Oaken Barrel Brewing Company

September 22, 2008
Before I was really into beer, I lived a few miles down the road from this place and ate here 1 or 2 times a number of years ago. I decided to re-visit the place during a recent trip to Indiana. My wife reminded me that the food was lousy when we last went there, and she was right. Decor is that of the cheesy place next to the airport. You know, the one with the plane sticking out of the building? Service was slow. I was alone and sitting at the bar, and it was still slow. Organizationally, something was off. The one bartender had to continually pour drinks for waitstaff (at the expense of those at the bar) or disappear into the back for long periods. Beers were a little on the boring side. I had the SuperFly IPA, which was the most extreme at 5.8% ABV and a professed 100+ IBUs (although it didn’t seem that bitter). My wife has a long memory - but the food is still lousy. Not really worth a stop. If you’re in Indy, go to Brugges Brasseries or Rathskeller instead.

May 11, 2008
This is my hometown brewery and I may be a little bias, but I will be as honest as one can be. It is a famaily restaurant, but the beer flavored artwork balances this well. Food is pretty darn good and sevice is quick and friendly, although sometime not as knowledgable as a beer geek would like. On nice summer days the bier garden is the place to be. The beer! I am a fan of hops and Mark (brewmaster) has done wonderful work with the Gnawbone pale ale and Superfly IPA. If you like em dark the Snake Pit Porter will make you smile and requet the Snake Venom(a bourbon barrel stout) that has only been brewed once, but was the best beer I’ve ever had at OB. They have bewed a light helles for those hot days this summer(very good). The Indiana Amber, Razz-Wheat, and Uberweizen are not my cup of brew, yet are excellent beers for their style.

May 16, 2007
A nice little place in a quirky (’plane’ crashing into a building, comedy club, etc.) but empty strip mall. Definitely worth a visit if visiting PartyPak, and v.v. - they’re about ten minutes away from each other. Has been voted best brewpub in the Indy area, but will it hold up? Exceptionally clean for a restaurant serving greasy food. Burger was succulent, with fresh ingredients (especially the onions), and very good fries. Tanks to see behind walls of glass. Waitress was friendly and accommodating - and no charge for the samples! As for the beers themself, OB is somewhat hit-and-miss, but the batting average is certainly high enough to warrant a stop. I’d like to spend a few more afternoons here....

August 13, 2006
Located in a small, well-kept shopping center. Friendly, prompt service. The atmosphere is classy enough but still very inviting to any average Joe. They offer a beer sampler, good price. I ate a philly chicken cheesesteak which was affordable, large, and quite tasty. It came fast enough that I was still sampling brews, so it sat and became slightly cold. The bartender offered to set it under the heat lamp for me, but I politely declined because my pickiness for food is nowhere near my selectiveness pertaining to beer. For anyone traveling along the interstate in this area, I would highly recommend stopping here. The beers were of above average quality for this kind of setting.

June 7, 2006
Good food, nice menu. Quiet usually. New no smoking ordinances have eliminated some of Skip’s entourage from the guest list other than in the Beer garden (weather depending, of course). Get a Schmoozer Card if you are going to make this a frequent stop.

March 27, 2006
Easy to locate and can be seen from main road with easy parking in front. Nice clean location with a bar in the center with a seperate eating area in the back. Full menu with a seperate page for the day of apps, main course and seasonal beers. The Greek Pizza was very good. Had the sampler of beers. Good selection of brews with sampler page for reference.

March 19, 2006
It’s a nice place to stop for a beer and a meal. I think this place is on an upswing. They have great unique specials in addition to what you would call pub fare. Their regular beers are solid and some of their seasonals are top notch. You get the expected brew pub feel with the rare bottles lining the cieling and the fermentation tanks behind glass. The staff is more knowledgable than some, and minors are allowed in the resturant portion. It’s right of of I-65, south of Indianapolis, and a much better option than stopping at a Chilli’s or Applebee’s if your on the way through.

February 18, 2006
Great place to go. Food is great, services is typically great as well. Seasonals and Special brews are a must try whatever they may be. The IPA is a good drink! Could benefit by having proper glassware.

December 30, 2005
Best brewpub in the Indy area. Great place for parties, watching the game, etc. Oh, yeah. They brew pretty damn good beer too! The Razz-Wheat is an award winner. It’s right off I-65 south of Indy so stop in!

January 25, 2005
I visited on a quiet Friday afternoon. The service at the bar was fine, even though the beers were nothing special.