14 Sep Subtle Changes and ‘Serving Chickens’ Make for Memorable Sun King Canvitational
By Charlie Sasse for Indiana On Tap
Fresh air, daylight, a nice breeze, and sundresses seem to make craft beer taste even better! This is why one of my favorite summer activities is going to outdoor beer festivals. Sun King’s Canvitational is one of my favorite summer beer events. The reasons are simple: I get access to beer I rarely/never get to drink, the brewery employees who participate are excited to be there and happily talk about their brews, the space accommodates the quantity of tents/brewers very well, and there are plenty of porto-lets! (The last one is very important and often overlooked).
There were a few things Sun King changed at this year’s Canvitational that I liked quite a bit. I have always had a good time, but little changes can often make the experience even more enjoyable. I decided to show up about 10-15 minutes after early entry opened at noon. I expected to have to wait in a short line for my cup and to be banded. I was happily wrong! There was no line and I was able to walk right up and have my first beer within a couple of minutes. This was completely unexpected compared to a couple of other festivals I have been to this year. Cheers to Sun King and the volunteers for doing a great job!
This year, the Canvitational wristbands were a nice soft fabric with a plastic lock. They were comfortable, had plenty of room for my big wrist, and I didn’t wax a small section of my arm when I pulled it off. The adhesive on the wax paper bands could be used to seal a bullet wound. If you think it is silly to get excited about wrist bands, you have thin wrists and/or no hair on your arms. For the rest of us, I hope these wristbands are a continued trend!
The carabiner cups for early entry were a fun upgrade also. I have similar cups from Deviate Brewing, and find them to be convenient, useful, and a conversation starter (not that I need help starting a conversation). I find myself more often than not throwing away the standard plastic tasters we receive upon entry to festivals. This sample cup made its way back home, and will be used again.
As soon as I entered the event, I smelled deliciousness wafting through the air from the food trucks parked along Georgia Street inside the fence. You could have a little bit of whatever you wanted; Mexican, pierogis, pizza, etc. I wished I hadn’t eaten the burrito I bought for lunch. I could have snacked along the line of trucks all day.
On to the beer! My favorite part of Canvitational is all of the amazing breweries Sun King is able to lure into downtown Indianapolis. Many of the breweries at this festival do not distribute to Indiana. They show up for Canvitational and some bring beer to distribute to local liquor stores, though it does not last very long. I know this is an article on an Indiana craft beer website, but I am going to talk about a lot of beer that is from out of state and not distributed here.
One of the oddest beers I drank came from a brewery that also made one of my favorite beers of the day. Red Hare Brewing from Marietta, GA lured me over with something called an IPR… India Pale Radler?!?! They mix their Gangway IPA with a grapefruit radler and SPF 50/50 IPR is born! It is so WEIRD! It really was hoppy, juicy, slightly sweet, and oddly enjoyable. I don’t know what caused Red Hare to make this, but after that I had to try something else. The barrel aged Sticky Stout aged in Jack Daniels Barrels was a beautiful example of the oatmeal stout style. The barrel was prevalent, but the flavors of the beer were not overpowered. The mouthfeel and appearance were both slightly oily and smooth. This was a very good beer! Next year, maybe Red Hare will bring some of the Sour Sticky Stout I’ve also heard about.
During the first rain break, I stopped by the booth of a little brewery out of Jackson Hole, WY named Snake River Brewing. If you have been into beer for a while, you might be familiar with this brewery. In 2000 and 2001, Snake River was named Small Brewery of the Year at Great American Beer Fest. I have heard about their Monarch Pilsner, and while I tend to go toward bigger beers this early in a fest, I decided to give it a go so I could remember the beer…(you know what I’m talking about). I was surprised at how much flavor was packed into this style. It was clean and crisp and I was very aware I was drinking a good craft beer. I actually went back later and had it again, because I like good beer.
Being a hop head, I am always on the lookout for something deliciously hoppy! SanTan Brewing did not disappoint. The HopShock IPA is fantastic! Citrus and Pine notes filled the air when I put my sample cup to my nose. This made me want to steal a can to take home, but I didn’t because I am not a thief… or people kept watching me! Regardless of why, I wish I had known there was some delivered to Indy when they arrived. I really need to pay more attention to social media I guess, or at least before events like this.
Speaking of hops, I made a bold statement at the festival and I am completely sober and ready to stand by that comment. Are you ready for this? Champion Brewing Company’s Falconer Hoppy Wheat Ale is better than Gumball Head! Rant about that all you want, but Champion did this beer right. I don’t know what else to say about this hoppy wheat. I feel like I gave it the greatest praise one could give to a beer brewed in this style. “Champion” says it all.
I had an amazing time, even with the sudden downpours. Thanks to Bier for letting us slide in behind them during the rain! It was much appreciated. Central State added Adam Schick as their Brand Ambassador, Sales Guy, Toilet Cleaner, and now Festival Beer Pourer–and I enjoyed catching up with him as well. Another personal highlight was the “box of chicken” pouring for Against The Grain, the familiar Trashcan Beer Pong, and did I mention what a great job the volunteers did?
Keep drinking great beer and talking about it. I know I will!
No Comments