That Big Race, Pride, and the Start of Summer
There are plenty of reasons to celebrate this month.
World Beer Cup Winners
Several Indy Craft Pass partners won awards at last month’s World Beer Cup in San Antonio, TX. Taxman got gold with Deduction (Belgian-style dubbel), Moontown had gold with Cecilia (juicy or hazy strong pale ale), Bier’s Roggenschnizzle (rye beer) won gold, Sun King took a silver for their Emergency Tequila Barrel Aged Tart Kit (American-style sour or wood and barrel aged sour beer), and Moontown won bronze for Gilbert & Olivator (German-style doppelbock or eisbock).
Hoppy Highlights

8th Day Distillery
The new summer menu will launch May 28.
• May 30 - Live music with Levi James Lamberjack
• June 20 - 8th Day's 8th Anniversary
Ash & Elm Cider
May’s Cider of the Month is Del Camino. It's fermented with pineapple, tamarind, piloncillo sugar, and cinnamon. In addition, there's a new(ish) summer seasonal, Patio Rush, the Margarita-flavored cider. It will be availble through July. The 10th anniversary party is coming July 11.
• May 26 - Paint a Pint (Carmel)
• May 27 - Drag Bingo (Carmel)
Bier Brewery
Just in time for the race, Bier has released new TRACKBIER shirts. Once they're gone, they're gone.
• May 30 - Bluegrass Fest (Noblesville)
Big Lug/Half Liter BBQ
Try the new Sprinkler Hop Water flavored drinks with zero ABV, zero calories, and zero gluten. Having a race party? Have Sahm’s deliver the buffet. Available through Sunday, May 24, it includes fried chicken, chicken tenders, sides, bread, and desert for $18.99 per guest with a 20 guest minimum. Or snag an individual packaged meal at a Sahm's location to take with you. Can also be delivered Saturday or picked up Saturday-Sunday.
Big Woods
• July 2 - America 250 Celebration and Concert with Indy Annies (Noblesville)
Buck Creek Winery
Grab a cherry wine slushy to cool down in the warmer temps.
• June 11 - Sip & String
• June 18 - Candlewine
Chilly Water Brewingy
• May 29 - Pillowfight
• June 5 - DYSFunktion Brass Band
Daniel’s Vineyard
• June 16 - Women in the Pause: A Live Panel + Q&A
Easley Winery
Try the Mimosa Bar every Friday-Sunday: pick your juice, pick your bubbles, and toast to a great day! Lady Liberty Cabernet Sauvignon will be released to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary and the history behind it.
• Saturdays, June-July - Groovin’ in the Garden
Field Brewing
Newly tapped is smooth, malty, and balanced Lollygagger ESB.
Built for race fans and brewed for race weekend, Camshaft Hazy IPA is juicy, smooth, and ready for the green flag. Also on tap is Turnbuckle Mexican Lager brewed with Mexican green oaxacan corn.
Four Day Ray
My Pleasure is back. It's a classic German-style wheat beer with soft banana notes, a touch of spice, and a smooth, refreshing finish.
Grand Junction Brewing
• June 7 - Paints & Pints: Summer Celebrations
Guggman Haus
Recently tapped are Hot Day in May Fruited American IPA, Hop Traveler Dbl NEIPA: Galaxy, Hop Travel Dbl NEIPA: Manilita, Explore More NEIPA, Hazy Days Route 43 NEIPA, Pina Paradise Dbl Milkshake, Prickly Pear Gose, Into the Wild: Strawberry Blueberry Raspberry, and Pils Trial 026: Mexican Lager.
• June 13 - 7th Anniversary
Hard Truth Distilling
Mizunara Finished Wheated Straight Bourbon has officially joined the lineup.
• May 30, June 6, June 13 - Rumble on the Rocks
• June 6 - Smoke School
Kismetic Beer Company
Kismetic's barrel-aged Irish Coffee Porter is out and it's going fast. The base beer is an English porter, brewed with Irish barley, English Brown malt, German Carafa 1 & 3, and some American flaked oats, then steeped on three pounds of Honduran coffee.
• May 28 - Vintage Car & Motorcycle Night
Metazoa Brewing
• June 12 - Pre Pride Party
Moon Drops Distillery
Get ready for a new Bonfire Blends flavor. Blueberry Moonshine debuts June 4 at a full-day party.
• May 29 - Line dancing with Cowboy J
• May 30 - Live music with The Regulators
Moontown Brewing
Now on tap are Summer Sunshine West Coast Pilsner and Bam Bam! Hazy Pale Ale. The beer garden is open in Whitestown and it’s family- and dog-friendly.
Oliver Winery
• June 19 - Board & Brush DIY Woodcrafting
St. Joseph Brewery
SNew on the menu is the Fruit Fest Flight featuring Apricot Blond, Tangerine Wit, Raspberry Tripel, and Mango Tart.
Sun King Brewing
Perfect for the race is Crispy Five Hundred summertime lager. King’s Reserve Jungle Bird has also arrived. The Belgian Tripel is inspired by the classic tropical cocktail with bold citrus and pineapple notes. Coming up for Pride with a May 29 release is Lions in Love, a kolsch-style ale with watermelon and hibiscus. The Lager Variety Box brings together clean, crisp styles inspired by celebrations around the world: Festa (Italian Style Pilsner) Pachanga (Mexican Style Lager), Canuckle (Canadian Style Lager), and Kanpai (Japanese Style Lager). Also in the news...Sun King opened a new location in Westfield at The Union at Grand Junction Plaza. The two-level structure will have a casual restaurant (Stacked House) on the first floor and a 21-and-over lounge-style dining area (Upper House Social) on the second floor. Be sure to grab this new Craft Pass checkin when you visit.
• May 29 - Patio Paint Party (Downtown)
The Tap
Now on tap is School's Out, a German Helles inspired by the Head Brewer’s time as a college professor and the feeling of celebrating after graduation.
Taxman Brewing
The latest release, Flower Bond, is a honey blonde ale brewed with citrus, lavender, and orange blossom.
Upland Brewing
Upcoming tappings include Coastbuster Imperial IPA, Fiesta Chela Mexican Lager, and seasonal favorite Patio Cat with strong flavors of citrusy tropical hops and a succulent dose of guava. Race merch is here just in time for the big weekend. Visit your favorite location to grab a limited-edition tee to join the Dragonfly pit crew. And don't forget to fill your race cooler with a race-inspired crowler.
West Fork Whiskey
West Fork recently announced it has sold the Westfield property to locally owned Stick & Hack, a sports and social club built around golf and racing simulators. Co-founder Blake Jones explained, “Our brand, including Old Hamer and Hugh Hamer, will continue to live on through wholesale, retail shelves, bars and restaurants across Indiana, and through West Fork Social House in Fountain Square. The Westfield location will remain open throughout the transition
• May 28 - Live music with Bentio
• June 11 - Live music with The Sax Guy
Mark Your Calendar - Events to Put on Your Radar
May 30 – Savor Lebanon at Downtown Lebanon Square
June 6 – Mash Bash at Moon Drops Distillery
June 6 – History on Tap at Conner Prairie
June 6 – JoCo Pours in the Park at Johnson County Park
June 6 – Rock the Junction at Grand Junction Brewing Co.
June 20 – Anderson on Tap at Dickmann Town Center
July 18 – Summerfest at Victory Field
September 12 – Noblesville Brewfest & Wine Garden at Forest Park
September 19 – Lagers in Lawrence at Fort Ben Cultural Campus
October 3 – Corks in Carmel at Carmel Arts & Design District
If you need another reason to celebrate with a drink:
May 22 is World Paloma Day, May 25 is National Wine Day, May 30 is National Mint Julep Day, June 3 is World Cider Day, June 5 is National Moonshine Day, June 9 is International Dark ’n Stormy Day, June 14 is National Bourbon Day, and June 19 is World Martini Day.