BIG: "As the industry grows and technology changes, guilds can have a stronger voice than ever."

Admittedly, I haven't been playing very close attention, but The Brewer Magazine ... based at 719 E Kentucky Street in Louisville? The articles seem solid. Can someone bring me up to date?

Meanwhile, it's gratifying to see some good ink for the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

Guilds Find Ways to Connect Breweries with Consumers & Each Other, by By Jon Sicotte (The Brewer Magazine)

A state guild can be key in connecting fellow brewers to other brewers, and state breweries to the consuming public.

Finding new and exciting ways to do that has been on the mind of the Brewers of Indiana Guild, which has seen the number of breweries in the state nearly double in the last two-plus years. That means needed communication and more resources for not just educating the public on craft beer in the Hoosier state, but also educating and introducing the various breweries to each other. That partnership can lead to strong communal ties and a bigger voice in unison when needed.

“As the industry grows and technology changes, guilds can have a stronger voice than ever,” said Brewers of Indiana Guild Communication Director Tristan Schmid.

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Why does local matter? Let me count these three ways, courtesy of Tristan at BIG.

Authored by Tristan Schmid, communications director for the Brewers of Indiana Guild (BIG), it's a three-part refresher course on the theory and practice of localism in beer.

Taught him everything he knows ... well, not really.

First, follow the money.

Why does “local” matter when it comes to craft beer and beer fests? Part 1: Economics

“Money from the beer value chain is made up of producer-distributor-retailer (and taxes). Where that money goes varies by retail channel, product, etc., but on average, roughly one-third ends up with the producer. When that producer is local, that means the money goes to local workers, investments, businesses, taxes, and more. When that producer isn’t, you still get the value from the other portions, but you simply lose that 1/3 that would have gone to the producer.”

Next, think about the community.

Why does “local” matter when it comes to craft beer and beer fests? Part 2: Community

You may have heard of Ray Oldenburg’s concept of “third places,” those which “host the regular, voluntary, informal, and happily anticipated gatherings of individuals beyond the realms of home and work.” Nearly 2/3 of Hoosier breweries are brewpubs–the epitome of Oldenburg’s “third place.”

These are places where, in addition to beer direct from the source, you can enjoy local food, artwork, music, events, and much more. Locally owned brewpubs are places to hang out with family, meet new friends, and talk with the brewers about the beer you’re drinking.

Finally, take a bow.

Why does “local” matter when it comes to craft beer and beer fests? Part 3: You

Consumer support of finely crafted local beer is key to the industry’s continued growth and strength. Thanks to demand for a good, local product, it’s been possible for Brewers of Indiana Guild to lobby for efforts like legalizing Sunday growler fills at Hoosier breweries.

People like you made it possible to raise barrelage limits last year from 30,000 that could be sold in state to 90,000–meaning that it’s easier to get Three Floyds and Sun King across Indiana because they can legally sell more of it in their home state.

If it weren’t for Hoosiers supporting their local brewers, we wouldn’t have been able to launch the Drink Indiana Beer campaign or the app or the forthcoming DrinkIN magazine (which–plug!–features a handy-dandy regional map of all the state’s breweries.)

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Happy 25th birthday to Broad Ripple Brewpub.

Tristan and Lord Hill at the party, courtesy of Tristan's Fb page.

The anniversary party was yesterday, and unfortunately I missed it, but this excellent essay by the Brewers of Indiana Guild's communications director (who as we can see needs to write more often) provides the rundown on why Broad Ripple Brewpub matters so much to so many of us.

(Take note -- only 75 days until the 8th Annual Brewers of Indiana Guild Winterfest)

My first visit wasn't until the late 1990s. The first ale I had there was the ESB, and to this day, I'll always drink at least one of them when visiting. A flagship is a flagship, after all. I can taste it now.

Best wishes to John Hill and the hundreds of others at BRB who've made beers and memories over a quarter-century.

BROAD RIPPLE BREWPUB CELEBRATES 25 YEARS OF CRAFT BEER AND COMMUNITY, by Tristan Schmid

Broad Ripple Brewpub–Indiana’s first brewpub and oldest operating craft brewery–celebrates 25 years of craft beer and community at their anniversary party.

As Brewers of Indiana Guild‘s Communications Director, I typically don’t write in first person when I post about our beer festivals, Tomlinson Tap Room, and our other efforts to support Indiana’s brewers and rapidly growing craft brewing industry.

But for me and many others, Broad Ripple Brewpub is particularly special.

The 19th Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival takes place on July 19.

There is a new Communications Director for the Brewers of Indiana Guild (BIG). Actually, Tristan Schmid is the first person to occupy this newly created position. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the most recent guild meeting. I'm now on the festival committee, and will be honing my contrarian opinions about such matters.

In the grand tradition of dropping multiple pins with one throw, here is Tristan's inaugural BIG press release, which previews the 19th Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival.

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TICKETS FOR THE 19TH ANNUAL INDIANA MICROBREWERS FESTIVAL AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT BIG RED LIQUORS, at Indiana On Tap

INDIANAPOLIS (July 2, 2014) – Tickets are now available for the 19th Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival, the largest beer festival in Indiana. The event takes place on Saturday, July 19, from 3-7 p.m. at Opti-Park, 780 East 66th Street, on the grounds of the Indianapolis Art Center in Broad Ripple on Indy’s north side. A portion of ticket sales benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Craft beer fans can purchase general admission tickets--which include a commemorative tasting glass, unlimited beer samples, and 3 p.m. admission--for $40. Early Bird tickets, good for entry at 2 p.m., are available for $15 more. The event is expected to sell out all 6,000 tickets in advance.

All tickets are available at brewersofindianaguild.com, and general admission tickets are for sale beginning today at Indianapolis-area Big Red Liquor stores.

$10 Designated Driver tickets, available online and at the gate the day of the event, are good for free unlimited soft drinks and coffee from Bee Coffee Roasters.

“This year’s event will be better than ever,” said Clay Robinson, President of the Brewers Guild of Indiana and Owner of Sun King Brewing. “80-plus breweries, most from Indiana, will bring more than 200 beers, giving craft beer fans plenty of their favorites and offering tastes of many new brews.”

The event will also feature local food vendors and musicians.

The Brewers of Indiana Guild is enlisting volunteers to help at the event; those interested in volunteering can email BeerVolunteerList@gmail.com for more information.

Indianapolis-area Big Red Liquors stores selling general admission tickets:

• 5510 N. Emerson Way, Indianapolis
• 1111 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis
• 5602 N. Georgetown Rd, Indianapolis
• 5959 Crawfordsville Rd, Speedway
• 9546 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis
• 8029 Pendleton Pike, Indianapolis
• 9908 E. 79th Street, Indianapolis
• 7015 Kentucky Ave, Indianapolis
• 7930 S. Emerson, Indianapolis
• 2230 Stafford Rd, Plainfield
• 8607 N. Michigan Rd, Indianapolis
• 4201 S.East Street, Indianapolis
• 1067 Broad Ripple Ave, Indianapolis
• 5301 W. 10th St, Indianapolis
• 8975 E. Washington St, Indianapolis
• 40 Northfield Dr, Brownsburg
• 1447 E. Main St, Brownsburg
• 3437 E. 86th Street, Indianapolis
• 2290 E. 116th Street, Carmel
• 9685 Olio Rd, Fishers
• 9526 E. 126th Street, Fishers
• 9777 E. 116th Street, Fishers
• 8924 S. Meridian Street, Indianapolis
• 5439 S. East Street, Indianapolis
• 25 N. Pennsylvania St, Indianapolis

About Brewers of Indiana Guild: The Brewers of Indiana Guild (BIG) provides a unifying voice for the 90 craft breweries and brewpubs of Indiana. BIG promotes public awareness and appreciation for the quality and variety of beer produced in Indiana, advocates for favorable regulatory treatment from state and federal agencies, and provides support to brewers throughout the state. For more information, visit brewersofindianaguild.com.