A new year means new beers at Great Crescent 

Lani, Joe and I would like to extend a huge thanks to everyone that joined us in 2015 at Great Crescent Brewery and let you know we are planning an exciting 2016.

We already have the next beer in our bourbon barrel project ready to go –Bourbon Barrel Harmonie Bier Dark Lager. Harmonie Bier Dark Lager brewed by Great Crescent Brewery is a replication of the first commercial beer brewed in Indiana with a recipe dating back to 1816. What better way to start celebrating the 200th anniversary of Indiana Statehood than with a special boubon barrel aged version of this awesome beer, and it will be on tap starting January 15. Bourbon Barrel Coconut Porter is the final beer in this project –  this one should be ready to tap sometime in April 2016.

The award winner of our home brew competition the Aurora – Dearborn County Brewoff, “Cincinnati Pale Ale”, was brewed by David Mangles and is an American Style Pale Ale with some rye in the recipe. This one will be on tap around the third week of February so come on out and help us celebrate this award winning beer.

Then – coming in March 2016 – a Doppel Bock crafted from a recipe by German Malting Co. Weyermann in Bamberg, Germany. We obtained this recipe from the Brewmaster at Weyermann and are really excited to have this one coming out for March 2016. It has a deep red color and all of the maltiness you would expect from a beer of this style. And, of course, it uses 100% Weyermann malt from Bamberg.

Aurora IPA Series - some are hoppier than others, some are stronger than others, some used more traditional hops and some used unique hop blends we created right here at the brewery – but one thing is for sure, each one of the beers in the Aurora IPA Series has been awesome. Right now we have the last one brewed in 2015 - Aurora IPA Pac-Jade on tap which was brewed with New Zealand Pacific Jade, Chinook and Cascade hops.

We had so much fun creating a new and unique IPA with every batch we are continuing the Aurora IPA Series into 2016. The Aurora IPA Series will begin 2016 with an IPA crafted with Orbit Hops. What the heck are Orbit Hops?  Orbit hops are a unique blend of hops from New Zealand “Hops with a Difference” breeding program. Each year the Orbit hop blend is different and unique – so these hops we have from the 2015 crop year won’t won’t be coming around again.

Look for some exciting changes in the Aurora Taproom location - we are currently working on an update and small scale remodel. The plans include completing the lighting and decorating we starting in early 2015, new tables and chairs and a very cool “Machine-Age/Steampunk/Brewery/Industrial” decor mash-up that we think you’ll feel very comfortable in as you meet with friends and create awesome memories. And we feel very humble to be part of it…