A six-pack of reasons why Indy needs a beverage reporter

• Win tickets to Sun King%27s CANvitational during Tailgate Tuesdays at Kilroy%27s in Broad Ripple.
• Meet Amy Haneline at the CANvitational on Saturday%2C Sept. 20.
• Follow Amy on Twitter at @amybhaneline.

Envy. I'm pretty sure that's what my friends and family were feeling when I told them about my new job at The Indianapolis Star: beverage reporter.

You see, I come from a long line of folks who enjoy kicking back with a bold cup of coffee, an ice-cold beer, a glass of Cabernet or a personal favorite, an extra-spicy Bloody Mary.

When I revealed that I would be covering (drinking) local beer, wine, coffee and cocktails, they shook their heads in resentment.

Sounds like a nice gig.

I'm excited about that side of my job, but it isn't all hops and aromas. There is another side of alcohol consumption. Addiction, abuse, intoxicated driving, underage drinking and Indiana's controversial alcohol laws -- we'll talk about that, too.

But if you are still wondering why The Star is dedicating an entire beat to beverages, here are six reasons why Indy needs it.

1. The booming craft beer industry

The Brewers Association listed 55 Indiana breweries in 2012 and 63 in 2013. In 2014? Well, we can hardly keep up. The Brewers of Indiana Guild lists nearly 90 breweries. More than 30 are in Central Indiana, with several more coming soon. Not to mention all the tap rooms, bars and brew pubs around town. If you can't find a craft beer near you, you must be living under a rock … or you don't drink beer.

2. No shortage of wine, either

There has been a recent surge of wineries in Hamilton County. We even have wine trails. The Cardinal Flight Wine Trail covers wineries on the Northside of Indy. The Indy Wine Trail covers central and Southside wineries. You can download a passport to the Indy Wine Trail and visit all seven for a free gift.

3. Bourbon

Bear Wallow Distillery in Brown County opened in August, becoming Indiana's first craft distillery. It offers a variety of cocktails made from its moonshine and whiskey mixed with fruit elixirs. By the holidays, they will have aged bourbon ready for consumption. Indianapolis' Downtown area just got its first artisan distillery, Hotel Tango in Fletcher Place. Both distilleries took advantage of a new Indiana law that allows distilleries to sell spirits directly to the consumer.

4. Indiana's ongoing legislative struggles

You know you've done it. You grab a bottle of wine at the grocery and take it to the checkout. The cashier gives you an odd look and suddenly you remember it's Sunday, and in Indiana, that means you can't buy alcohol in stores. Between Sunday sales, cold beer sales, liquor licensing, distribution and brewing limits, there is a lot going on.

5. There's more than alcohol

Coffee. Because I know I can't talk to you until you've had yours. You are probably particular about how you drink it and have a local shop you frequent. These small coffee shops are more than a place to get a caffeine fix. They offer a neighborhood base to gather and relax. And do I really have to bring up Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte, also known as the PSL? This drink is so popular it has its own Twitter account.

6. It brings us together

I hear it all the time: "Meet me for a drink" or "let's grab a cup of coffee." It could be to have a tough conversation, to watch a game or to celebrate a promotion, but you do it with a glass or mug in hand.

Cheers! I'll see you around, Indy. I'm excited to talk beverages with you.

Follow Amy Haneline on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Email her at amy.haneline@indystar.com. Please drink responsibly. Don't drink and drive.