The Brewers Association's announcement last month that craft beer sales were up across the board is certainly good news for beer lovers.  Included in that report was the news that there are currently 1,790 breweries in the US and there are 725 new ones in the works.

I'm all for more beer and more variety, but I'm starting to wonder what the craft beer tipping point is in terms of how fast can the craft market share grow compared to the ever-growing number of people making beer.  There's already extreme competition for shelf space at retailers and if the amount of craft beer being produced is going to outgrow demand in the next few years, it means that a decent number of breweries aren't going to make it.  That'll be too bad as I'm sure all the beer being produced is quality product.

Of course I'd love for the market to just switch and say, "Oh, there's more craft beer, so forget macro-brew" and take over 30-40% of beer sales. But, it isn't likely to happen, and best case not in the next few years.

Best of luck to the new breweries, and I do hope there's enough room for all the great beer!

A while back I wrote about the opening of Barley Hopsters in downtown Delaware, Ohio with some mixed feelings. The article in the local paper didn't paint the promising store in the best light.

I'm happy to report that after several months in business, Barley Hopsters is a really good beer store and carries a really good offering of homebrew and home wine-making supplies as well. I've been in the store a few times now and found more than enough to keep me happy, which is great since it's so close to home.

The beer selection is primarily single bottles, arranged by style, in a wall of coolers. They are of course limited to the same selection anyone else can get through their distributors in Ohio, but Brian, the owner, seems to have a good feel for the mix between fast-movers and high-end specialties for the more experienced. I've seen many things here you won't find nearly anywhere else in Delaware county. More than that, the feel of the place is right - friendly, helpful, and priced about right. Every time I've been in, the place has a decent crowd.

My only issue is the lack of full six-packs that are cold.  As far as I can tell there are none (you can certainly buy anything in a sixer that's available, but at stock-room temperature - sorry for those with no patience!). Maybe that's coming down the road when space and money allow for more coolers.

If you're on the north end of Columbus, I can certainly recommend this place to pick up a great six-pack.

Barley Hopsters is located at 43 N. Sandusky Street in Delaware, Ohio. Current hours are Mon. - Thurs. from 11am to 7pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 8pm and Sundays 11am to 3pm.

Ohio legislators are looking to up the alcohol limit allowed in beer sold in Ohio.  The current limit of 12% limits some of the beers we can get here in Ohio, and the proposed increase to 18% would open the door to great beers like Goose Island's Bourbon County Stout and other higher-gravity beers.  

The article in the Columbus Dispatch has some good quotes and info and some really knuckle-headed comments, so don't bother reading through them all.  Since there's no difference in age or requirements to buy beer vs. hard liquor, why limit the alcohol content of only beer? It's silly really and just forces enthusiasts like myself to head out-of-state to get the beers we want to try.  And trust me, at the prices of these high-alcohol beers, no college kid is getting them for a party.

Dispatch Story here: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/06/01/beer-buzz-would-get-a-big-boost-from-gop-bill.html?sid=101

Back in December, the Delaware Gazette ran a story that a new "Upscale Beer Store" is coming to Delaware. The store, to be located 43 N. Sandusky St. is slated to open in February.  The article says the store, called Barley Hopsters, will sell beer, homebrew supplies, and food for pairings.  A small wine selection is also in the works.

You can read the full article here: http://www.beaumontenterprise.com/default/article/Upscale-beer-store-coming-downtown-930884.php#ixzz1BUMWDSpj (Not sure why you can't read the full article directly on the Delaware Gazette's website)

I'll give the store a fair shot until I see it first-hand, but there are some troubling things in this article.  Again, I don't know if this is just poor journalism or the information was taken out of context, but it worries me when an "upscale" beer store is going to "offer beers such as, Great Lakes, Sierra Nevada, Busch, Miller and Coors." I wouldn't consider Busch, Miller and Coors to be upscale, but perhaps they are just making sure they don't exclude the college crowd in town.  Also, I'm not sure what "During the day, Harpster will run shows or movies that are beer-related, but family-oriented" means.

It'll be good to have a local craft beer store if Barley Hopsters lives up to expectations. Anyone want to weigh-in and suggest some family-friendly beer movies?

If you haven't been to a beer tasting and a movie at Clintonville's Studio 35 yet, you really need to. 

This may have been one of the most fun events I've been to in a long time. The tasting was great, featuring 10 of Columbus Brewing Company's beers, including some rarely seen ones.  Brewmaster Eric Bean was there to talk everyone through the samples, and I've listed some of the highlights and news from CBC after the jump.

You wouldn't know it from the outside, but Parti-Pak Liquors on Indianapolis' south side is a beer wonderland.  The offer a selection of bottles and bombers like few others.  Every town has it's "great beer store" and this has got to be the one in Indy.  

5 full rows of 4-packs and 6-packs flanked by at least 10 coolers of additional beers and bottles.  Lots and lots of bombers of Belgians and American Microbrew.  Prices are about average, but the selection is worth a trip.  Just be prepared with your credit card and a little careful budgeting - you could easily spend $100 in here in a few minutes.

It's a little hard to get to from the freeway, but a good Google Map will get you there.
2633 E. Stop 11 Rd.
Indianapolis, Indiana, 46227
Phone: (317) 889-7452 [Map]

Anybody else have beer store recommendations in Ohio, Indiana or Kentucky?