The last year and a half has done much to hamper beer activities in person. A few festivals have gone on here and there, and good beer continues to be released as breweries come and go, but something about the essence of a good beer festival has been lost across the pandemic! In the middle ages beer culture was a staple of society, and those dark days saw the outbreak of disease, plagues, and pestilence. When the outbreak had run its course, people would gather together and celebrate the end. So in the dark times of 2021 as we see the waning days of Covid, a similar celebration seems appropriate! And what better place to hold such a festival than in the rolling hills of southern Indiana on the grounds of a monastery!
I had heard about Chasing The Devil in early spring, and it peaked my interest. St Benedict’s is a very interesting brewery who is making some fascinating beer. They had opened a Taproom in the picturesque German community of Jasper last year which is where I was able to drink their beer occasionally. The actual Brewery sits on the grounds of the Monastery of the Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, home to the Sister’s of St Benedict. It is a beautiful structure that barely seems at place in Indiana, and the perfect place for a festival of this nature!
My friend Dan and I thought it would be fun to spend the weekend in southern Indiana. It is a little more laid-back than Indianapolis, and I’ve always been fond of the area around Jasper which celebrates its German heritage quite famously. Along with the Brewfest, I realized it would be a good time to take in some excellent German food, and explore the area. DuBois County is home to two other breweries, and we got to visit Lighthouse, and Yard Goat on the trip as well. I enjoyed everything I did, but Chasing The Devil was truly the highlight!
I had always been looking forward to the Friday night event tied to the beer festival. It was originally supposed to be held in the tiny nearby town of St. Meinrad, but was later moved to the monastery grounds. We arrived Friday evening and were greeted by Vincent Luecke, the owner of St Benedict’s Brew Works. There was a tent housing a beer station with more beer being served behind. Studebaker, a local band was playing on a stage, and the brewery was also open providing food, and more beer to sample.
While I was familiar with a lot of the beer that Saint Benedicts makes, there were a many selections available I had never tried before. There were a lot of Belgian styled beers as well as different varieties across the beer gambit. We were given a taster and tickets for two free pints, so over the course of the evening I was able to try everything I wanted. Standouts from the session include All Saints, a Belgian Tripel, and Dark Souls which was a Quad. I was enamored with the quality of these Belgian representations and like the direction this brewery is going. The saisons were also good, as was the amber I tried.
With Studebaker playing an excellent set of classic rock, it was a very fine atmosphere eat and try beer. Over the course of the evening, we made friends, some of who had traveled down from Indianapolis, and as far as Mishawaka! We eventually got a table inside the brewery, and a game of Jenga ensued. While the turn out for the Friday night session was decent, it had a very intimate feel. I enjoyed the ambience very much, and sitting under the tent with the monastery in the distance, I felt I was drinking a tripel somewhere more exciting, like Flanders perhaps!
The Saturday event saw a very humid afternoon. Vince had a large table with European and American selections of craft beer for sampling. There was also a table of house beer, and New Madison Brewing had made the trip over from Madison with four of their excellent beers. More beer was available inside the brewery for sampling, and there was also complementary sandwiches for attendees. My friends and I got a table under the tent and spent several hours socializing and sampling beer. The Delirium Red from Belgium was a crowd favorite. For me, St Benedict’s Nun’s Dragon, a robust Stout was my best find of the day. There were a lot of selections of beer to choose from, and the crowd seemed excited despite the heat.
And even though it was a very hot afternoon, spirits were high as good beer and fellowship was in full gear. Many attendees opted for the air condition brewery where the tables were packed. Most people outside congregated under the tent, perhaps because of the proximity to the sampling tables! I had made some really good friends at this intimate festival, and as we enjoy the afternoon, I made plans to meet up with my new friends at upcoming festivals.
I had had a lot of fun, and as the Saturday event wound down, my favorite part of the day included standing in line to receive complementary bombers of St. Benedict’s beer. Each attendee was given a snifter, two bottles of the Dark Soul Quad, and an additional bottle of their choosing. I opted for a beer named after Abraham Lincoln whose boyhood home is nearby. These were beautiful bottles, and certainly made the price of the ticket for the event worth every penny.
I am blessed to attend numerous festivals, and I’m working and attending many this year. I don’t think I will find one as unique as this particular festival. While I can try Belgian beer at most festivals, there is something truly special about what St Benedict’s is doing. I also like the IPAs, and the dark beer they make. I have had this brewery on my radar for quite some time, and will expect good things from them in the future. I don’t think when Vincent set up this festival it was just to showcase the excellent beers in his repertoire, but the situation certainly allowed them to speak for themselves. The experience at the brewery was richer than what I had experienced at the tap room in Jasper, so if you make it down to southern Indiana, I encourage you to get to the brewery in Ferdinand.
I had fun Chasing The Devil in Ferdinand. I like to think we are nearing the end of Covid, and celebrations like this one are certainly appropriate. I think Vincent pulled off a great event, and I look forward to see what he plans on doing next. In the meantime I was able to take home a few bombers of his excellent beer, and I hope to enjoy them in the coming months. Wherever you are, hopefully there is a festival in your future. Maybe I’ll see you there, and we can raise a toast!
So Much Beer So Little Time 