04 Feb News and Events in Indiana Craft – So Much is Going On
by Mark E. Lasbury for Indiana On Tap
It’s been a busy few weeks and it’s going to get busier as we progress into 2022. I haven’t been able to keep up with every bit of news that’s been coming down the pike, so here’s a short list of some recent and upcoming news and events. Check out that list of winter/early spring festivals!
The 18th Street Fermentorium – Hammond’s 18th Street Distillery recently announced an expansion in production and space. If you’ve been to the 18th Street Brewery in Hammond, you know that it is more campus like, with the brewery and distillery next to one another, and their once, and hopefully again, sour brewery (The Sour Note), right down the street. The expansion, and 474 Fayette Street, is across the street and west of The Sour Note, completing the triangular campus.
The new space will offer more than 5000 sq. ft. for making and packaging spirits, a larger tasting room for 60 people, a botanical garden for things to add to spirits and cocktails, an event center, one apartment to lease, and an Airbnb. You can read more about 18th Street Distillery, the history of distilling in Hammond, and the new space at the NWI Times: https://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/18th-street-distillery-adding-fermentorium-that-will-expand-capacity-space-and-special-events/article_53defbdf-a323-591c-8f07-53ffd881838d.html.
Afterburner Brewing taproom opening – Terre Haute has another taproom as of Feb. 2, 2022. Four retired Air National Guard veterans (Dustin Strole, John Null, Greg Hrovat, and Rob Wiemuth) have been making Afterburner beer commercially for a little less than a year, and they’ve been working on the taproom at 6129 S. 9th for nearly as long.
They’ve got 10 taps for their beers, and if that isn’t enough selection for you, Terre Haute Brewing is just a block and a half north on 9th Street. That gives you a great chance for a stellar evening of beer and food in the historic brewing district of Terre Haute. The two breweries are joining together with Mark & Tiffany Baker to show off the brewing district and Terre Haute in general with their Haute Hops & Vines Fest on April 30th. More than 2 dozen breweries, wineries, and distilleries will line up between the two breweries for an afternoon of unlimited sampling, food trucks, and live music. You can get tickets to the fest at HauteHopsFest.com, and can read more about Afterburner Brewing from the Tribune Star: https://www.tribstar.com/news/indiana_news/afterburner-military-themed-brew-pub-opens/article_d39df8b6-f3e3-5e9b-9cdf-f275ccfe8c84.html?utm_campaign=blox&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0TDYLtrJoCsnLdFfKmOhcW84D72V6Ke_M-FkztDjHtDkL4PLiuVexeulQ
Food Trucks – Do you like seeing new and interesting food trucks at your beer festivals? A recent addition to the Indy scene has brought up an important issue that could limit food trucks in an era of high inflation and sky-high ingredient costs.
AJ Feeney-Ruiz, owner to the Books, Bourbon & Bacon Food truck in Indy, recently talked to WISH.com about the fees that some municipalities are charging food trucks to set up. The interview is quite surprising, showing that some cities have charges that are in addition to county charges. City officials say it’s to ensure safety, but why is there a need for multiple safety inspections for the same truck – heck, Noblesville has a $1000 fee on top of the Hamilton County $100 fee!
Read more at WISH.com: https://www.wishtv.com/news/i-team-8/food-truck-owner-questions-beech-grove-fee/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WISH-TV&fbclid=IwAR3H0_6ootOkJ7lVJsEMSg_ZDopEnOov6arBQZloWALwe0BiNgQWNmU4M6E
1205 Distillery to open Lebanon location – Downtown Indy and Westfield weren’t enough space to hold 1205 Distillery, so mid-2022 will see them open a production facility and tasting room in downtown Lebanon on the courthouse square. The new space will be on northwest corner of the square, where the Talent Academy is now, and will include 2-3 rented kitchens for local food providers.
Owner Nolan Hudson says they will be looking to take possession of the space in early May, just about the same time as the Savor Lebanon Festival on May 7 (tickets at SavorLebanon.com). The festival highlights the downtown square, which is now becoming quite the craft beverage destination, with Boone County Jail Distillery (also looking to add a tasting room in mid 2022 as well), Klooz Brewz brewpub, and the new 1205 spot coming soon.
Read more about the new facility at the Indianapolis Business Journal: https://www.ibj.com/articles/1205-distillery-plans-lebanon-location-increased-production
Brewery injury – This particular incident doesn’t involve an Indiana brewery, but it does reinforce how dangerous it can be to be a brewer, and how important it is to have good protocols and to know what you are working with. Sure, beer is a beverage made of things that are safe to ingest, but there are other chemicals used in the brewing of beer and the cleaning of equipment that can be VERY dangerous.
The incident at Blues City Brewery in Memphis, TN earlier this week shows how serious running a brewery is. Two different disinfectants were mistakenly mixed together during a cleaning run. There are different types of disinfectants made from different classes of chemicals, and mixing can cause a chemical reaction.
In this case, a toxic vapor was produced that was just about the same density as air, so it just hung around at nose level. Ten people were injured, one critically, but employees returned to work after the vapor was neutralized. Blues City Brewing is a contract brewery that produces and packages beer and hard seltzer. Read a bit more about the incident at: https://www.upmatters.com/news/10-hurt-after-disinfectants-mix-at-brewery/
Looking for a festival to attend – It may be winter, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t festivals on the calendar. Indoor, outdoor, big, small, charity or fundraiser, there’s something for everyone:
Winterfest – Feb. 12, 1-6pm at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, www.IndianaWinterfest.com
Frigid Digits – Feb. 19, 1-5pm at Centerpoint Brewing in Indy, www.FrigidDigitsFest.com
Shelf Ice Brewfest – Feb. 19, 12-5pm in Michigan City, https://www.theuptownartsdistrict.com/project/shelf-ice-brew-fest/
Frozen Firkin Festival – Feb. 26, 2-6pm at 2Tom Brewing in Fort Wayne, https://event.ontaptickets.com/events/frozen-firkin-festival-2-26-2022
Tenderloin Tip Off – Feb. 26, 5-9pm in downtown Lebanon, https://event.ontaptickets.com/events/tenderloin-tip-off-2-26-2022
New Castle On Tap-St. Paddy’s Day – March 12, 1-5pm at the Arts Pavilion in New Castle, www.NewCastleOnTap.com
Bluffton BrrFest – March 12, 1-5pm in Bluffton, www.blufftonnow.org/brrr-fest
2022 Hops & History Brewfest – March 12, 2-6pm, Studebaker Brewing in South Bend, buy tickets at the brewery
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