Photos from the "Bus to the Bombers" on Saturday, June 14.

Dubois County Bombers baseball club has new management; summer craft plans unknown.

I was wondering why we hadn't heard from the Dubois County Bombers after two years of vending craft beer at League Stadium, but this article helps to explain why: Our contact no longer is with the team.

But personnel changes are part of the game, and in my estimation, this new angle of primarily local ownership is the best possible course for the team. I might have caught the story sooner, though, seeing as the changes began last December.

As yet, it is unclear whether the new management team wishes to stay on the craft beer path, or even if it does, whether the chosen brand will be NABC. Either way, it's okay. We had much fun the past two summers at games in Huntingburg, and I'm sure we'll make it down for a game or three in 2013.

Dubois County Bombers under new ownership, new coach and new general manager

A group of local business-owners and residents has purchased the Dubois County Bombers and announced big changes for the local wooden bat baseball team.

Preparation for the Dubois County Bombers 2013 season is in full swing, both on and off the field. As players are being recruited, the team is also implementing major changes beyond the dugout. These changes include new ownership, new league membership, and a new coach and general manager.

Bomber Blonde comes to Bank Street Brewhouse and Live @ Five, this afternoon.

Previously, I explained about craft beer at the ballpark in 2012, with the Dubois County Bombers and NABC pairing for a second season to provide an alternative to mainstream lager at League Stadium in Huntingburg, Indiana.

Now the baseball campaign is winding down, the players will soon return to their college squads, and NABC still has a few kegs of Bomber Blonde in stock. It's time to see what New Albania thinks about this beer, our first-ever Blonde Ale (BJCP category 6B), and so we're putting it on tap today (Friday, July 27) at Bank Street Brewhouse.

Bomber Blonde also will be pouring at this afternoon's Live @ 5, which moves back to the 400 block of Bank Street, between the Carnegie Center and Bank Street Brewhouse. NABC, Wick's and River City Winery will be vending adult beverages, perhaps with Habana Blues, seeing as their mojitos went over quite well at last week's event.

Henceforth, Bomber Blonde always will be known as such when on tap at Dubois County Bombers games. Tony Beard used NABC's familiar 15-B Vargas Girl and dressed her in a slightly more family-friendly way for use as the mascot of Bomber Blonde (above). However, NABC might select a different name for in-house use. As always, you are advised to stay tuned as we flip coins and consult our Ouija boards.

The NABC beer and event weekend ahead.

Here is a collection of headlines hinting at the numerous places where you can drink NABC beers during the next few days while recreating in the great heated outdoors. Note also that the Dubois County Bombers host Springfield on Friday evening, June 22nd. We're there, too.

Live @ Five returns to the 400 block of Bank Street this Friday with Jimmy G and the Sidewinders.

"LIBA kicks off 'Independents Week' a little early with the Louisville Brewfest," coming June 22.

The Public Art Walk is this Saturday (June 23), with accompanying NABC beer garden and live music.

Black & Blue Grass at Iroquois for Counting Crows, June 25.

Beak's Best standee for Dubois County Bombers games.

NABC Bomber Blonde -- a League Stadium exclusive.

Previously: Craft beer at the ballpark in 2012: Dubois County Bombers and NABC.

Tony Beard used NABC's familiar 15-B Vargas Girl and dressed her in a slightly more family-friendly way for use as the mascot of Bomber Blonde. The ale (BJCP category 6B) is intended to offer a small-batch, craft-brewed alternative to mainstream lagers, and it will be available only at League Stadium for Bombers home games: May 30 through playoffs in early August. Bomber Blonde is a fun experiment for us, and we think beer-drinking Bombers fans will like it.

Craft beer at the ballpark in 2012: Dubois County Bombers and NABC.

“There is only one game at the heart of America and that is baseball, and only one beverage to be found sloshing at the depths of our national soul and that is beer … beer needs baseball, and baseball needs beer - it has always been thus.”
-- Peter Richmond, author and journalist

Growing up in Southern Indiana, one quickly comes to associate two of life’s most important pastimes with Dubois County: Baseball and beer.

Indiana’s Baseball Hall of Fame is in Jasper, and major leaguer Scott Rolen of the Cincinnati Reds starred at Jasper High School. Amazingly, at least four former major league players from olden times were born in the small town of Huntingburg: Bob Coleman, Ray Blemker, Alex Graman and Mitch Stetter.

As for beer, need I do more to document Dubois County‘s fermentable predilections than note its heavily German heritage? Although as yet there are no craft breweries in the county, Jasper is home to the regionally famous Schnitzelbank Restaurant, since 1961 a popular destination for its German cuisine and solid beer list.

Verily, it’s only a matter of time before an enterprising craft brewer sets up shop in Dubois County and brings beer tradition back to its local, independent roots.

That’s why, for a second year, the New Albanian Brewing Company is excited to be partnering with the Dubois County Bombers to bring craft beer to League Stadium in Huntingburg for Bombers home games this summer.

The Dubois County Bombers play in the Prospect League, a collegiate summer baseball league with teams located all the way from Missouri to West Virginia. Players with remaining NCAA eligibility compete with wooden bats, and live with host families during the season.

Huntingburg’s League Stadium is a retro jewel, reconstructed from an existing grandstand to serve as the 1940’s-era home for the Rockford Peaches during location shooting of the film, “League of Their Own” (1992), starring Geena Davis, Madonna and Tom Hanks.

Again in 2012, NABC is delighted to bring fresh, local craft beer to Dubois County for Bombers games. I can't say enough for Bombers management, because they "get it." Unlike other baseball clubs nearby, which have been slow to grasp the evolution of consumer beer preference, Bombers management sees the natural alliance of local baseball and local beer as one perfectly placed to give fans more of what they want when attending games.

NABC's beers will be available on draft from the beer trailer parked down the third base line. There is a roofed picnic area just in front of the taps, and the main concessions area, the NABC Craft Beer Bullpen, is adjacent. Perennial NABC favorites Beak’s Best and Tafel will rotate on one of the draft lines. The other tap will pour something entirely new: Bomber Blonde, brewed solely for sale at League Stadium. It is a by-the-book Blonde Ale (BJCP category 6B).

Looking ahead: There'll be a bus trip to a Bombers home game, like the one we booked last year; stay tuned for details.

Links

Dubois County Bombers: http://www.dcbombers.com/

Bombers 2012 schedule: http://www.dcbombers.com/test.html

Prospect League: http://www.prospectleague.com/

A League of Their Own: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/

Dubois County: http://www.visitduboiscounty.com/

Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame: http://www.indbaseballhalloffame.org/

Schnitzelbank Restaurant: http://www.schnitzelbank.com/

NABC home page: http://www.newalbanian.com/

Craft beer events this week: NABC at various riverfront venues, baseball games, and collaboration debuts.

It's another week filled with craft beer events, and improved outdoor temps for enjoying them. This summer is the busiest in NABC's history, and we're doing our best to keep up.

TUESDAY, JUNE 14

In Charlestown:
CPC/NABC Pirate Pale Ale debuts tonight at Charlestown Pizza Company.
It's a collaboration between NABC and CPC, and the result is an APA.

THURSDAY, JUNE 16

In Huntingburg:
Dubois County Bombers vs. Terre Haute Rex
It's summer collegiate-level baseball, and NABC is on tap at League Stadium in Huntingburg as the Bombers begin the Prospect League season. Look for Beak's Best, Community Dark and Tafel Bier at the Craft Beer Bullpen down the third base line. From New Albany, it's about an hour's drive down scenic I-64 to Dubois County.

FRIDAY, JUNE 17

In Jeffersonville (also on Saturday):
Smokin' on the River: BBQ, Blues and Brew Festival
For the third year, on Friday and Saturday, this sanctioned Kansas City BBQ Society event comes to the Jeff waterfront. The location is in front of the RiverStage, where Cluckers Wings will be operating a fest tent with food and craft beer, including NABC and some draft selections from World Class Beverage.

SATURDAY, JUNE 18

In New Albany:
Celts on the River
The hard-working volunteers from the Kentuckiana Celtic Society return to New Albany’s revamped riverfront amphitheater with the third annual “Celts on the River,” a free concert running from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. I wrote about it last week: ON THE AVENUES: From the Liffey to the Ohio. NABC is doing the craft beer (Haggis Laddie, Strathpeffer, Elector, Tafel and Gale's Hard Cider from the Thomas Family Winery), and Irish Exit will be on hand with sprits and other libations.

In Huntingburg:
Dubois County Bombers vs. Springfield Sliders

In Jeffersonville (also on Saturday):
Smokin' on the River: BBQ, Blues and Brew Festival

SUNDAY, JUNE 19

In Huntingburg:
Dubois County Bombers vs. Springfield Sliders

Am I forgetting anything? Let me know.

Baseball with NABC and the Bombers: A Bus Trip to Dubois County on Sat., July 2.

Baseball with NABC and the Bombers: A Bus Trip to Dubois County.

Date: Saturday, July 2; Pickups in Louisville and at Bank Street Brewhouse TBA

NABC and Rick & Jeff Tours are sponsoring a motor coach trip from metro Louisville to Hoosier points west, including the following beer related attractions for a summer day’s relaxation:

12:30 p.m.: Historic Corydon for Summerfest 2011
There’ll be a Craft Beer Garden at the Harrison County Fairgrounds, with these beers on tap: Barley Island Sheet Metal Blonde, BBC Amber, Bell’s Oberon, Flat 12 Half Cycle IPA, NABC Community Dark, Schlafly Kolsch and Upland Preservation Pils.

3:30 p.m.: Schnitzelbank
A refueling stop at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant in Jasper. Since 1961, the Schnitzelbank has been a popular regional destination for German cuisine and beer.

7:15 p.m.: Dubois County Bombers vs Terre Haute Rex
The Dubois County Bombers play in the Prospect League, a collegiate summer baseball league. Players with remaining NCAA eligibility compete with wooden bats, and they live with host families during the season. Huntingburg’s League Stadium is a retro jewel, reconstructed from an existing grandstand to serve as the 1940’s-era home for the Rockford Peaches during location shooting of the film, “League of Their Own” (1992), starring Geena Davis, Madonna and Tom Hanks.

NABC is serving beer at Bombers home games this summer: Community Dark, Beak’s Best and Tafel Bier. In addition, for the game on the 2nd, we’ll have a special NABC selection on the fourth tap at the Craft Beer Bullpen down the left field line.

The price is $50 per person, and includes motor coach transport and amenities, motor coach beer, and your ticket to the ballgame. Beers and food at Summerfest, the Schnitzelbank and League Stadium are your responsibility.

We need 30 persons to make this trip work, so send your RSVPs to me at roger(at)newalbanian.com, and payment details will be forthcoming. All timings are approximate, but will not substantially vary when finalized.

Fetch your calendars for NABC's forthcoming week in beer.

Here comes another weekend packed with craft beer events. I'll try to use this space each week to preview the busiest summer schedule in NABC's history. Are you ready?

THURSDAY, JUNE 2

In Huntingburg:
Dubois County Bombers vs. Nashville Outlaws
It's summer collegiate-level baseball, and NABC is on tap at League Stadium in Huntingburg as the Bombers begin the Prospect League season. Look for Beak's Best, Community Dark and Tafel Bier at the Craft Beer Bullpen down the third base line. From New Albany, it's about an hour's drive down scenic I-64 to Dubois County.

FRIDAY, JUNE 3

In New Albany:
Schad Bash: Rock for Rauch 2011
The law office of Schad & Schad is right across the parking lot from Bank Street Brewhouse, and we're happy to join the fun at the first annual Schad Bash, which begins at 8:00 p.m. Music will be provided by the Louisville Crashers, and Rosa L. Stumblebus will be on hand for the pouring of NABC drafts. The beneficiary is Rauch, Inc., for 63 years providing opportunities for the physically and mentally handicapped in Southern Indiana.

In Lawrenceburg, Indiana:
First Friday "Party in the Street"
Our brewing friends from Great Crescent (Aurora) and Powerhouse (Columbus) will be vending Indiana-brewed craft beer, including some of NABC's -- Dan from GCB brokered the deal, and we're thanking him for thinking about us.

SATURDAY, JUNE 4

In Clarksville, Indiana:
6th Annual Keg Liquors Fest of Ale
Keg Liquors owner Todd Antz didn't waste time complaining when he learned that the BIG fest in Bloomington was to be held on the same day as his own gathering. He just went out and assembled the best Fest of Ale lineup ever, including this year's newest innovation: The House of Hops. Rock on, Todd, and read this news item from Daniel Suddeath in the News and Tribune: Hey you, beer me! Fest of Ales set for Saturday.

In Bloomington, Indiana:
First Annual Bloomington Craft Beer Fest
Formerly Rad Fest at Upland Brewing, this event has morphed into an officially sanctioned Brewers of Indiana Guild fest, and more than 30 of Indiana's 40-ish breweries are expected to attend, including the newest of the bunch. Purely exhaustive information can be found here, and tickets are on sale now.

In New Albany, Indiana (also on Sunday):
Fifth Annual Art on the Parish Green
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, located just around the corner from my house, is the oldest Episcopalian congregation in Indiana, dating back approximately 175 years. For Art on the Parish Green, the church's lovely historic grounds are given over to a multitude of arts and crafts, with live music, food and NABC beer. It takes place on Saturday and Sunday, and you can let them know you're coming at the Art on the Parish Green Facebook site.

SUNDAY, JUNE 5

In (outside of) Greenville, Indiana:
Capriole Spring Open House
It's the semi-annual open house at Capriole Farms, makers of the sublime goat cheese, without which my household would cease to function in a culinary sense. I'll be there, packing NABC beers for pairing with goat cheeses, and using the cheat sheet that Chef Matt and I devised last week. My advice is to get there early, because folks come from miles around for this one.

In Huntingburg:
Dubois County Bombers vs. Danville Dans

In New Albany:
Fifth Annual Art on the Parish Green

Am I forgetting anything? Let me know.

Tony's graphics for Craft Beer Bullpen at the Dubois County Bombers games.

Craft beer at the ballpark: Dubois County Bombers and New Albanian Brewing Company.

“There is only one game at the heart of America and that is baseball, and only one beverage to be found sloshing at the depths of our national soul and that is beer … beer needs baseball, and baseball needs beer - it has always been thus.”
-- Peter Richmond, author and journalist

Growing up in Southern Indiana, one quickly comes to associate two of life’s most important pastimes with Dubois County: Baseball and beer.

Indiana’s Baseball Hall of Fame is in Jasper, and major leaguer Scott Rolen of the Cincinnati Reds starred at Jasper High School. Amazingly, at least four former major league players were born in the small town of Huntingburg: Bob Coleman, Ray Blemker, Alex Graman and Mitch Stetter.

As for beer, need I do more to document Dubois County‘s fermentable predilections than note its heavily German heritage? Although as yet there are no craft breweries in the county, Jasper is home to the regionally famous Schnitzelbank Restaurant, since 1961 a popular destination for its German cuisine and solid beer list.

Verily, it’s only a matter of time before an enterprising craft brewer sets up shop in Dubois County and brings beer tradition back to its local, independent roots.

That’s why the New Albanian Brewing Company is so excited to be partnering with the Dubois County Bombers to bring craft beer to League Stadium in Huntingburg for Bombers home games this June and July.

The Dubois County Bombers play in the Prospect League, a collegiate summer baseball league with teams located all the way from Hannibal MO to Slippery Rock PA. Players with remaining NCAA eligibility compete with wooden bats, and live with host families during the season.

Huntingburg’s League Stadium is a retro jewel, reconstructed from an existing grandstand to serve as the 1940’s-era home for the Rockford Peaches during location shooting of the film, “League of Their Own” (1992), starring Geena Davis, Madonna and Tom Hanks.

As for NABC, it is a small but growing Southern Indiana brewer with an expanding reputation, and bringing fresh local craft beer to Dubois County for Bombers games (and hopefully to other area establishments, too) is an overdue notion, but Bombers management deserves all the kudos for the idea. They get it.

Unlike other baseball clubs nearby, which have been slow to grasp constant changes in consumer beer preference, Bombers management sees the natural alliance of local baseball and local beer as one perfectly placed to give fans more of what they want when attending games.

NABC favorites Beak’s Best, Community Dark and Tafelbier will be available on draft from the beer trailer parked down the third base line. There is a roofed picnic area just in front of the taps, and the main concessions area is adjacent. Informally, we’re calling it the NABC Craft Beer Bullpen.

Within the next few days, NABC will announce promotions to coincide with craft beer at League Stadium, including as many as two weekend motor coach trips from metropolitan Louisville (probably coupled with an early afternoon lunch stop at the Schnitzelbank and/or a stop at the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame, prior to a 7:15 p.m. Bombers game), NABC poster night, and special tasting nights when a surprise NABC beer “to be named” will be pouring from a fourth tap.

If you enjoy great craft-brewed beer and high-caliber baseball, League Stadium will be the place for you this summer.

Links

Dubois County Bombers: http://www.dcbombers.com/

Bombers 2011 schedule: http://www.dcbombers.com/test.html

Prospect League: http://www.prospectleague.com/

A League of Their Own: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0104694/

Dubois County: http://www.visitduboiscounty.com/

Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame: http://www.indbaseballhalloffame.org/

Schnitzelbank Restaurant: http://www.schnitzelbank.com/

NABC home page: http://www.newalbanian.com/

League Stadium in Huntingburg: Rockford Peaches, meet Dubois County Bombers.

Why does a town like Huntingburg have a cozy retro ballpark like League Stadium? The inscription near the main entrance tells the story. Currently the stadium is home to the Dubois County Bombers, a college-aged summer league team.

The underside of the oldest, original section of the 1894 grandstand is pictured here:

League Stadium is situated on the edge of town, amid parkland. Here's the view toward left field. For the movie, old-fashioned outfield fence billboards were imaginatively conjured. 20 years later, several of them remain in place.

Remember the dugout on the third base line? It's where the "no crying in baseball" scene took place.





Here's the view down the right field side. The molded plastic seats closest to the field were acquired when Atlanta's Fulton County Stadium was demolished. For Bombers home games, they're the priciest seats, at $6 and $7 dollars. Bleacher seats cost only $5.

The picnic and concessions area on the left field side shows great potential for craft beer sales, don't you think?

The press box's "Rockford Peaches" reference reminds onlookers that League Stadium played a significant role in American cinematic lore. I think that NABC's Tafelbier model wearing a Peaches uniform would look mighty fine.


Okay, so when the deal's done and the press release is ready, we'll announce it over the public address system. Until then, and as you may have already guessed ...

... NABC hopes to have draft beer in League Stadium this June and July for Dubois County Bombers home games.