Beer Festivals

Hoppy attended the Indiana Brewers Guild Winterfest on Saturday. It was a chance to sample over 200 beers from 75+ Indiana breweries!

Some of the beers sampled by Hoppy were as follows:

Deviate Brewing Hop Supremacy DDH Hazy IPA – This is brewed with Citra and Mosaic Cryo hops. 6.5% ABV.

Moontown Brewing Temple of Dank Hazy DIPA – Made with a pilsner malt base along with unmalted wheat, rolled and malted oats. It is whirlpooled with Idaho 7 and /Citra hops and dry-hopped with a substantial amount of Nectaron and another hit of Citra. It is described as drinking very smooth and creamy with a refreshing finish, full of citrus and tropical notes along with a hint of dank, it has a tame body that lends to even greater drinkability. 8% ABV.

Metazoa Brewing Wicked Pawesome Hazy IPA – Described as an experimental Hazy IPA that leans on additions of Loral and El Dorado hops to give a tropical fruit and slightly floral flavor to this medium full-bodied IPA. 6.3% ABV, 25 IBU.

Taxman Brewing DIPA: Idaho Gem + Cryo-Pop – Described as two hops working in harmony to create a balanced hop-forward experience. The Pacific Northwest duo of Idaho Gem and Cryo-Pop hops contribute vibrant notes of sweet berry meshed with tropical fruits and citrus, all backed by zesty pine, spice and hazy saison yeast. It is a flavorful farmhouse double IPA! 8% ABV, 70 IBU.

Broad Ripple Brewpub Lavender Lawnmower Firkin Pale Ale

Moontown Brewing Firkin Oaked Lager

Sun King Brewery Afternoon Delight Bourbon Barrel-Aged Doppelbock – Described as having aromas of brown sugar and molasses accentuated with the sweet flavors of vanilla and wood from the bourbon barrels. 11.1% ABV, 23 IBU.

Pax Verum Brewing Reptilia West Coast IPA – Described as like reptiles traversing the ancient journey, it weaves through the world on fire, mastering the subtleties of evolution and the art of standing out. 6.7% ABV, 75 IBU.

ZwanzigZ Brewing 7 Mary 3 & 4 West Coast Hazy IPA – Brewed with “ChiPs.” 6.4% ABV, 64 IBU

Creatures of Habit Brewing Remo’s Revenge Bourbon Barrel-Aged Russian Imperial Stout – Described as aged on Bourbon Oak to develop rich flavors from the caramel and roasted malts with notes of honey, chocolate and coffee. The high alcohol gives way to a complex and balanced finish. 10.5% ABV.

King Jugg Brewing Earl of Citra SMASH American IPA – This is a single hop and single malt (SMASH) beer brewed with Citra hops. 6% ABV, 65 IBU.

Northbrook Brewing Leon Spruce IPA – Described as a bold and aromatic IPA infused with fresh spruce tips for a unique piney character. The earthy resinous notes are balanced by a touch of citrusy hop bitterness, delivering a crisp and refreshing finish. Perfect for adventurous palates seeking a taste of the forest. 5.5% ABV, 85 IBU.

Hoppy also sampled a Three Floyds Premium Cocktail Tequila Splash Paloma – Made with Tequila, Grapefruit Liqueur, Lime and Grapefruit Juices, and Sparkling Water. 9% ABV.

Pictures from the event follow:

Hoppy attended the BIG RED BUS BREW OCTOBER FEST in Myrtle Beach. Transportation was provided to four Myrtle Beach breweries via an English double-decker bus that had the top removed in order to create an open-aired upstairs. The event takes place every Friday in October.

The tour began at VOODOO BREWING. They opened their doors in May of this year, and they are a veteran owned franchise. Here Hoppy drank a Good Vibes West Coast IPA. It is described as being hopped five times in the kettle and double dry hopped to produce bodacious dank fruit notes using gnarly amounts of Galaxy, Amarillo, Mosaic and Apollo hops. 7.3% ABV, 85 IBU.

The next three breweries on the tour had been visited by Hoppy previously, and more information about them can be found on this website.

The second brewery on the tour was NEW SOUTH BREWING. Here Hoppy imbibed the following:

Dirty Myrtle Double IPA – Described as packed ridiculously full of Mosaic, Simcoe and Falconers Flight hops. 8.9% ABV.

Bourbon Barrel-Aged Big Wooly Mammoth Imperial Stout 2023 – Blantons – Aged in Blantons Bourbon barrels for one year. 10.5% ABV, 65 IBU.

The next visit was at TIDAL CREEK BREWHOUSE. Here, Hoppy drank a Coastlines West Coast IPA described as a modern take on a west coast style IPA, with a citrus forward hop aroma accented with notes of pineapple and evergreen, carried along by a light but sturdy malt backbone to deliver a clean, hoppy bitter finish. 6.5% ABV, 60 IBU.

There is a lack of photos from this location as this is where Hoppy ate his dinner.

The last visit on the fest was at GRAND STRAND BREWING. During this visit Hoppy quaffed a Sandy Cheeks West Coast IPA described as a classic West Coast style IPA with a bit of a modern twist using modern hops. Citrus aroma from the hops and a solid malt backbone help round out the IPA. 6.9% ABV.

Hoppy attended the 4th Annual Tipton On Tap Craft Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest last Saturday. While there, he enjoyed sampling the following ales:

Sinister Goat Brewing Reign In Blood New England Blood Orange IPA – 7.8% ABV.

Northbrook Brewing West Coast IPA – 7% ABV, 90 IBU.

Lost Hollow Beer Cheeky Scouser EPA – Described as having a caramel and malt sweetness with a hoppy aroma and finish. 5% ABV, 40 IBU.

Elm Street Brewing Citranot American IPA – Described as featuring loads of Citra, Citra Cryo and Ekuanot hops! Loads of oats round out the mouthfeel. 6.8% ABV, 52 IBU.

Triton Brewing Rail Splitter American IPA – Their flagship beer, and a true example of the style, it is a fresh golden brew with noticeable citrus and floral aromas balanced on a nice malty backbone with a dry finish. 7% ABV, 70 IBU.

Primeval Brewing French Kiss French Farmhouse Ale – Described as an amber colored ale with rich toasty, caramel malt flavors. The traditional French artisanal yeast strain produces a dry, spicy and floral finish. It was stored cold for three months to achieve the smooth character of this very unique beer! 7.7% ABV, 28 IBU.

Big Lug Brewing Topanga Pale Ale – Described as a citrus pale ale that’s crisp and refreshing with a nice hoppy finish. 6.2% ABV, 40 IBU.

Pax Verum Stray Thoughts New England IPA – A New England IPA series which revolves around elements of harmony within the disorder.

Photos from the event follow:

Hoppy attended the Rock the Junction Festival last Saturday at Grand Junction Brewing. While there he sampled a number of beers from various Indiana breweries. These included the following:

Grand Junction Brewing – One with Nature IPA – Described as a malt forward Midwest IPA with notes of grapefruit peel, tangerine, and hints of pine that greet your nose as you sip, giving way to an assertive yet balanced bitterness with a light caramel finish. It will leave you daydreaming about becoming one with nature. 6.3% ABV, 75 IBU.

Taxman Brewing – Exemption Belgian Tripel – Described as an abbey-style tripel. This crisp golden ale unites lemon peel, orange peel and coriander spices with flavorful Belgian esters. White wheat, flaked oat and artisan malts contribute a round, balanced body, complemented by golden candi sugar. 8.5% ABV, 30 IBU.

Crasian Brewing Rickshaw Rye’d Rye IPA – Described as a beautifully balanced Rye IPA hopped with Mosaic hops. 5.7% ABV, 64 IBU.

Terre Haute Brewing – Wango Tango IPA – They state, from John Mellencamp to Axl Rose, it’s pretty clear that Indiana rocks! Wango Tango is a luscious India Pale Ale brewed with Apollo and Citra hops. This beer brings a soft and smooth body, amplified notes of citrus, and a tangy tangerine finish that is out of this world. Rock on with a Wango! 7.5% ABV, 23 IBU.

Science Project Brewing – Hop Rocket IPA – Hop Rocket is inspired by the first ever logo idea of Science Project. It now has a mural on the front of their building, its own shirt, and its own glass. Brewed using Brewers 2 Row malt and Pilsen Malt with a splash of Carapils. Bravo hops are used for the initial bittering charge and Citra and Mosaic hops are used throughout including a large dry hop. 6.3% ABV, 63 IBU.

Metal Works Brewing – American IPA – Described as a crisp and dry hop forward American IPA with a balance of malt and bitterness. 6.4% ABV, 62 IBU.

Bad Dad Brewing – Kiss the Cook Double IPA – This light bodied beer boasts a tropical bouquet with mild bitterness. The flavor lingers slightly, but dissipates enough to warrant another sip. 8.8% ABV.

Field Brewing – Reunion Citrus IPA – A refreshing IPA brewed with real tangerine and grapefruit, while moderately dry hopped with Ahtanum and Cascade hops. 6.3% ABV, 64IBU.

Black Dog Brewing – Good Vibrations Witbier – Belgian style witbier brewed with sweet orange peel, coriander, and chamomile. Easy citrus and bright flavors accompanied by a medium body and spritzy carbonation. 5.3% ABV, 12 IBU.

Creatures of Habit Brewing – R2C2 American IPA – A malty IPA that brings balance to the hop force. 6.6% ABV, 58 IBU.

Teays River Brewing – Trauma Llama Ding Dong Hazy IPA – This features big pineapple and melon hop notes while delivering low bitterness and a fluffy mouthfeel. 6.3% ABV, 16 IBU.

Pax Verum Brewing – Lythronax Double Oatmeal Stout Tinker Coffee + Vanilla Variant – Hailing from the depths with an unapologetic spirit, this heavy textured oatmeal stout series is bathed in the absence of light and emboldened with ferocious flavors. BREWED WITH TINKER COFFEE COMPANY’S ARK BLEND AND TATITIAN VANILLA BEANS. 8% ABV, 56 IBU.

Fontana Farms Brewing – Propagation New England IPA -Full bodied Hazy IPA featuring Citra, El Dorado, and Amarillo hops. 6.4% ABV, 43 IBU.

Guggman Haus Brewing – Clouds of Citra DDH Double New England IPA – Brewed with heaps of Citra and Cryo-Citra hops to create a beautifully bold citrus profile, this double hazy IPA stands out for its extremely smooth and balanced mouthfeel along with bright, refreshing notes of citrus in every sip. 8.7% ABV.

Pictures from the festival follow:

FRIGID DIGITS WINTER BEER FEST – CENTERPOINT BREWING – INDIANAPOLIS

Hoppy attended the 7th annual Frigid Digits Winter Beer Fest yesterday at Centerpoint Brewing. It was his second time attending the event and his first within a few years. The event featured unlimited samples from thirty plus Indiana craft breweries and distilleries.

Pictures from the beer fest follow:

PROJEKT BAYERN OKTOBERFEST – WENATCHEE, WA

The day following his visit to the Leavenworth Oktoberfest, Hoppy attended the Projekt Bayern Oktoberfest in Wenatchee. Projekt Bayern founded the original Leavenworth Oktoberfest in 1998 and operated it until 2019, making it one of the best and most authentic Oktoberfest celebrations in the entire country. Projekt Bayern’s traditional Oktoberfest celebration is now located in the beautiful city of Wenatchee at the Town Toyota Center.

While at this Oktoberfest Hoppy enjoyed imbibing Hofbrau Oktoberfestbier. It is brewed by Staatliches Hofbrauhaus Munchen, in Munich, Bayern Germany. It is described as a rich, full-bodied beer which goes down ideally with traditional Bavarian cuisine. With its deliciously bitter taste and clean, crisp edge, it is a vital part of the Oktoberfest experience. It is 6.3% ABV, 23 IBU.

Pictures from the Oktoberfest follow: