While there are many places in Indiana where I can find lots of good breweries in proximity to each other, there is one place in northern Indiana that I have come to appreciate. I have family and friends in The Elkhart area, and I’ve got to visit the breweries multiple times, and have many friends who work for them. The beer made in Elkhart county is quite good, and I thought it was time to focus on them in an article.
Yesterday I decided I would go back to all the breweries, and revisit the reasons I like them. Many of the breweries were very full yesterday, and it seem to be a good day to be drinking craft beer. I asked my friend, The Legend Rob Gibbons to accompany me, and he would join me partway through on this tour of breweries. It’s always nice to have somebody to do these trips with, and yesterday was a lot of fun.
After an exciting morning, my first stop was Brass Elk Brewing in picturesque downtown Elkhart. I’ve always thought the roads just meander through this city, but they’ve done a good job revitalizing downtown. Brass Elk is a modern brewery that looks like a lot of the franchise tap rooms, but they serve good food and some really good beer. I tried a lot of the traditional styles two years ago, and today since it was going to be a long day, I had a small pour of a new IPA. The Wall Hanger was rich in flavor, and I will stop in to Brass Elk the next time I am in Elkhart.
Westwind Brewing will have four years under their belt in November. They came up from the ranks of home brewing, and have been making excellent beer that people have noticed. I have liked everything I’ve tried from them, and had a great time visiting in April when I got to work with Aaron West at an event. Yesterday this is where I met Rob, and we tried several of the beers that I have been waiting to try since last visit. I always get great service when I come here and should you wish to visit them, I recommend Friday nights when Aaron and his wife are most likely bartending.
I have always enjoyed the beer and pizza from Iechyd Da and was visiting it regularly two years ago to get pizza for my nephews. Their Welsh style beer hall is a great place to drink and it’s nearly always full when I visit. Yesterday they were opening late in preparation for a anniversary party, and as I got a chance to stop in, all the staff were hustling and bustling to get ready for what was a big event. I heard quite a lot about it as I made my way through the county, and just wish I had time to be there for the celebration!
Our next stop was 3rd Horse to see our friends, David and Rebecca, who I had met in April at the homebrew in event I got to judge. David showed us around, and we got to try some of his award-winning beer. It was neat to see everything going on in the home brewing camp, and since I’m re-searching for an upcoming article, this was a very good stop. We spent a good deal of time there discussing Indiana Breweries, and I look forward to spending more time with these wonderful people.
For our next stop, we had to trek across the county to Middleberry, where my friends Cody and Chris Higgins have been making beer at Wedgewood for over seven years. I got to know them very well during Covid when I would stop in to the brewery for takeout, which usually featured some very excellent IPAs. I have watched the taproom come to life, and it was excellent to sit with friends at the bar yesterday. Music is a part of this breweries persona and rock posters adorn the walls. Rob and I tried some excellent beer, and took time to eat food before we got a tour of the new brewery. This is going to be a great spot when they finish their beer garden and event center, but it’s already a place you need to visit. Should you be on the east side of Elkhart County, their beer is excellent and I can’t say enough about this place!
Goshen Brewing is also excellent, and the only brewery from Elkhart County to be a guest brewery at Indy’s A Taproom.
Goshen Brewing sits in Elkhart’s second largest city, which is also the county seat. When I arrived, the brewery was packed, and all the garage doors were opened on this beautiful late afternoon. I have been able to try a lot of beer from this brewery and I’m very impressed with its quality. I’ve been drinking many different varieties of their beer, but today I decided to go back to the sours that I tried the first time I visited in 2020. The Staycation was an excellent sour, and I enjoyed sitting in this packed spot. Goshen has eight years under their belt and will be celebrating their anniversary next Saturday.
My last stop of the day would be in Nappanee where Ruhe152 has been making awesome beer for four years. Their taproom is beautiful, and I have never been there when the dining room wasn’t full. I have enjoyed many beers, but I think their sours and stouts are some of the best things they make. I opted for a lighter beer today and had a great conversation with fellow patrons, and I like that the patio was full, even though it was raining. I may not get back to Nappanee anytime soon but if you’re in the area I recommend this brewery.
So yesterday only confirmed what I already thought. Elkhart County makes great beer, and it is fully embraced by the people who live there. It was nice to see all these breweries jammed with people enjoying craft beer, and it bodes well for the future here in Elkhart county. It was nice to hang out with all my friends, and spend time with Rob. If you haven’t been to Elkhart County, I think you’re missing out on some great beer. So should you be in Michiana, don’t hesitate to stop in at one of these fine places.
So Much Beer So Little Time 