BEER WITH A SOCIALIST: An "away" game at IU Southeast (my beer chat for the Institute for Local and Oral History).

It is highly flattering for the newspaper at one's alma mater -- a Latin phrase literally translated as "nourishing mother" -- to send a reporter when he offers a lunchtime beer chat ... without beer.

Thanks to Logan Stephens of the IUS Horizon for his coverage, and also to Dr. Elizabeth Gritter for the invitation. I was rusty, but covered the main areas and got them to hit the ball on the ground. With just a bit of polishing, the starting rotation beckons.

Beer expert Roger Baylor speaks about the history of beer in New Albany during IUS visit

Roger Baylor and his knowledge of beer were on full display during his visit to IU Southeast on Thursday, Feb. 27. Baylor discussed the history of beer in New Albany and the surrounding Kentuckiana area during the event.

Baylor has been in the beer business for decades. He recently departed from New Albanian Brewing Company after 25 years. He said he likes to refer to himself as “The Beer Guy” due to his vast knowledge and experience in the beer industry.

The event, presented by The Institute for Local and Oral History, was free for all IUS students, staff and faculty. It allowed them to learn about the history of beer in the area as well as how prohibition affected the local breweries ...

THE BEER BEAT: It should be in a museum, but the original Public House keg box has a new, loving home.

It has been grabbed; thanks, MW and crew. If this keg box could talk ... I'd have been compelled to sell her for scrap.

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NEW ALBANY’S MOST FAMOUS KEG BOX IS UP FOR GRABS

It spawned a craft beer revolution in this city.

In 1992, a keg of Guinness was the first to be tapped at the Public House formerly known as Rich O’s. Next came Carlsberg (later Pilsner Urquell), and then the “third (or center) tap” was installed. It was intended to rotate, and the inaugural occupant was Oldenberg Outrageous Bock.

These pioneering efforts were made possible by the keg box currently reposing in my garage, where it has been resting since 2007, when it was decommissioned after 15 years of service. 

It was dubbed the Jouett Meekin Memorial Keg Box. For a while, I kept beer tapped to drink at home, and used the keg box for Harvest Homecoming Parade parties and occasional social gatherings. I’m quite attached to this hunk of metal and draft lines, but the time has come to find her a better home.

The keg box currently is configured for three standard kegs (three towers), with three draft lines and three couplers (standard Sankey; there’s also a spare German slider). The CO2 tank and regulator are included.

Caveat: The keg box was retired from the Public House because there had been persistent leaks in the drip tray housing, causing beer to soak into the insulation. This eventually led to an irrevocable problem with fruit flies, making the unit unusable indoors, though not for patios or outdoor bars.

After ten winters in the garage, this problem may have been “frozen” away; however, I don’t recommend the keg box for indoor use without extensive troubleshooting and close attention to the drainage. The late Kevin Richards installed a new sheet metal floor covering prior to decommissioning.

The keg box last worked properly circa 2012 or 2013. It stopped cooling, and I let it ride. I’m not an HVAC kind of guy, and I wasn’t drinking enough beer at home to make the repair costs worthwhile. The keg box may require a major repair, or a minor tweak. Takers may wish to calculate accordingly.

For this reason, and because my sole objective is finding a good home for this epochal piece of local beer history, the keg box is all yours to come take from my garage exactly as it is.

Once you’ve restored the unit to working condition and know the full extent of your investment, simply pay me what you think it is worth to you – in cash, barter, beefsteak, porter or nothing at all.

The original price of this keg box was $300 in 1992, as transacted with the legendary Herb Brodarick, who was running the Toll Bridge Inn in Portland (Louisville) at the time.

First come, first option to haul.

Thank you for your consideration.