FOOD & DRINK

Meet the final four #MaltMadness beers

Amy Haneline
amy.haneline@indystar.com
  • Brewers/owners answer five questions about each beer left in the tournament.
  • Vote online at IndyStar.com/MaltMadness.

We are down the final four beers in the Star's craft beer tournament: Indiana City's Shadow Boxer Stout vs. Brugge Brasserie's Tripel de Ripple; and Daredevil's Lift Off IPA vs. TwoDEEP's KnightStick Cream Ale.

Get to know the final four beers in the the Star's #MaltMadness tournament. Then vote online at IndyStar.com/MaltMadness.

Even though there is another round to name Indy's favorite beer, these are the winners by "region"— or style. Be sure to make your picks at IndyStar.com/MaltMadness. Round 5 ends Friday at noon and voting for the final round will begin immediately after. The winner will be announced on game day, Monday, April 6 at noon.

Now let's meet the finalists. Cue Jock Jams.

Shadow Boxer Stout

A pint of the Shadow Boxer Stout at Indiana City Brewing. Assistant brewer Beppe Cuello finishes a long day of brewing.

This Indiana City Brewery beer won the "Dark and Delicious" region. Most stouts only come around in the winter months, but not Shadow Boxer. Its robust, roasty flavors are good anytime of the year. As a coffee-lover, I attest.

Brewery:Indiana City Brewing

Style: Oatmeal Stout

IBU: 44. ABV: 7 percent.

Where to get it: Indiana City's taproom, 24 E. Shelby St.

Ray Kamstra, founder

1. Make your plea. In one tweet, why should we vote for this beer?

Shadow Boxer is a big Oatmeal Stout, handcrafted year-round with roasted barley and noble hops. It's bold coffeelike character and velvety smooth feel has made it an Indy favorite.

2. How did the beer get its name?

Shadow Boxing is a training technique that has nothing to do with beer, but in addition to being a pre-prohibition era brewery, the Bottling House building we brew in was most recently used as a boxing gym. So, the name Shadow Boxer pays homage to the not so widely known history of our location.

3. Where did the recipe come from?

Shadow Boxer is a home brew recipe developed by our founder, Ray Kamstra back when Indiana City was just a dream.

4. If you could drink this beer anywhere, where is the best place?

In our taproom on a brew day when the aroma of the brewing process completely takes over.

5. What is the best food to pair with this beer?

Red meats and rich cheeses.

Tripel de Ripple

The 2015 Malt Madness winner was Tripel de Ripple from Brugge Brasserie in Broad Ripple.

This beer has veteran status, and that experience landed it on top of the "Malt Shop" region. With a high percentage of alcohol, Tripel de Ripple is made for sipping. I love the smooth bold flavor with hints of vanilla.

Brewery:Brugge Brasserie

Style: Belgian Tripel

IBU: 27. ABV: 9.8 percent

Where to get it: Brugge Brasserie restaurant, 1011 Westfield Blvd., Broad Ripple

Ted Miller, master brewer

1. Make your plea. In one tweet, why should we vote for this beer?

Pedigree. Quality. Nuance.

2. How did the beer get its name?

That was easy. A take on Blanche de Bruges.

3. Where did the recipe come from?

We developed it in the spring of 2005. We made one tweak in the summer of 2005. The rest is history.

4. If you could drink this beer anywhere, where is the best place?

At Brugge.

5. What is the best food to pair with this beer?

"Best" is probably not the best term, but a "really good fit" might be Jacobs & Brichford Farmstead Cheese Ameribella. Maybe with a not too sweet apricot and pear compote?

Lift Off IPA

Lift Off IPA on tap at MacNiven’s Restaurant and Bar on Mass Ave. Daredevil is working on a brewery expansion in Speedway, set to open later this spring.

Lift Off IPA is the winner of the competitive "Hop Garden" region. It beat out the popular Rail Splitter IPA from Triton and Oaken Barrel's Superfly. I enjoy the balance and sweetness. It makes for a refreshing sip and minimizes the hop bitterness.

Brewery:Daredevil Brewing

Style: American IPA

IBU: 72. ABV: 7.2 percent

Where to get it: The brewery's Speedway tasting room is not open yet, but you can find it on tap in many nearby bars and restaurants: Yard House, MacNiven's, etc.

Shane Pearson, co-founder

1. Make your plea. In one tweet, why should we vote for this beer?

If you enjoy aggressively fun craft beers like Lift Off IPA we thank you for choosing Daredevil.

2. How did the beer get its name?

Lift Off IPA was the first beer we planned when we were starting Daredevil. As we were working towards opening we were working through the beer recipe and all the things that you need to do to launch a production brewery. We had several names that we discussed and in the end we chose "Lift Off" because it symbolized the birth of Daredevil and the launching and lifting off of the company.

3. Where did the recipe come from?

The recipe for Lift Off IPA was inspired by several of the hop-forward, clean and crisp San Diego and West Coast style IPAs which we enjoy and that are not readily available and fresh in the Midwest. Lift Off IPA is a collaboration between brewer/owners Michael Pearson and Bill Ballinger.

4. If you could drink this beer anywhere, where is the best place?

We brew craft beers to be shared and paired with the moment so a Lift Off IPA is best anywhere you can share one with your friends or family. We can Lift Off IPA so it can go pretty much anywhere you go. Also, after working on the new Speedway brewery project for almost twenty months we are looking forward to sharing a few Lift Off IPAs in our new taproom.

5. What is the best food to pair with this beer?

Lift Off IPA pairs well with many different types of foods because it is flavorful and balanced. Some of our favorite foods to pair Lift Off IPA include Thai, grilled chicken, mussels, BBQ, gumbo and of course your favorite pizza, wings or burger.

KnightStick Cream Ale

The KnightStick Cream Ale from TwoDEEP Brewing with a view of the taproom in the background.

A Cinderella story, perhaps? TwoDEEP is the newest brewery in the final four, but snagged the victory in "The Lighter Side." I'm not one for cream ales, but this "lawnmower" beer is well-made and easy drinking.

Brewery:TwoDEEP Brewing

Style: Cream Ale

IBU: 28.1. ABV: 4.7 percent

Where to get it: TwoDEEP's tasting room, 714 N. Capitol Ave.

Andy Meyer, founder and Lizzie Hineman, marketing and event coordinator

1. Make your plea. In one tweet, why should we vote for this beer?

TwoDEEP Brewing Co. is a malt-forward brewery—we know our malty brews #HolyMalt

2. How did the beer get its name?

That's a story that's best told in person. Come on into the TapRoom and we'll tell you the real story.

3. Where did the recipe come from?

Andy dreamt it up one night and brewed it the next.

4. If you could drink this beer anywhere, where is the best place?

You could drink this beer anywhere, but we'd prefer drinking it lakeside.

5. What is the best food to pair with this beer?

A classic bratwurst all decked out with the sauerkraut, mustard, ketchup, onions, etc. — preferably from Stumpf is Trumpf!

Special thanks to Kevin Boyd with @DrinkingCraft for the photos of each finalist. Follow Amy Haneline onTwitter,Facebook andInstagram. Call her at (317) 444-6281.