Unruly In-laws Turning Their Nose To Your Craft Beer? Warm Them Up With These Indiana Options

09 Mar Unruly In-laws Turning Their Nose To Your Craft Beer? Warm Them Up With These Indiana Options

By Writing Community Member Zac Chaffee

So you meet the person of your dreams and he/she finally wants you to meet the in-laws. Just for the record, not everybody’s in-laws are monsters. I think that cliché has become outdated and I myself have been fortunate enough to land some pretty down to earth in-laws. However, I also believe that my generation is more willing to explore the craft beer realm than our elders. Let’s face it, we were born in the era where it is completely okay to drink something other than Budweiser. Hell, when I met my in-laws, they didn’t dare drink anything but the “Diesel.”

When it comes to the predicament of having your in-laws try something outside the box of their everyday drink, it becomes quite difficult to win them over with just any beer, so I have come up with a list of 5 easy to drink, easy to find Indiana craft beers which should help to wane your mother and father in-law into maybe becoming a craft beer aficionado.

Domestic Drinkers (Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Lite, Coors Light) – Fountain Square Workingman’s Pilsner OR Three Floyds Jinx Proof Lager. These beers are my go to for anyone who is willing to try something close to the everyday domestic. Both the Workingman’s Pilsner and the Jinx Proof Lager are easy to drink, with low IBU’s, yet boast an IBU of over 5.0%. Both beers are available throughout the Indianapolis region as well as Northern and Southern Indiana’s bigger cities.
Coffee Drinkers – Thr3e Wise Men Hubbard & Cravens Porter. If your mother or father in-law cannot live without a cup of joe to get them through the day then this is the beer for you. Hubbard & Cravens porter is a sweeter beer packed with chocolate malts mixed in with local Hubbard & Cravens coffee grounds to make your in-law seem like they are enjoying a tasty alcoholic cup of coffee. Although this beer is not bottled, Thr3e Wise Men beer is found throughout 13 different Brewhouses all located in Indiana.

Amber Drinkers (Killians Irish Red, Smithwicks) – Triton Sin-Bin Belgian Ale. I know what you’re thinking, Belgian Ales aren’t exactly Irish Reds. But we are talking about novice craft beer drinkers here. Sin-Bin still provides a deep malt taste with a hop-like finish to make your in-law think that they are really enjoying a great Irish Style ale. With a 16 IBU count and over 6% ABV, Sin-Bin is a great Amber Segway for the weary, and can be found at most premium liquor stores throughout Indiana.
Summer Beer – Upland Helios Pale Ale. With warmer weather right around the corner it’s only right to introduce an easy, go-to Pale Ale. Hops add a certain bitter yet citrus-like taste that is more enjoyable when the sun is shining. Upland Helios Pale Ale provides that exact taste, with only 44 IBUs and 5% ABV, it is sure to be the perfect beer for a hot summer day. Upland Helios Pale Ale can be found throughout the state wherever great beer is sold.

These beers are just examples of what can be used to break the alcoholic ice with your in-laws. There are over 100 breweries in the state with each one providing a unique experience to each persons drinking forte. The sooner you begin to introduce quality craft beers to your in-laws the more they will begin to appreciate how great Indiana craft beer can really be. Trust me, it took me over 2 years to break in my in-laws in, but now every time I see them they always want to know about new beers and new flavors. They will eventually come around in time.