What's On Tap, Indianapolis - Buffalo Wild Wings

by Mike Pomranz, Posted Aug 12th 2009 @ 1:00PM

Photo: Buffalo Wild Wings

A weekly look at the draft selections in beer-friendly establishments across the country.

Craft beer at corporate chains? It may seem a bit like an oxymoron, but a lot of restaurants could learn a lesson from national eatery Buffalo Wild Wings.

Franchises in the Buffalo Wild Wings family are able to stock whichever beers they like, so when Sam Hookway took over as bar manager at the Indianapolis location back in February, he had one thing in mind: "to have the best draft beer selection in the city."

Since the restaurant is part of a large, nationwide chain, Coors, Miller and Bud Light will probably always top the Buffalo sales list, but Hookway saw opportunities in other areas: "I got rid of beers like Peroni and Molson, which aren't that different from the other light lagers we sell."

The plan has worked: About half the beer they sell is craft, enticing patrons who might otherwise not frequent such an establishment. And how about beer lovers who scoff at the notion of sipping indie suds on a corporate-controlled stool? "That's a battle I've been trying to fight," Hookway says.

He admits, "Some people say the atmosphere isn't conducive to enjoying a good beer, or that we don't have the proper glassware." But Hookway stays competitive with great prices and a little arrogance about his selection: "If you got the beer, you can't really complain."

So why is it worth it? "I love beer," he says with a laugh, and he loves helping to spread that love through Indiana.

Here's the unique draft selection of the Indianapolis branch of Buffalo Wild Wings. What restaurant chains do you think do the best job of stocking a solid beer selection?

Coors Light
Miller Lite
Bud Light
Miller High Life
Heineken
Stella Artois
Three Floyds Gumballhead
Bell's Oberon
Leinie Sunset Wheat
Blue Moon
Samuel Adams Summer Ale
Upland Wheat
Leinie Summer Shandy
Newcastle Summer Ale
Smithwick's
Abita Turbodog
Dogfish Head Black & Blue
Founders Imperial Stout
Guinness Draught
Dark Horse One Oatmeal Stout
Victory Prima Pils
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Killian's
Dos Equis
New Belgium Fat Tire
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale
Founders Red's Rye
Dogfish Head 90 Minute
Bell's Two Hearted
Three Floyds Dreadnaught
Sierra Nevada Southern Hemisphere
Rogue Dead Guy Ale

Filed Under: Lists, What's On Tap?, Drink Recipes, Drinks
Tags: beer, buffalo wild wings, chain restaurants, chains, corporate, corporate restaurants, indiana, indianapolis, indianapolis in, indianapolis indiana, whats on tap, WhatsOnTap

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-12-2009 @3:06PM Spoonman said... Hmmm...I guess it makes sense. When you have the worst wings, you really need something to wash the taste out of your mouth. I went to one of these twice (I always give a place a second chance). The mild, hot and jerk chicken all taste exactly the same: too hot, no flavor.
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