Black Acre Brewing Co. | Indianapolis, IN

Day 2. 3 David Cross albums, 1 robot guide and a bipolar Toyota.

After a healthy Denny’s breakfast of carbohydrates, fats, and protein, we set off for Ann Arbor and Jolly Pumpkin.  Jolly Pumpkin’s atmosphere is something you would have expected to see in the early 20^th century.  Dark brown wood paneling accented the tan walls, yet were also decorated with various Hawaiian record covers.  Although this may seem unusual, the duality of classic and quirky is a perfect complement to their beers.  Although clearly rooted in traditional Belgian styles, Jolly Pumpkin adds their own unique twist to each recipe.  This dichotomy is apparent in the highest rated beer, their Noel de Calabaza.  Noel de Calabaza follows the traditional Belgian sour recipe, but adds Christmas spices instead of the more traditional fruit.  The end result is a sour, yet spicy, ale.

• Jolly Pumpkin (denotes guest tap)
  • Nightmare before Viscious (North Peak)  – 5
  • Maricaibo Especial  – 6.6
  • Belipago Belgian IPA – 7.4
  • Diabolical IPA – 7.4
  • NP Siren Amber Ale – 3
  • Bam Biere Golden Ale – 7
  • Bam Noire – 5.4
  • Noel de Calabaza – 7.8
  • Chocolate Stout – 6.4

Although we went to Ann Arbor specifically to see Jolly Pumpkin, the proximity of Jolly Pumpkin to both Arbor and Grizzly Peak brewing company proved too tempting.  The Jolly Pumpkin bartender was nice enough to give us directions to each place, located on the same street.   Our first stop was Arbor Brewing Co.  The unique set up in Arbor Brewing has the brewing facility to be in the middle of the restaurant, allowing everyone to watch the process.  Although the ratings are quite varied throughout the tasting, the Red Snapper and the Sacred Cow were some favorites of the trip.

• Arbor
  • Big Ben House Mild – 3.8
  • Brasserie Blonde – 6.6
  • Red Snapper Roasted Pale Ale – 8.4
  • Drifter Pale Ale – 7
  • Sacred Cow Cask Conditioned IPA – 8.6
  • Michael Fancy’s Stout – 7
  • Milestone Cask Porter – 7.6
  • Terminator Dopplebock – 5.4
  • Northville Winery’s Hard Cider – 3.8

Grizzly Peak Brewing Co. was our third stop of the day, and just down the street from Arbor Brewing Co.  Grizzly Peak had a more lodge style feel than other places visited. With exposed ventilation and brick walls; the bar has an unfinished, yet sophisticated feel to it.  Owned by the same company that owns Jolly Pumpkin, Grizzly Peak takes a more traditional route than Jolly Pumpkin.  Their GP Pale Ale, although not offering any unique or crazy flavorings of some other pale ales, is crisp and balanced.  Once again proving that you don’t always have to do something crazy to do something well.

• Grizzly Peak
• Victor’s Gold – 4.2
• GP Pale Ale – 9.2
• Steelhead Red -5.2
• Bear Paw Porter – 7.8
• Final Repose Barleywine – 5.4
• Bitter Tony’s Rye Bitter -5.2
• County Cork’s Irish Stout – 7.8
• Sheerwater IPA – 5.6
• Junicade Red – 6.2

After leaving Ann Arbor we set off to Warren, a Detroit suburb, for Dragonmead.  Started by a group of friends who played Dungeons and Dragons in college, the bar is replete with suits of armor, medieval flags, and weapons.  The bathroom even boasts a picture of a nude woman riding a unicorn through the sky!  Aside from the interior which indulged all of our inner nerds, Dragonmead has over 40 different beers on tap at any time.  However, they do consistently produce several beers, notably their Final Absolution Trippel.  Their Trippel has won several awards, and for good reason. Of all of the Belgian varieties tried on this trip, this was by far everyone’s favorite.  This and the Russian Imperial Stout are definite must-haves for anyone visiting Dragonmead.

• Dragonmead
  • Russian Imperial Stout – 8
  • Jason’s IPA – 7.8
  • Under the Kilt Wee Heavy – 6.6
  • Final Absolution Trippel – 8.6
  • Sin Eater Belgian Dark – 5.6
  • Breath of the Dragon Bitter – 2.4
  • Honey Porter – 4.6
  • Woody’s Perfect Porter – 4.8
  • Full Fathom Baltic Porter – 7.6
  • Sir William’s ESB – 5.4



Before we started the long trek back to Indianapolis, we had one more stop to make: Bastone Brasserie in nearby Royal Oak.  Those familiar with Brugge Brasserie will find many similarities to Bastone.  Both are rooted in the Belgian tradition, emphasizing both beer and food.  Interestingly enough, everyone’s favorite beer was not one of their Belgian styles, but rather their specialty Doppelbock.  Like the Pale Ale from Grizzly Peak, the Doppelbock does not derive its quality from being made from unusual ingredients, but rather from a quality representation of the style.

• Bastone
  • Monumental Blonde – 2.4
  • Mainstreet Pilsner – 3.4
  • Witface – 6
  • Royal IPA – 6.2
  • Dubbel Vision – 4.6
  • Nectar de Dieux Triple – 6.4
  • Belgian Blonde – 5.2
  • Doppelbock – 7.2

  

  Despite the often abrupt directions of our robot guide and a Toyota that only had two temperature settings, Hoth or Mordor, the trip was a rousing success.  Still, we only went to a fraction of the breweries in Michigan.  Keep your eyes peeled for Michigan Trip No. 2!