Big Red Liquors expands footprint with 15-store acquisition
Indianapolis-based Big Red Liquors, already the largest chain of package liquor stores in Indiana, plans to close on the acquisition of Cap n’ Cork early next month.
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Instant-delivery firm GoPuff quietly expanding roster of Indy fulfillment centers
Philadelphia-based GoPuff, a fast-growing company that entered the Indianapolis market in 2018, currently operates three micro-fulfillment centers here and plans to open two more.
IBJ Podcast: How Sun King came through the pandemic in better shape than it entered
When the pandemic hit one year ago, Sun King almost immediately lost some 40% of its business, the result of restaurants and bars that shuttered and stopped buying beer in kegs.
Kegs have been out, canned beer in, during pandemic
When the pandemic dried up the demand for beer at customer-limited bars and restaurants, local brewers had to shift focus to sales at grocery stores, pharmacies and packaged liquor stores.
Indiana providing $15 Uber, Lyft credits in six cities
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute says its Sober Ride Indiana pilot program will provide ride credits to the first 10,000 total rides through April 5. The program coincides with St. Patrick’s Day and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.
State lawmakers advance bill to allow curbside pickup of alcohol
A wide-reaching alcohol policy bill would allow for curbside pickup of alcoholic beverages, plus carryout beverages at the new food hall at the Bottleworks development in downtown Indianapolis.
Carmel may use waterways to land more liquor permits
Carmel is the latest Indiana community seeking to use its waterways as a means to offer businesses cheap and plentiful liquor licenses.
BoomBozz pizzeria closes in Fishers, making room for liquor store
BoomBozz Craft Pizza & Taphouse has called quits after four years in Fishers. A liquor store chain has acquired the building and is planning to open there in January.
Carmel considers establishing four new waterway districts to obtain new liquor licenses
The Carmel City Council introduced a proposal on Monday to establish four new waterway districts that would allow the city to pursue additional alcoholic beverage permits.
Fletcher Place eatery Repeal to close, making way for distillery, pizzeria
Neighboring 1205 Distillery plans to take over the space along with Greek’s Pizzeria, creating a combination tasting room and restaurant.
Cocktails get the home treatment in several new books
Unlike the often complicated cocktail books of the past, these five offerings by new-to-the-cocktail-world authors are written specifically for the home cook/bartender. Each aims to help you experience craft cocktails at home without having to get a Ph.D. in mixology.
Monarch Beverage Co. to be acquired by Illinois beer distributor
Indianapolis-based Monarch, family-owned and locally operated since 1947, is the state’s largest beer distributor. It has about 600 employees.
Study: Americans drinking more alcohol during pandemic
The increase in drinking frequency has been higher for women and for those ages 30 to 59, according to findings from Rand Corp.
Wine: No need to wait for an occasion to pop this $10 bubbly from Italy
Italy shines again with an inexpensive bubbly that can help brighten the quarantine, plus a vibrant white wine to drink with all sorts of seafood.
Wine: Keep summer vibes going a little longer with this $15 crisp Spanish rosé
Here’s a chance to taste history in an unusual red wine from southwestern Spain, as well as the future in a pinot noir from a cutting-edge, high-altitude winery in Patagonia.
Wine: Bargains on quality California wine exist, if you know where to look
Many high-end wineries sell primarily to restaurants, and that market dried up with the novel coronavirus pandemic. They need to create cash flow and free up space in their cellars to process the next vintage. Unloading some wine at a deep discount makes sense.
Wine: Quench your late-summer thirst with these 3 refreshing, bright rosés
This week’s wines include three rosés and two reds to pair with your last grilled meals of summer.
To-go drinks a lifeline for businesses in most states, but not Indiana
In a May survey of 3,800 restaurants, the association found that 78% of operators who were selling alcohol to go had brought back laid-off employees, compared to 62% of operators overall.
Wine: This $10 Argentine red is ready to mingle with steak or burgers
This week we have three superb reds. Two are terrific bargains—an Argentine bonarda that led my list of greatest values in 2018 and a sleeper carignan from the Mediterranean coast of France. The third is a textbook cabernet franc from France’s Loire Valley. For white wine lovers, we explore the sweetness spectrum with an off-dry, flowery blend based on gewurztraminer and an inexpensive moscato from Sicily that conjures summer brunches on the patio.
This refreshing Portuguese rosé, at only $10, will have you reaching for another glass
This week’s selections include a spritzy rosé of vinho verde from a Portuguese label that has consistently proven its value. And, if wine seems heavy in the heat, we also have a low-alcohol line from California.