Last week Hoppy visited some breweries in Evansville. His first stop was the Damsel Brew Pub. It opened as Maidens Brewery and Pub in June 2018 and changed their name in November 2019 at the request of British heavy metal legends IRON MAIDEN.
Since its beginning, their beers have been named using women’s names to entice patrons to order a beer based on its name.
They are a family-friendly brewery and restaurant.
While there, Hoppy quaffed a Sheila Imperial IPA which they state is the most demonic creation that they have ever produced. It is hopped and hopped again with Simcoe, Citra, Cascade, Azacca and Comet hops. Described as having flavors of dank pine, tropical fruit and citrus, with a hint caramel sweetness. 8.9% ABV, 130 IBU.
Pictures from the visit follow:
Exterior from Parking LotBar AreaBarTapsDraft BoardHoppy Devoured SheilaSignageSticker Wall. On Next Visit Look For Hoppy!
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 the Great Lakes Beer Festival on August 16th. While there, he had an enjoyable time and sampled a number of beers. This fest was in a great location at the beautiful Dow Diamond Stadium. This allowed for indoor restrooms and an upstairs air-conditioned VIP area, where a tasty buffet meal was served. The delightful music was provided by Alex McMath Music, Fröhliche Musiker Blasorchester and Air Margaritaville and was perfect for a beer fest! They also had on-field activities such as corn hole and fowling. And what beer festival has a mascot? This one did! It was energetic, engaged and added to the festivities.
Given all of these positives, there were still areas where improvements could be made. Tastings were poured into plastic cups instead of the sample glassware preferred by Hoppy. (The sample-sized glass can also serve as a souvenir.) Also, Hoppy found only one brewery pouring their draft beer – Maple Grille Microbrewery. All the other beers were poured from cans by festival volunteers. I believe that the most important thing missing was the ability to interact with the different brewery representatives as they poured their fresh draft beer!
This is the list of beverage providers at the event:
Altes Beer – Detroit
Athletic Brewing Co (NA) – Milford, CT
Atwater Brewing – Detroit
B Nektar Meadery – Ferndale
Bell’s Brewery – Kalamazoo
Bier Distillery – Comstock Park
Biere De Mac Brew Works – Mackinaw City
Big Lake Brewing – Holland
Blackrocks Brewery – Marquette
Blakes Hard Cider – Armada
Brew Detroit – Detroit
Brew Dog Brewery – Cleveland, OH
Brewery Vivant – Grand Rapids
byGeorge Brewery – Munising
Carbliss – Sheboygan, WI
Cheboygan Brewing Co – Cheboygan
Cider Boys Hard Cider Co – Stevens Point, WI
Dark Horse Brewing Co – Marshall
Dragonmead Brewery – Warren
Founders Brewing Company – Grand Rapids
Frankenmuth Brewery – Frankenmuth
FUL Beverage – Detroit
Grand Armory Brewery – Grand Haven
GrandTraverse Distillery – Traverse City
Great Lakes Brewing Co – Cleveland, OH
Griffin Claw Brewery – Birmingham
Keweenaw Brewing Co – Houghton
Kickstand Brewing – Commerce Twp
Loggers Brewing – Saginaw
Long Road Distillers – Grand Rapids
Ludington Bay Brewing Co – Ludington
Maple Grille Microbrewery – Hemlock
Mass Bay – Boston, MA
Middlecoast Brewing – Traverse City
Midland Brewing – Midland
Motor City Brewing Works – Detroit
Mountain Town Brewing – Mt. Pleasant
New Belgium Brewing Company – Asheville, NC
New Holland Brewing – Holland
North Peak Brewing Co – Traverse City
Odd Brothers Cider – Homer
Oddside Ales – Grand Haven
Old Nation Brewing Co – Williamston
PerrinBrewing Co – Grand Rapids
Petoskey Brewing – Petoskey
Pigeon Hill Brewing Co – Muskegon
Red Rocker Brewing Company – Detroit
Revolution Brewing Co – Chicago, IL
Right Brain Brewery – Traverse City
Right Coast Spirits – Boston, MA
Roak Brewery – Marshall
Rochester Mills Beer Co – Rochester
Saugatuck Brewing Company – Saugatuck
Shorts Brewing Co – Bellaire
Sierra Rose Cellars – Kentwood
St Julian Winery – Paw Paw
St. Ambrose Cellars – Beulah
Surfside Tea – Philadelphia, PA
The Long Drink – Utica, NY
Three Bridges Distillery – Midland
TK Mulligan Craft Cocktails – Raleigh, NC
Toppling Goliath Brewing Co – Decorah, Iowa
Tri-City Brewing Company – Bay City
Tripelroot Brewery – Zeeland
Upper Hand Brewery – Escanaba
Vander Mill Ciders – Grand Rapids
Vosa Spirits – Detroit
War Water Brewery – St. Clair
Pictures follow:
On the Big ScreenStadium EntranceEntrance LineView from Tasting ConcourseOn-Field GamesMascot in VIP LoungeFröhliche Musiker BlasorchesterAir MargaritavilleT-Shirt Merchandise
Hoppy attended the Anderson On TapCraft Beer, Wine & Spirits Fest last Saturday. Since it had been postponed from the previous month there were many fewer vendors there than were anticipated. Also, turnout was much lower than normal due to the scorching temperature and anticipated storm. Because of this Hoppy left the event early and sauntered to the Creatures of Habit Brewery taproom nearby.
Pictures follow:
Anderson On TapAnderson On TapAnderson On TapCreatures of Habit Draft List
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.
