Update

In the battle of the Irish Red's (previously mentioned) Brian Boru won hands down. I enjoyed it enough that I'm going to see if I can round up a few bottles for the rest of the year.

St. Patrick's Day

I recently picked up Upland's Ard Ri Imperial Red Ale and Three Floyds' Brian Boru Old Irish Red Ale.  I plan on comparing them on St. Patrick's Day and will post my thoughts.  Any recommendations on other Irish style or Ireland originating beers to try on the 17th?

On a somewhat related note, and perhaps a little strange coming from a beer blog...but I would like to encourage everyone to celebrate St. Patrick's Day responsibly.  Also, if you can manage to break free from the typical American ideal of St. Patrick's Day, please do.  For some people the day is still a celebration of Irish heritage and culture and not just an excuse to get drunk.  Pick up a book by an Irish author, spend time with family and just enjoy life.  Those are more fitting of a day that is supposed to celebrate Ireland's patron saint.

Thr3e Wise Men Expanding

Three Wise Men Brewing Co. is undertaking a half million dollar expansion.  The full story is linked below.  I would rather they spend some money so that the next time I visit they have something besides fruit beer on draft and I don't have to share a table with a stranger with horrible eating habits.  I keep hoping they will step up their game, but I constantly get the impression that they make beer in order to make money, not the other way around.

http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=52482

Southern Tier Brewing Co.

I recently had two really good beers from Southern Tier Brewing Co. out of Lakewood, NY.  I don't usually gravitate toward chocolate or sweet beers but I had the pleasure of sampling both the Creme Brulee Imperial Milk Stout and the Choklat Stout Imperial Chocolate Stout. The Creme Brulee was sweet, as expected, but really drinkable.  The Choklat Stout was one of the best examples I've had.  The chocolate flavor was dominant but very pleasant.  I'm not sure if Souther Tier is available anywhere in central Indiana, but I would recommend keeping an eye out for it.  Here's their website if you are interested.

http://southerntierbrewing.com/index2.html