Three Hazy Release Bookending a Bourbon Barrel Tap Takeover Make for Special June at Indiana City

06 Jun Three Hazy Release Bookending a Bourbon Barrel Tap Takeover Make for Special June at Indiana City

by Indiana On Tap staff based on Indiana City Newsletter

June is going to be monster hazy for Indiana City Brewing in downtown Indianapolis. Three beer releases are spread throughout the month, the first of which will occur this Saturday, the 8^th, from 12pm – 4pm. The second new hazy beer will be released on June 22^nd during the Indiana City Block Party, and the third new hazy beer comes out on June 29th as the first in a new series of rotating, taproom only releases that features the artwork of a single local artist. Sandwiched between these releases is the Bourbon Barrel Tap Takeover on Saturday the 13^th. That’s a full month.

image credit: Indiana City Brewing

This Saturday’s can release is the latest in the Craft Brew Doodle Crew series, #14 to be exact. To refresh your memory, the Craft Brew Doodle Crew is a group of local artists that complete works of art in a round robin fashion, handing it off from person to person. The final works are then digitally colorized by Andrew Young and used as can labels for special Indiana City beers. This latest iteration is the Monster Family Tree, a DDH Hazy IPA dry hopped twice with Amarillo hops.

To make this release even more special, the Doodle Crew will be on hand to work on painted pieces during the release from 12pm – 4pm. The link between art and craft beer is strong, and this kind of demonstration reinforces that relationship for the craft beer fan. Unfortunately Fishoid Family, the previous release in this series is totally gone, which indicates that Monster Family Tree is likely to go quickly as well. Sip on a beer and get some food from Beach Bums BBQ in the afternoon, and then stick around for the Rocket Doll Revue at 9pm that evening for a 21+ burlesque show.

image credit: Indiana City

The second (22^nd) and third (29^th) releases of the month are reserved for 1) the 4^th Yo! APA release and then 2) for a lactose DDH IPA kick off to the new series of cans. The Azacca, Yo! is definitely a tropical fruit bomb, giving the hops two jobs that they perform well, both a bit of bittering and the aroma and flavor. If this release is half as good as either the Yo! II with ultra new and rare Sabro hop or the Grungeist Yo! with the peachiness of the Grungeist hop, we’re in for something special. The same day will be the Indiana Block Party, so keep your eyes peeled on the Indiana City website and Facebook page to learn what food trucks, DJs, games, and local organizations will be on hand.

The first beer in the Indy Artist Series will finish out the month of releases. Lauren Smith of the Craft Brew Doodle Crew will expresses herself on this can release as a solo artist rather than as one of the Crew members. The beer is a lactose IPA double dry hopped with Enigma hops. There are only 40 cases of this beer, so show up early to complete your June hop education from Indiana City.

Lauren Smith is the first Indy artist featured solo on a can release. image credit: Indiana City Brewing

Shoehorned into this month of releases is a nice party featuring bourbon barrel Indiana City beers on the evening of Thursday, the 13^th. Seven taps will be devoted to bourbon barrel beers that made their debuts during Ales from the Crypt in February.

On this one special day you will even be able to procure $30 growler fills of these seven beers: BBA Crachit’s Winter Ale, BBA Bomber Jacket Rye Stout, BBA Black Lantern Black IPA, Mimi’s Tabernacle BBA Breakfast Stout, Haymaker BBA Oatmeal Stout, Genuine Article BBA Barleywine, and Udder Annihilation BBA Double Milk Stout. Flights of four at $3 each or $6 10 oz. snifters will also be available, and limited amounts of each are still available in bombers.

It’s interesting that the malt and bourbon event is sandwiched between a month of hop heavy releases, giving everyone a nice variety of special beers to enjoy from Indiana City. The beers themselves are reason enough to go, but the entertainments planned to go with the releases and parties add to the unique atmosphere that Indiana City has put together and highlights their connection to the community and Indy art scene.