INDIANAPOLIS—In 2009, Sun King Brewery brought Indianapolis local beer for the first time since the Indianapolis Brewing Company closed its doors in 1948. On Saturday, Sept. 28, history will be made again when Sun King hosts the inaugural CANvitational, the Midwest’s first-ever canned craft beer festival.

The Sun King CANvitational will bring more than 30 craft breweries representing 16 states to Georgia Street and Pan Am Plaza from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets, available online at www.canvitational.com, are $50 for general admission and $75 for early entry.

“We’re incredibly excited to share the beers from these breweries with attendees, especially considering that most of the breweries’ beers aren’t available in Indiana or in many cases outside of their home markets,” said Sun King owner Clay Robinson. “We’ve assembled an all-star lineup of canning breweries from all over the country and our goal is to showcase the great craft beer that is driving the canned craft beer revolution!”

Each of the breweries was selected because of the quality of beer they are producing and, as the name of the event suggests, the festival will feature breweries that can their beers. For decades, the beer bottle was seen as the premier container; however, thanks to breweries like those participating in the CANvitational, a canning renaissance has put pint cans, tall boys and the 12 oz. standard back on the map in a whole new light.

“Cans are a superior vessel for packaging craft beer because they protect the beer from two of its greatest enemies, light and oxygen,” Robinson said. “Every can has a food-safe liner that keeps the beer from ever coming in contact with metal and the result is beer that tastes fresher and more like the brewer intended. Cans also take less fuel to ship and are less expensive and energy intensive to recycle, making them an incredibly sustainable packaging choice.”

In addition to great, canned craft beer, attendees will have plenty of food options for purchase from food trucks that will line Georgia Street, as well as a tent with options from the Omni on Pan Am Plaza. Music will be provided throughout the event by DJ Helicon and DJ Action Jackson.

INDIANAPOLIS—Sun King is excited to announce our newest partnership with Lucas Oil Stadium! Starting today at the International Cup Championship Soccer match, fans attending events at Lucas Oil Stadium will have access to locally brewed beer.

Sunlight Cream Ale, Wee Mac Scottish Ale, and Osiris Pale Ale will be available on draft at two ‘Backyard Brews’ locations near sections 109 and 132 on the main concourse. 16 oz. cans of Sun King will be available at various beer stands, cantinas, grills, and popcorn locations throughout the venue, as well as, in the Club Level bars. Fans shouldn’t have to wander far to enjoy a Fresh•Local•Beer.

“Our goal from the beginning has been to become Indianapolis’ beer,” said Dave Colt, Sun King owner and head brewer. “With our beer now available at every major sports venue in the city, it feels like we are realizing a dream! Keep an eye out for Sun King wherever you frequent for concessions while visiting Lucas Oil Stadium and help support your local brewery

INDIANAPOLIS—On July 1, Sun King Brewery will unceremoniously fire up the brew kettle and celebrate our fourth birthday the same way we celebrate everyday, by doing what we love. However, on Saturday, July 6 we’re throwing a party at Sun King to share our joy and excitement with everyone featuring great, live music, Indy’s best food trucks and the release of our most anticipated seasonal beer Grapefruit Jungle I.P.A.
Grapefruit Jungle (GFJ) is a classic American I.P.A. that was devised by head brewer Dave Colt and showcases hops from the Pacific Northwest to create an intense citrus hop flavor explosion that is reminiscent of biting into a fresh Grapefruit. Every release of GFJ has sold out in record time, so this year we are doubling production and releasing it in its very own 16 oz. can, as well as on draft throughout Indiana.
“When we set out to create Sun King, we wanted to focus on continually crafting seasonal and specialty beers that complement the time of year and keep beer lovers engaged,” said Dave Colt, Sun King owner and head brewer. “It doesn’t seem like all that long ago we were working feverishly to get things in order for our first brew, but it feels like a lifetime considering the feverish pace of our growth. We are incredibly fortunate to have so much support from the people the local community!”
Sun King’s mission statement is; Enriching the lives of Hoosiers one pint at a time, and in keeping with that mission we have partnered with the Indianapolis Public Schools Education Foundation’s Teaching with Technology program and will be donating a portion of the proceeds with the goal of outfitting an entire classroom with updated technology.
The SKB IV Party is presented by Sun King and community partner MOKB Presents, who booked live music which includes nationally touring acts, Sturgill Simpson (http://sturgillsimpson.com), St. Paul & the Broken Bones (www.facebook.com/St.PaulandTheBrokenBones), and Luella and the Sun (www.luellaandthesun.com).  The musical lineup covers genres rock and roll, honkey tonk, blues, and soul to please patrons twenty-one and older.  The event would not be complete without an array of Indy food trucks, Scratchtruck, Taco Lassi, and Mac Genie.
Tickets are available now for $15 online at www.MOKBpresents.com or at Sun King Brewery for $12 at a limited amount.  The event will take place in the south parking lot of Sun King Brewery from 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM (EST).

It was the first beer the brewery ever made and cellared immediately (in 2009) and named in honor of a friend of the brewery who is no longer with us. They released it on draft-only last year for their anniversary and now canned it (on a limited run) to celebrate the brewery’s second anniversary. A great beer with a good story behind it.

Look for a review of Sun King Brewery’s Wee Mac in the next issue of All About Beer Magazine.