Hoppy paid his first visit to the Herrmann Brewthers Bierwerks and met the brewthers yesterday. They opened their facility in October of 2023 after having brewed as a home or nomadic brewery since 2017. Hoppy had enjoyed their ales at beer festivals previously.
While there he quaffed a Carbonite, an IPA with a 7.25% ABV.
Central Indiana may not only have been the best place to view the Total Eclipse of the Sun on April 8th, but also to imbibe special beers that were released to celebrate this historic once in a lifetime event! Hoppy was fortunate enough to not only see the event, but also to quaff some of the excellent beers developed just for this occasion. This would include two limited edition beers developed by Sun King and Upland Breweries as part of the Simons Foundation In the Path of Totality initiative. These were:
Sun King – In the Path of Totality – A Blonde/Golden Ale infused with locally roasted coffee from SunBean Roasters. It is 5.3% ABV, 20 IBU.
Upland – Don’t Stare Into the Sun – An American IPA brewed exclusively with Eclipse hops, a new variety from Australia, described as a truly dazzling spectacle of the blindingly intense flavors of Mandarin orange, pineapple, and peach with a firm but balanced bitterness. Only available on draft. 7.3% ABV.
More information on the Simons Foundation In the Path of Totality brews can be found here.
Not to be outdone, Taxman Brewing released two beers in honor of the eclipse. Hoppy was also able to partake of these. Their description follows:
Totality – A limited release Imperial IPA brewed with the out-of-this-world combination of Galaxy and Comet hops. This hazy ale features juicy notes of grapefruit, tangerine and passion fruit. 8% ABV, 65 IBU.
In the Black – A special blend of their bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout, Deadline, blended with their award winning Belgian-style quadrupel, Qualified, creating a complex and robust dark ale almost as stunning as the eclipse itself. A touch of vanilla is added to further embolden the deep stone fruit and toasted notes. 11.2% ABV, 40 IBU.
During his eclipse adventures, Hoppy was able to obtain a few souvenirs, a 4 pack of In the Path of Totality and a t-shirt commemorating the event from Sun King and a Silipint glass from Upland.
Images follow:
Sun King- In the Path of TotalityUpland – Don’t Stare Into the SunTaxman – TotalityTaxman – In the BlackT-shirt Image
Upland Glow in the Dark Silipint Glass
Hoppy was lucky enough to have seen this once in lifetime event, the total solar eclipse, twice! He was also able to see one on August 21, 2017, at the Salem-Keizer Volcanoes’ Stadium in Oregon at a baseball game which was delayed for a 58-minute period, after its start, so that attendees and players could view the eclipse. Hoppy was especially happy because the Volcanoes lost the game 9-5 to some of his relatives with the Hillsboro Hops! A good description of the day can be found here.
Hoppy attended the grand opening of Bier Brewery in Noblesville yesterday. The 6,000 square foot taproom is located on 4 acres of property. The site includes a dog park, children’s playground, covered outdoor seating, a private room, and a large outdoor biergarten with bike access to the Allisonville Road Trail.
While there, Hoppy quaffed his go-to ale from Bier, a Wizard Tears. It is a DDH West Coast IPA described as brewed deep in a black kettle by a gathering of elder wizards. They churn and churn until tears of magical wisdom drop their hex weathered eyes to complete this spell binding serum. It clocks in at 6.7% ABV, 88 IBU.
Line at Grand OpeningEnranceEntry AreaFood MenuBier Taps & Draft BoardTaproomTaproomTaproomPrivate RoomMug Club SignupAs the Sign SaysBiergartenBiergarten/Outdoor Seating/BiergartenCovered Outdoor SeatingBiergarten/Children’s PlaygroundChildren’s PlaygroundDog ParkDog ParkDecorDecorLogo Signage
Hoppy’s next visit was to Hi-Wire Brewing in Asheville, NC. where he visited their original brewery which opened in 2013 in the South Slope area of Asheville. It currently is used for sour and wild ales, one-off small batch beers, and taproom exclusives. This is also home to their Tiki Easy Bar. They have taproom locations in five other states, and their beer is distributed in Indiana.
While there, Hoppy quaffed a Double Hi-Pitch IPA. It is described as an extra-large version of their flagship Hi-Pitch IPA seriously hopped with classic West Coast hops resulting in some eye-opening dank and citrusy aromas. Distinctive melon and grapefruit flavors balance out the malt in this dangerously drinkable IPA. 9% ABV, 65 IBU.
Pictures from the visit follow:
Hi-Wire Brewing South SlopeBreweryBreweryBarrel-AgingBarTaproomTaproomTaproomDraft Board & TapsDouble Hi-Pitch IPAStickers on CoolerNeon for Private Room
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.
Hoppy next visited Wooden Bear Brewing in Greenfield. It opened its doors in 2014 and is located in the former Gant Opera House, which opened in 1895, next door to Greenfield’s first firehouse. As you might expect, there are a number of carved wooden bears at their location.
Wooden Bear offers food from Greek’s Pizzeria.
During his visit, Hoppy enjoyed a Dancing Bears Double IPA described as being dry hopped. It clocked in at 8.8% ABV, 90 IBU.
