Whats up with beer?
21. May, 2010 
7 Comments
Hey internet,
Sorry that I have been gone from the site lately not posting about the wonderful world of beer, but I have been extremely busy at work and with getting my house ready for the marketplace. That doesn’t mean that I haven’t been celebrating craft beer week with amazing craft beer, it just means that I haven’t had the time to sit down and write anything about it.
So I thought I would take a few minutes today to talk a little bit about my recent adventure is beer. I actually have been out and about to a few restraunts, bars, and breweries in the last few weeks so lets talk about where to get great beer in Indiana.
First and foremost if you live in NWI you need to go to Martini’s in Valpo. Their beer list is absolutely amazing. Microbrews, craft brews, and bombers are all over the place for prices that are more than reasonable. Last week I spent the night with a buddy at Martini’s and drank Stones’ Arrogant Bastard Ale which was just amazing, followed it up with a Belgium style blond ale that I can’t remember the name of, had a Robert the Bruce from 3floyds, and finished the night with some Mad Hatter IPA. Not only does Martini’s have a great selection of beer, but they want you to learn about it as well and offer up their beerology program which happens the last Thursday of every month. You can go eat great food that is paired with the perfect beer and learn about the style, flavors, and why it goes well with that meal. A great program that I am definitely interested in participating in and maybe even trying to sponsor.
Next stop is out to Bartlett’s in Beverly Shores on route 12 just before you reach Michigan City. Bartlett’s is owned by the same people that run Miller Bakery Cafe and Bistro 157. The food is phenom and the beer list is to match. Bartletts had about 5 beers on draft but they offered a beer list of 15 -20 or more seasonal and craft brews. The small shop with maybe 12 wooden tables with picnic bench seating had gourmet food and great beer. I had pork two ways; bbq’d pulled pork over grits and fried green tomatoes and a pork chop with fresh veggies that I washed down with a stellar Magic Hat #9 Pale Ale. Be sure to get out to Bartletts for great food and beer.
Finally we went to Shoreline Brewery in Michigan city. I sat down with Phil, Scott, & the ladies and had a great time conversing over Indiana made microbrews. Truth be told I wasn’t actually to impressed with the beers at Shoreline. I was hoping for more especially since they are older that most of the breweries in the area and I have heard many a great thing about them. But in my opinion they way over use hops. I felt like every beer they had to offer was over hopped except for their dark beers. And although I brought my camera to take photos, I forgot the memory card at home and couldn’t get any to share with you. So rather that writing out my reviews of each beer I tasted I thought I would just tell you my favorite and advise you to go get some. So here goes nothing.
Shoreline’s Smokestack Porter
The Porter was in my opinion the best beer there, although Scott may say it is the dopplebock I just don’t care for that style. I found that even in the sampler glass the Porter had a great color and good head retention as well as lacing. It was extremely light bodied and plays a trick on you because it looks so dark and thick and you expect a medium to full bodied beer. The palate had subtle hints of toffee which made for a really great tasting beer that had a crazy smooth finish. All in all it was the most on style of all of their beers and definitely the most drinkable. I really like the Smokestack and give it 3.75 out of 5 stars.
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Every time Phil and I get together and start talking about beer we end up talking about shoreline brewery. He always has good things to say and yet I never find the time or people to want to go with.
Idk about you guys but we should set a date to either visit brickworks, figure 8, shoreline, or 3 floyds. All of us going to brickworks was a great time that needs to be repeated.
After going to both brewerys, my choice would be a repeat visit to brickworks. We should also plan a trip to Goose Island.
Absolutely, Goose Island would be a great time!!!! and I am in for Brickworks!!!
Cornerstone American Pale
Our number one selling beer! This American pale ale has good hop bitterness, flavor and aroma. 5.8% ABV 42.7 IBU
Phaino Light Lager
Meaning “to bring forth into the light”…our interpretation of the classic American light lager with a straw color, crisp taste and clean finish. The perfect starter for those new to craft beer! 3.2% ABV 9.4 IBU
Potawatomi Porter
Our second best seller! Nice and dark with a roasted chocolate, toffee flavor. This beer has been described as “liquid milk duds” by several of our regulars! 5.9% ABV 51.0 IBU
Harvest Peach Wheat
A variation of our Bavarian wheat, this beer is slightly sweeter than its predecessor. Infused with peach to give it a light fruity flavor. 4.6% ABV 12.5 IBU
All righty then boys, this is what beers they have on tap. Which one are you excited about? For me it is going to have to be either the porter or the peach.
I am their 327, but they don’t have it on tap right now. My second would be the Cornerstone.
I need to get out to some breweries this summer.
We should also try getting out to Revolution Brewing in Logan Park if we go to Goose Island and make a day of sampling. Check it out at http://revbrew.com/
We can use the beer to wash down the “Bacon Fat Popcorn”