From the February 3, 2010 Indianapolis Star article “Draft a winning Super Bowl party with Indiana beers“  By Jolene Ketzenberger

As the Colts take on the New Orleans Saints in this weekend’s Super Bowl XLIV in Miami, fans who want to toast their team with a true-blue beverage have plenty of local options.

But we’re not talking blue drinks. We’re talking beer.

Indiana is home to more than 30 craft breweries that produce a wide range of beers, the perfect homegrown addition to a game-day menu. With such names as Rad Red, Sheet Metal Blonde and Snake Pit Porter, Indiana beers are gaining attention and fans.

“The first thing people need to know is that Indiana’s craft breweries are as good as they’ll find anywhere in the world,” said Mike Atwood, who, along with several other craft beer fans, writes the Hoosier Beer Geek blog (hoosierbeergeek.blogspot.com).

As they’ve grown in popularity, Indiana beers have also become easier to find. While customers can stop in at a number of local breweries for “growlers,” refillable half-gallon jugs, bottled craft beers are often available at liquor stores and some supermarkets as well.

Continue reading “Draft a winning Super Bowl party with Indiana beers”

The following article, “This place will take you to the heads of the class”, by Jolene Ketzenberger, was posted on indystar.com on February 3rd, 2010.

To read the article on indystar.com, click here.

‘When Bloomington’s Upland Brewing Co. opened a tasting room in my neighborhood recently, I didn’t get it.

What’s the deal? I wondered. It’s not a bar. It’s not a restaurant. It’s not even like a winery.

A winery, I get. You stop in, maybe take a tour, sample the wine and then buy a few of your favorites.

At Upland’s tasting room at 4842 N. College Ave., you can indeed sample a variety of beers produced by the Bloomington brewery. But don’t expect the polished wood bar of a typical winery tasting room.

Upland has more of a rec-room vibe, with a variety of mismatched tables and chairs in its small location. It’s a comfortable setting, says sales rep Cari Crowe, where customers seem to enjoy hanging out.

“We’ve got some ladies, and they come in and knit,” she said. Continue reading Indy Tasting Room Article

Sunday Morning in Bamberg Rauch Beer, formulated by head brewer Caleb Staton and last year’s UpCup winner, Tom Wallbank, was chosen as the National Grand Champion in it’s category by the United States Beer Tasting Championship!

The original recipe for this smoke beer was formulated by Tom Wallbank, and after winning  Upland’s UpCup Homebrew Competition, Tom worked with Caleb to adapt the recipe for commercial production.

Congrats, Tom!

See all the results of the USBTC’s Winter 2009/2010 tasting here.