It's time once again for a ride on the Stumblebus.

2012 is NABC's 25th, 20th and 10th anniversaries, for the Pizzeria, Public House and brewing operation, respectively, and they'll all come together as one when we celebrate on Sunday, July 22, at New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater.

But for now, let's take a ride on the Stumblebus. After all, it hasn't stopped here since the first "W" administration.

Stumblebus is one of three retired, “retro” beers from NABC's past that we're reviving this anniversary year as the 10th Anniversary Bygoner Series. The other two classics we're revisiting are Bourbondaddy and Turbo Hog. A final 10th anniversary beer, this one newly formulated, is a Belgian-style Wee Heavy called Scotch de Ainslie. It honors Hew Ainslie (1792-1878), New Albany’s first-known commercial brewer.

Stumblebus was created by NABC’s founding brewer, Michael Borchers. Was it Imperial IPA, or was it Barleywine? We were never entirely sure. David Pierce and Ben Minton hit the NABC archives, the the result will be pouring at both NABC locations at opening on Friday, May 18.

Stumblebus (Redux)

Malts: Rahr Pale, Weyermann Vienna, Simpson Medium Crystal, Light Malt extract

Hops: A delicate mix of Galena, Cascade and Golding

Yeast: Super San Diego Ale

OG: 25 Plato
IBU: 126
ABV: 11.2% (yes, the placard can be adjusted)
Color: 13.4 SRM

Bourbondaddy, Stumble Bus and Turbo Hog.

Earlier, I announced NABC's release schedule for 2012, and among other projects, we'll be resurrecting three beers from the Michael Borchers era as part of a 10th anniversary series. Similarly, the primitive artwork derives from the pre-Tony (Beard) era, as conceived by the Publican (me) and actualized with stunted graphics capabilities. David Pierce, NABC's director of brewing operations, has spent the past few days poring over wrinkled old legal pads and labored scrawlings on the back of Kroger receipts, attempting to crack the seemingly forgotten codes so he can formulate these revivals. This will be fun. There'll be better art in the end, too.

Bourbondaddy
“Go forth and proceed”
Haggisdaddy, as aged in Woodford Reserve barrels in 2003 and 2004. At the time, we said that, “Batches (are) released periodically so we can gauge the progress of the experiment.”
6.5% abv

Stumble Bus
Along with Bourbondaddy, surely the most fondly remembered ale by NABC’s founding brewer, Michael Borchers. Was it Imperial IPA, or was it Barleywine? Brewed with English malt, and hopped with Galena, Cascade, East Kent Golding, Amarillo and Hallertau hops. Stumble Bus was dry-hopped with East Kent Golding and Cascade. 1056 (Chico) American yeast was used (OG 1.100).
10% abv

Turbo Hog
The finest malt liquor yet devised by man
Bush Hog’s logical culmination, sans paper bags. Augmented with corn, boosted in strength, and refashioned as a malt liquor, it was a briefly invigorating experiment. There was Bush Hog, then Turbo Hog. Boss Hog was planned, but never brewed.
9.2% abv