Scarlet Lane & Ruth’s Chris Bring An Air Of Sophistication To The Beer Dinner

This intimate thirty person event was held at the Ruth’s new Northside location. The completely re-designed restaurant is gorgeous, even sexy, and now the largest Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse in the country. Scarlet Lane owners Doug Sheets, Nick Servies and Eilise Lane warmly greeted their guests as they arrived.

The dinner began with Ruth’s chef detailing the evening’s menu and describing his process of inventively incorporating Scarlet Lane beers into several of the dishes. Then Eilise, Scarlet Lane Owner and Brewer, offered her detailed description of the three Scarlet Lane beers featured.

This was Ruth’s first beer dinner in over three years and they delivered with the stellar service you would expect from this fine dining stalwart. Manager David VanOstrand was a consummate host, meticulously ensuring every attendee enjoyed their night. Our bartender Jordan kept the three Scarlet Lane varieties flowing and even offered a bonus tasting of the Dorian with Espresso magically mixed with the raspberry liquor Chambord. In a word – sensational.

The food portion began with a bevy of beautiful hors d’oeuvres that included Ruth’s classic Caesar Salad, Waygu Steak and Cheese Rangoons and succulently seared scallops. The First Course also featured two creations infused with Scarlet Lane beers including the Stout Mushroom Soup and a Beer Cheese Dip served with warm Pretzel Breadsticks that would make any beer lover’s mouth water.

The First Course was paired with the Eirik Bloodaxe IPA. Crafted from an ancient Viking recipe for braggot beer, this double Indiana Pale Ale includes real honey from Mclure’s Orchard in Peru, Indiana and blood oranges from Italy. The honey provides a genuine sweetness and the blood orange influence shines throughout. As Eilise stated earlier, this is not a session beer and is actually a surprisingly strong 11% ABV.

Next a 500-hundred degree sizzling hot plate, a hallmark of Ruth’s, was the vehicle for our Main Course of USDA Prime Bone-In-New York Strip. Cooked to perfection with a rosy pink hue, this marbled marvel was tender and juicy. The chef, in keeping with the Scarlet Lane theme, added a Caramelized Onion Demi-Glace made with Eirik Bloodaxe Imperial IPA to the steak.

Our final course was a decadent combination of Vanilla Ice Cream Stout Float and Mini Molten Chocolate Cake drizzled with chocolate. This fantastic float replaced the mundane root beer element with the Dorian with Espresso which provided a brilliant coffee creaminess and served as an excellent compliment to the chocolatey molten cake. 

The dessert course was paired with the Dorian Stout with Espresso. This 6% version of the ever-popular Dorian Stout is a collaboration with Indianapolis specialty coffee roaster Tinker Coffee. The nose has a considerable coffee bean punch. The taste is luscious and rich espresso with dark chocolate notes. 

The Scarlet Lane dinner at Ruth’s Chris showcased delectable cuisine paired with purposely crafted quality beer throughout the evening. These fine functions also provide an inherently rare social setting. Where else could you enjoy delicious beers and top-notch dining while discussing the various nuances of the Scarlet Lane business with the three owners or the special Dorian variant you enjoyed at Winterfest with the actual Brewer herself?