while also quaffing The Tap Bionic Dragon American IPA. It is described as being packed with Waimea and Mosaic hops giving a tropical, citrus and floral aroma and flavor with an assertive bitterness. 6.8% ABV, 68 IBU/

Pictures from his visit follow:

The Bar
Entrance
Outdoor Seating
Taproom
Side Room with Additional Bar
Back Room
The Tap Draft Board
Guest Beers Draft Board
Taps
Bionic Dragon
Wall Decor

THE ABANDONED STATION – INDIANAPOLIS

Hoppy recently visited a few taprooms of, or representing, breweries. The first of these was The Abandoned Station. This is a craft beer bar and arcade serving primarily as an outpost for Narrow Gauge Brewing out of Florissant, MO. They serve from 12-18 beers on draft most of which are from Narrow Gauge.

They opened early last year in the space formerly occupied by the A Taproom.

While there, Hoppy enjoyed the following brews:

An Emperor Fallen Flag Triple New England IPA – Described as their King Fallen Flag on steroids. It is double dry hopped with Citra and Mosaic hops. 10% ABV, 70 IBU.

An OJ Run Hazy Imperial IPA – Dry hopped with Citra, Galaxy and Amarillo hops. 8.6% ABV, 70 IBU.

Pictures follow:

Exterior
Taps
Draft List
OJ Run
Merchandise
Hoppy Amongst The Crowd

SUN KING WINTER WARMER AT FLATWATER RESTAURANT – INDIANAPOLIS

SUN KING WINTER WARMER AT FLATWATER RESTAURANT – INDIANAPOLIS

Hoppy attended the Sun King Winter Warmer at Flatwater Restaurant in the Broad Ripple area on Thursday evening. This is an annual event hosted by Flatwater. Many of those in attendance were members of the Indy Beer Group on Meetup.com.

While there, Hoppy sipped on three barrel-aged beers from Sun King. These were as follows:

Chocolate Whiskey Barrel-Aged Scout Badge – A Barrel-Aged Cookie Porter amped up through the use of specialty chocolate whiskey barrel-aging. 8.5% ABV, 10 IBU.

Diddy Muckle – A Bourbon Barrel-Aged Scotch Ale with hints of toffee, molasses, caramel apple, brown sugar, vanilla and oak. ABV 12.9%, IBU 23.

Red Velvet Cake – A Bourbon Barrel-Aged Belgian-Style Dubbel aged in Bourbon Barrels with chocolate. 13.1% ABV, 20 IBU.

The following are pictures from the event:

Poster
Exterior
Bar
Bar
Bar
Deck
Winter Warmer Draft List
Chocolate Whiskey Barrel-Aged Scout Badge

A TAPROOM – INDIANAPOLIS

A TAPROOM – INDIANAPOLIS

Hoppy was sorry to learn that A Taproom in Indianapolis will be closing soon (no later than January 7th, 2024). If you can, get out there and show support by visiting them prior to their impending closure! Hoppy visited them earlier today and sipped on the following brews:

More Brewing Barrel-Aged Henna: Birthday (2022) – An Imperial Stout from a brewery in Huntley, IL. Made with Coconut, Pecans, Vanilla and Cocoa Nibs. 15% ABV.

Windmill Brewing Pecan Panana Bancakes – A Double Pastry Stout from Dyer. Described as a big pastry boi brewed with loads of banana puree, Vermont maple syrup, and a ton of cinnamon pecans from our friends at Miller and Company German Roasted Nuts. 13.5% ABV

Heavy Reel Brewing Pacific Swell – A West Coast Triple IPA brewed in Seaside Heights, NJ. 8% ABV.

Pictures from the visit follow:

Exterior
Taproom
Back Bar
Tap Handles
Draft List
Barrel-Aged Henna: Birthday (2022) Pecan Panana Bancakes
Pacific Swell
Merchandise

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