Vintage Fire Museum offers "Chili, Brats, and (NABC) Brew," this Saturday.

Saturday, November 22 (11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) is the occasion of "Chili, Brats, and Brew", a fundraiser for the Vintage Fire Museum and Safety Education Center (723 Spring Street, Jeffersonville). NABC will be on hand with a cash beer bar.

The museum is a nationally known collection of restored fire engines (hand pumpers, chemical engines, horse-drawn steamers and early motorized engines) and other equipment dating back to 1756. It's a worthy cause, so if you're in the neighborhood, check out the collection and enjoy a Progressive Pint.

Beer festivals proliferate as event season launches in earnest, with trenchant and curmudgeonly commentary.

Today and tomorrow is RiverRoots in Madison, and NABC's annual gig pouring better beer for great music.

May 16 & 17 is RiverRoots 2014 in Madison IN, with music, folk arts and Indiana craft beer

NABC will be on hand to share beer vending duties with craft-brewing Hoosier friends: Upland Brewing Company (Bloomington IN), who’ve been there with us from the beginning; Great Crescent Brewing from Aurora; Indianapolis stalwart Sun King; and Power House out of Columbus.

Meanwhile, Steve Coomes previews the Highlands Beer Festival (Saturday, May 17) and Keg Liquors' Fest of Ale (Saturday, May 31), in which we learn that the coming of Deschutes to metro Louisville has trumped the coming of various other saviors. Before I climax, myself, and speaking of the forthcoming Fest of Ale, NABC will debut our Session Station there.

This Sunday (May 18) is the the Louisville Independent Business Alliance's 6th Annual Buy Local Fair in Louisville. It's always a fine event, supporting independent local businesses.

Next Sunday (May 25; Memorial Day weekend) is the Boomtown Ball and Festival in downtown New Albany. The event is previewed in SoIn, a food and entertainment supplement thus far not sequestered behind pay walls.

It bears noting that while neither the city of New Albany nor local media has seen fit to mention the fact, a consortium of downtown food and drink operators will be running the adult beverage area for Boomtown, including Feast BBQ, Irish Exit, JR's Pub, 502 Winery and NABC. It's unclear to me how our participation can be deemed so important to the success of the day that we've been entirely omitted from the vast majority of advance publicity, but then again, I'm not the mayor -- at least yet.

A glance at the NABC calendar for January and February.

Since when is February the kickoff for event season?

We have road engagements each of the first four weekends of the month, culminating with a return on February 28 to the friendly confines of the Pizzeria & Public House for the celebration known as Gravity Head. See them all below.

Meanwhile, there is both new and old on the agenda for January.

Old Lightning Rod Day comes around for the ninth time on the 19th at Bank Street Brewhouse, where we'll also be staging an inaugural birthday for Hoptimus on the 31st.

But before that, January 14 will be a Tuesday to remember at both locations, as we debut a very special one-time ale at 5:00 p.m. My lips are sealed. This time, you'll just have to show up and see what we're talking about.

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NABC AT HOME: OUR BRICKS AND MORTAR

JANUARY 14

First-ever release of (censored) Ale

Join us at both NABC locations on Tuesday, January 14, when we’ll be releasing a limited edition ale so very unique and ridiculously special that we can’t even tell you about it yet. Just be at the Pizzeria & Public House or Bank Street Brewhouse at 5:00 p.m. on the 14^th, and taste for yourself.

JANUARY 19 & 20

Old Lightning Rod Day 2014

At Bank Street Brewhouse (19^th) and the Pizzeria & Public House (20^th)

It’s the annual limited release of Old Lightning Rod, NABC’s cult favorite Colonial Dark Ale, honoring the legendary Benjamin Franklin’s birthday. On Monday, January 20, Old Lightning goes on tap at the Pizzeria & Public House. As always, it’s a small batch, so get your pints and growlers while you can.

JANUARY 31

Hoptimus Inception Reception 2014

At Bank Street Brewhouse only

Hoptimus is NABC’s biggest-selling beer in the metro Louisville market, and to celebrate its 8^th birthday, we’re showcasing the everyday recipe with added shadings, courtesy of the boys in the brewhouse: Oaktimus (oak-aged), Chouffetimus (Belgian yeast) and two pins of differently dry-hopped Hoptimus (with Citra and Styrian Celeia).

FEBRUARY 28

Gravity Head 2014: Bullet Train to Blackout Town

At the Pizzeria & Public House only, through March

The 16^th annual Gravity Head is NABC’s celebration of the brewing world’s biggest and best.  Beginning on February 28, and lasting daily throughout March until all the kegs are gone, we’ll be devoting numerous taps to showcasing these rare and sought-after beers, as chosen to exhibit maximum diversity of flavors and stylistic inspiration.

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NABC ON THE ROAD: SELECTED FEBRUARY EVENTS

We’ll be on the road for four February samples-only, winter-themed beer festivals. Brewers and sales staff are guaranteed to be present, so if you’re attending one or more of these festivals, come by and say hi.

February 1

Winterfest, by the Brewers of Indiana Guild, held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis

February 8

Winter Warmer, at Lafayette Brewing Company in Lafayette, Indiana

February 14 and 15

Cincinnati Winter Beer Fest, both nights at the Duke Energy Center in Cincinnati, Ohio (with Cavalier Distributing Ohio)

February 15

Craft Writing: Beer, The Digital, and Craft Culture, a symposium at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky. NABC’s Roger A. Baylor will appear along with other craft beer notables, including Garrett Oliver, Mitch Steele and Stan Hieronymus

February 22

Tailspin Ale Fest, at Bowman Field in Louisville, Kentucky, the city’s first ever winter craft beer showcase

Aching feet, pounding heads: NABC's event schedule for the remainder of June.

During the course of the year, there are three primary NABC businesses: The Pizzeria & Public House (3312 Plaza Drive); Bank Street Brewhouse (415 Bank Street); and the combined brewing operation occurring at both locations.

As the following list illustrates, in summertime a fourth whole effort gears up. It's the all-purpose umbrella title of "events season," which requires quite a lot of planning and manpower. It includes setting up accounts at venues (Dubois County Bombers, Derby City Roller Girls); catering (Bicentennial Park concert series, last week's Culbertson Mansion Garden Party); and pouring samples at beer geek gatherings (Fishers on Tap).

The list doesn't include hosting my 35th high school reunion on Friday the 28th at Bank Street Brewhouse, or the music we're planning at Lloyd's Landing (at BSB) beginning on June 29th.

NABC now has more than 60 full- and part-time employees working at their various jobs at our on-premise locations, and during events season, it takes each of them to accomplish all of the event commitments -- some by holding the bricks 'n' mortar forts, others by volunteering to stage or pour. We manage to keep most of the balls in the air. It could not be done without our workers, so cheers to them.

Now through the end of June:

NABC at this summer’s Bicentennial Concert Series, on Fridays from June 7 through August

Once again, NABC is on tap for Dubois County Bombers home games, all season long

June 8 & 9: Elector & Tafel at the 7th Annual Art on the Parish Green

NABC’s lineup for Zoo Brew 2013 (Saturday, June 8) at Mesker Park in Evansville

Derby City Roller Girls home bout this Saturday, June 8

Smokin’ on the River with BBQ and craft beer (June 14 & 15)

NABC reminds you about Music at the Mount on June 15

NABC at Fishers on Tap, June 15

Carnival Barker’s Blog: NABC at Exclusively New Albany on June 20

The 2013 “Art Walk During & After Party” is at Bank Street Brewhouse on June 22

The Waterfront Challenge: Race, Drink, Dance, Party and Black & Blue Grass on Saturday, June 22

NABC at Brew-Ha-Ha, the annual Phoenix Theatre benefit

Black & Blue Grass for Brandi Carlile at the Iroquois Amphitheater on Sunday, June 23

NABC's lineup at RiverRoots 2013.

Once again, NABC will be vending at Madison's RiverRoots music and folk arts festival. Details and the beer list are at NABC's web site.

NABC's lineup at RiverRoots 2013

It’s almost time for RiverRoots, the annual music and folk arts festival on the banks of the Ohio in historic Madison, Indiana.

It takes place on Friday and Saturday nights, May 17 and 18, and for the eighth year running (actually, since the fest’s inception), NABC will be on hand to share beer vending duties with craft-brewing Hoosier friends: Upland Brewing Company (Bloomington IN), who’ve been there with us from the beginning; Great Crescent Brewing from Aurora; Indianapolis stalwart Sun King; and (or so I hear) Power House out of Columbus.

Louisville Loves Mountains, with local craft beer: Friday, May 17.

This has become one of the NABC brew crew's favorite annual events, because very rarely is there so direct a visceral connection between social activism and what actually matters about craft beer. Both urge us to act locally even as we think globally. Read the whole story at the NABC web site.

Louisville Loves Mountains, with local craft beer: Friday, May 17

NABC is teaming with our friends at Against the Grain and BBC to provide the beer concession for Louisville Loves Mountains on Friday, May 17. Here’s the official press release.

Honor Mother Earth Festival, with environmental consciousness and craft beer.

The Honor Mother Earth Festival looks to be the first New Albany Riverfront Amphitheater event of the summer. It’s a family friendly event with activities for all ages, and perhaps a refreshing pause by the river before trundling off to complete the day, because NABC will be vending beer.

Honor Mother Earth on May 11.

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.

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

NABC at Keg Liquors for yesterday's Jingle Walk.

Yesterday's weather in downtown New Albany was nippy, but the sun was shining, and by most measurements the Holiday Fest and Jingle Walk should be judged a success. I was joined at Keg Liquors by the inimitable Tony Beard (being interviewed by Amanda Arnold in the photo), otherwise known as NABC's graphics department, and we dispensed eleven growlers of three types of NABC samples, a couple ounces at a time, to the jingle walkers.

When the Jingle Walk finished, the Holly Jolly Beer Trolley began circulating downtown. The trolley vehicle itself is owned by the city of Jeffersonville, which evidently acquired two and maybe more of them in an abortive effort to shuttle people from the Indiana shore to Yum Center for ballgames. Matt McMahan, owner of Irish Exit, Warehouse and Dillinger's, did the trolley legwork, and the participating bars and restaurants pitched in on the cost. We're hoping to do it again soon.

Taken as a whole, Friday and Saturday were good days for downtown New Albany. Plaid Friday (which I personally favor) and Small Business Saturday (less to my taste, owing to the American Express connection) both provided excellent opportunities to educate consumers about the importance of independent small business, and our burgeoning Buy Local movement. Holiday Fest, Jungle Walk and the Holly Jolly Beer Trolley brought people downtown, and the pubs and eateries benefited.

Today: NABC at Brews for Beargrass at Whole Foods Market in Louisville.

If you don't know Angela Rees, the beer buyer at Whole Foods Market on Shelbyville Road in Louisville, you should.

She presides over an excellent selection of beers, and she has put together today's fest in the parking lot. The lineup looks great. It is an outdoor event, and with temps in the mid-50s today (no rain is forecast), you may wish to grab a sweater. I'll be there for the first two hours, at least; David Pierce and Richard Atnip also will be on hand. NABC will have Elector and Solidarity (wine barrel aged version). See you there.

Join us for our first ever BeerFest! We will be raising money for Beargrass Creek Alliance with a party in the parking lot. Tickets are $30 advance, $35 at the door, and available for purchase at Whole Foods Market. Tickets in a beer menu, a tasting mug, and beer samples. It is a ticketless event so you must bring your photo id to enter. Also you must be 21 years of age to enter the event area. Also local food trucks will be rolling in with their tasty fares available for separate purchase.

Here is the list of breweries and importers that will be represented: Country Boy Brewing, Great Lakes, New Holland, Apocalypse, North Coast, Bluegrass Brewing Company (x2), Green Flash, Brooklyn Brewing, New Albanian, Merchant du Vin (Sam Smith, Trappist ales, Ayinger) Finch, West Sixth, Sierra Nevada, Three Floyds, Falls City, Glunz Imports (Steigl Radlers), Against the Grain, Bells, Alltech, Founders, Schlafly, Southern Tier, Shelton Brothers (Mikkeller, Jolly Pumpkin, Nogne-O), Sam Adams, Dogfish Head and Rogue.

Big Woods Brewing Company in Nashville, Indiana.

On September 21st, when Graham's truck was the chosen vehicle for a beer-buying road trip through Southern Indiana, our second stop was Big Woods Brewing Company in Nashville, Indiana. From Needmore, there is no direct route to Nashville; rather, looking out from the back porch at Salt Creek Brewery, one sees only the woods and hills comprising the combined acreage of Hoosier National Forest, Lake Monroe and Brown County State Park. We drove north to Bloomington, skirted the city on the southeast, and headed for Nashville, arriving in time for lunch. Above is the tiny original brewhouse. A larger one now operates across the alley from the original building, and the hand-filling of bottles was underway as we examined the layout.

Nashville itself is like a pocket Gatlinburg, and very much the arts, crafts and resort-type community. There was excellent food, beer and hospitality behind this chalet-style entrance to the Big Woods restaurant and taproom. I had a nitro stout ideal for the cool day, and the brewery's signature beer, Busted Knuckle, was my choice for the showcase. It's a 7.2% "light" Porter or Brown (according to the brewery) and reminiscent of certain Scottish-style ales (according to me).

The Salt Creek Brewery in Needmore, Indiana.

On September 21st, I borrowed Graham and his truck for a round of beer buying in Southern Indiana. The kegs we purchased were served at the Southern Indiana Craft Showcase the following day, and now they're appearing one by one at the Pizzeria & Public House. First stop was Salt Creek Brewery in Needmore, a town north of Bedford. As you can see, the brewery is located in a converted filling station.

Specifically, the brewing system occupies the former grease pit, making it among the most unique set-ups I've ever witnessed. The beers are good, too; out choice for the showcase was Colonel Klink, an Altbier.

The bar area fronts Salt Creek's grease pit brewhouse. Note the old gas pump on the left. There is a kitchen and family seating to the right, and evening music is a staple.

The owner/brewer, Brad Hawkins, shows us how oil cans can be adaptively reused as beer pitchers. I met Brad for the first time in September at the Eikosi Festival in Salem, and his plan of operation in Needmore is just what Indiana beer is about. He's making mid-range styles, educating consumers, and slowly ramping up beer strengths and character. The atmosphere is eclectic, but community-oriented and efficient. Both Graham and I are quite eager to make it back to Needmore for pints, meals and an evening's entertainment. I'll tell you when, and maybe you can meet us there.

NABC will be pouring this weekend at the Horseshoe Casino, Live @ Five and Rock the Rocks.

It started in early May, and by most calculations, the event season should be winding down, but it doesn't feel like it.

On Friday night (September 28), there's an opportunity to pair local beer and local music at the Horseshoe Casino. It's a fine and progressive idea, and I'll be on hand Friday night to take in the scene. The four NABC beers on tap will be: Black & Blue Grass, Community Dark, Hoosier Daddy and Tafel Bier.

Also on Friday night:

Live@5's last show of the season starts on Friday at 5:00 p.m. with the band Wax Factory. The venue is the 400 block of Bank Street. NABC's Rosa L. Stumblebus will be on hand to dispense soul-enriching craft beer.

And then on Saturday, the 29th, the scene shifts to Clarksville:

Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:00 to 10:00 pm

• Live music by Appalatin
• Mayan fare from Terri Lyn's Catering by Design
• Bourbon and tequila tastings by Jim Beam Brands
• Craft beer tastings by New Albanian Brewing Company
• Wine sampling by Horeshoe Bend Winery

Tickets are $75 each in advance, $100 day of event, $600 for a reserved table of 8
Proceeds to benefit the Crossroads Campaign for New Exhibits

Order Tickets Online Now

Free Parking Shuttle from Clarksville Aquatic Center to the Falls

Thanks to our sponsors - American Water Company, Duke Energy, The Estopinal Group, Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, L&D Mail Masters, Louisville/So. IN Chapter of IUAA, MAC Construction, Raymond James: Morgan Keegan, Solid Light, Inc., Town of Clarksville, and Your Community Bank.

The park's website provides further details.

NABC on the Road: Victorian Vineyard (Jeffersonville IN; 10/5/12).

It's a samples-only event, which I worked solo in 2011 and probably will do again this year. In 2012, the fundraiser moves down the street to the ACL's terrace.

The Howard Steamboat Museum is proud to present, “A VICTORIAN VINEYARD”, the 20th year celebration of the annual wine tasting, cocktail buffet and auction. This event is a major fundraiser to benefit the daily operating expenses of the museum, which receives no regular funding from any government agencies.

The festive event will be held on Friday, October 5th from 6:30 until 9:30 at the American Commercial Lines building, overlooking the Ohio River, at 1701 East Market Street in Jeffersonville. Musical entertainment (weather permitting) will be out on the terrace with John Gage.

Reservations are available by calling the museum at 812.283.3728. Cost is $40 per person or $300 for a table for eight, cash, check, Visa/MasterCard/Discover

Further information is available by visiting the museum website at www.steamboatmuseum.org.

NABC on the Road: Rock the Rocks (Clarksville IN; 09/29/12).

Saturday, September 29, 2012, 6:00 to 10:00 pm

• Live music by Appalatin
• Mayan fare from Terri Lyn's Catering by Design
• Bourbon and tequila tastings by Jim Beam Brands
• Craft beer tastings by New Albanian Brewing Company
• Wine sampling by Horeshoe Bend Winery

Tickets are $75 each in advance, $100 day of event, $600 for a reserved table of 8
Proceeds to benefit the Crossroads Campaign for New Exhibits

Order Tickets Online Now

Free Parking Shuttle from Clarksville Aquatic Center to the Falls

Thanks to our sponsors - American Water Company, Duke Energy, The Estopinal Group, Horseshoe Foundation of Floyd County, L&D Mail Masters, Louisville/So. IN Chapter of IUAA, MAC Construction, Raymond James: Morgan Keegan, Solid Light, Inc., Town of Clarksville, and Your Community Bank.

Website

NABC on the road: Horseshoe Presents: "Local Beer, Local Rock" (Elizabeth IN; 09/28/12).

We've been doing well with NABC beers at Horseshoe, and I'm appreciative for the opportunity to pair local beer and music. It's a fine idea, and I'll be there. We don't yet know which of our beers will be pouring, so stay tuned.

Eikosi and Amphitheater: NABC on the road on Saturday, September 1.

To my knowledge, NABC hasn't ever poured beer at Labor Day weekend events, and so this year, we scheduled two of them on Saturday, September 1.

NABC on the road: Eikosi Wine & Beer Festival (Salem IN; 09/01/12).

Eikosi is Salem, Indiana's first-ever Indiana craft wine-and-beer event. There'll be music and food at the Speedway. NABC will be selling full pours (not samples) of  Black & Blue Grass, Tafel, Hoptimus and a special wine-barrel-aged Solidarity :Baltic Porter. Bring cash and a designated river, folks. It starts at 2:00 p.m.

Labor Day weekend at the Riverfront Cinemas with a double feature and craft beer.

Meanwhile, back home, the city of New Albany is screening a double feature at the Amphitheater. We'll have Black & Blue Grass and Elector; there'll be mass-market beer and munchies, too. The films begin at dusk, just like at the drive-in.

Be aware: Both NABC locations will be closed on Monday, September 3.

NABC on the Road: Lanesville Heritage Weekend (Lanesville IN; 09/14-16/12).

We've learned that Lanesville Jaycees will be serving NABC Tafel Bier as one of their beers on tap at the Beer Garden during the 37th Annual Lanesville Heritage Weekend (September 14-16). Thanks to Chuck Smith and his fellow Jaycees organizers for helping to get this done. This isn't a staffing event for us, but the crew will be making appearances. Speaking for myself, having one of our beers on tap during Heritage Weekend is a long-standing goal.

NABC on the road: Beer & food at the Artisan Market in New Albany on August 16.

This should be called "NABC down the street," seeing as the Artisan Market is perhaps a twenty minute walk from Bank Street Brewhouse. If the catering application is approved, I'll be offering samples and also full pours in a "cash beer bar" setting from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, the 16th. 

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Hello Artisan Fans!

Our next Tasting Thursday will be on August 16th from 5 - 8pm. This is the second in our series of four after work mixers each month from July through October.

Our August event will feature the New Albanian with craft beer tasting and Patti Cakes Catering with some special treats. And don't forget, we will have 4 new featured store Artisans on hand to display their high quality hand craft.

Please join our casual, after work mixer and bring your friends. Last month was a great time and we're looking forward to our August tasting.

Attached is our flyer for this month that can serve as a reminder for you and your friends.

Looking forward to seeing you on the 16th.


Artisan Market
318 Vincennes Street

Find Us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/myArtisanMarket