This Week On Tap: Hinchtown Hammer Down

Disclaimer: I realize this is my second beer from Flat12 in three weeks. But it’s race week and James Hinchcliffe is the man. And I’m not the best at planning ahead. Suggestions are always welcome, too. 

Let’s get to it: it really freaking sucks that IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe wrecked during practice at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway this week. The “Mayor of Hinchtown” had qualified and was practicing for this years Indianapolis 500 when a component failure in turn three sent his No. 5 careening into the track wall. It seemed like a routine wreck at the time (well, as routine as wrecks at 220+ MPH can seem), with reports that Hinchcliffe was conscious and alert after being taken off the track on a backboard. 

What we didn’t know at the time was that a suspension wishbone had actually penetrated the safety cell of his car, puncturing his right leg and entering his left thigh, coming to a stop in his pelvis area. The onsite medical team was able to stop the massive blood loss, cut Hinch from his car, and help get him transported to IU Health Methodist Hospital, where he’s now recovering.

Hinchcliffe has become an Indianapolis favorite every May due to his constant presence around Indianapolis throughout the non-race centric months, as well as because, simply put, he’s an awfully nice person. 

And seeing his face in stores year-round on a locally made beer doesn’t hurt either. 

Flat12 Bierworks produces Hinchtown Hammer Down, a crisp golden ale and Hinchcliffe’s official beer, as one of their house beers, available in the tap room and stores every month of the year. A straw gold color with crisp breadiness, there isn’t too much going on in this beer, and that’s perfectly fine. Hinchtown Hammer Down screams easy drinking, and at 5% ABV, it would be a welcome addition to your cooler this weekend at the track.

So throw a few Hinchtown Hammer Downs in your bag Sunday (in can form, of course) and raise one up for the Mayor of Hinchtown. Get well soon, Hinch.