Craft Beer and the Craft Beverage Scene

I love craft beer so much. As I’m doing my project trying to canvas my entire state of Indiana, there are far more breweries then I originally ever imagined would be operating here in Indiana. By years end I may have tasted beer from well over 150 breweries and may not even have hit all of them. But as I’ve canvassed the Hoosier state, I have come across a lot of joint ventures between breweries, wineries, and distilleries. It has caused me to see that all three of these craft industries really work together to make the whole scene enjoyable for everyone. So I thought it was worth doing an article about how craft beer works with the rest of the craft beverage industry.

I have always been aware of the wineries of Indiana. Oliver and Mallow Run are both near my home, and have been making wine for years. I have recently been visiting orchards and in an attempt to try cider, have seen lots of wine producing places like Huber’s, and McClures. (I consider cider to be close to Beer and have been counting anyone that produces cider on my list as well). My travels this year have brought me to a lot of joint ventures including Cedar Creek in Martinsville which is a brewery, distillery, and a winery all on the same location. For obvious reasons I think this works because it can bring a diverse crowd together to the same place, and at the end of the day, everyone making craft beverages should work together. And while I’m saying this I think this also includes craft sodas, and Kumbacha.(The latter reminds me very much of sour beer anyway!)

As I travel the state of Indiana I think there are anywhere between 50 to 100 wineries here, and I have come across at least a handful that also make beer. Just last weekend I was in Seymour Indiana and enjoy the beer at Chateau de Pique. And even though McClures is making great strides in craft wine making, they are an orchard, and I still think their cider is some of the best stuff they produce. My travels should take me to that part of the state, and I can’t wait to pick up some of their fall productions. And I’ve also noticed that sometimes wineries venture into liquor production and Huber’s has Starlight Liquors on their southern Indiana complex. I had a chance to visit them last weekend, and they are making some amazing Brandys and aged whiskeys.

Cider has always been a close cousin to Beer along with mead, and a few other beverages. Orchards are everywhere, and hard cider is easy to find if you look for it. Many wineries make it, as well as breweries. And there are plenty of places who specialize in it exclusively. I was in Bellaire Michigan this summer and after visiting Shorts Brewing, I found an amazing cider house across the street. I was on vacation and helped close the place down. They had an amazing amount of great selections. I feel that way about McClure’s selections, and Beasley Orchard’s In Danville has started making amazing stuff. And if you’re in Indianapolis, I highly recommend a visit to Ash & Elm. Their cider is excellent and they share a location with a Coffee house.(This concept is not new. Coffee and beer as well as other adult beverages go well together. There was even a place in Indianapolis called the Thirsty Scholar, and I think a coffeehouse/taproom would be excellent if it was in the right location!)

Craft distillery’s have become very popular lately, and I’ve had a chance to visit quite a few already. Some of them are affiliated with a brewery or winery, (Starlight, Hard Truth, Cedar Creek), and a lot of them are standalone.(Oakley Brothers, Hotel Tango) I have found over three dozen of them spread across Indiana. I don’t drink a lot of liquor, but I have friends who do, and I definitely recommend checking the spots out if you’re into mixed drinks, and small batch liquor.

So while craft beer is my thing, I wanted to mention everything else that’s going on alongside it right now. I don’t see it as competition to craft beer because everyone small and independent needs to work together. I also I have friends who are not into craft beer, and I’m open to visiting wineries and distilleries as well. Pic willingly follows me to many breweries, and I like to return the favor by making sure we go to wineries as well. Drinking locally includes this whole gambit, so I guess this article demonstrates the options you have when trying to do so. In the end as long as you support craft beverages, you are doing your part.