Opening Monday: Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown

Hoosier Beer Geek gets a first look at the new Scotty's Brewhouse opening Monday, Jan. 5 downtown. Nice looking digs. Renderings and more info on the new location at Allen Plaza (just north of Mo's, a Place for Steaks) online. At their price point -- and with all that great outside seating for summer, it's sure to be a hit.

Sunday Alcohol Sales DOA?

Reports are starting to trickle in that the Indiana General Assembly will not take up the issue of Sunday alcohol sales this session despite activity by Hoosiers for Beverage Choices, a group of lobbyists heavily funded by the convenience store industry. In fact, legislative blogger Doug Masson reports lawmakers are asking for a "moratorium" on alcohol-related legislation.

What? Has there been a flood of alcohol-related legislation recently? Why on earth would legislators think they should decline to hear all legislation related to a particular topic, especially when it's one so popular at the grass-roots level. I suspect larger lobbying forces are at work since most wine and spirits industry professionals I've spoken to believe it's only a matter of time until Sunday sales are legal in Indiana. More at Masson's Blog.

Fletcher Boyd at Patrick's Kitchen

If you were a fan of Fletcher Boyd from the Fletcher of Atlanta days, here's your choice to enjoy his unique talents again. Oh, I didn't mention? It's a magic show -- but all in good fun with the folks from Patrick's Kitchen and Drinks in Zionsville on Weds, Dec 17. (The date was changed to 12/17 some time ago. Apparently the Star didn't check and got it wrong.)

The pairings have a little something for everyone including beer and a lot of Artesa, the Carneros house that started life as Codor Niu's American outpost. Look for a Spinach and artichoke torte with a Magic Martini or Duvel Belgian Golden Ale, prosciutto-wrapped horseradish shrimp, curried scallop cake and portabello satay with Voga Sparkling Pinot Grigio, Canadian crab soup with Wittekerke, Salmon in Mojo with Artesa Chardonnay, Ceasar salad with a Sauvignon Blanc, a lime buttermilk sorbet, then Filet ala Fletcher with Artesa Elements, and Bananas Foster and peach galette with Umberto Fiore Moscato d'Asti. $100 per person.

Patrick's is also opening for brunch beginning this Sunday, Dec 21.

Beer/Wine Corkage Law Exceptions -- You *Can* Bring Your Own

Image by riebschlager via Flickr As many of you know, we have no corkage law in Indiana, but an enterprising attorney and wine lover, sent me some notes on the statute last week with a couple of interesting exceptions. One of the most important?

It is *legal* to bring beer or wine into a restaurant that you have manufactured yourself. As my attorney friend notes, the definition of "manufacture" can be very broad, but at the very least, if you blend and bottle your own wine or brew your own beer for personal consumption, you may take it into a restaurant *completely* *legally*. You may also take these same beverages for a tasting (meaning more than one.)

Since we have no corkage law, restaurants can not charge you a corkage fee. I note this here for two reasons: Quite a few of you are into home beer brewing. Blending your own wines is not unheard of, and the only way to change the current law, disallowing customers to bring their own wines, is to bring it to every one's attention.

If you're interested in the entire statute, along with the exceptions which clearly cover beer or wine brewed for personal use in restaurants, tastings, competitions, and outdoor venues, email me and I'll send it along. If you want to take your own beer or wine to a restaurant, print out the entire statute and politely show it to the general manager. If they refuse, then a polite letter with the statute to management is in order. I feel a joint event with the Hoosier Beer Geeks coming on!

Two Latest and Best: Burg and Beer

What, you say, how can you possibly take a few days off at this time of year?! It's right before Thanksgiving, the biggest food holiday of the year! Worry not, dear readers, I haven't abandoned you. There's lots to talk about in the next few days and I'll get you caught up before you welcome your guests for turkey and and a fine Pinot Noir. (That's what I'm having for Thanksgiving, anyway.)

But first, let's get last week out of the way. Since it's a short week, I'm going to go with the abbreviated Three Latest and Best!

A Provocative Burgundy Dinner: There were some dedicated Burghounds at L'explorateur last Thursday for a dinner featuring a surprisingly delicious Beaujolais Nouveau (Domaine Dupeuble) and some discussion-worthy wines (at our table, anyway), including the 2002 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay and the 2004 Foillard Morgon Cru Beaujolais. Hey, I'd rather have provocative wines than a list full of old, dull favorites, so kudos to Arthur Black for answering questions like a champ. (The jury's still out on that Volnay, my friend.) One thing that wasn't debatable was the food. It was spot on as has become usual for Chef Neal Brown. The escargot and pear ravioli with mushrooms and goat cheese was hearty, earthy, and a nice pairing with the 2006 Drouhin Chassagne Montrachet. I could eat pork belly confit and tender Beef Bourgognon for every meal, and more chefs should learn the beauty of a great cheese course, this one with salty, soft cheeses, caramel, apple, and wasabi, perfectly delicious with the only 2005 of the night, a wonderfully traditional Drouhin Beanue Clos de Mouche Rouge.

My Favorite Movie Secret: Best kept secret in town? Beer specials at the IndieLounge and Keystone Art Cinema. A bucket of 4 domestics (with ice!) to carry into the theater will only set you back $10 or so, and it's scalable -- the more beers in your bucket, the more you save! (Plus Shiner Bock and Smithwick's, too) Sure, we look weird with a bucket of beers on a Sunday afternoon, but it's the only way to get through some of those depressing art flicks!

J. Gumbo's Beer Liquidation

Hoosier Beer Geek reports J. Gumbo's (nee Buffalo Wild Wings, nee BadaBoomz) owner Mike DeWeese is liquidating his beer cellar. From HBG:

Guys,
I'm liquidating my beer cellar. Attached is the list, all prices are negotiable. Forward it on to your websites and let's help me share the love.

Mike DeWeese
J. Gumbo's

Full list and contact info for Mike at Hoosier Beer Geek. And no, I don't have any additional information about what this means for Mike and J. Gumbo's. Update: Hoosier Beer Geek clarifies that this is from Mike's personal cellar.

Beer, Yats, and Terra Madre!

Lots going on locally these days as the Fall weather settles in:

Need a Job in Beer? Louis Calli over at Vine and Table in Carmel has a position open for beer coordinator. (Hat tip to Hoosier Beer Geek)

Yat's on the Rise: Our own Yat's was named one of the top emerging chains to watch in the October issue of Restaurants and Institutions magazine. Joe has recently opened restaurants in W. Lafeyette and Chicago and plans 9 more locations in the next year for 15 total. Go, Joe! Spreading the chili cheese etouffee love. Other chains to watch included fro-yo shop Red Mango, Nashville's Bread and Company, Oklahoma City-based breakfast chain Jimmy's Egg, Bumblefish, Tilted Kilt, and Bolocco burritos. Love 'em or hate 'em, give Joe props for making a great concept work in these nutty times. (Hat tip to Wine Canine.)

Terra Madre Posts: Delegates from across Indiana will be heading to Torino, Italy this week for Terra Madre, the bi-annual, global gathering of chefs, farmers, and producers. Chef Thom England of Slow Food Indy will be updating us on the Slow Food Indy blog.

Hot Schotz, Tea, and What $2000 a Plate Gets You

Hot Schotz Rides Again: Cory notes over at Property Lines that Hot Schotz is open again in the former Bennigan's space in Fishers. After a pretty major fire, they lost Hans -- their beer guy -- to Pikk's Tavern, but at least they are up and running again. Grand opening planned for October 18.

Chicken or Beef? Any news on who's doing the food for the IMA's $2000-a-plate 125th Anniversay Gala?

Wonder If They Have Wireless? Tea Cozy, the new tea shop at 50 N. Illinios, has their grand opening on October 15 at 10:00 a.m. They will sell loose leaf and packaged teas, teapots, cups and mugs as well as soups, sandwiches, salads, tea lattes, smoothies, and desserts in the Tea Cafe.

Brugge Beer Dinner at RBistro

Also next week, I wanted to mention Regina's upcoming beer pairing dinner at RBistro with local brewer Ted Miller's Brugge beers. While a lot of amateurs try to pair beer on a regular basis, few do it well. The key is still the food, and Regina delivers. Two missing beers are a bit disturbing -- chefs need to create menus with the beverage, so I'm not sure what's up with that. However, in less sure hands than Regina's, I'd be more worried. (It's one reason I always ask who's doing the pairings and whose wines or beers are involved before choosing which pairing dinners to attend.) All of that said, if you're still waiting to be convinced about beer and fine dining, this is one event that should help change your mind. Plus, Ted's Belgian-style beers are just terrific.

Amuse Bouche -- Potato Rosti with Crème Fraiche and Smoked Eel
Brugge White

First Course -- Mussel and Clam Soup with Oysters and Rouille
Brugge Black

Second Course -- Mixed Grill of Rabbit with Grilled Belgian Endive, Roasted Figs and Hazelnuts
Brugge Beer (YTBD)

Cheese Course -- Kirkham’s Lancashire Cow’s Milk Cheese & Vermont Shepherd Goat Cheese
Brugge Tripel de Ripple

Dessert --Dark Beer Ice Cream with an Apple Scone
Brugge Beer (YTBD)

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008
6:30 PM
$65 per person inclusive
Call RBistro for reservations

Who Is Hoosiers for Beverage Choices?

Ahh, the perennial topic -- Sunday retail alcohol and cold beer sales. Mark Finch over at the Wine Canine has been out in front on this topic and I was going to stay out of the fray, but when people start promoting Hoosiers for Beverage Choices, I just can't stop myself.

I'm all for grass roots efforts, but a lot of folks are giving Hoosiers for Beverage Choices more credit than they deserve. HBC is the group trying to muster citizen support for changing the Sunday sales laws using lots of viral marketing and an online petition. Even better for them, they're getting plugs on television and in newspaper editorials. The results are PR money well spent. Why? Because thanks to Finch's sleuthing that's exactly what HBC is -- a PR effort funding by lobbyists. From Wine Canine:

Hoosiers for Beverage Choices has the support of the Indiana Retail Council, the Indiana Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association and the Indiana Petroleum Council. HBC's domain name is registered to The Corydon Group, which counts Anheuser-Busch, Wal-Mart and the Indiana Township Association among its clients.

Hey, I'm all for the ability to get rid of some of our antiquated blue laws, but I only think it's appropriate that if you're touting HBC's petition all over the interwebs, you know who you're really supporting. It's completely OK to be in favor of Sunday sales (yea, cold beer!) but you should also know that HBC is a well-funded and savvy PR effort targeting consumers to influence the legislature at the behest of the convenience store and grocery industry. Grass roots? Sure. But a scrappy little group of progressive consumers who want to change the state? Not so much.

More on who's lobbying on both sides of this issue at Wine Canine.

Monday Morning Duke's Mixture

*The next season of Top Chef is currently filming in New York and spoilers are leaking about the Thanksgiving episode featuring the Foo Fighters. Top Chef needs to fight more foo. [Amuse-Biatch]

*Michael Symon posts on his Share our Strength dinner freaturing some of the best women chefs from around the US. It's worth a read just for the menu alone. Roasted bone marrow, anyone? [Symon Says]

* Hey, all, I have an extra copy of Brian Julyan's Sales and Service for the Wine Professional if you need it for the somm exam. Call or email me.

*Scotty's now carried gluten free beer, New Grist, brewed from sorghum and rice from Milwaukee's Lakefront Brewery.

Clean Out the Refrigerator Friday

It's the end of the week bits and pieces, the stuff that will get pitched if you don't take it home, the leftovers you really should eat because money doesn't grow on trees, you know.

*NRN's Bret Thorn is a Dr. Horrible fan! Who knew? Long live the Evil League of Evil ! [Food Writer's Diary]

*An inside-the-industry perspective on the Bennigan's/Steak-and-Ale bankruptcy. Bottom line: New innovators roar past old innovators. [The Scoop]

*FTC kicks the Wild Oats/Whole Foods merger down to a lower court for review -- again. [Natural-Specialty Foods Memo]

*Looks like the dogs are already lining up for a legislative dog fight next year over Sunday alcohol sales in Indiana. The players? Two big lobbyists with lots of big clients. (No surprises, there.) [WineCanine]

Hot Shotz Burns Saturday

Hot Shotz, the popular pub at 96th and Grey, suffered major damage from a kitchen fire on Saturday morning. The owner reports fire, smoke, and water damage throughout the building. Even so, everyone was able to regroup and Hoosier Beer Geek's Hops for Pops event looks like it went off without a hitch. Great job, guys! (More on Hot Shotz and pics at Indianabeer News via Hoosier Beer Geek)

Three Latest and Best: What a Weekend Edition!

Birthdays are always the best excuse to do all your favorite things, and mine was no different. It couldn't have been more perfect -- and many, many thanks to the great friends who made it all happen.

Friday Night: Had a simple and lovely dinner with a gal pal downtown. We treated ourselves to meat -- for me, a huge slab of falling-off-the-bone baby back ribs from Mo's, A Place for Steaks.

Saturday: The annual summer Indy Pub Crawl! Organizers do a great job getting 200 or so folks through roughly 15 stops on a schedule. Folks start crawling at 11:00 a.m. and work their way through downtown's favorite bars. The rule is one beer/one bar which generally works. I picked up the Mass Ave stops, Front Page, Old Point Tavern, and Das Rat, and had a chance to catch up with some old friends.

Saturday Night: When one of your best food and wine friends offers to organize your birthday dinner, take him up on it! I only provided a date and a restaurant preference, L'explorateur. What a menu -- incredible. Neal served us tasting courses from 8 p.m. until well after midnight. We started with oysters, moved through fresh antipastos, hamachi carpaccio, more seafood, sweetbreads, pork jowls!, and a slab of foie gras au torchon on brioche with a birthday candle. I can't think of a better way to celebrate than with such an amazing group of people. Bravo!

Thursday Tidbits

The Rumors Are True! Kahn's has Shiner Bock in stock. (It was moving pretty quickly yesterday, though.) Thanks to Chris from DIG-B for the pointer.

Bloomington Slow Food Has a Feast: Menu and details are online at My Plate or Yours about this Sunday's Slow Food Bloomington chef's dinner.

The New Guy at Ruth's Chris: The downtown location welcomes their new executive chef, James Mockerman, down from the Mishawaka location.

Newsflash: Shiner Bock at Weber Grill

Hey, kids! Not much would get me to Weber Grill, but they have Shiner Bock on tap! They also have Shiner Bock and Shiner Hefeweizen in bottles. (Possibly the first in Indiana!) Look for it through July 4 as part of their Bourbon and Barbeque fest. If it tests well, they may have it for the rest of the summer. I love Shiner especially in the summer and just in time for my birthday! For many of us, that familiar yellow label is as American (or Texan) as apple pie and July 4 all from our favorite Spoetzl Brewery.

Weird Al at White River State Park

It's not strictly Feed Me/Drink Me material, but wanted to give a shout out to Bob Whitt in his day job as director of White River State Park since the Lawn was just named one of the top 100 concert venues in the world by Pollster magazine. Most of you food lovers and chefs know Bob as the ultimate food-guy-about-town, a knowledgeable wine guy, and Segway rider.

Why do we like the Lawn at White River State Park? There's the relatively easy parking, the comfy grass, good beer, above average snacks, and those cool shorty lawn chairs. And, of course, the programming doesn't suck either. Look for Death Cab for Cutie, Wilco, Good Charlotte and even Alice Cooper coming up and a few goofy acts as well. The highlight of my summer may well be Weird Al Yankovic on July 3. I'll definitely be the one up front with a Heineken singing along to "I Lost on Jeopardy!"

Get Ready, Get Set, Go Weekend!

Heading out to the track today? Getting ready for Sunday? I'm back in the bunker on this book (due to the publisher in the next couple of weeks) and looking forward to the Memorial Day weekend as a long, uninterrupted weekend of work. The rest of you have no excuse! Parties, BBQs and great weather are in order! Whether you hit the parade, the race or both, here are a couple of links to hold you over.

*These track-legal microbrew mini-kegs are just brilliant. Could anything be better? Spend your day with some Bell's Oberon. [Hoosier Beer Geek]

*Looks like the trotters didn't go much better than the tripe. Maybe some things at the French Laundry are best left to the experts. [French Laundry at Home]

Craft Beer Dinner, Krug, and More

Just a quickie today as I'm running around:

Craft Beer and Food Symposium: Chef Neal Brown has drafted the menu for the Craft Beer and Food Symposium, Feb 27 at L'explorateur. As you'll remember, the dinner grew from a discussion at Hoosier Beer Geek (and here) on pairing craft beer with food and in fine dining environments. He still has some space (he's capping the dinner at 30 people), so make your reservations this week if you're planning to attend. $65 per person. Here's the menu:

*Frank Boon Gueuze -- Stinky Fondue Rabbit Sausage Meatballs
*Brugge Black -- Chilled Oyster Oyster Tempura Black Oyster Stew with Pearls
*Czech Pilsner -- Loup De Mere Hot Buttered Popcorn King Crab Salad
*Broad Ripple Brew Pub Ankle Biter Barley wine -- Curried Leg of Lamb Cassis and Cassia Lentils

*Brugge Triple de Ripple -- Banana Pot Crème

If Sustainability Is Your Thing: This Saturday, Feb 23, you can learn more about local sustainability at Sustainable Earth 2008 Food, Farm, and Energy Gathering at the Fair Grounds. The conference will feature a number of seminars and trade show booths from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.. A conference program and more info at their website.

Size Doesn't Matter: As the Jacoby Agency/Prudential Elegant Vintages International Wine Auction approaches, tickets are on sale! Don't miss this black-tie evening with 50 live auction wine lots and 90 or so silent auction lots (mostly wine, but with jewelry, art, and other treats.) One of my favorite lots so far? Three bottles of Krug Grand Cuvee NV -- 375 mL, 750 mL and 1.5 L. (Special thanks to Moet Hennessey USA)

Good for the Good Earth: Cory at Property Lines reports Broad Ripple's natural food store The Good Earth is looking at the space vacated by Sunflower. No deal is done yet -- they're just looking -- but it could be a good move for them and the space.

Whither Scholar's Inn, I mean, "SI"? We all know opening dates are usually vapor, but does anyone have an update on the re-opening at "SI"? Earlier this week the space was still pretty disorganized with ladders, paint cans, and very little furniture. Looks like it will be at least end of March to me.

Three Latest and Best

Duck Ham from Peterson's: For a place that used to be known mainly for steaks, Peterson's is a restaurant with range. From an amuse bouche of lobster and duck ham (housemade, of course) to the handmade chocolates that appear after dessert, everything at a recent dinner was delicious. Signature aged rib-eyes, tender veal, perfectly cooked scallops, and seared yellowtail rounded out the evening. (And don't think I didn't have an eye on someone's foie gras tart.) Even the seafood dishes are created with the diner in mind -- a perfectly nutty, pinot noir risotto gave mine depth with the slate of cabernets we were drinking. Excellent service, attention to detail, and a richness round out the Peterson's and making it one of the finest restaurants in our city.

IndyPubCrawl: So, not a meal, but Saturday, about 65 people made it for the 11:30 a.m. rock star start of the Winter Indy Pub Crawl. Pub crawlers braved freezing temperatures to make roughly 15 downtown stops -- with 45 minutes to an hour at each one. I gave it my best effort but dropped off mid-afternoon. Either way, it's a great chance to catch up with old friends, make some new ones, and check out lots of places one wouldn't normally go (like the OTB stop after Weber Grill. Hmmmm.) Thanks for organizing it, guys! Great work! I can hardly wait until the summer crawl.

Saraga Market on Sunday Night: Bustling with customers, Saraga International Market is a treat every time. Sunday evening the Mexican bakery was serving up fresh buns. The tortillas in their white paper wrappers smelled like the freshest masa, and even the halal killed lamb looked fresh from that day. The produce section expands every time I'm there. This time of year when curries and sauces taste so good, authentic rice and native ingredients (like Thai coconut milk instead of the Americanized grocery store brands) make a huge difference.

Two Minute Warning: Darn it, just when I go and tout a dish I love, they screw it up. Went back to lunch at McCormick and Schmick's for the Mahi cakes with cucumber and peanut sauce. They were only so-so -- overcooked and dryer than salmon cakes made with canned fish. My friend's salmon "stew' was a salty, gummy mess. Boo!