Home Is Where The Beer Is

“Better people, better food …..better beer! Why move around the world when Eden was so near!”(Rush)

Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel, And have been fortunate enough to get to almost every state, and many places in Europe, and South America. I’ve tried Beer in all those places, and I’ve had fun doing so. I often plan my vacations around visiting breweries, at least here in United States. This is made for some very exciting trips, and not everyone can say that they’ve been to most of the breweries in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan! But home is where the heart is, so I like that where I live currently the beer selection is excellent.

It hasn’t always been this way but in nearly every corner of the state of Indiana, there is a brewery to be enjoyed. Indeed, in the north, the Bare Hands Property in Granger almost touches is the Michigan border, and the Floyd County brewing Company in New Albany is just a mere block from the Ohio River to the south! I have plenty of reasons to go to both ends of the state. I currently reside in the state’s center where the greater Indianapolis area has a plethora of breweries with more popping up by the day. There are dozens of breweries within an hours drive for me, and I think that’s pretty cool. And what’s even cooler is that in my own town of Plainfield, I have two breweries to choose from.

Nigh Brewing and Brew Link share the same ownership, yet they offer slightly different experiences. They both offer a great food menu, and great atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor seating is a unique experience at both places, and excellent beer and other drinks flow in both tap rooms. Best of all, I feel I get phenomenal service no matter which place I’m at!

I’ll start with Brew Link since it has been around longer. I remember when they had a location in downtown Plainfield,and I was lucky enough to attend the grand opening. The beer was great back then, and it had awesome names like Cosmic Jacuzzi, and Nutter Cup. When redevelopment began in downtown Plainfield, they moved out to a spacious building on a the golf course west of town. All of a sudden the name Brew Link fit very well!

I’ve been to their taproom quite regularly, and have really come to enjoy their tater tots, and tofu tacos. They have an excellent tap list that includes amazing sours IPAs, and a whole gambit of great beers. And during Covid, it was great to be able to ride my bike on the trails and pick up growlers of their beer to enjoy. They have worked hard and now that things are starting to get back to normal, It is nice to see their taproom full and lively! I recently got to try a fruited saison(Electric Avenue), and an apricot Berliner Weisen(Big Shot). Both are excellent and I saw there are plenty of other new beers that I need to get out there and drink soon!

Nigh Brewing is in the old Black Swan location on Plainfield’s southside. They remodeled the taproom for a very modern look, and you can see from the picture that the bar is quite beautiful. They offer around 10 of their own house beers, as well as a few Brew Link beers, and some excellent rotating guest taps. I first had a chance to visit several months ago and enjoyed their General Tso’s Cauliflower, and I also really enjoy their pickle fries. I want to try more their menu, but I have not been able to get past these two great items!

I meet friends regularly at Nigh, and have been able to try most of their beers. For me their Cordially Yours is as good as it gets. It is a creamy imperial stout that is full-bodied with lots of roasted flavor. Their sours are amazing, and In The Flesh Is one of the best kettle sours I’ve ever had. It has full on apricot flavor from the first sip to the last. I don’t go many days without visiting Nigh, and I probably will get there this weekend!

So that’s a little bit about the beer scene in my town. I hope that wherever you live there is at least one good taproom nearby. Maybe you have lots of options, and that is always wonderful. Good beer and good people are what this life is about. Home is where the heart is, and hopefully for you as well, it’s where good beer is poured too! It’s Friday and I see a pint in my future, and I toast you all!