THE BEER BEAT: Taco Steve back at BSB, and a year's hiatus for the Bloomington Craft Beer Festival.

Since Tuesday morning, my visits back to the old NABC stomping grounds will forever more be in the guise of a civilian, or perhaps a journalist.

Maybe just as a beer drinker, the way this whole business started before it became ... well, a business.

It will be hard to completely separate almost 30 years of my adult life from habits developed over the preceding years, but it feels good to finally have complete closure, and we all move forward.

On Saturday, Taco Steve debuted at the freshly painted and recently redubbed Bank Street Brewhouse; the word "cafe" never really sounded right, did it? About a dozen customers were eating and drinking on site when I stopped by around 3:30 p.m. to chat with Heather Morris, who runs the front of the house.

According to Heather, the month of March is being dedicated to integrating Taco Steve and putting things back into place, and there'll probably be a grand opening celebration of sorts come April. Guest beers are going away, with the exception of cider and mead, and the focus will be on BSB as a brewery taproom.

For any independent business, the devil always resides in the details. That said, Taco Steve's arrival seems to have energized the crew, and this is pleasing. Several times during our talk, Heather mentioned the word "focus," in the sense of identifying core values, improving them, and making these basics the thrust of BSB's interface with the beer community.

(edit) March will be a time of evolution. Taco Steve has updated his hours of operation at BSB, and so to avoid confusion, I'll await an updating of the business hours for BSB. If there is any doubt, call ahead.

Taco Steve hours at BSB:
Tuesday and Thursday 11am-9pm
Friday and Saturday 11am-10pm
Sunday 12-4pm

While we're on the topic of Indiana, this notice from the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

Bloomington Craft Beer Festival on hiatus for 2018

February 26, 2018 | Tristan Schmid, Posted in News | Be the first to comment.

As mentioned in our recent Winterfest wrap-up, Bloomington Craft Beer Festival is on hiatus for 2018 as the Woolery Mill is being developed and we look for suitable locations and opportunities in 2019.

Stay tuned for more info on other confirmed events (like IN Beer Brigade releases), which we always post ASAP at drinkIN.beer and on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. And be sure to sign up for the IN Brew News email for monthly updates on everything related to Indiana beer.

Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendar for the 23rd Annual Indiana Microbrewers Festival on Saturday, July 28 at Historic Military Park in Indianapolis.

The Bloomington fest had a rough beginning, but over time it grew into a fine event. The location at Woolery Mill was a big part of the fest's identity, and so I wish all the best to my former colleagues on the guild's board as they plot the future site.

Two way communications: Marcey explains why there'll be no Indie Fest in 2017, but leaves open the possibility of a comeback.

And as I know perhaps all too well, in order to "come back," one must first "go away."

My good friend Marcey Wisman-Bennett is to be commended for undertaking several difficult tasks at once.

For five years, Indie Fest has been a favored project, and it became something of a personal crusade for her. But now she's letting go, at least for the moment, and reassessing future prospects. In fractured times, this is eminently rational.

Moreover, Marcey thinks it important to explain to the event's fans why the decision to suspend Indie Fest was made, and to do so thoughtfully, without pointing fingers. In increasingly divided New Albany, that's eminently diplomatic.

It cannot be emphasized too strongly that when Indie Fest first was minted, it was to be a smaller part of a bigger entity. New Albany First would be the independent business association along the lines of LIBA in Louisville, and it would be a daily presence in the city. Once each year, NA First would stage Indie Fest as an exclamation mark.

It is beyond my aim today to document the myriad reasons why NA First withered and died, or to urge for the zillionth time that something like it be revived, because indies need to leverage their power as a unified force, and not be kept divided and manipulated from above.

Oops. Just did, didn't I?

The point is this: When NA First settled beneath the anchor-ridden mud flats, the festival's exclamation mark became the whole explanatory sentence, uncoupled from its mission and competing for funding along with countless other fests and events, but without the sort of local buy-in to be derived from the perceived benefits of the business association's daily operation.  

If Indie Fest is to be the reason for its own being, then it must be rethought, as Marcey clearly understands.

Once again, thanks to Marcey for respecting the intelligence of Indie Fest's supporters by leveling with them like adults. Contrast this stunningly mature approach with Team Gahan's perennially secretive disposition. I'm impressed that the reporter Grady added this coda:

Indie Fest is the second New Albany festival not to happen this year. The Boomtown Ball & Festival, which was organized by the city, failed to return for a fourth year in May.

When asked that month why the festival did not happen, Courtney Lewis, the City of New Albany’s director of outreach and engagement, did not give a reason, but confirmed that it wasn’t occurring. She did not say whether or not the event would return.

Communications.

So effortless for some, and so elusive for others.

New Albany's Indie Fest canceled for 2017 — but there's still hope, by Danielle Grady (Hanson Huckster's Almanac)

NEW ALBANY — New Albany’s Indie Fest isn’t happening this year, but its founder is optimistic about the future of the locally-focused festival.

Marcey Wisman-Bennett started Indie Fest in 2012 with New Albany First, an independent business alliance. The September festival was billed as a way to celebrate all things independent — from businesses to artists to musicians.

Indie Fest announced on its Facebook page on June 21 that it would not return in 2017.

New Albany Indie Fest on hiatus: "The festival’s organizers are saddened to announce that New Albany Indie Fest will not be held in 2017."

The following statement was posted at Facebook earlier this evening.

---

Last year the New Albany Indie Fest celebrated its fifth year of advocating localism by showcasing local artists, musicians and independent businesses.

Unfortunately, the festival’s organizers are saddened to announce that New Albany Indie Fest will not be held in 2017. It is uncertain at this time whether the hiatus is temporary or permanent, but we’ll be considering Indie Fest’s future, and we welcome your input.

Indie Fest’s steering committee is grateful for your interest and support, and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helped and became involved in any way these past five years.

In closing, remember these words from BALLE, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies:

"Localism is grounded in the belief that relationships matter, most. The way we interact with where we live — who we do business with — how we connect with people, other life, the land — all of it matters."

Thanks,

New Albany Indie Fest Steering Committee

NA Confidential is on late summer break, kinda sorta. Or not. Beats me.

It's a one-man show around these parts, except when Nick Vaughn and Bluegill check in on occasion.

Consequently, I'm taking a short break, although it's never been clear exactly what I mean by statements like this.

There may be posts. There may not. I take pride in publishing with consistency, but at times, each of us needs to say the hell with it and live a little.

That's what I propose to do for a few days. There'll be some down time over the weekend, so if you have ideas or links, send them to me at Facebook, Twitter or here: mayorbaylor@gmail.com
 

My esteemed colleague will be along shortly to guide you ...

On Sunday, I devoted some time to straightening NA Confidential office, so to speak, rearranging the blog in the parent company’s new modular layout format. It’s easier to use, and it looks better. There’ll be a few more changes when I get around to it.

On Monday, all my unused drafts went up on the marquee as posts. That’s a signal to Bluegill to get ready for action, since he’ll be performing chief editor’s duty for a few days.

In turn, that’s because today I’ll be having outpatient surgery to repair a torn rotator cuff in my left shoulder, something that has been in need of attention for quite a while. Too many curve balls? Too many progressive pints sounds more like it.

I’m quite eager and willing to follow my surgeon’s orders to the letter and get the rehab under way so there’ll still be a bicycling season for me this year – even if it doesn’t start until June. I’ve been grounded off the bike since January, and it’s just depressing having to drive to work every day. People simply shouldn’t have to do it.

So, I’m taking a break from my various jobs and hobbies, and turning over the weathered soapbox to my co-editor. Take it away, Jeff …