17 Jan New Albanian Brewing Company Proves Why the ‘Brewing Game’ Means Something
New Albanian Brewing Company owner Roger Baylor is in it for the long haul. It being the illustrious craft of beer itself. And the craft, according to Baylor, “Extends further than bank statements and hyperboles. We think this brewing game means something.”
He’s right of course. This game does mean something. It means a lot of different things to different people for different reasons. At NABC it’s the right reasons: great beer, great food, and the atmospheric wonderfulness that comes with a great craft beer bar.
Since 1994, New Albanian Brewing Company has been a fixture in the city of New Albany. Beginning as a mecca for craft enthusiasts with a renowned guest beer program, it wasn’t until 2002 that NABC began brewing on site (the first working brewery in New Albany since 1935) at their facility located at 3312 Plaza Drive in New Albany. Baylor described his enlightened experiences in Europe as “pivotal” in the evolution of New Albanian’s fresh, flavorful, award-winning beers. As a visitor myself here many times, the atmosphere is casual, the menu pizza-driven and the beer is fantastic (I recommend the Refrigerator, a thin crust, deep dish pizza with twice the toppings and twice the cheese, and a pint of NABC’s Naughty Girl Belgian Blonde IPA).
“We (NABC) enjoy brewing a range of beers to suit many tastes, because we’re in this for the long haul.”
But how does a brewery preserve that goal and maintain the long haul? According to Baylor, it’s a rather simple answer.
“Respiration.”
Because every new breath carries with it the possibility of a novel idea.
Let’s rewind a bit. Before the craft beer movement of the last few years began its axiomatic boom, according to Baylor, “Very few people knew much about better beer, or cared. As such, New Albany has been a blank slate and a control in an ongoing experiment involving education and consciousness. All the negative things that one might say about such a city actually turned out to be helpful.”
Long story short, Baylor and his team took the negative and turned them into a positive.
“We had to be better, and we had to lead.”
Then, in 2009, the main production brewery opened on Bank Street in the heart of Downtown New Albany. Aptly named Bank Street Brewhouse, visitors are encouraged to stop by and have a pint or two in the casual, contemporary environment. There’s also an all-weather patio with garage doors opening into a recently added beer garden, which begs to be enjoyed with friends and profound conversation.
Fast forward to the present.
New Albanian continues to be successful at both of its locations, and Bank Street Brewhouse recently partnered with Taco Punk, a sensational gourmet taco restaurant, to serve their specialty tacos Thursday through Sunday. (You can read about that here: NABC joins forces with Taco Punk)
The commitment to better beer.
According to Baylor, “Our beers are quality, because (brewer) David Pierce is the best in the business. Period.”
With exceptional offerings such as Elector (American Strong Ale), Black & Blue Grass (Spiced Belgian), and Hoptimus (Imperial IPA), you’d be hard to argue.
You can get your hands on 22oz. bombers from NABC of the abovementioned beers, along with Naughty Girl and Hoosier Daddy (Imperial Red Ale) throughout the great state of Indiana. Better yet, the next time you’re driving through the rolling hills of southern Indiana and find yourself along the banks of the scenic Ohio River in historic New Albany, do yourself a favor and stop by for a pint or growler.
“We’ve tried to show that New Albany can have good things too.”
They can and, from the taste of it, will for the long haul.
As if you’d still be looking for a reason to visit New Albanian, consider this: Sunday, January 18, the brewery will be observing Old Lightning Rod Day for the tenth year in a row. In 2006 as a promotion for the Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary, members of the Brewers Association were provided with a Colonial-era beer recipe for their own use. Each year since, NABC has tweaked the recipe of Old Lightning Rod, making the ale better in the process.
2015’s observation of Old Lightning Rod Day will start at the Bank Street Brewhouse on the 18th, then carry over on the next day at the Pizzeria and Public house. So if you’re feeling adventurous or craving a rare small batch beer only available on draft, consider checking out Old Lightning Rod Day this weekend.
In lieu of the aforementioned Franklin, I found this quote from dear old Ben himself who said, “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.”
In this case, happiness comes in the form of a pint. Cheers!
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