Amy Beers, Certified Cicerone

04/29/2025

Some of you have been reaching out asking about beer tours, doing tasting events, beer history talks and such. I don’t think I ever made a formal announcement that I’ve stepped away from working in the beer industry.

Things just weren’t the same after COVID. I was feeling burnt out and my heart wasn’t in it anymore. I decided to take a break and “follow my bliss” to the next chapter. (Not that beer isn’t blissful!).

I’ve appreciated all of you. It was fun times! I will always look back with fond memories. I just needed a change.

I knew I wanted to do more with writing…something creative. Then one day I found myself in one of those candle-making studios and something clicked. I discovered that my beer sommelier skills kind of translated into creating home fragrances. Shortly after taking up a new-found candle hobby, I had one of those 3 a.m., can’t sleep light bulb moments to start a candle business and write little stories to go along with the scents.

So in case you were curious, that’s what I’m doing now. I launched ScentScapes Candle Company in October last year. It’s going well so far and I love it!

Check it out if you like candles (bonus if you also like books and/or travel!): https://scentscapescandles.com/

Also, even though I’m not currently working in the beer industry, my book IS still available. Here’s some links to where you can find it:

My publisher: https://www.arcadiapublishing.com/products/9781467144773?srsltid=AfmBOorFOqUH1QiW7fnBW8a5gpoKsKRucP5gDPT7m3FqMVUiMOiU8OzO

A Taste of Indiana: https://atasteofindiana.com/product/indianapolis-beer-stories/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Indianapolis-Beer-Stories-History-American/dp/1467144770

See you around!

Cheers,
Amy

12/17/2022

I recently had the opportunity to visit the original location of Schmidt’s famous beer tunnels. What a treat!

Schmidt’s brewery was one of the first pre-prohibition era breweries of Indianapolis. For a time it was touted as “the best and largest in the West and the largest in Indianapolis.” I mean…it was kind of a big deal.

Schmidt’s eventually became part of what I call “the big three”: the Lieber, Schmidt and Maus breweries that merged to form the great Indianapolis Brewing Company in 1890.

The Schmidt brewery has sort of an underdog story. The original founder, Christian Frederick Schmidt, passed away and left the brewery to his wife, Caroline. She’d been advised to sell the brewery because it was uncommon in those days for a woman to manage such an endeavor. But she didn’t sell. In fact, she expanded the underground cellars and beer tunnels extensively and continued to grow the business. When she passed away, their sons inherited the brewery, to which they made further tunnel expansions.

I enjoyed digging through old texts and newspapers to re-tell the story of Schmidt’s brewery and describing Schmidt’s tunnels in great detail for my book “Indianapolis Beer Stories: History to Modern Craft in Circle City Brewing”. What an amazing opportunity to “meet” the place I had become so intimate with through my research and writing.

Sadly, the brewery complex no longer exists and the tunnels have since been filled in - all except for one. The Eli Lilly corporate headquarters resides there now but they’ve done a great job at preserving some of Indy’s beer history.

It was a real treat to visit their beer tunnel. Although they were unable to save the material integrity of the tunnel (it isn’t the original brick or stone), it IS the original location…and…it leads to beer! Haha

It’s not open to the public, but if you know someone who works for the company, you might buy them a beer and see if they’ll give you a tour. Thank you, Nick, for volunteering your time! It was a meaningful experience. :)

If you’d like to learn more about Schmidt’s famous brewery and tunnels (plus some really great historic photos), you can get a signed copy of my book at www.amybeers.com. (I can’t guarantee it will arrive by Christmas, but if you order now I’ll do my best to ship it out asap.)

12/13/2022

This Friday marks the last tour/tasting before I close up the tour business. Drinking with Beers has run its course. It just hasn't been the same since COVID and I've recently made some lifestyle changes (don't worry, I'll still be around... I'm not quitting beer all together...just professionally. Also, I still have my book .com).

I'm transitioning into the coffee industry and I'm excited about new opportunities ahead.

I'm so grateful for all the wonderful people I've met and memories made along this journey.

Thank you to all my guests and vendors who allowed me to pursue such a fun gig! 😄 May you all have a blessed 2023.

PS. I have a few slots available for Friday's tasting. You can book it via the link below.

Cheers! 🍻

https://www.drinkingwithbeers.com/indianapolis-german-beer-heritage-tour-tasting

Guided by a local beer historian and Certified Cicerone. Sip a variety of German brews at the Athenaeum's historic beer hall and beer garden.

12/04/2022

Sold some books today at the Indiana Author Fair. It was so great to meet fellow authors and shop local titles. There's a lot of good books out there on Indiana-centric topics!

Also, it was kind of a neat feeling sitting with my books in the special collections room at the library at the Indiana Historical Society. I remembered beginning my research (pre-COVID days) in this very room. I had the wonderful opportunity to look through boxes and boxes of rare historical photographs that aren't available in digital format. I remembered feeling so much excitement at the thought of getting to write a book.

It's like I could see the past version of myself, at the beginning of such a huge undertaking. But now here we are. And here is the book. In the same room where it began. Where did the time go!? It's still a little surreal.

Indy Beer Stories would make a great Christmas gift for the beer lover in your life. It's available at their bookstore or you can buy a signed copy directly from me at amybeers.com.

11/12/2022

11/09/2022

I'm really excited to be part of this event! Wanted to pass it along so you guys don't miss it. See you there!

(I'm not part of the homebrew ...but I'll be there with books and just hanging out. 🍻)

Hosted by Guggman Haus Brewing Co. and sponsored by Great Fermentations of Indiana the Indiana Brewers Union presents the 4th Annual Indy Brew Battle. 3 hours of unlimited beer sampling from Indiana homebrewers with 100% of proceeds going directly to the Helping Veterans and Families charity. Suppor...

09/24/2022

So funny story...

I recently decided to volunteer at a pet shop to help take care of the adoptable kitties (and get my cat fix). I came in for a training session and at the end of it she mentioned their volunteer Facebook group. I told her I'd love to be added. So then she asked for my last name. I said, "Beers" ...and then I could see the wheels turning in her head:

"...Are you the lady who wrote that book?"

We had a good laugh. She said she's read some of my excerpts and wanted to get a copy. I just happened to have a book in my car and she just happened to have the exact amount of cash to purchase it.

Lol what a small world! I love those kinds of moments. 😄

09/22/2022

Since my book came out, I’ve been taking a break from social media…and just taking some time for myself in general. Some of you have asked me, “What’s next?” To be honest, I’m still figuring that out. But in the mean time…

I was invited recently to check out Field Brewing. I stewarded at the Brewers Cup back in July and attended the awards ceremony. They took home several awards including first place for their Dill Pickle Sour in the Spice/Herb/Vegetable Beer category. This piqued my interest and so Nate invited me to come try it … along with some others :)

They have two different versions of their Dill Pickle Sour:

1) One version you can get on tap. They made it with pickled cucumbers.
2) The second version is canned. It’s made with fresh cucumber, dill and sea salt.

I wasn’t sure what to expect with these. I mainly wanted to try it just because it sounded so interesting. I was kind of expecting it might be a little like drinking out of a pickle jar…but that wasn’t the case. I got more of a dill pickle flavor from the draft version. The canned version I got a lot more of a garden-fresh cucumber aroma and it was slightly more tart in flavor. Both were very refreshing and would pair well with fried chicken!

I also tried Reunion and Shift Change IPAs, Festfield Oktoberfest, and their Saison Du Champ Ouest.

Reunion came out after the lifting of COVID restrictions and people started to gather once again in the breweries. It’s brewed with fresh grapefruit and tangerine, and Cascade and Ahtanum hops. The nature-lover in me appreciated its floral and warm woody notes. The citrus added a nice brightness.

Shift Change was another award winner. It took home first place in the Pale British Ale category and second place overall in Beer Best of Show. It’s a traditional pale ale that was prevalent in the early days of craft when brewers were making a lot of this style. If you like simple classics, this one is worth a go.

Tis the season and Festfield Oktoberfest is a great American version of this German-inspired beer.

Reunion was my personal favorite of the IPAs but the beer that really stood out was Saison Du Champ Ouest (translated means: “west field season” … saison = season and Field Brewing is located in Westfield.)

Saison Du Champ Ouest won second place in the Saison category. It’s brewed with a spicy blend of Pink peppercorn, coriander, lemon and orange peels and its absolutely delightful!

I also met one of the owners, Jackie, who is a nutritionalist. Their focus is on fresh, real and wholesome ingredients.

Thanks again to Nate for inviting me out!

Field Brewing is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Plus it's family-friendly.

09/10/2022

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! We are less than a week away from the Women Beer Professionals panel discussion at Scarlet Lane Brewing Company. (Friday, Sept. 16, 6-8pm).

This is a great opportunity to get to know some of the ladies of the Indy beer scene and gain some new insights into the industry.

It's a free event but you may also purchase tickets which includes a copy of my book and a complimentary pint!

Here's the link: https://www.simpletix.com/e/beer-stories-panel-hosted-by-amy-beers-tic-tickets-115010?fbclid=IwAR1_UN2RUO7CTW_6ubnbG28K9iuCLCb_lUiHJpLSMfe694u6RiWH5lDiz2I

Join the author and a panel of women representing various areas of the craft beer industry for an informative discussion of the book and the unique challenges faced by women in this field.

09/07/2022

Only 5 books left from the original bulk I purchased! Feels pretty good to be almost sold out. Don't worry...I'm ordering more for some book events I have coming up. That is...unless my publisher sold out!? 😳

Hope everyone had a great holiday weekend!