09 Apr Redemption Alewerks Kicks Off Short’s Brewing Distribution With Hopping Tap Takeover
By Writing Community Member Andrew Dickey
One of the many release parties was held at the Redemption Alewerks on 96th Street. It is where the old Blue Crew was, and the horseshoe bar is still intact. It was a Monday night, and the place was packed. I sat down at the bar and was greeted by Cameron Fila of Redemption. He pointed out Ryan and Jesse from Short’s, and went over the tap list. Redemption had five house beers on tap, Short’s had two from their Starcut cider line, and four other beers: Soft Parade, Humalupalicious, Space Rocket, and Contriversiale. He said that the respective brewers (Ryan and himself) had collaborated on a beer this morning that will be called Love You Triple. It will be a Belgian Triple, and all the proceeds will go to charity.
Ryan I spoke a lot about Short’s expansion. Cavalier Distributing picked them up recently and now they are available in Ohio, Indiana and a select few other places. As the third largest brewery in Michigan, they were set to expand across their borders. Only a small number of their beers are available in Indiana at this time, but the number is expected to grow. We talked about their collaborations with Half Acre in Chicago, and the Psychadelic Cat Grass they brewed for Hop Cat for April 20th. It will be a massive dry hopped IPA.
I need to say upfront that I am a huge fan of Short’s Brewing. I have been going up to Michigan to get their beer for years, and have been fortunate to try a large chunk of their beer catalog. They brew literally dozens of styles, and I have come to appreciate their Soft Parade (A rye sour with fruit) most. About a month ago I heard that Short’s was coming to Indiana, and I have been excited ever since.
One of the many release parties was held at the Redemption Alewerks on 96th Street. It is where the old Blue Crew was, and the horseshoe bar is still intact. It was a Monday night, and the place was packed. I sat down at the bar and was greeted by Cameron Fila of Redemption. He pointed out Ryan and Jesse from Short’s, and went over the tap list. Redemption had five house beers on tap, Short’s had two from their Starcut cider line, and four other beers: Soft Parade, Humalupalicious, Space Rocket, and Contriversiale. He said that the respective brewers (Ryan and himself) had collaborated on a beer this morning that will be called Love You Triple. It will be a Belgian Triple, and all the proceeds will go to charity.
Ryan I spoke a lot about Short’s expansion. Cavalier Distributing picked them up recently and now they are available in Ohio, Indiana and a select few other places. As the third largest brewery in Michigan, they were set to expand across their borders. Only a small number of their beers are available in Indiana at this time, but the number is expected to grow. We talked about their collaborations with Half Acre in Chicago, and the Psychadelic Cat Grass they brewed for Hop Cat for April 20th. It will be a massive dry hopped IPA.
With over a hundred styles in their catalog, I had a lot to talk with Ryan about, it is definitely an exciting time for their brewery. I commended him on the selection of beers they brought tonight, and was impressed with Space Rocket, a Pale Ale that has an enzyme in it that makes it gluten free. Great potential certainly lies in this area. I tried the Humalupalicious (dry hopped bliss) for old times sake, and with a nod to Cameron, selected a flight of the Redemption Beers.
Colony Collapse Honey Red was the first to hit my lips, and I was sent back by a boozy and sweet aftertaste. At 8%, this red packed a wallop. It was very good, and very strong. Atonement is a Citra hopped Pale Ale that was light, and tasted lighter because I tried it right after the red. When I came back to it, I found the Citra notes to be excellent. It was very drinkable, and satisfying.
Magnum P. Rye was a Rye Ale with Magnum hops. It was a dark amber, but as I sipped it, it tasted light on the front, with minute Rye notes on the finish. Not all Rye Ales can do this, so I was pleased. The Four Fathers Cream Ale was light, and finished with a crisp hop feel. So many Cream Ales are out there, so it’s nice to taste one that was more flavorful.
I finished with the Dry Irish Stout, and it was quite good. There was a small malt presence, but it was very light in every other way but color. Nice, and drinkable.
So as I tried the Redemption beers, I spoke at length with a bar guest who was trying Short’s beer for the first time. The north side of Indianapolis is hopping with beer and breweries, and it was nice to get a feel for all that’s going on. This bar was full, and several meet-up groups appeared to be there. I did not get to try the food, but was told by a guest that their medium rare burgers are awesome. The crowd was good for a Monday, so Redemption appears like the place to be on East 96 street.
The event definitely was fun. Short’s beer has been a personal favorite, and now it will be readily available in Indiana. I also discovered some fine beer from Redemption, and I’m looking forward to trying the Love You Triple collaboration. Stop in if you happen to be on the Indianapolis Northside, and look for Short’s beer at your local beer shop.
Colony Collapse Honey Red was the first to hit my lips, and I was sent back by a boozy and sweet aftertaste. At 8%, this red packed a wallop. It was very good, and very strong. Atonement is a Citra hopped Pale Ale that was light, and tasted lighter because I tried it right after the red. When I came back to it, I found the Citra notes to be excellent. It was very drinkable, and satisfying.
Magnum P. Rye was a Rye Ale with Magnum hops. It was a dark amber, but as I sipped it, it tasted light on the front, with minute Rye notes on the finish. Not all Rye Ales can do this, so I was pleased. The Four Fathers Cream Ale was light, and finished with a crisp hop feel. So many Cream Ales are out there, so it’s nice to taste one that was more flavorful.
I finished with the Dry Irish Stout, and it was quite good. There was a small malt presence, but it was very light in every other way but color. Nice, and drinkable.
So as I tried the Redemption beers, I spoke at length with a bar guest who was trying Short’s beer for the first time. The north side of Indianapolis is hopping with beer and breweries, and it was nice to get a feel for all that’s going on. This bar was full, and several meet-up groups appeared to be there. I did not get to try the food, but was told by a guest that their medium rare burgers are awesome. The crowd was good for a Monday, so Redemption appears like the place to be on East 96 street.
The event definitely was fun. Short’s beer has been a personal favorite, and now it will be readily available in Indiana. I also discovered some fine beer from Redemption, and I’m looking forward to trying the Love You Triple collaboration. Stop in if you happen to be on the Indianapolis Northside, and look for Short’s beer at your local beer shop.
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