Moooving Forward, Part Two: Flood protection, Gahan's ignorance of nepotism and why "great experiences" always cost SOMETHING.

Previously: Moooving Forward, Part One: But if flood protection requires "improvement" now, was it inadequate before, and why did "improvement" take eight whole years?

Look, ma -- great paying jobs, with absolutely no experience necessary. That Gahan, boy, he's a miracle worker!

DUGGINS, DAVID C NAHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR New Albany $121,577.96

GARDNER, CHRISTOPHER FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR NEW ALBANY $63,775.21

Nepotism? That's just a word that isn't in Deaf Gahan's vocabulary. Here's a reprint from August 30, 2015.

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What does it cost the city to stage Friday evening concerts at a venue that wasn't built to host them?

Surely somewhere these raw numbers exist: Production Simple does the booking and staging, city workers block the street, prepare the grounds and clean up, police officers act as security, and of course, there are sponsorships, and these defray at least some of the costs, right?

Shouldn't this information be part of the public record?

I asked.

The quick response came not from Shane Gibson, but Chris Gardner: "A great experience is priceless."

Think about that.

Chris Gardner is the city of New Albany's director of flood control. He has a degree in business management (IU Southeast; 2010), used to work at a veneer plant, and is married to the mayor's daughter. These facts are matters of public record, and if subject to review by the most disinterested of space aliens armed with theories of impartiality and a recent dictionary, there'd almost inevitably arise at least some reference to the concept of nepotism.

Perhaps Jeff Gahan's exaggerated fluke of a vote total in 2011 blinded him to the implications of the word "nepotism", or maybe he didn't know what it meant in the first place. I doubt he cares, but even if the director of flood control weren't an otherwise unqualified son-in-law, and even if he were just another unqualified city political patronage employee, can this or any other mayor countenance a taxpayer inquiry being greeted with this?

"A great experience is priceless."

Perhaps Gardner's sequestration down by the river, where few people actually live, has caused Gardner to overlook the plain fact that lots of folks living hereabouts are not enjoying a great experience, because the reality of income inequality is that they cannot afford a frat boy's nonchalance, either in terms of attitude or disposable income. 

What's more, not many of them are in a position to enjoy the bread, circuses and musical events being staged for their benefit. They're working multiple jobs, juggling parental duties and just scraping through. They're struggling with finding and keeping affordable housing. Whether we care to admit it or not, most of us are far closer to poverty than we'll ever be to the lofty ease of the 1%, and we'd be advised to remember how quickly any of us could fall through the patchwork safety net, which Republicans keep trying to dismantle. 

Shouldn't Democrats be more concerned with maintaining a functional, level playing field than pretending to be Walt Disney?

Seriously, how many of us shrug and spend money without looking at the price?

Let's say I come home with a brand new car, run inside the house, get Diana and say, "Look at the nice shiny thing I bought for you."

Is anyone outside of the 1% NOT going to ask me how much it cost, to demand an explanation, to point out that we already owe far more than we make, and can we really afford it?

New Albanians should do the same. Experiences may indeed be priceless, but creditors are notoriously inconvenient when it comes to seeing the transaction in a different light. When Jeff Gahan's minions brag to you about their nice shiny objects, don't forget to ask them how much they cost ... and how do we pay for them ... and how many years will we be paying?

You'd ask these same questions when making your household purchases, wouldn't you?

Some day those objects won't be quite as shiny -- and your grandchildren will still be paying for them. That's neither great nor priceless, is it?

62,572 annual reasons (and 26 cents) why "a great experience is priceless" is the worst answer for any city employee to give.

Back to one-way.

Shades of "no cost is too great" to rehabilitate the Reisz building. At least David Barksdale's not a mayoral family member, though that's small consolation in terms of squandered opportunity cost.

In New Albany, nepotism is a family tradition.

The Bicentennial Park Summer Re-Elect Jeff Gahan Concert Series begins anew on Friday, August 3. It's the sixth season of these events, followed by a year of rotating "Live @ Five" shows. How much has all this cost the city?

We still have no idea. Here's an article from August 30, 2015.

August 3 is my birthday. let's hope I'm at Pints & Union.

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Why "a great experience is priceless" is the worst answer for any city employee to give.

What does it cost the city to stage Friday evening concerts at a venue that wasn't built to host them?

Surely somewhere these raw numbers exist: Production Simple does the booking and staging, city workers block the street, prepare the grounds and clean up, police officers act as security, and of course, there are sponsorships, and these defray at least some of the costs, right?

Shouldn't this information be part of the public record?

I asked.

The quick response came not from Shane Gibson, but Chris Gardner: "A great experience is priceless."

Think about that.

Chris Gardner is the city of New Albany's director of flood control. He has a degree in business management (IU Southeast; 2010), used to work at a veneer plant, and is married to the mayor's daughter. These facts are matters of public record, and if subject to review by the most disinterested of space aliens armed with theories of impartiality and a recent dictionary, there'd almost inevitably arise at least some reference to the concept of nepotism.

Perhaps Jeff Gahan's exaggerated fluke of a vote total in 2011 blinded him to the implications of the word "nepotism", or maybe he didn't know what it meant in the first place. I doubt he cares, but even if the director of flood control weren't an otherwise unqualified son-in-law, and even if he were just another unqualified city political patronage employee, can this or any other mayor countenance a taxpayer inquiry being greeted with this?

"A great experience is priceless."

Perhaps Gardner's sequestration down by the river, where few people actually live, has caused Gardner to overlook the plain fact that lots of folks living hereabouts are not enjoying a great experience, because the reality of income inequality is that they cannot afford a frat boy's nonchalance, either in terms of attitude or disposable income. 

What's more, not many of them are in a position to enjoy the bread, circuses and musical events being staged for their benefit. They're working multiple jobs, juggling parental duties and just scraping through. They're struggling with finding and keeping affordable housing. Whether we care to admit it or not, most of us are far closer to poverty than we'll ever be to the lofty ease of the 1%, and we'd be advised to remember how quickly any of us could fall through the patchwork safety net, which Republicans keep trying to dismantle. 

Shouldn't Democrats be more concerned with maintaining a functional, level playing field than pretending to be Walt Disney?

Seriously, how many of us shrug and spend money without looking at the price?

Let's say I come home with a brand new car, run inside the house, get Diana and say, "Look at the nice shiny thing I bought for you."

Is anyone outside of the 1% NOT going to ask me how much it cost, to demand an explanation, to point out that we already owe far more than we make, and can we really afford it?

New Albanians should do the same. Experiences may indeed be priceless, but creditors are notoriously inconvenient when it comes to seeing the transaction in a different light. When Jeff Gahan's minions brag to you about their nice shiny objects, don't forget to ask them how much they cost ... and how do we pay for them ... and how many years will we be paying?

You'd ask these same questions when making your household purchases, wouldn't you?

Some day those objects won't be quite as shiny -- and your grandchildren will still be paying for them. That's neither great nor priceless, is it?

Spring Street stage block: "It's like buying a new car and then putting it in the garage and driving a rental to work."

Regular reader J asks:

By chance, did anyone notice that Friday on Spring Street the city closed the single eastbound lane for a stage? I want to say we have a nice big stage somewhere already -- it's yellow?

Yes, sir. That'd be the Bicentennial Concert Series blocking a traffic lane, and the Riverfront Amphitheater three blocks away, perched by the Ohio.

For me, the question is two-part.

Why are we closing the two-way street we (JUST) made, and during Friday evening rush hour?

Why are we paying for this stage when we have a larger stage with an area that can facilitate more people?

Also, I seem to remember we renovated the amphitheater fairly recently. It's like buying a new car and then putting it in the garage and driving a rental to work.

The first question only now arose. The second one has been unanswered for almost six years.

DNA always knows best: Now it's "Mayor Jeff M. Gahan's Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series."

I'm so old, I can remember when the mayor settled for presenting it -- and if we're to excavate all the way down to the nitty-gritty, they're actually Production Simple's shows.

But wait -- it's almost time for Deaf to make his intentions clear with respect to next year's State Senate race, and if you thought the personality cult was bad before ...

As an addendum, NAC has been unable to confirm whether New Albany Mayor Jeff M. Gahan or anyone working in the city's administration is under federal investigation or indictment for corruption, bribery or racketeering. It is standard policy of the U.S. Justice Department to refuse to confirm or deny the existence or non-existence of investigations or subjects of investigations. A similar policy exists at the F.B.I.

City Hall is as silent as a Bud Light & Clamato Chelada, but we're inferring that Boomtown Ball will NOT be held in 2017.

At this time last year, momentum was building toward the third edition of the Boomtown Ball & Festival in downtown New Albany. See below for links explaining the history of the event.

Team Gahan released its first Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series tout yesterday, and it made no mention whatever of Boomtown.

However, there was this:

We start a week early this year on May 26th with local blue’s favorites Kentuckiana Blues Road Show. The Road Show line-up features New Albany native Jimmy G & The Sidewinders, Laurie Jane & The 45’s and Jason Lockwood & The Stella Vees.

Each of the first three Boomtowns was held on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend, followed by the concert series kickoff on the first Friday in June. We're inferring that since May 26 is the Friday before Boomtown's traditional slot, it's a backhanded way of saying "no Boomtown for you."

In addition, a friend asked DNA:

"I messaged Develop New Albany. They got back with me that Boomtown was not on the calendar for May. So the lady was assuming no."

Also, there is no mention of Boomtown on any of Production Simple's propaganda arms, suggesting that in 2017, the Louisville company's annexation of downtown New Albany will be limited to concert series Fridays.

Naturally, all of this makes sense given that in 2017, Abbey Road on the River moves to downtown Jeffersonville. The festival lasts five days over Memorial Day weekend, May 25 - 29.

Mike Moore 1, Jeff Gahan nil. 

If you're still wondering why the city of New Albany is engaged in the business of concert promotion, chalk it up to a bad case of Disney Envy.

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Boomtown Ball accounts from previous years:

2016
Roger answers all your questions on the eve of Boomtown, 2016.
Boomtown Ball & Festival returns.

2015
The PC: Who'll put the beer in Boomtown?

2014
The PC: Post-Boomtown reflections.

Why "a great experience is priceless" is the worst answer for any city employee to give.

What does it cost the city to stage Friday evening concerts at a venue that wasn't built to host them?

Surely somewhere these raw numbers exist: Production Simple does the booking and staging, city workers block the street, prepare the grounds and clean up, police officers act as security, and of course, there are sponsorships, and these defray at least some of the costs, right?

Shouldn't this information be part of the public record?

I asked.

The quick response came not from Shane Gibson, but Chris Gardner: "A great experience is priceless."

Think about that.

Chris Gardner is the city of New Albany's director of flood control. He has a degree in business management (IU Southeast; 2010), used to work at a veneer plant, and is married to the mayor's daughter. These facts are matters of public record, and if subject to review by the most disinterested of space aliens armed with theories of impartiality and a recent dictionary, there'd almost inevitably arise at least some reference to the concept of nepotism.

Perhaps Jeff Gahan's exaggerated fluke of a vote total in 2011 blinded him to the implications of the word "nepotism", or maybe he didn't know what it meant in the first place. I doubt he cares, but even if the director of flood control weren't an otherwise unqualified son-in-law, and even if he were just another unqualified city political patronage employee, can this or any other mayor countenance a taxpayer inquiry being greeted with this?

"A great experience is priceless."

Perhaps Gardner's sequestration down by the river, where few people actually live, has caused Gardner to overlook the plain fact that lots of folks living hereabouts are not enjoying a great experience, because the reality of income inequality is that they cannot afford a frat boy's nonchalance, either in terms of attitude or disposable income. 

What's more, not many of them are in a position to enjoy the bread, circuses and musical events being staged for their benefit. They're working multiple jobs, juggling parental duties and just scraping through. They're struggling with finding and keeping affordable housing. Whether we care to admit it or not, most of us are far closer to poverty than we'll ever be to the lofty ease of the 1%, and we'd be advised to remember how quickly any of us could fall through the patchwork safety net, which Republicans keep trying to dismantle. 

Shouldn't Democrats be more concerned with maintaining a functional, level playing field than pretending to be Walt Disney?

Seriously, how many of us shrug and spend money without looking at the price?

Let's say I come home with a brand new car, run inside the house, get Diana and say, "Look at the nice shiny thing I bought for you."

Is anyone outside of the 1% NOT going to ask me how much it cost, to demand an explanation, to point out that we already owe far more than we make, and can we really afford it?

New Albanians should do the same. Experiences may indeed be priceless, but creditors are notoriously inconvenient when it comes to seeing the transaction in a different light. When Jeff Gahan's minions brag to you about their nice shiny objects, don't forget to ask them how much they cost ... and how do we pay for them ... and how many years will we be paying?

You'd ask these same questions when making your household purchases, wouldn't you?

Some day those objects won't be quite as shiny -- and your grandchildren will still be paying for them. That's neither great nor priceless, is it?

The NA weekend calendar is filled with art and a garden party and music.

The 9th annual Art on the Parish Green takes place on Saturday and Sunday. The Culbertson Mansion's 3rd annual Garden Party is on Saturday night, after Art on the Parish Green wraps.

NABC has been delighted to be a part of these events since their inception.

I'm also told there'll be Black & Blue Grass available at tonight's Bicentennial Park concert.

During the month of June, New Albany Restaurant and Bar Association member businesses Fieldhaus, Big Four Burgers + Beer NA and River City Winery are catering adult beverages for the Friday night musical shows.

Thanks to Matt McMahan for pouring NABC Black & Blue Grass at these performances.

At the Garden Party in 2014.

City belatedly gets around to releasing concrete information on Boomtown, summer concert series, etc.

Boomtown Ball.
Bicentennial Park Concert Series.
July 3 Fireworks at the Amphitheater.

You should know that for several weeks, questions about these city-sponsored events have been asked of the city by previous local vendors, and answered vaguely or incompletely, if answered at all.

Why is it so frustrating for these businesses not to get timely information? It's because food and drink businesses like those involved in the past with these specially staged events must budget, make schedules, staff and plan ahead. They always have done so -- and they have always come through and delivered for event attendees.

Only this week on Tuesday morning, as City Hall's persistently poor communications skills started being discussed yet again, loudly and publicly on social media following the downtown merchant meeting, did the ice finally begin to thaw.

This morning I reported what (was) known about Boomtown amid the fog, and then later in the afternoon, through a miraculous and surely coincidental communications breakthrough, this press release (below) suddenly appeared.

In it, we learn the "preferred" and "professional" caterer's name that David Duggins forgot to remember on Tuesday: It's Festival Cuisine & Spirits, with a primary office in Louisville and a storage warehouse on Pearl Street in New Albany (note that this year, it's beer and wine only at Boomtown).

All we've been told by the city in way of explanation is that the city placed alcoholic beverage catering in the hands of Louisville-based Production Simple, and Production Simple hired Festival Cuisine & Spirits.

Also, it is revealed for the first time publicly that while Boomtown's primary components are Louisville based, localism will be observed during the Bicentennial Park Concert Series and July 3 Fireworks show, via something called the Downtown Bar and Restaurant Association.

Perhaps City Hall means the New Albany Restaurant & Bar Association, unless NARBA already has a rival non-profit. In this city, anything is possible.

And, as revealed previously, local bricks and mortar retailers will have their booth fees waived by the Louisville-based Flea Off Market, and that's good news for retailers.

Why has Team Gahan sought so assiduously to make Boomtown such a Louisville-centric event, when local building blocks might be used -- when the band curating the event, Houndmouth, hails from New Albany and environs?

That's anyone's guess. Maybe it's Greg Fischer's idea. So, read the tea leaves, break out that dusty Ouija Board and spin a bottle ... or flip a coin. Mayor Jeff Gahan's administration is the single most furtive, secretive and non-transparent administrative entity in living memory, as well as the one most willing to award credit to itself. In fact, the most surprising development this year came on April 9, when Gahan chose not to celebrate his victory over General Lee at Appomattox Court House.

Verily, we all have become dentists, merrily pulling teeth. Novocaine, anyone?

Your Bicentennial Park Concert Series and Boomtown Ball dollars at work.

Big thanks to the City of New Albany for making this possible. We encourage all NABC fans and blog readers to consider a donation to one or both of these key organizations. They do fine work for folks who need the boost.

We had a fun day today! If you purchased a New Albanian Brewing Company beverage at a summer concert at Bicentennial Park, the Boomtown Ball & Festival, or another event this past year in the community, you also supported Rauch, Inc. & Open Door Youth Services. Today both organizations received an amazing cash-stuffed envelope from NABC's special event proceeds. Thank you to everyone at NABC for your long-time love of Rauch and those we serve! #WooHoo #ThankYou — with Leah Pezzarossi, Roger A. Baylor and Bettye Dunham.

(text and photo from Rauch's Fb page)

The NABC Weekend: BicenPk concert finale, Eh Cumpari, Five Foot Fish and Beers Across the Wabash.

Ladies and gentlemen, the inimitable Tony Beard's art.

NABC bids adieu to Friday night concerts downtown, and we're pumped about the annual beer fest in Lafayette on Saturday. There'll be Progressive Pints elsewhere in town and on the road, and here's the overview.

FRIDAY the 22nd

Tonight is the finale of the 2014 Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series. Because three bands are booked tonight to make up for the rainout on August 8, the music is likely to continue until at least 10:00 p.m. Production Simple provides the overview:

Join us this Friday for the next and final installment of our Bicentennial Summer Concert Series in beautiful downtown New Albany. Our FREE and family-friendly summer concert series concludes Friday, August 22nd, with performances by Humming House, Bookshelf, and Nick Dittmeier. Gates open at 5PM, and music starts right around 6PM. For more details on this fun and all-ages event, please visit: http://bit.ly/1zAANgm

NABC will be there to offer accompaniment to the music. Our recently updated selection is Naughty Girl, Action! Pale Ale, Community Dark and Frankensteiner. The latter is our newly released Hefeweizen, or Bavarian-style, wheat ale.

On a season-ending note, and in response to a question I received, please know that NABC donates a portion of its events/catering beer sales after costs and taxes to Rauch Inc. and Open Door Youth Services.

Also, remember that when patronizing Bank Street Brewhouse before or after the show, or any other time, Wick's Pizza will deliver anything on its food menu to BSB, and give you a generous 20% discount on the order. We're appreciative to Wick's for this generous standing offer, which might well be the finest deal in town.

SATURDAY the 23rd: NABC at HOME

Speaking of pizza and music ... Bank Street Brewhouse welcomes Eh Cumpari Pizza and Five Foot Fish on Saturday night.

Eh Cumpari is a start-up mobile wood-fired pizza maker. He'll begin around 5:00 p.m.

Five Foot Fish is a band, and the music starts at 8:00 p.m.

As an aside, last Saturday's second in an ongoing series of pop-up restaurants at BSB (Danny Joe’s “Nashville Style” Hot Fried Chicken) was purely bonkers. 165 lbs of fried chicken was spoken for long before 7:00 p.m. Thanks to those who attended, and I hope you got food before it was gone. Chef Dan Thomas is contemplating an October menu of German fest food, so stay tuned ... and come early.

SATURDAY the 23rd: NABC on the ROAD

We’re headed north for Beers Across the Wabash in Lafayette, Indiana, and this year there is more excitement than ever because it’s the debut of People’s Republic of New Albania. NABC collaborated with People’s Brewing Company to brew this Bavarian-style Zwickelbier, which will debut at Beers Across the Wabash at both our tents. It also will pour at NABC’s two New Albany locations in late August.

Also on Saturday, August 23, NABC will be present at this year’s Brew at the (Louisville) Zoo. It appears that tickets already have sold out, but I'm sure the secondary market as yet thrives.

SUNDAY the 24th 

Bring a picnic basket, pack in carry-outs or order delivery, and pair our Beers of Proven Merit with the very best food from local eateries ... well, at least those open on Sunday. Always remember that Indiana does have carry-out beer sales on Sunday: At Hoosier craft breweries. For carry-out wine on Sunday, visit our friends at River City Winery or Indiana's many other artisanal wine makers.

To be reminded of why Indiana's alcohol laws governing beer temperature and daily availability came to be, visit the Indy Star: Will Indiana ever expand Sunday alcohol and cold beer sales?

The NABC Weekend: Music, fried chicken and a long, cool one.

Cask-conditioned Beak's Best Bitter has returned to Bank Street Brewhouse just in time for the weekend, and we'll be pouring Progressive Pints elsewhere in town and on the road, too.

FRIDAY the 15th

Tonight (Friday, August 15), New Albany’s Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series continues with Same As It Ever Was, a Talking Heads tribute band. Gates open around 5:00 p.m., and music starts at 6:00 p.m. Production Simple provides the overview:

Love The Talking Heads? Same As It Ever Was does it right. This 7-piece outfit of Knoxville musicians came together out of their mutual love and respect for the music of the Talking Heads in the summer of 2004 and have not looked back since. Over the years the band has performed extensively, and now nearly have the entire Talking Heads catalog at their fingertips; They bring the excitement and energy of everything from '77 to Naked, and all the B-sides in between. Same As It Ever Was strives to maintain the integrity of the Talking Heads' groundbreaking music, while bringing their own panache to the game. Whatever you're your level of familiarity with Talking Heads, you can expect to have an unforgettable time with Same As It Ever Was!

Note that following the cancellation of last week's concert owing to the threat of inclement weather, there will be an expanded season finale next week (August 22), with Bookshelf being joined by Humming House and Nick Dittmeier. This show should last until 10:30 - 11:00 p.m., and provide another hour and a half for beer sales. Providentially, NABC will be there to offer accompaniment to the music. Our recently updated selection is Naughty Girl, Action! Pale Ale, Community Dark and Frankensteiner. The latter is our newly released Hefeweizen, or Bavarian-style, wheat ale.

Also remember that when patronizing Bank Street Brewhouse before or after the show, or any other time, Wick's Pizza will deliver anything on its food menu to BSB, and give you a generous 20% discount on the order. We're appreciative to Wick's for this generous standing offer, which might well be the finest deal in town.

SATURDAY the 16th

We're excited to host the second in a (hopefully) ongoing series of pop-up restaurants at Bank Street Brewhouse: Danny Joe’s “Nashville Style” Hot Fried Chicken pop-up kitchen comes to Bank Street Brewhouse on Saturday, August 16.

It's for one night only; no reservations, and first come, first served. Better yet, as can be attested following a brief pre-sampling session yesterday, Chef Dan Thomas's spicy fried chicken pairs quite well with Progressive Pints. Food sales begin at 5:00 p.m., and will continue until 10:30 p.m. or depletion.

Also on the 16th, there'll be music at Bank Street Brewhouse, from 8:00 p.m., outside at Lloyd’s Landing. This week's band is Ragged But Right. Coming next week on August 23 is the ever-popular Five Foot Fish. Also slated to appear on the 23rd is mobile wood-fired pizza ...  but more on that later.

SUNDAY the 17th 

On the road: Dig IN is held at White River State Park in downtown Indianapolis, and may be the best food/beer pairing event you haven’t heard about.

“Dig IN invites local farmers, chefs, brewers, vintners, and food enthusiasts around the table to indulge in the tastes of Indiana. If there is a heart in the Heartland, Indiana is it, and Dig IN brings our state’s rich agricultural heritage into focus with a celebration of the farm to fork experience.”

NABC’s Blake Montgomery will be on hand, serving Black & Blue Grass. Meanwhile, back in New Albany, Bank Street Brewhouse opens at 12:00 noon on Sunday.

Bring a picnic basket, pack in carry-outs or order delivery, and pair our Beers of Proven Merit with the very best food from local eateries ... well, at least those open on Sunday. Always remember that Indiana does have carry-out beer sales on Sunday: At Hoosier craft breweries. For carry-out wine on Sunday, visit our friends at River City Winery or Indiana's many other artisanal wine makers.

To be reminded of why Indiana's alcohol laws governing beer temperature and daily availability came to be, visit the Indy Star: Will Indiana ever expand Sunday alcohol and cold beer sales?

STOP THE PRESSES: Tonight's Bicentennial Park Show is CANCELLED.

I pressed "send," then received word that tonight's Bicentennial Park concert with Humming House and Nick Dittmeier is cancelled owing to inclement weather.

If and when further information becomes known, I'll pass it along.

The NABC Weekend: Music at the park (cancelled), the Great Taste and Thunder Wrane.

(10:15 a.m. update: Tonight's Bicentennial Park Show is CANCELLED. I'll pass along further information if/when it becomes available)

It's a bit blurry, but no less historic: Beer has returned to the Indiana State Fair, and NABC's turn came this past Wednesday, as Blake Montgomery motored to Circle City to chat about our beer with fairgoers.

Both kegs were gone at day's end, and civilization did not crumble into smudgy little grease spots, as had been predicted by certain opponents possessing of a prohibitionist's mindset. Many other Indiana "craft" brewers will be featured throughout the fair’s run from August 1 – 17.

Meanwhile, this weekend we're pouring Progressive Pints in town and on the road.

FRIDAY the 8th

Tonight (Friday, August 8), New Albany’s Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series features both Humming House and Nick Dittmeier. Production Simple offers the synopsis:

At once danceable and reflective, familiar and nostalgic, Humming House is a musical experiment gone right. Woven together from diverse backgrounds (Americana, classical composition, bluegrass, soul, and traditional Irish music), their playground of musical exploration has something for every generation ... Nick Dittmeier is a singer-songwriter from southern Indiana. He fronted the alt-country band Slithering Beast for five years. In early 2013, he branched out and started performing under his own name and established a new band.

As usual, NABC will offer beery accompaniment to the show at Bicentennial Park. Tonight's updated selection: Naughty Girl, Action! Pale Ale, Community Dark and Frankensteiner. The latter is our newly released Hefeweizen. or Bavarian-style Wheat.

Remember that when patronizing Bank Street Brewhouse, Wick's Pizza will deliver anything on its food menu to BSB, and give you a 20% discount on the order. We're appreciative to Wick's for this generous standing offer.

SATURDAY the 9th

NABC is on the road often during the warm weather months, but few gigs are as important to us as the Great Taste of the Midwest in Madison, Wisconsin. This is one of the most awesome beer festivals in the history of the planet, and precisely the sort of event that inspires shameless hyperbole. Usually I personally attend, but cannot this year. However, the crew is there, and it should be as brilliant as always.

At the NABC booth
Community Dark … our best-selling English-style Dark Mild
Frankensteiner Promethean Wheat … a brand new Hefeweizen
Hoptimus … Louisville’s original signature Imperial India Pale Ale
Mt. Lee … California Common with a Southern California twist
Naughty Girl … collaborative India Belgian Ale
Turbo Hog … this Malt Liquor was NABC’s fastest mover at the 2014 Indiana Microbrewers Festival
USA vs Germany Sticke Alt … hoppy Dusseldorfer-style goodness

Cask-conditioned pins at the NABC booth
Get Off My Porch, Preacher Man … a variation on a Session IPA theme
Hoptimus-A-Rita … dry-hopped with Mosaic and Citra, along with sweet orange peel
HotFoot … Dry Stout with locally grown hot peppers

At the Real Ale Tent
Beak’s Best Bitter … session strength Anglo-American Best Bitter
Bob’s Old 15-B … robust American Porter
Elector … strong ale that makes democracy pointless

Also on the 9th, there'll be music at Bank Street Brewhouse, from 8:00 p.m. outside at Lloyd’s Landing, or in the Reading Room in case of inclement weather. On the 9th, we have Thunder Wrane.

August 16: Ragged But Right
August 23: Five Foot Fish

SUNDAY the 10th 

Bank Street Brewhouse opens at Noon. Bring a picnic basket, pack in carry-outs or order delivery, and pair our Beers of Proven Merit with the very best food from local eateries ... well, at least those open on Sunday. Always remember that Indiana does have carry-out beer sales on Sunday: At craft breweries. For carry-out wine on Sunday, visit our friends at River City Winery or Indiana's many other artisanal wine makers.

To be reminded of why Indiana's alcohol laws governing beer temperature and daily availability came to be, visit the Indy Star: Will Indiana ever expand Sunday alcohol and cold beer sales?

The NABC Weekend: Music at the park, Prohibition at the Amphitheater and the unknown bicycle race.

Last week's Ben Miller Band show at Bicentennial Park was widely praised. Shown above is how great things can happen when music and beer meet. Accordingly, let's see what the calendar shows for the coming weekend.

FRIDAY the 25th

Tonight (Friday, July 25), New Albany’s Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series features the Junk Yard Dogs, and Production Simple offers this synopsis:

Junk Yard Dogs is a soul/R&B band from Louisville. A chance meeting between bassist Eric Makowski and drummer/spirit animal Van Campbell at the fabled Air Devil’s Inn spurred the formation of the group. It quickly assembled a band and moved into Smoketown, where the band has incubated and carved out their signature sound of B-side soul classics and dance originals.

As usual, NABC will offer Progressive Pints to accompany the show at Bicentennial Park. Also on Friday, roughly one block from Bicentennial Park, Bank Street Brewhouse will be open and pouring, and at this juncture, permit me to offer a quote from our August media kit.

In May, NABC announced the suspension of its Bank Street Brewhouse kitchen, and shortly thereafter, a deal was reached to bring the Big Four Burgers mobile trailer to BSB on Fridays, concurrent with the Bicentennial Park Concert Series. Unfortunately, Big Four Burgers has been unable to staff the trailer on a regular basis, so henceforth, we’ll be moving in a different direction. We understand that it takes time to build a new program, and the effort at BSB will continue.

Wick's has stepped into the breach: Be advised that if you call Wick's for pizza delivery to Bank Street Brewhouse, Friday evenings or any other time, you'll receive a 20% discount on your order. Perhaps the Big Four burger trailer will be back some day. It was a fine idea, but not all ideas pan out.

Also on Friday evening, you will not be able to enjoy craft beer or wine at the Seussical the Musical performance at New Albany's Riverfront Amphitheater.

Seussical performances this weekend will be alcohol-free.

I've been informed that the city of New Albany has asked the organizers to refrain from offering alcoholic beverages for the Seussical event, so if I mentioned it to you recently, please recalibrate and know that the musical will go on as originally planned, without our participation.

What the heck; my time's worth nothing, but of course you are heartily encouraged to attend a performance of Seussical, which take place on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. New Albany RiverStage is trying to make a necessary point that if the amphitheater is used for quality events, people will come, and improvements will be justified. Of course, life's always improved with better beer ... just not this time.

SATURDAY the 26th

NABC will take part in the Fifth Annual GnawBrew Beer, Art and Music Festival, which is set in the rustic hills of Brown County, Indiana at eXplore Brown County/Valley Branch Paintball Retreat, and brings together local home-brewers, wine makers, local and regional professional breweries and beer connoisseurs along with Hoosier artists and musicians.

Tony Beard, NABC's graphics-wizard-in-residence, is attending the 2014 Art & Ale Biergarten in Monticello, Indiana. The fest is being organized by Flat12 brewer Sean Manahan.

SUNDAY the 27th

No, you're not the only one who knew next to nothing about it.

The New Albany Criterium is a flat six-corner criterium course in the Heart of Historic New Albany. The Start/Finish will be near the intersection of Pearl and Market Street. The crit course is 0.7 miles in length and is run counter-clockwise. The race is sanctioned by USA Cycling. Sponsored by Clarksville Schwinn and PB Whayne.

Starting a noon, cyclists and observers can refuel at Bank Street Brewhouse. Bring a picnic basket, pack in carry-outs or order delivery, and pair our Beers of Proven Merit with the very best food from local eateries ... well, at least those open on Sunday.

Always remember that Indiana does have carry-out beer sales on Sunday: At craft breweries. For carry-out wine on Sunday, visit our friends at River City Winery or Indiana's many other artisanal wine makers.

To be reminded of why Indiana's alcohol laws governing beer temperature and daily availability came to be, visit the Indy Star: Will Indiana ever expand Sunday alcohol and cold beer sales?

The NABC Weekend: The Ben Miller Band, rallying the rescuers and our annual guild festival.

This weekend, we'll be hearing about the Forecastle corporate music festival so often that when we go to buy knitting needles to plunge into our eyes and ears, they'll be sold out, and we'll have to make do with other varied sharp household objects.

But at least Forecastle finally got the local beer availability memo this year, even if it doesn't include NABC. Apparently the Against the Grain brewery spearheaded a local beer village vending area of some sort, while Sierra Appalachia remains the overall beer pay-to-player.

For the tragically unhip, the ranks of whom include your faithful correspondent, Kevin Gibson has suggestions for what to do instead of attending Forecastle.

Meanwhile, Jeffersonville will devote its riverfront weekend to the wonders of country music, and the jokes write themselves.

Let's see what can be salvaged from the hype and hullabaloo.

FRIDAY the 18th

Tonight (Friday, July 18), New Albany’s Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series features the Ben Miller Band. Production Simple offers this synopsis:

Hailing from Joplin, Mo., The Ben Miller Band is a one-of-a kind trio that combines the frenetic energy of bluegrass, the soul of the delta blues and the haunted spirit of Appalachian mountain music. Band members Ben Miller, Scott Leeper and Doug Dicharry create a unique and modern sound while continuing the tradition of blending together many different musical styles, which has long been a trait of their native Ozarks.

As usual, NABC will offer Progressive Pints to accompany the show at Bicentennial Park. Also on Friday, roughly one block from Bicentennial Park, Bank Street Brewhouse will be open and pouring. Be advised that if you call Wick's for pizza delivery to Bank Street Brewhouse, you'll receive a 20% discount on your order. The Big Four burger trailer may or may not report for duty this evening; when I know, this passage will be updated.

For those reading these lines from comfy armchairs in Circle City, note that NABC's Blake Montgomery will be in Speedway to host the Lino’s NABC Tap Takeover, featuring Beak’s Best Bitter, Hoptimus, Houndmouth and Naughty Girl.

SATURDAY the 19th

In downtown New Albany, Bank Street between Spring and Elm streets will be closed for Rally to Rescue the Rescuers, with adoptable pets, vendors, and a dog and cat food drive. Bank Street Brewhouse will be available for human refueling throughout, with specials on (what else?) Houndmouth. The event runs from 5:00 p.m. through 9:00 p.m. In addition, Gregg Seidl's Drinking with the Dead Haunted History Tour will be winding its way through downtown. Consider joining in.

July 19 also is the occasion for one of NABC's most important annual road jaunts. The Indiana Microbrewers Festival makes its 19th appearance at the Indianapolis Art Center and Optimist Park in Broad Ripple. Indiana breweries will be joined by a select group of guest breweries from around the country at Indiana’s largest craft beer event. Over 350 beer selections will be available during a running time of 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., and subsequent debauchery city-wide, extending far into the evening.

SUNDAY the 20th

I've got nothing, so here's a word from your sponsor: Bank Street Brewhouse is open from noon to 9:00 p.m. on Sunday. Bring a picnic basket, bring carry-outs or order delivery, and pair our Beers of Proven Merit with the very best food from local eateries ... well, at least those open on Sunday.

Always remember that Indiana does have carry-out beer sales on Sunday: At craft breweries. For carry-out wine on Sunday, visit our friends at River City Winery or Indiana's many other artisanal wine makers.

To be reminded of why Indiana's alcohol laws governing beer temperature and daily availability came to be, visit the Indy Star: Will Indiana ever expand Sunday alcohol and cold beer sales?

The NABC Weekend: Black Cadillacs at BicenPk, Public Art at the Carnegie and Poorcastle.

As NABC summer weekends go, it's a relatively light one. Let's specify light schedules, not light beer.

FRIDAY

Tonight (Friday, July 11), New Albany’s Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series features the Black Cadillacs. Production Simple offers this synopsis:

One of the bands to watch at Bonnaroo, the Black Cadillacs is a blues-based indie rock band from Knoxville, Tenn. With members from each of Tennessee’s major cities, the state’s famous sounds are well represented. Nashville’s recent brand of rock ‘n’ roll revival takes center stage, but a wash of authentic Memphis blues-soul and a tinge of Knoxville country distill into a sound as rich and Southern as it is alive.

The Violet Knives open. Also on Friday, roughly one block from Bicentennial Park, Big Four Burgers' mobile trailer returns to Bank Street Brewhouse (5 pm - 10 pm). You can have NABC beer on site with the music, and then another with Big Four Burgers at home base. 

We've just learned that due to unforeseen staffing circumstances, the Big Four Burger trailer cannot operate this evening at BSB. Apologies; no one likes last-minute changes, but sometimes they're unavoidable. Please stay tuned for further updates

No hype; no fuss. Just great local beer, burgers and tunes.

In addition, Friday the 11th is designated as Night Out New Albany.

Night Out New Albany is a night for local retailers, restaurants, galleries and shops to showcase their business. Night Out New Albany is a night for local customers as well as tourists to enjoy an evening of art, entertainment, food, drink and shopping.

Side note: There's something quaint about the usage of "tourists" in this context. "Visitors" sounds better to me; then again, DNA doesn't allow me to write for it. 

But enough of that. There's still more to explore on Bank Street alone tonight: New Albany Public Art Project: The catalog, and a whole new series, at the Carnegie Center.

On Friday July 11, 2014, from 6-8 pm, we invite the public to join us in celebrating the launch of the New Albany Public Art Project catalog. This event will be the public’s first chance to get a copy of the catalog, available for a suggested donation of $10. Attendees to this event will also be the first to hear about the New Albany Public Art Project: Today and Tomorrow Series, which will bring new public art to the community beginning in 2015. Opening remarks will begin at 6:30 pm.

SATURDAY

My top area pick for Saturday and Sunday is being hosted by our friends at Apocalypse Brew Works in Louisville: The Festival for the Rest of Us: Poorcastle. From Kevin Gibson's preview at Insider Louisville comes this explanation:

About a year and a half ago, my irrepressible friend and Crescent Hill Radio show co-host Butch Bays and I were on the air making jokes about how expensive it is to go to Forecastle.

“We should start a festival called ‘Poorcastle’ for people who can’t afford to go to Forecastle,” he said.

SUNDAY

The World Cup Final between Germany and Argentina starts at 3:00 p.m. Bank Street Brewhouse will be serving the World Cup Series as well as other Beers of Proven Merit.

The NABC Weekend: Appalatin in the park, Louvino Pop-Up and Shopping with Your Pooch.

Courtesy of the inimitable Tony Beard

At some point on Sunday evening, preferably around 6:30 p.m., I'll be able to relax and enjoy an episode of "The Last of the Summer Wine," a wonderful vision set in a place where no one seems to work, and the weather's always cool. And they visit the pub often. Until then ...

WORLD CUP

All three of NABC's World Cup Trilogy beers have been tapped, and will continue to pour at both NABC locations until they're depleted. For next Tuesday's USA vs Belgium match in the Round of 16, there'll be a specially prepared keg of Naughty Girl at Bank Street Brewhouse (details TBA; BSB opens at 3 p.m.), while at the Pizzeria & Public House, there's a non-futbol beer takeover event long in the works, featuring drafts from our friends out in San Diego: Stone Brewing Tap Night.

FRIDAY

Tonight (Friday, June 27), New Albany’s Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series features the stellar band Appalatin.

Foot-stomping, hip-swinging sounds organically unite Appalachian folk and high-energy Latin music. The name, Appalatin, reflects the unexpected meeting in Louisville, KY of Kentucky-raised musicians and masterful Latin émigrés from Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Guatemala. Their all-acoustic performances of traditional stings of guitar, mandolin, upright bass, and charango, indigenous Andean flutes, hand percussion, harmonica and vocal harmonies have brought joy and happiness to listeners of all ages.

Inclement weather and staffing issues forced the cancellation of last Friday's Big Four Burger wagon at Bank Street Brewhouse, but we expect them back on Friday.

SATURDAY

On Saturday, June 28, Bank Street Brewhouse plays host to a Louvino pop-up restaurant preview. It's the first of what we hope will be many such opportunities to involve food, even if we're not a full-time restaurant.

Join Chefs Tavis Rockwell, Dan Thomas and Michael Hargrove as they try a few menu concepts from the soon to open Louvino. Some of the items will include Confit Chicken Wings, Tavis's Housemade Tater Tots, Sliders, Apple Wontons, Chocolate Malts and Duck Fat Fries. The kitchen will be open for service at 5:00 p.m. and will run until 11:00, or until the food runs out. Beer and beverages will be available from the NABC. We look forward to seeing you there!

Please take note: There'll be no reservations or table service; it's first come, first served. Find a space and get a drink. Diners will order and pay at the kitchen window, and your food will be brought to you. Have a beer. Repeat.

SUNDAY

Shop With Your Pooch Sunday ! A Fundraiser for The Arrow Fund runs on Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at My Magpie's Nest (1613 E Market St. in New Albany). The list of vendors is long and includes Wenning's Tequila Lime Salsa & Pickles; a pet communicator and psychic; Quibble Hill Winery; Rib Tip Tony's; Savon; and NABC. Accordingly, I'll be there from noon to 4:00 p.m. with beer samples, including the appropriately positioned Houndmouth.

The Arrow Fund provides medical treatment to Kentuckiana animals who have been the victims of torture or extreme forms of abuse and neglect. By highlighting these cases, we strive to educate the public regarding the ongoing problem of animal cruelty and the need to strengthen Kentuckiana's animal welfare laws. TAF Is a non-profit group.

Next week's a whole other story. Fireworks at the Amphitheater with Progressive Pints and the Crashers next Thursday, anyone?

NABC tonight and tomorrow, in and out of town -- World Cup 2014 edition.

As a preface to the weekend event calendar, kindly permit me to begin with another reminder about NABC's World Cup Trilogy for 2014: USA vs. Ghana, Portugal and Germany. The fun begins on Monday at both NABC locations, with the release of Citra Passion Ale (USA vs. Ghana).

NABC honors the World Cup with three fresh, new beers honoring the three national football squads facing the USA in Group G of the opening round: Ghana, Portugal and Germany. Beginning on June 16, 2014, the beers will debut as the American squad’s opening matches are played. There’ll be many places in metro Louisville to view these contests — but how many of them created and brewed three new beers as specific accompaniment to the beautiful game, and the world’s biggest sporting event?

Just NABC. Do you see what local can do?

USA vs. Ghana – Citra Passion Ale
Release: Monday, June 16, at both NABC locations (Bank Street Brewhouse opens at 5 p.m.)

USA vs. Portugal – “Super Bock”
Release: Sunday, June 22 at Bank Street Brewhouse (Monday, June 23 at the Pizzeria & Public House)

USA vs. Germany – Sticke Alt
Release: Thursday, June 26, at both NABC locations (Bank Street Brewhouse opens at noon)

Now, the crowded weekend slate.

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Friday, June 13
The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series continues with James Wallace and The Naked Light. Once again, the Big Four Burgers trailer will be parked at Bank Street Brewhouse, serving burgers and fries from 5:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m.

The Mary Anderson Center for the Arts, the artist colony at Mt. St. Francis, concludes its first ever Potters’ Retreat workshop with the center’s fourth annual Music at the Mount, featuring bluegrass music, barbecue and NABC beer. Tafelbier will be one; the other is TBA.

In Jeffersonville, Smokin’ On the River BBQ, Blues and Brew Festival takes place on Friday and Saturday by the RiverStage, with a Brew and BBQ Tasting Tent operated by NABC’s friends at Cluckers. NABC beers will be Black & Blue Grass and Naughty Girl.

Saturday, June 14
The second annual Fishers on Tap – Summer fundraiser is Hamilton County’s premier showcase of Indiana craft breweries, as sponsored by the Fishers Rotary Club. NABC’s Blake Montgomery will be on hand with tastes of NABC (Black & Blue Grass, Houndmouth & Naughty Girl).

NABC owner Roger A. Baylor hosts a Beer Bus to the Bombers trip to Huntingburg, Indiana for a visit to League Stadium, where NABC beer is being poured during the month of June at Dubois County Bombers college summer league baseball games. Before the game, there’ll be dinner at the Schnitzelbank Restaurant in Jasper. Owing to a handful of cancellations, seats are available.

Once again, NABC beer will be available for purchase during Art on the Parish Green, held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in New Albany on Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15. It will be the eighth year for the festival, and we’ve been there from the start. Expect Tafel and Elector.

In Louisville, the Arctic Monkeys are playing at Iroquois Amphitheater, and NABC Black & Blue Grass will be on tap for the evening as the featured local craft beer.

NABC tonight and tomorrow, in and out of town.

Do you want to know what annoys me the most about Insider Louisville? It's the rote, scripted hip-icisms, most prominently the one that runs every Thursday:

"Honey, it's the weekend."

Blech. I consider vomiting whenever I see that.

But on a happier and non-cliched note, following is a list of activities occurring by sheer coincidence this coming ... weekend.

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Friday, June 6
Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series, downtown New Albany. Free musical performances from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. on Fridays through August 22 (except July 4). Production Simple books the music, and NABC serves the beer. Tonight’s band: Barefoot Movement.

On each of these same concert Fridays, the Big Four Burgers trailer will be parked at Bank Street Brewhouse, serving burgers and fries from 5:00 p.m. through 10:00 p.m.

In Kokomo, Indiana, NABC’s Blake Montgomery kicks off two days in his former city of residence with an NABC Tasting at Drake’s Bar & Grill, coinciding with Kokomo’s First Friday arts event. The sampling begins at 6:00 p.m. and also includes full pint pours.

Saturday, June 7
Garden Party at the Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site (914 E. Main Street, New Albany). There’ll be music, croquet, nibbles (from Habana Blues) and NABC beers (Tafel and Hoosier Daddy) as the Culbertson Mansion revives a 135-year-old tradition.

In Evansville, Zoo Brew at the Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden. NABC (featuring Aaron Kenney) will be among the sampling stations, dispensing Black & Blue Grass and Hoptimus, as patrons party like an animal by partying with the animals.

At the Central USA Iron Games at Club Fitness 24in Kokomo, Indiana, there’ll be an NABC beer garden all day long, with NABC’s Blake Montgomery presiding. Beers will be Black & Blue Grass, Houndmouth, Naughty Girl and Hoptimus.

The Bicentennial Park Summer Concert begins with the Billy Goat Strut Revue.

The Billy Goat Strut Revue was the season-opening act at the Bicentennial Park Summer Concert Series last night. Judging from beer sales alone, last night would have been the second best volume night in 2013, so that's a good sign. Later, I checked on the Big Four Burger trailer at Bank Street Brewhouse. Matt said it was an encouraging start.