Give Thanks for Hoppy Holiday Plans

Recently ranked by Newsweek as the number three tasting room in the country, it's a space where guests can spend a day sampling wines, learning about the winemaking process, relaxing on the beautiful grounds with a picnic, and enjoying gourmet meats, cheeses, crackers, and dips. Wines are made from real fruit, never using substitutions, and their Sweet Red is one of the top five best-selling sweet wines in the US. It's also been the top wine in Indiana for the last 20 years. Children and leashed pets are always welcome.

Another new Indy Craft Pass partner this month is The Rejoicing Vine. Their welcoming space in northwest Indy is the ultimate destination for sparkling wine lovers. Wines are produced with a commitment to sustainable and regenerative farming practices using as many locally sourced ingredients as possible. One major area of improvement has been cutting down on the carbon footprint of packaging by using stainless steel kegs. Make a winery or vineyard tour part of your visit and meet the winemakers and Indy residents, the Kumfer family. They've realized their dream of opening a business combining their loves of gardening, wine, and helping the community. Bring your family, date, or friends to share joy.

8th Day Distillery

Featured cocktails are Queen's Court rum cocktail and two Wicked tributes, Defying Gravity and Glinda's Thanksgiving, both of which are available in NA versions.

• November 23 and December 21 - Live music with Albert Nolting
• November 29 - Holiday menu release
• November 30 - Small Business Saturday Market
• December 5 - Canvas & Cocktails
• December 12 - Zen & Zest: A Yoga + Cocktail Experience

Ash & Elm Cider

The November cider of the month is Hazy Harvest made from local apples.The cooler temps are also perfect for hot mulled cider.

• December 11 - Drag Bingo
• December 17 - Arts & Crafts Cider Nights
• December 18 - Holiday Movie Trivia

Bier Brewery

• Thru December 8 - Coat & Toy Drive
• November 23 - 14 Years of Bier Anniversary
• December 14 - Christmas Market
• Big Lug/Half Liter

Pirate Cat, a brown porter, is back, and Coffee Cake Stout made with real Sahm's coffee cake is on deck for December.

• Thru November 23 - Holiday Take & Bake Preordering
• December 1 - Breakfast with Santa (Big Lug in Nora and Half Liter in Broad Ripple)

Big Woods

The beer of the month is Busted Knuckle Porter and Big Woods recently launched a rewards program. Every dollar you spend earns points toward exclusive perks and discounts.

Buck Creek Winery

Thanksgiving is almost here and you may like a perfect wine companion for your meal. Try Cranberry or Christmas Cherry.

Centerpoint Brewing

Special releases include Banana Cream El Gato, Billdozer IPA, Chai Rye, and Lime Zest El Gato.

Chilly Water Brewing

• November 23 - Sip and Stitch with Jill Vaughn
• November 29 - Hanksgiving
• December 2 - Chilly Water Family Band & Sticky Fingers Release
• December 28 - A Very Jerry Xmas and a Happy Bob Weir

Daniel’s Vineyard

• November 27 - Friendsgiving Trivia
• November 30 - Live music from Lynda Abshire Duo
• December 1 and 14 - Live music from Enigma Fig
• December 4 - Versiti Blood Drive
• December 7 - Live music from Mainstream Duo
• December 8 - Winter Maker's Market and live music from Aiden Brown
• December 15 - Live music from The 78's
• December 20 - Ugly Sweater Karaoke
• December 21 - Live music from Aimee Eisenmann Duo

Easley Winery

Groovin' on Ice returns in January, 2025. Catch free live music one Saturday each month through April.

• Thru December 1 - Thanksgiving Six for $6 Sale featuring Riesling, Reggae Rose, Kauffman's 76, Back Home Wine, Cranberry Jubilee, Cabernet Sauvignon, and a bonus offer of two 375ML bottles of Reggae Sangria
• December 13-24 - Jolly Wine Sale featuring wines for $8/bottle (excludes Indiana Champagne, 1.5L bottles, Reserve Red, and Warm Glow Blueberry Cobbler - free Christmas bracelet making with any purchase).

Four Day Ray

Snow Shed and My Pleasure have returned.

Grand Junction Brewing Co.

Mulligan Scottish Ale is back on tap.

• November 22 - Semi-state tailgate with live music from Tommy Pohder
• November 23 - IU vs. Ohio State Watch Party and live music from Alyssa Campbell
• November 24 - Paint and Sip: Holiday Celebrations

Guggman Haus

New releases include Foggy Trails DDH dbl NEIPA, Into Wild Sour - Pineapple Papaya Raspberry, IPA Expedition Dbl American 007, Into the Wild Sour - Cranberry Tangerine, Hazy Days Route #7, and Schwarzbier.

• Thru December - Food &Clothing Drive
• November 23 - Movember Tailgate with Franciscan Health
• December 7 - Holidays at the Haus

Hard Truth

The cocktail of the month is the Cinnamon Vodka Smash, and two Wicked-themed drinks are ready: Popular Punch and Emerald Elixir.

Hotel Tango Distillery

• November 27 - Salute to Santa
• December 8 - Tango U Mixology Class and Tango U Mixology Class: Holiday Cocktails
• December 15 - HO HO HO Drag Show

Kismetic Beer Company

The latest release is Orange Plum Sour with Lavender and Japanese Rice Lager is returning.

Metazoa Brewing

The current nitro tap is Puppy Slumber Party.

• November 22 - Pints & Painting: Holiday Celebrations
• November 23 and December 15 - Paint Your Pet Workshop
• December 7 - ARPO's Pet Pictures with Santa
• December 14 - Ugly Christmas Sweater Party and Pints & Painting: Ornament Edition

Moon Drops Distillery

• November 23 - Live music from Ian Thomas Hayes
• November 24, December 1, 15, and 22 - Game Days at the Distillery
• November 30 - Live music from Kelli Ray Yates
• December 5 - Holiday Wreath-Making Workshops and Writers in the Round
• December 6 - Barrel Tree Lighting & Barrel-Finished Bourbon Release Party
• December 7 - Live music from Jansen Duncan
• December 14 - Live music from Dylan Raymond
• December 21 - Multi-Musician Holiday Party North High Brewing Seasonal cocktails include the Cinnamon Bourbon Float and Cran-apple Ginger Spritz

Oliver Winery

Table-ready wines include Sweet Red, Apple Pie, Peach Pie, Key Lime Pie, and Blueberry Moscato.

The Rejoicing Vine

Special releases include Nitor Noir and two Wicked wines: Glinda's Bubbles and Elphaba's Elixir. November's cocktail of the month is the Pumpkin Pie Delight.

• November 22 - Wine Appreciation Night
• November 23 - Live music with RhiHarmony
• November 30 - Photos for Food and live music with David McDonald
• December 6 - Christmas Cookie Decorating
• December 7 - Live music with Rob Amrhein
• December 15 - Bows & Bubbles
• December 19 - The Happiest Hour
• December 20 - Wine & Canvas: North Indy Paint Night - X-Mas Cow

Sun King Brewing

Get into the holiday spirit with Electric Reindeer, Caramel Apple Tripel, Scout Badge Porter, and Midnight Choir Dark Sour. Pick up a GFJ Variety Pack to add bold flavors to your holiday gathering.

• Thru December 13 - Toys for Tots Drive
• November 24 - Holiday Knife Sharpening (Fishers)
• December 5, 12, and 19 - Winter Art Pop-Up Market (Fishers)
• December 10 - Holiday Blood Drive (Fishers)
• December 13 - Holiday Knife Sharpening (Indy)
• December 15 - Pints & Paints: Holiday Celebrations (Fishers)
• December 16 - Ugly Sweater Holiday Trivia (Fishers)
• December 17 - Ugly Sweater Holiday Trivia (Carmel)
• December 18 - Ugly Sweater Holiday Trivia (Indy)
• December 22 - Pints & Paints: Holiday Celebrations (Indy)

The Tap

Unwind from holiday stress with a Fuzzy's Back Nine cocktail.

Taxman

Look for Appreciation as beer of the month in December and be sure to try the latest brew from the vault, Barrel-Aged Bean Counter.

Triton Brewing Company and Bistro

Hatchblower Pepper IPA was just released. Its name comes from Hoosier astronaut Gus Grissom. Released earlier this month was Vanilla Hometown Hero golden ale.

• November 23 - Yoga & Beer with Kati Black
• December 7 - 8th Annual Toys for Tots and Ugly Sweater Contest

Upland Brewing

• November 23 - Hoosier Football Watch Party (82nd Street)
• November 27 - Red Cross Blood Drive (Ft. Square)
• December 5 - Artistic Growler Series: Painting & Release Party (Ft. Square)
• December 7 - Holiday Market (Ft. Square and Bloomington)
• December 9 and 16 - Pups & Pints: Holiday Edition
• December 14 - Holiday Market (82nd Street)

West Fork Whiskey

New releases include High Corn Rum-Finished Bourbon and Cherry Brandy-Finished 100% Corn Bourbon.

• December 3 - New Menu Launch
• December 15 - Breakfast with Santa
• December 18 - Women in Whiskey

December 7 – Bourbon Expo & Rare Bourbon Right to Buy Raffle at Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center

Indiana's largest bourbon event returns with more than 400 spirits to taste and buy, as well as a free lottery giving winners the opportunity to purchase the world's most coveted whiskies, like Pappy Van Winkle. Attendees must be 21 or older and tickets are $40.

February 7, 2025 – Winter Woodlands at Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center

This is the VIP event associated with Winterfest. Enjoy live music, sample exclusive beers, innovative cocktails, and cocktail attire.

February 8, 2025 – Winterfest at Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center

The annual winter fundraiser brings together hundreds of beer, ciders, and more for your sampling pleasure. Play games, shop, grab some snacks, and enjoy the day. Tickets are $15-$85.

February 15, 2025 – Frigid Digits Winter Beer Fest at Centerpoint Brewing Company

More than 40 Indiana brewers and distillers turn out to keep you warm with unlimited samples at this outdoor festival. Heat up with a DJ, food trucks, games, a fire dancer, Beer Yetis, and more. Tickets are $35 and up.

If you need another reason to celebrate with a drink: Drinksgiving is November 27, Cabernet Franc Day is December 4, Repeal Day is December 5, National Bartender Day is December 6, National Rhubarb Vodka Day is December 7, Lager Day is December 10, Screwdriver Day is December 14, Sangria Day is December 20, and Coquito Day is December 21.

Make a plan, play it safe (designated driver or other sober transportation), and make it happen.

Sign up for the Indy Craft Pass here.