Hoppy next visited Barker Brewhouse. They opened their doors in March 2023. They have a family friendly and dog friendly taproom, and their onsite dog and mascot is named Leo. At the time of Hoppy’s visit, they had a limited supply of their beers on draft. These were a Sunny Deez New England IPA, a Soulless Red AleAmerican Amber, and a Barker Black Kolsch.
Hoppy enjoyed the Sunny Deez, described as a juicy banger double dry hopped with El Dorado and Motueka hops and bursting with tropical fruit flavors, delivering a smooth, boldly original experience. 6.2% ABV, 30 IBU.
Pictures from the visit follow:
ExteriorExteriorBarTaps/Draft ListBarker Brewhouse Beers on DraftTaproomTaproomLogoDecorMerchandise/Mug Club MugsSignage
Hoppy’s third stop in Evansville was at Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery. It is the first continuously operating brewery in the city, having opened in 1996. For an interesting history on Turoni’s, whose original location opened in 1963, click here.
While at the Main Street location, Hoppy quaffed a Blue Eyed Bulldog English IPA. This was their original IPA and is described as harnessing the aromatic, savory and bothering qualities of the mighty American Cascade hop, the Blur Eyed Bulldog English India Pale Ale offers a smooth, malty backbone accompanied by the citrus, west-coast flavor of Cascadia. 5.9%ABV, 59.8 IBU.
FlyHartigan’s Brewing was Hoppy’s next stop. He actually visited Patsy Hartigan’s Irish Pub which is around the corner from their production brewery and has their beers on tap. They began pouring their first brews on January 30th of this year.
While there, Hoppy quaffed an Anne Boleyn’s Revenge English Double IPA – It is described as a special offering brewed with a hefty, complex malt bill and handfuls of traditional Kent Golding hops. 7.4% ABV, 82.1 IBU.
Pictures from the visit follow:
EntranceExteriorBarBack BarDraft ListAnne Boleyn’s RevengeDining AreaAutographed Menu on DisplayRestroom Signage. I’ve always wondered,are you supposed to pick out the excrement and throw it in the trash receptacle!
Hoppy’s next visit was at Saugatuck Brewing, which is actually located in Douglas, MI. They opened in June 2005 as a small, intimate, start-up brewery, just across the street from our current location, utilizing only a small 3.5-barrel Brew System which is now used for their “Brew On Premise” program. They moved into their current location in 2008, and they currently operate on a 45-barrel Brew System with 960 barrels of fermentation space and the ability to age over 400 wood barrels at one time. They expanded to Kalamazoo, MI in 2019, and acquired Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids, MI in 2021. They now distribute in thirteen states which includes Indiana.
During his visit Hoppy imbibed a Rainbow Rodeo American IPA. It is described as an easy drinking ale supporting Michigan Habitat Restoration with citrus, piney and tropical notes. 7% ABV.
Pictures from his visit follow:
ExteriorTaproomTaproomBarBack BarTapsRainbow RodeoYou Can Brew Your OwnOrignal Brew SystemBarrel Room Event SpaceMerchandise
Hoppy attended Peach Week at Creatures of Habit Brewing (COH) yesterday evening. It’s the fifth year for the annual event. The taproom features three COH peach brews as well as a Caramel Pecan Porter. They are also serving peach wine slushies and two guest taps of peach ciders, as well as non-alcoholic peach slushies for the kids! As a brunch offering, they will have Peach Bellini Mimosas.
While there Hoppy enjoyed sampling the following peach-centric brews from COH:
Cloudburst: Peach New England IPA described as bursting with peach. 5.3% ABV.
Orchard Oasis: Peach Sour – Described as a sour base conditioned on peach and vanilla soft serve ice cream. (lactose free) 5.2% ABV.
He also imbibed a couple pints of their Peach Seltzer (gluten free) 5% ABV.
The COH taproom current draft list, provided by Untappd, can be found here.
If you love peaches, you won’t want to miss this event! It continues through Sunday, July 13th. Check the beerblogIN calendar for hours.
Yesterday Hoppy attended the Upland Brewing Brew Lab Tapping Party at their brewery/taproom in the Fountain Square area. While there he enjoyed the brews, his burger, and the music provided by Cole Scott.
He sampled the following Brew Lab Brews:
Pilot Batch #001: Italian Pilsner – Described as a crisp, clen pilsner dry-hopped with German Hallertau hops lending a delicate, floral/herbal, noble hop character to the nose, backed subtly with a touch of citrus. 4.7% ABV.
Pilot Batch #002: Pineapple Prickly Pear Wheat – Described as having a pretty pop of pink, pineapple and strawberry-like aromas from the prickly pear, this fruited wheat is easy-drinking with a tart and refreshing finish. 5.9% ABV.
Pilot Batch #003: 1318 Hazy IPA – Described as citrus dominating the nose with backing sweetfruit and hints of mixed berry. Lightly bitter with a crisp finish, inviting another sip. 6.8% ABV.
Pilot Batch 004: Superbloom Hazy IPA – Described as having an explosive medley of tropical fruits and floral aromas with a backing of dankness. Soft bitterness that gives way to a sweet, fruity finish. 6.6% ABV.
Hoppy also imbibed a Hopsynth – Described as a lighter, hoppier sour ale, having a distinct flavor profile of fresh hops melded with tartness. Hugh wafts of piney, tropical and citrus hop aromas come from the glass. Polite lactic acid tartness compliments the grassy and grapefruit hop flavors. It finishes dry with lingering hop flavors. 5.7% ABV, 10 IBU.
