American Craft Beer Week

American Craft Beer Week begins today and I can't really think of a better way to celebrate the coming summer than to enjoy craft beer with family and friends.  It seems that many cities/towns are gearing up for American Craft Beer Week with a plethora of special events, tastings, and takeovers, and my home city of Indianapolis is pulling out all the stops for Craft Beer this week.  As I think about it, I probably should have just taken the whole week off of work to celebrate Craft Beer.

One of the blogs I follow, Hoosier Beer Geek, has a list of the many events that will be held throughout the city during this week.  I encourage you to check out their blog which is a wealth of craft beer information.  It's an incredibly exciting list of events, but it certainly can be a bit overwhelming to think about how many different places are offering special activities.  If you are anything like me, you might end up agonizing over the decision you have to make so much that you just stay home, sit on your couch, and celebrate Craft Beer Week on your couch with your favorite craft beer in hand.......which is, of course, a completely acceptable way to celebrate and something I surely will be doing this week.

As my wife and I are expecting a new baby in the coming weeks and having a handful of a 2 year old we already do, I am well aware that my presence is required at home during this week to continue working on preparations for the new baby and to help relieve my wife's stress with the pending expansion of our family.  So for me, attending all of the events I would like to attend is virtually impossible.  Meaning that most of my craft beer celebrating will have to be done at home.  However, there are a couple of events that I hope to be able to attend and I encourage you to do so as well if you have the time.

Monday May 14th (I know, it's a little late to be putting this out there, but seriously) go grab your car keys and a couple friends right now and head to  Macnivens for their Three Floyds Tap Takeover.  It appears that they will have 12 taps of Three Floyds brews from 5p-11p tonight....and with that selection, you simply can not go wrong.  In fact, why are you still reading this?  Why haven't you left yet?  What's wrong with you?  GO!!! EDIT: I am reminded by the good people at Hoosier Beer Geek and Gina that the Three Floyds tap takeover is wednesday night....

I might also suggest grabbing a pint before or after your Three Floyds adventure at the Tomlinson Tap Room at City Market since pints are just $4 between 2p-9p.  This is an incredible way to kick off ACBW.

Tuesday:  Here's where tough decisions are made, but I think I have figured out what I would do if I could.  I would start by going back to Macnivens for the Two Hearted firkin that will be on all day.  I then might head over to the Red Lion Grog House for trivia from 7p-10p.  I would finish the night by enjoying $2.50 pints at the White Rabbit Cabaret.

Wednesday:  I would start my day at Triton Brewing to enjoy some Rail Splitter IPA and awesome food served by Clustertruck.  Then I would go back to Macnivens for a quick couple of Three Floyds brews before heading to Flat 12 Bierwerks Rock the Block Party where your money goes to a good cause and you get to enjoy the awesomeness that is Flat 12 brews.  Part of me would really like to go to the Tomlinson Tap Room for the IndyMonthly beerfest, but the price tag is kind of steep....but if that's your thing, then go ahead and enjoy because that is certainly a good choice as well.

Thursday:  Back to Macnivens for the Sun King tap takeover.  No, your liver does not need a break, you are a well oiled machine at this point.  I would literally just belly up all day at Macnivens today and enjoy the Fresh Local Beer that Sun King brews.  There are sure to be special releases there, and from what I have read a Firkin of Grapefruit Jungle could be all the rage.

Friday:  I would actually choose today to take a break and enjoy some craft beer from my fridge/cellar.  It's a good day to break it up, but if you must go out I would suggest Happy Hour at Tomlinson Tap Room.

That's a busy week of enjoying and celebrating American Craft Beer.  As for myself, I hope to get out to at least the Three Floyds takeover on Wednesday at Macnivens or the Sun King Takeover on Thursday.  Either way, I know I will be enjoying this week dedicated to one of my favorite things....craft beer.  As always, please enjoy responsibly.  Indianapolis Yellow Cab can be reached at 487-7777 for your safe transportation needs.

Enjoy!!