A busy fest day in downtown New Albany on Saturday, September 22. Here's the overview with links.

On Saturday, September 22, there will be quite a lot happening on, or near, the 400 block of Bank Street in downtown New Albany. It's part Louisville Craft Beer Week event, and part civic. With bourbon, too.

Indie craft consciousness in downtown New Albany on Saturday, September 22.

Let's tackle these events in approximate chronological order.

Updated plan for the Southern Indiana Craft Beer Showcase on Saturday, September 22.

New Albany First's 1st Annual Indie Fest is Saturday, September 22.

Menu and details for the Willett Bourbon Dinner at Bank Street Brewhouse on Saturday, September 22.

Menu and details for the Willett Bourbon Dinner at Bank Street Brewhouse on Saturday, September 22.

On Saturday, September 22, amid the other community activities taking place on or near the 400 block of Bank Street in New Albany (including the 1st Annual New Albany Indie Fest and the Southern Indiana Craft Beer Showcase, with cider, mead and wine), we're also directing the spotlight toward regionally distilled spirits in the form of a Willett tasting and dinner.

Willett Bourbon Tasting
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 22
Place: WCTU Reading Room at Bank Street Brewhouse
Brendan Zubrowski of Crossroad Vintners will be offering samples from the Kentucky Bourbon Distillers (Willett) line of bourbon and rye.

Willett Bourbon Dinner
Time: 6:30 p.m. to conclusion
Place: Main Dining Room, Bank Street Brewhouse (same day)
Che Matt's five course dinner, paired with Willett bourbons and rye. Limited number of seats, by reservation only. Price per diner is $50 (tax included, gratuity not included). Regular dinner service will continue as table space allows. Call 812-725-9585 or e-mail mark(at)newalbanian(dot)com for reservations.

Amuse Bouche
Gougere
Capriole Farms Kentucky Tomme
*Willett Single Barrel Rye

Course 2
Pan Seared Diver Scallop, Kentucky Paddlefish Caviar, White Chocolate Veloute
*Willett Pot Still

Course 3
Bacon Jam Stuffed Quail, Bacon Pomme Pave, Haricot Vert
*Noah’s Mill

Course 4
Sous Vide Wagyu Tri-Tip, Brussel Sprouts, Black Peppercorn Demi-Glace
*Willett 17 Year

Dessert
Bourbon Chocolate Mousse
*Sweet Lucy Cream Liqueur

Chef Matt Weirich, Sous Chef Bernie Collier and staff

Updated plan for the Southern Indiana Craft Beer Showcase on Saturday, September 22.

The Southern Indiana Craft Beer Showcase is what we're calling NABC's Louisville Craft Beer Event on Saturday, September 22. The fundamental idea is to feature Southern Indiana craft beers, as well as craft ciders, meads and wines. In a few instances, we've looked past Southern Indiana in sourcing, but all the beer, ciders, meads and wine on hand will be from independent, artisanal producers.

The showcase will take place at Lloyd’s Landing, Bank Street Brewhouse’s new beer garden at 415 Bank Street, which currently is under conception and construction, but usable. Participating breweries, cideries, meaderies and wineries are selecting one or two examples of their craft, which will be available on a "cash bar" basis as full-size pours. There is no admission fee. The day is intended to be educational and informal, and in addition to the showcase, there'll be the 1st Annual New Albany Indie Fest. The Indie Fest will feature local artists, food and exhibitors, and the music stage will be positioned opposite Lloyd's Landing, providing day-long serenades.

Distilled spirits will also be on hand: Menu and details for the Willett Bourbon Tasting and Bourbon Dinner at Bank Street Brewhouse on Saturday, September 22. Bank Street Brewhouse will be open for dining on the 22nd, subject to available seats.

Southern Indiana Craft Beer Showcase ... with Special Guests: Cider, Mead and Wine

A Louisville Craft Beer Week event, held concurrently with the New Albany Indiefest

Saturday, September 22
11:00 a.m. – ???
415 Bank Street (grounds of Bank Street Brewhouse)
Parking: There are surface lots aplenty within a short walking distance, and the city's parking garage at the corner of State and Market does not charge on weekends

BREWERIES
Big Woods Brewing Company (Nashville)
Cutters Brewing Company (Bloomington)
Great Crescent Brewery (Aurora)
New Albanian Brewing Company (New Albany)
Power House Brewing Company (Columbus IN)
Sand Creek Brewery (Bedford IN)

CIDERIES/MEADERIES
New Day Meadery (Indianapolis IN)

WHOLESALERS
Starlight Distributing (featuring Wisconsin-made ciders)

WINERIES
Grateful Goat Vineyard & Winery (Palmyra)
River City Winery (New Albany)
Turtle Run Winery (Corydon)
There also may be wines from Huber, Oliver or others

New Albany First's 1st Annual Indie Fest is Saturday, September 22.

The 1st Annual New Albany Indie Fest will take place on Saturday, September 22, from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on the 400 block of Bank Street, which will be closed to traffic from Spring to Elm all day long.

There'll be exhibits, food, music and children’s activities. The event is open to all ages, with the Southern Indiana Craft Beer Showcase, held at the adjacent Bank Street Brewhouse, operating as the de facto "beer garden" for Indie Fest.

Indie Fest will be open to all ages. The music stage will be located on Bank Street, opposite Lloyd’s Landing. The event is sponsored by New Albany First, the city's only Independent Business Alliance, existing solely to support and promote independent business owners and to educate community members about the importance of buying locally in New Albany and Floyd County.

Also, be aware of Willett Bourbon Tasting and Bourbon Dinner at Bank Street Brewhouse, on the same date. There'll probably be a Billow cigar smoking opportunity, too, and I'll update this post when it is finalized.