"Get Him to the Geek"

Jason Owens has spent four years trying to open the bar where he wanted to go have a drink. His efforts have paid off as Beer Geeks has just celebrated its first year in business proving that others in the region also want to go to his bar and have a drink. Of course striking the craft beer iron while it is hot didn't hurt either.

Not Your Typical Dive Bar

Well, from appearances, it is exactly your typical dive bar. Sandwiched between a pizza joint and a burrito place, the unassuming facade of Beer Geeks isn't inviting the masses from the outside with bright, flashy lights and a wall of picture windows letting you peer at the patrons inside. There is one iron gated porthole that lets in absolutely the bare minimum of natural light. At 3pm when the door opens you have to adjust your eyes to take in the darkness, tempered only by the glow of fluorescent.

"I wanted that dark bar, downtown Chicago feel: low ceilings, dark and intimate. I wanted a dive bar with a purpose," Jason explains to me. "I got some of my ideas from Bone Dry, the booths, tables and chairs. And I always had the idea for the leather couches. First thing I did when I got in here was get the carpet." The carpet, the exact color escapes me now, only contributes to the dark atmosphere. In contrast to all of it are the white ceiling tiles that even the whitest guy could jump and hit.

"This is the kind of bar I hung out in Chicago. I always wanted to open a place where I wanted to go drink." And that's the prevailing theme with Jason. He fell in love with the Chicago Blues scene and offers Tuesday Bluesday. Local bands and musicians come play on Saturday nights to add to that intimate bar setting. It's everything you might expect to find in downtown Chicago.

The Craft Beer Phenomenon

"Bone Dry had been rotating craft beers before the movement ever became huge. It was just something different than your Millers or Buds. You will never find those here."

My journey into craft beer started at Beer Geeks with a bottle of Hoppin' Frog's BORIS. As I was chatting with Jason I was slowly sipping on a snifter of Hoppin' Frog's DORIS, completing my circle so to speak. Recently, Wise Guys Liquors advertised a rare beer sale with one of those bottles being DORIS, which I had already had!

"It's all about the relationship with the distributors. I take care of them, they take care of me. If there is one barrel left in the state, they give me a call and say, 'Hey, there's one barrel left and we're bringing it to you.'"

That's a great position to be in. When you are tapping kegs from all over the states it pays to grab the barrels that might not be available anywhere else in Indiana. Now I'm sure the folks in Indianapolis get a large selection as well thanks to distributors down south. But the rotating selection up here separates Beer Geeks from even the breweries that can trade their own beer for another's.

"Every time you come to Beer Geeks it is like a brand new bar. Yesterday we had 'Old Blarney' but today it's gone. I'm about to go put on 'Zombie Dust.'"

And away he went, back into his labyrinth of kegs and lines and swapped out one for another. As he was cleaning the line of the 'Old Blarney' pouring it into a pitcher he offered a taste of an 'Old Blarney,' 'Zombie Dust' mix. I passed but the other patrons at the bar were more than happy to try.

That's how it has to go here. There is no set day and time for beer rotation. If a keg is empty, Jason wastes no tap space and grabs another brew. It makes Beer Geeks a year round brewfest.

And the clientele certainly helps lend that feel too. When I was there chatting with Jason there were maybe a dozen people in the place. Although I was the one pressing him for answers, every patron was waiting to hear the story behind the bar. At times, the topic changed from Beer Geeks simply to beer. There is no more enjoyable experience than drinking a great beer and talking about great beer with people who share the passion.

The Palate Requires There Be NO SMOKING

The town of Highland does not have a smoking ordinance.

"Totally my decision," Jason says.

"So this wasn't because you were serving craft beer?"

"No, but I know how much that means to craft beer drinkers."

It certainly is an added benefit to walk into Beer Geeks and not be engulfed in a haze of secondhand smoke. Most of us know that to truly enjoy a craft beer you have to invoke all five senses and that can be a little difficult when all you smell is nicotine addiction and all you taste is stale air. But it all goes back to Jason's concept of the bar he wants to drink in.

This is also a good thing for the beer selection. It all comes down to his palate. He alone selects the beer and sometimes, on a rare occasion, he may let a distributor talk him into a beer without actually tasting it. As far as I can tell, this has backfired only one time.

"One time I got a keg of Pink Killer Beer. It was grapefruit infused. Probably the worst beer I've had in my life. I went through the keg in three days. The girls really loved it."

Word of Mouth

"I advertised one time.  I ran a weekly Friday ad in the Times for a blues event.  Oh, and I sent some stickers or coasters to a brewfest and nobody had any idea the place existed."

I cheerfully retorted, "But you have about 3,000 friends on Facebook."

"Yeah, but half of them are from Brazil. You know how Facebook is, people see 'beer' and they just go crazy. One girl 'liked' one of my keg tapping's yesterday. I did that in September! I hope she wasn't expecting to come in here and order it."

Jason takes the time to announce every new beer on tap and he's pretty good about staying up to date. Between Facebook (Beer Geeks), Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/beergeekspub and his own website, http://www.beergeekspub.com/, you can always stay up to date on what's going on.

I asked him how much sleep he's lost in his first year of business.

"I haven't lost any sleep. Sure it keeps me busy, between [the three aforementioned media], bar tending, working another job (yes, he works another job), and running the business I certainly have been busy. But I have a lot of help."

The Future

Beer Geeks, with little to no publicity or fanfare, is slowly becoming a staple in the craft beer scene here in Northwest Indiana. Although the vast majority of the public may be unaware of its existence, the fans of craft beer flock quite frequently to enjoy a pint, tulip, or snifter of the newest ale to arrive on the scene. It even manages to attract a few hipsters thanks to the offering of PBR ($3 tall boys only).

When I asked Jason about the future of Beer Geeks he offered me a surprising response:

"I want to open a blues bar."

Craft Beer could lead the whole beer industry back

http://money.msn.com/stock-broker-guided/article.aspx?post=597cf1c1-18a4-4f48-8632-f73a3dfe534c

Notice that even in a depressed economy, craft beer is a growing enterprise.  The one year anniversary of Beer Geeks, the opening of Bulldog Brewing, the popularity of Three Floyd's show that craft beer in Northwest Indiana can be a major player in the Miller v. Bud debate, wherein these beers have more taste than the big media spenders.  I think it shows that if you actually considered the quality of your beer over the quantity you can gain a loyal following not tied to how much money you spend on advertising.

The Michelle Factor

This blog would not be complete without the help of Michelle.  She puts up with all this silly drinking business and supports my passion with her own.  We just celebrated five years of wedded bliss and she decides to show her love with a bounty of gifts that make a beer drinker just ooze with excitement.

The personalized hoodie sweatshirt now means that Beer Me Wilk is virally advertising.  Don't be surprised if you see this at the next tailgate, pub, or brewfest event (like say the Three Floyd's anniversary party).  And I hear it makes a great Christmas present too.

The other awesome gift were two glasses, yes glasses, recycled and produced out of 22 oz bombers.  The company that manufactures these is based in San Diego, so naturally Stone is the brewer of choice.  You better believe Beer Me Wilk is shopping the idea around to some glass manufacturers here locally so that his bottle collection can be turned into quite possibly the most ingenious beer vessels yet.

Next time you see or talk to Michelle, and you actually like the blog, thank her before you thank me.

Night Tripper Imperial Stout

Brewer: New Holland Brewing, Holland, Michigan
Alcohol Content: 10.8%

Official Description from Brewer:
"Night Tripper is an Imperial Stout for a Fat Tuesday release. Dark, mysterious and poetic, Night Tripper’s abundance of roasted malts, combined with flaked barley create a rich, roasty beer with deeply intense and lush flavors. Night Tripper’s layered, nuanced tones invite intrigue and reward a curious palate. Beads and masks aren’t required, but are encouraged."

Wilk's Take:
I suppose there is always a possibility of grabbing a seasonal brew late in the year.  I have passed Night Tripper on the shelf several times but never had the presence of mind to buy it, which is a little troublesome as it screams Imperial Stout right on the label.  On top of that, it has been sitting in my fridge for weeks as circumstances have continually drawn me away from this brew.

Fate had a plan.  You see, a beer like Night Tripper needed to be enjoyed in the perfect drinking vessel and this weekend, this vessel came to me.  Introducing: Das Boot.  Surely a 36 ounce boot glass can accommodate a 22 ounce bomber with ample room to spare.  However, as I am here to talk about beer, the boot will have to wait.

When I popped the top off the beer and the warm air met the cool liquid the vapor that wafted from the bottle's contents to my nose was furious.  Maybe robust would be a better word to use but how creative is that?  It really was the first time that I felt floored by the smell of a beer without so much as spilling a drop.  I emptied the contents into das boot and the aroma just grew more powerful.  It reeked of bourbon of all things.  Maybe not bourbon, maybe an Irish whiskey or a scotch because although sweet, not that sweet.

The roasted malts were delicious.  Notice New Holland doesn't tell you chocolate or coffee but keeps the descriptors vague: rich, intense, lush, nuanced.  That's probably because they couldn't label it!  I can hardly describe it myself except to say it drank so smooth and when I finally made it to the end I was disappointed it was all gone, but thankful I was done because 10.8% can floor you  (especially when your favorite football team is winning).

Suggestion: Go forth and procure, but only if you like stouts.  If you're trying a stout for the first time, Night Tripper is not the answer unless you're that brave.

Value: I can't remember what I paid for Night Tripper, but if I had to guess it is a bit on the higher end because it is seasonal and I bought it out of season.  It doesn't matter though, I'd buy it again.

Michelle Factor:  Michelle could smell the beer before I ever brought it to her.  The sour grapes expression on her face was all I needed to see.

Guest Factor: So we tried the "Melanie Factor" this week.  Melanie drinks beer so this was a new little spin.  She didn't like it either, but she detected something in the beer she couldn't quite label.  I believe it was the whiskey smell I described above.  She could tell me otherwise.

Bulldog Brewing Company

Northwest Indiana has another microbrewery on its hands.  Enter, Bulldog Brewing Company.  The soon to be open brewpub in Whiting, Indiana is offering a variety of brews named after regional history.  It is opening Saturday, October 8, and you better believe that I will be there to sample the brews first hand.  Support your local beer makers and keep the culture growing in Northwest Indiana.

Bulldog Brewing Company
1409 119th Street
Whiting, IN
219-655-5284

Read more about the owners here: http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/article_982f3b94-9ad8-5b2e-9974-e3a48e68fa98.html

Bourbon Barrel Stout

Brewer: Bluegrass Brewing Company, Louisville, Kentucky

Alcohol Content: 8.5-9%

Official Description from Brewer:

"This complex stout has aromas of bourbon, oak and dark roasted malts. Full-bodied, silky stout aged in Bourbon Barrels for 60 to 90 days. The aging process produces a smoky richness from the deep char of the barrels. Roasted barley flavors of chocolate and coffee develop as the stout continues along. Finishing hints of vanilla and bourbon finds it way down the back of the pallet."

Wilk's Take:

After my encounter with Bourbon Barrel Stout at the Valpo Brewfest and how exceptional the BBC RIP was that I already sampled, I made the effort to buy myself a four pack of the stout for some sampling.  After giving away three of the bottles I actually was able to enjoy the fourth prior to dinner last night.  And with the rare, warm October weather it was while working the grill.

Forgiving BBC their spelling error in the description (insert "Kentucky intelligence" joke here; I won't because I've heard the same lobbed at me about Indiana while working in Chicago) I can honestly say that not one word of what they think of their beer is a lie.  I, as evidenced by the blog, am never so succinct in my description of these beers.  BBC must pay someone to come up with this stuff.  (They do, he's called the brewer).

Bourbon Barrel Stout pours like a watered down beer.  There is no thickness to it whatsoever and I poured it, like I do all my beers, to have minimum head.  This isn't the used motor oil that stouts and porters can give, this is the fresh stuff right out of the quart!  And the aroma!  If you like bourbon, or any kind of whiskey, you will love the sweet air surrounding this beer.  You would think that you just got a Maker's neat and not a beer.  I really like that in these barrel beers.  Two Brothers did it well with their offering at the Illiana Brewfest as well.

There's not much more I can say about this beer that hasn't already been said.  If you consume it too quickly, you really miss out on the bourbon notes.  The chocolate and coffee undertones are prevalent no matter how fast to take it in, but are a supporting cast at best to the star of the show.  Low and slow my friends; that's the mantra you want to repeat to really get the best out of this beer and really appease your palate!

Suggestion: It's obvious right?

Value:  About $7-$8 a four pack if memory serves me correctly.  Not a steal by any stretch of the imagination, but good for a night of mellow consumption.

Michelle Factor:  M:"I taste chocolate."  W:"But did you like it?"  M:"I wouldn't drink a whole bottle if that's what you're asking.  Can we get some more of that pumpkin ale?"  W:"ABSOLUTELY NOT!  How about we try another pumpkin ale later."  M:"Anheuser Busch, big deal.  You love Michelob Golden Draft."  W:"Touche my dear, touche."

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat Ale - Addendum

Those bastards!

If you didn't think the craft beer movement was in jeopardy, look no further than Shock Top Brewing Company.  This is what I got for posting too damn quickly.  Getting content out there is no good if you don't do research.

My apologies to my fellow craft beer brethren out there.  I led you astray by not divulging fully the following:

Shock Top Brewing is wholly owned by Anheuser-Busch.

It doesn't alter the taste of the beer by any stretch of the imagination, but no wonder the value is there.  $6 for a six pack is because of the big machine behind it.  I support smaller, local brewers.  Had I not been duped by the packaging I never would have paid for this beer.

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat Ale

Brewer: Shock Top Brewing Company, St. Louis, Missouri
Alcohol Content: 4.2%

Official Description from Brewer:
"Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat is the first seasonal ale from Shock Top. With a flavor that’s refreshingly fall and distinctly Shock Top, it’s guaranteed not to be the last.

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat is a traditional Belgian-style wheat ale brewed with ripe pumpkins and a variety of autumnal spices, including nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. This seasonal unfiltered wheat ale has a deep amber color and is crafted with a refreshingly distinct pumpkin spice that fully captures all the flavors of fall."

Wilk's Take:
Now, it normally would not be in my nature to start a beer critique by mentioning another beer, but my hand is almost forced to in this situation.  I've never tried a pumpkin ale prior to this year.  I suppose I've always stuck with any number of Oktoberfest brews and shied away from pumpkin varieties.  At the Beer Geeks one year anniversary celebration (which, I know, I never wrote about), I had the pleasure of trying Southern Tier's Pumpking.  I was amazed.  The snifter held pumpkin pie in a glass, complete with whip cream.  No, the beer wasn't topped with whip cream but it sure tasted like it was.  This set the bar incredibly high for pumpkin ales to follow.

Enter Shock Top's Pumpkin Wheat Ale.  If you inspect the neck of the bottle closely, nestled just below the cap, Shock Top has provided instructions on how to pour the beer.  I'm paraphrasing here, but it goes something like this: "Pour down side of glass until there is about 1/2 inch of beer left in bottle.  Swirl bottle around to release full flavor of spices, then pour remainder."  I missed this the first time.  Let me assure you however that swirling the remaining half inch really does nothing to alter the taste.

Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat is a beautiful autumn color.  If you are opposed to drinking pumpkin ales, it is just worth pouring a glass just to see the colors blazing at you.  Imagine driving through south western Michigan on a perfect October day and you will see unimaginable leaves being wrestled from trees.  Blend all of those colors together and you get Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat.  The combination yields a rusty orange look that is darker than 70s style carpeting but lighter than stained cherry wood.

The smell is what you would expect.  The pumpkin is the primary aroma and you can certainly detect the autumnal spices that usually accompany pumpkin: cinnamon, nutmeg, clove.  What is lacking is the wheat aspect of the beer.  At least through the smell.  When you drink Shock Top Pumpkin Wheat Ale, you can taste the pumpkin and spices and they taste good.  Not nearly pumpkin pie in a glass, but damn tasty.  The wheat is subtle and at the tail end of any pull, so at least the claim to Pumpkin Wheat Ale is a solid one.

Suggestion: Do it.  'Tis the season to try autumnal beers and Shock Top has a good one with Pumpkin Wheat Ale.  It's their first seasonal and it's a damn good one.

Value: I bought a six pack for $6.  That's a steal in my opinion.  I drank three of them while watch the Bears game Sunday afternoon and could have finished the other three if I didn't try another beer that day.  I found mine at Wise Guy's.  Go out and get yourself some.

Michelle Factor: For the first time, Michelle finished a glass.  She took the obligatory sip, told me she liked it and I told her to have at it.  She did.  Although she left some brew hanging.  A picture is forthcoming.