The band, not the beer: "Houndmouth: From the Hills to the Limelight."

Just before Christmas in 2012, NABC’s sales rep Richard Atnip (now with New Holland Brewing) asked me if it would be possible for us to do a collaboration beer with Houndmouth.

Naturally, I replied: “What is Houndmouth?”

Richard graciously supplied me with links to YouTube videos, and I did my due diligence. Not everyone in my company at the time was enamored of the idea, but a meeting was scheduled, and all four band members attended.

The meeting went well, and I thought it was worth doing. A sticking point was determining what style of beer to brew, and Richard suggested a hoppy American Wheat, rather like Gumballhead by Three Floyds Brewing. Brewer David Pierce created a formula, and we did a test batch at the smaller Grant Line Road brewhouse.

This small batch accounted for the initial release, but when the Iroquois Amphitheater sales opportunity (below) arose through River City Distributing, a batch was brewed at Bank Street Brewhouse and kegged for RCD.

The apex of Houndmouth (the ale) was at the Boomtown Ball in May of 2014, when NABC had Houndmouth during the festival and also at The Grand for the band’s show.

To make a long story short, Houndmouth Ale didn’t get further traction because there was no way NABC could package it properly (probably best in 12-oz cans or bottles) without contracting it with another brewery which could do this sort of package – and this was too expensive an investment without having multi-state distribution; otherwise, the beer couldn't follow the band.

Apparently NABC didn't brew Houndmouth for this year's Boomtown, but imagine the marketing tie-ins had the brewery done so for the opening night and first few weeks of this exhibition at the Carnegie -- which is right across the street from Bank Street Brewhouse. 

At least there'll be a few items of Houndmouth Ale memorabilia at the Carnegie (thanks AP). Here are links to two articles from 2013, followed by the Carnegie's press release.

All about Houndmouth, the band ... and the beer.

As band and beer, Houndmouth slays Iroquois.

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Houndmouth: From the Hills to the Limelight

The Carnegie Center for Art & History invites you to the opening reception for our latest exhibition, "Houndmouth: From the Hills to the Limelight" on Friday, October 28th, 6:00-9:00pm. Come out and wear your "Saturday night kind of pink" to be entered to win an poster autographed by the band! This reception is free and open to the public.

"Houndmouth: From the Hills to the Limelight" traces the success of the musical group Houndmouth whose members all hail from New Albany, Indiana. This special exhibition documents the remarkable rise Houndmouth has experienced from playing local venues to selling out concerts across the country. The exhibit will include personal memorabilia, concert posters, costumes, instruments, original videos, and much more. It will be on view through January 21, 2017.

Making a special appearance at the opening reception, Crosley will have their mobile record store "The Crosley Cruiser" at the Carnegie Center and selling Houndmouth related records and merchandise.

Also on view will be Kentucky College of Art + Design's "Digging in the Air" helium-filled sculpture, winner of the #IamPublicArt Rumble on the River installation!

Share your love of all things Houndmouth by posting photos on Instagram using the hashtag #HometownHoundmouth! Photos will be added to a live photostream and become a part of the exhibition! *Instagram accounts need to be set to "public" for images to appear at the Carnegie Center.

"Houndmouth: From the Hills to the Limelight" was made possible by the generous support of Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, Wesbanco Bank, and 91.9 WFPK. Thank you!

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The 4th Annual Raq'n Around the Christmas Tree Holiday Toy Drive and Taste of New Albany is this Thursday, December 6.

It's a belly-dancing-themed toy drive with food and drink, returning this year to New Albany's Holiday Inn after being held last year at the Grand.

Richard Atnip will be on hand with NABC beer samples, while I work the Ben Sollee performance at the Carnegie Center.

Since the latter is a low-key exclusive museum event that's been sold out for quite some time, I need say no more about it, except I'm looking very much forward to it, and if you're there, say hello.

You're invited to the 4th Annual Raq'n Around the Christmas Tree Holiday Toy Drive and Taste of New Albany extravaganza! Admission to this event is just one new toy or a $10 donation.

Taste of New Albany (6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.)
Tastings by La Bocca, Habana Blues, Louis/Le Francais, River City Winery, The Keg, Rookies Cookies, New Albanian Brewing Co., Wick's Pizza, La Bocca Italian Restaurant, Ice Cream & Pie Kitchen, Dragon King's Daughter, JB Pub & More...

Music by il Trobadore, Indianapolis Premier World Music Ensemble & dancing by lovely Isabelle Celeste Murray

7:30-9:00 p.m. Belly Dance Extravaganza
Performances by Al Hamsa, Gypsies of the Nile and Raqia's Stars led by "Best of Louisville Magazine Award Winner" Raqia.

Toys collected will benefit AIDS Interfaith Ministries of Kentuckiana (AIM). AIM serves children and families infected and affected by HIV/AIDS in Louisville and Southern Indiana.

This will be a unique evening of giving and celebration and the perfect opportunity to support and make this year magical for the children!!

For additional info or donations contact Raqia at 812 989-0821

Event Location: Holiday Inn Express 411 W Spring St, New Albany, Indiana 47150-3615

Cheers and jeers at NABC's Weekend Compendium.

Tonight, I'll be across the street pouring samples for the Carnegie Center's annual fundraiser.

A Taste for Art & History coming on Friday, September 7.

Tomorrow (Saturday, September 8) is Music at the Mount, which takes place in support of the Mary Anderson Center at Mt. St. Francis. The Mount is located off US Route 150, a ten-minute drive from New Albany. The Rashers will be performing Irish music from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., and in addition to wine and refreshments, there'll be a keg of NABC's Tafel Bier on hand.

Also on Saturday, the Celtic Carpetbaggers will be doing the shuck and jive on the riverfront in Jeffersonville. Has Birdseye put in a bid for next year's show? Read exactly why this annoys me so much:

REWIND: Drochubh, drochéan ... and the Kentuckiana Celtic Foundation.

Sunday brings a first-time fundraiser for CASA, also in Jeffersonville at Kye's.

Read about the BBQ fundraiser for CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate Association), coming this Sunday.

The futile experience of trying to convince charcoal moguls that craft beer belongs with barbecue prompted this column:

ON THE AVENUES: Craft beer, BBQ and you.

Ironically, there WILL be craft beer with barbecue at yet another fundraiser on Saturday night, September 8: Green Hill Therapy Hoe Down on the Hill. For complete details, go here, and join me in praising those, from Carnegie to the Mount and Green Hill, who actually get it.

The Carnegie Center's Ohio Valley Creative Energy exhibit's opening reception on October 28.

(Excerpts from the Carnegie Center's press release. The new exhibit opens on October 28, concurrent with the decommissioning evening at Bank Street Brewhouse: On Oct. 28, you can help NABC say goodbye to Leticia Bajuyo’s “Brew History: All Bottled Up.” Here’s how.)

Carnegie Center Announces New Exhibit, Powering Creativity: Air, Fuel, Heat

October 28-December 30, 2011

Opening Reception Friday October 28, 6-8 pm

The Carnegie Center for Art and History in New Albany, Indiana, and Ohio Valley Creative Energy are pleased to present a new exhibit, Powering Creativity: Air, Fuel, Heat, on display October 28 through December 30, 2011, at the Carnegie Center. This exhibition of fire arts, works of art that utilize heat or flame in their creation, highlights the exceptional ceramic, glass and metal artworks being created by artists in our region. Air, fuel and heat are all essential for fire to exist, and fire is the key ingredient in the creation of each of the artworks in this exhibit.

Powering Creativity: Air, Fuel, Heat features works by artists from Southern Indiana and Louisville, Kentucky, including: Amy Pender, Aron Conaway, Benjamin Hunter, Brian Harper, Casey Hyland, Chris Chappell, Craig Kaviar, Devin French, Elmer Lucille Allen, Jonathan Swanz, Karine Maynard, Kristen Davis, Leah Friedberg, Matthew Maynard, Nicole Jacquard, Raymond Graf and Wayne Ferguson. These accomplished artists were selected for this exhibit because of the diverse ways that they utilize the techniques and properties of ceramics, glass and metal. From realistic imagery and functional objects, to abstract shapes and explorations of texture and form, the artworks in this exhibit provide an introduction to the limitless possibilities of the fire arts for creative expression.

Another goal of this exhibition is to share information about Ohio Valley Creative Energy (OVCE), a local nonprofit that plans to open a Sustainable Arts & Education Center near the Clark-Floyd landfill that will be powered by its excess methane. This renewable energy source will be used to power ceramic, glass, and metal studios and eventually will grow to include a gallery, a greenhouse, and an education center. Ohio Valley Creative Energy began when a local glass blower contacted the Environmental Protection Agency to inquire about a facility already using landfill methane for glass blowing in North Carolina. What resulted was a partnership between OVCE and a local energy provider, Hoosier Energy, to leverage funding to expand its electric generation capacity at the landfill. In return, OVCE was granted free methane for fire art studios and education in perpetuity. For more information, visit www.ohiovalleycreativenergy.org.

There will be an opening reception for this exhibit on Friday October 28, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Visitors can enjoy light refreshments, music by the Jamey Aebersold Jazz Quartet, and the opportunity to meet some of the OVCE artists. At 6:00 pm, the Carnegie Center will welcome the Community Arts Program at Hanover College for the public announcement of the 2012 Indiana Arts Commission Regional Arts Partner Grants. During the reception, attendees can also visit the NABC Bank Street Brewhouse to choose a souvenir bottle from Leticia Bajuyo’s Brew History: All Bottled Up as the sculpture, which was part of the New Albany Public Art Project: Bicentennial Series, is taken down (visit www.napublicart.org for more information on Bajuyo’s sculpture). An after party with live music will follow at the Bank Street Brewhouse. The exhibit Powering Creativity: Air, Fuel, Heat and the opening reception (free and open to the public) are generously sponsored by Ohio Valley Creative Energy and the Carnegie Center, Inc.

Coming on Friday, Sept. 9: "A Taste for Art & History," to benefit the Carnegie Center.

As usual, NABC will be on hand with samples, and right across the street for drinks and snacks, before and after the Carnegie Center's big annual bash. Could we possibly have any better neighbors?

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Join us Friday Sept. 9 at 6:30 pm for the 15th annual "A Taste for Art & History" fundraising event to benefit the Carnegie Center, Inc!

Preparations are in full swing for the Carnegie Center’s 15th annual fundraising event “A Taste for Art & History”, to be held Friday September 9, 2011 at 6:30 pm. Traditionally held on the Friday evening following Labor Day, “A Taste for Art & History” has become a favorite social event in the community. Between 250 and 300 guests attend to support this event, which is the Carnegie Center, Inc.’s major fundraiser of the year. Held in the elegant setting of the Carnegie Center’s historic Carnegie Library building, the 2011 “A Taste for Art & History” features a wide variety of world-class beverages, award-winning cheeses, and an assortment of delectable foods. Guests enjoy a lively silent auction where they may acquire artwork, jewelry, wines and many other unique items. “A Taste for Art & History” also includes a live auction of exceptional items, including:

Churchill Downs Superfecta Package: Enjoy an afternoon at the races in a luxury Jockey Club Suite. The package includes admission for 24, race programs and a $250 voucher for food service in the suite. Some dates are excluded.

Golf at The Pete Dye Course at French Lick Resort: Play a round of golf at Indiana's premier golf course on the beautiful grounds of French Lick Resort. The package includes green fees for four with cart. Valid weekends. Caddy required.

An Evening with Bob Edwards: Spend a private evening with media legend, Bob Edwards, at the Carnegie Center. Package includes a catered meal for 12 in the historic Carnegie Center on September 24th.

Wine Weekend in Washington State: Jet off to a spectacular getaway near Seattle, Washington compliments of world class winery Chateau St. Michelle. Package includes 2 nights of accommodations at the luxurious Willows Lodge, VIP wine tasting and tour of Chateau St. Michelle, dinner at local restaurant and a $500 voucher for airfare.

After the festivities inside the Carnegie Center wind down, guests can continue to enjoy the evening at the “After Taste” in the tent in back of the Carnegie Center. Tickets are $65 per person ($55 for museum members); please call 812-944-7336 to make a reservation for this event. You may also click HERE to make and pay for your reservation via PayPal. Reservations should be made by September 5, 2011.

The Carnegie Center, Inc. would like to thank these generous sponsors for their support of this event: Title Sponsor T.A. Ginkins Company; Platinum Sponsor Insulated Roofing Contractors; Diamond Sponsors Bob Owings Patterns, Duke Energy, Kraft Funeral Services, Lorch & Naville, Mainsource Bank, Martin Financial, Neace Lukens – Rick Zoeller, Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, and Horseshoe Southern Indiana; and Bronze Sponsors Aebersold Florist, American Beverage Marketers, Mary Lou Hess & Joe Modica, Your Community Bank, Schad & Schad Trial Attorneys, Sunset Spirits, Terri Lynn’s Catering by Design, Taecon Construction Services, LLC, and Evelyn Farrell Ott.

To allow time for clean-up following the event, the Carnegie Center will open at 1:00 pm on Saturday September 10, 2011.

Thank you and we hope to see you September 9th for "A Taste for Art & History"!

Saturday, come downtown for the City Wide arts celebrations, with shops, drinks, food and music.

If I were to expend the time and effort required to explain to you which entity was sponsoring a particular arts event in downtown New Albany this coming Saturday, there’d be no time left to drink beer as the day unfolds.

I merely thank all the folks making it possible, and leave it at that. Readers, park somewhere and aimlessly wander. With a handful of exceptions (look for the Arts Council pamphlets), most of the city-wide events are taking place in a relatively small area, bounded by Main Street (South), Vincennes Street (East), Spring St (North) and State Street (West).

All this was unthinkable just a few years ago. Unified press releases still are.

Saturday’s downtown festivities are not entirely confined to the arts. Yes, last year’s bicentennial art walk now is concurrent with this year’s bicentennial mural project (and other Arts Council offerings), but all of it is being packaged as the New Albany City Wide Celebration, with shops offerings specials and on-premise establishments encouraged to join in the merriment.

By any title, it will be a busy and artistic day, as evidenced by these links. Seriously, I've done my best to provide an overview.

Farmers Market
If you have not visited New Albany’s Farmers Market (corner of Bank and Market) in a while, consider doing so. While not yet in the class of the one operating for so long on Bardstown Road in Louisville, the organizers have labored mightily over a period of years to make improvements, and the fruition of their efforts truly has become evident in 2011. It's simply a great community vibe.

Bicentennial Public Art Project & Walk
Last year's temporary installations are still in place (they'll rotate out soon), and three new ones add to the total for this year's stroll. Leticia Bajuyo's All Bottled Up remains outside Bank Street Brewhouse, where we had one fine night with the Bicentennial Art walk last year.

Arts Council of Southern Indiana's two receptions
The first Arts Council reception is from noon to 5:00 p.m. at its Market Street headquarters: Beyond Borders, which focuses on butterflies and their meaning in art and writing. From 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the action moves to the newly renovated United Gas and Electric Building at 138 E. Spring, also home of the Colokial shop (just around the corner from Bank Street Brewhouse).

The new venue there is being called the Resch Gallery, and there'll be two exhibits: Arts WORK, and “By the River’s Edge”, the latter featuring "local and state steamboat artifacts (as) part of the Rivers Institute at Hanover College’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of the first steamboat trip through the Ohio and Mississippi rivers."

Schmitt Furniture Community Mural Fellowship
In essence, Schmitt Furniture is marking its 75th anniversary by teaming with the Arts Council to place a large mural on its building (corner of State and Main). The mural, to be painted by the legendary Dave Thrasher, will be on the alley side, next to a parking lot that will serve as the site of Saturday's celebration. The intrepid Josh Hill will have NABC's Rosa L. Stumblebus beer truck on hand for the party, which will have live music and run from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Apologies for any omissions. As I said, just come downtown for the city-wide show, park, walk and enjoy.

Carnegie Center fundraiser tonight, and NABC will be there.

Tonight at 6:30 p.m. is the annual "Taste for Art & History" fundraiser at the Carnegie Center for Art & History, located at 201 E. Spring Street in downtown New Albany. The bill of fare includes wines from all over the place, craft beers from NABC and World Class Beverages, gourmet snacks and a wide-ranging silent auction. Interested? The price is $55 for members and $60 for non-members, and you can call (812) 944-7336 or visit www.carnegiecenter.org for information.

Because NABC's Bank Street Brewhouse eventually will be doing business right across the street, I put together a fact sheet for distribution this evening.

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Craft brewing returns to downtown New Albany for the first time since 1935 when NABC opens its Bank Street Brewhouse later this year. This second NABC location will be located at 415 Bank Street downtown, adjacent to the Carnegie Center for Art and History. Work to renovate the former Bakery Thrift Store is ongoing.

NABC’s goals:

To be leaders in the craft beer segment and the community, not followers.

To be progressive, not regressive.

To challenge and to educate, not to pander.

The New Albanian Brewing Company is:

Sportstime Pizza (founded 1987)
Rich O’s Public House (founded 1992)
NABC (started brewing in 2002)

The new Bank Street Brewhouse at 415 Bank Street will function as NABC’s larger-capacity production brewery, with a 15-barrel mash and kettle and 30-barrel fermentation capacity, with fabrication by industry leader DME. Primary NABC brands like Elector, Community Dark, Hoptimus, Bob’s Old 15-B, Mt. Lee, Beak’s Best, Kaiser and Thunderfoot will be brewed, conditioned, kegged and canned for regional distribution. It will also be possible for consumers to buy kegs and carry-out growlers.

NABC’s existing brewery on the North Side at 3312 Plaza Drive will remain in operation, with small batches, seasonals and specialties being brewed there. NABC’s existing pizzeria and pub, which has garnered nationwide recognition for excellence, will function as it always has.

Why expand to downtown New Albany?

12% craft beer growth rates nationally in each of the past two years

Local and regional potential for distribution of NABC brands in kegs and cans (both environmentally friendly modes of packaging)
Rapid expansion of the “eat and drink locally” movement

The craft beer demographic mirrors that of the “creative class” and “New Urbanism”, all of which combine for downtown transformation

What else besides brewing at the new operation?

NABC’s Bank Street Brewhouse will feature a taproom, with NABC’s beers on tap, and a limited Belgian-style café food menu prepared by a professional chef. NABC wearables, glassware and souvenirs will be sold on site.

What does it all mean?

The Bank Street Brewhouse will be phased into operation, with the taproom opening first in the 4th quarter of 2008 (target: November), and the brewery to be installed during the fall and winter (target: January). Beer will be ready for distribution in the 1st quarter of 2009, and the existing NABC brewery will supply the tap room and selected outside accounts until then.

Significantly, the NABC Bank Street Brewhouse represents an expansion of an established, existing business from a suburb back into a reviving downtown, and as such, NABC firmly believes there is a future both for the brewery’s “progressive pints” and for the cause of progressivism itself in city of New Albany… and Floyd County, metro Louisville and the surrounding region.

Unsurprisingly, the craft brewing revolution has prospered by emphasizing beer’s artisanal, localized roots, and in like fashion New Urbanism urges the progressive reuse of cities. For NABC to return brewing to a downtown, urban setting is to complete the circle initiated by New Albany’s beer-loving founders two centuries ago.

Roger A. Baylor, NABC Beer Director

(For my business partners Amy and Kate, our brew staff and all other employees, and both the New Albanian Brewing Co., Inc., and New Albanian Bank Street Brewery, Inc.)

Questions? Call me at 502-468-9710