There’s an unrealistic game I like to play now and again. You’ve probably played it too. It goes a little something along the lines of,
what would you do if you won the lottery? We all know it’s a pipe dream, but just for a second we feel smile form across our lips and we give in to the “what if” scenario.Well I’m playing that game again. Only this time, instead of money, cash, and ladies…I’m putting five brand new breweries into Indiana towns that deserve one!
Now you may not agree with the following list and that’s ok. However, having visited each of these towns, I feel pretty damn good about my choices.
Without further ado, here we go…
Disclaimer, these are in descending order (but really who cares about the order because more beer is more beer)…Here are my five Indiana towns that deserve a brewery:
Why they deserve one: Simple…Wabash College. Crawfordsville is also home to 16,000 residents and has easy access to both Indianapolis, Lafayette, and Terre Haute.
Fun Fact: In addition to Crawfordsville being home to the Ultimate Warrior, there is also the local legend centering on the Crawfordsville Monster.
Hypothetical Brewery Name: Monon Bell Beer works
4. Monticello (White Co.)
Why they deserve one: Tourists. They flock to Monticello every year to vacation at Indiana Beach.
Fun Fact: During the summer, a Methodist church service is held at the Lake Shore Drive-In, one of the few remaining drive-in theatres in Indiana.
Hypothetical Brewery Name: Twin Lakes Brewing Company
3. Oldenburg (Franklin Co.)
Why they deserve one: This is my biased choice. Oldenburg is my favorite town in this great state. Have you ever been? Go visit. Swing into Wagner’s Village Inn for some pan fried chicken and thank me later. It’s also deeply rooted in its German hertiage.
Fun Fact: Oldenburg is known as “Village of the Spires” because of its picturesque churches.
Hypothetical Brewery Name: Oldenburg Brewery
Why they deserve one: Located on the Ohio River, Madison is a historically rich and beautiful river town located between Louisville and Cincinnati. It also helps that they have numerous festivals (Chautauqua and the Madison Regatta) plus easy access to Belterra Casino.
Fun Fact: Madison’s downtown area was designated the largest contiguous National Historic Landmark in the United States—133 blocks of the downtown area is known as the Madison Historic Landmark District.
Hypothetical Brewery Name: The Diplomatic Brewing Society
The people of Zionsville are thirsty for a craft brewery
Why they deserve one: Right now, Zionsville has been rated as the top Indiana city to live and work. That means people are flocking to this fun Boone County town.
Fun Fact: Several blocks of Main Street in Zionsville have been intentionally groomed to give off a “village” air, specifically to attract shopping from nearby larger communities. In addition, Main Street has been paved entirely in brick and the street lamps and other features (such as a lower speed limit) are maintained to encourage visitors and residents to spend a good deal of time shopping on foot along the length of the street.
Hypothetical Brewery Name: Whistle Stop Brewing Comnpany
There you have it – one man’s meager opinion based off of travels and observations. Does your town deserve a brewery?
I’d love to hear your sales pitch.
Tosh
cool
Jack Wycoff
And I may be prejudice, but I believe your choices are spot on.
MadJack Hops is located just 14 miles from Madison
Cory
Jack,
If I had money…Madison would be my pick to start a brewery/brewpub. Downtown is just too cool to not have one. Paging anyone with money and drive?!??!?!
Levi Rinker
Anderson Indiana needs to be on this list too! We have a population of 56K and Madison County has 130K. It only makes sense! After two years of hosting Anderson Brewfest, we are proud to showcase Anderson as a thirsty and untapped market.
If you know of anyone wanting to move forward with new developments, please keep us in mind. Know that our Economic Development office is more than willing to collaborate and help find incentives to make it happen! Contact me.