If you know anything about me, I love the city of Muncie, Indiana. I went to school at Ball State University, teach at Ball State, and I spend a lot of time at local establishments. So when I saw that people visiting this site had been searching for a list of the best bars in Muncie, Indiana, I couldn’t help myself. I want to share my knowledge of the area and want to help support some of my favorite places around. This isn’t specifically bourbon related, but I have to give the people what they want! Plus you can grab some bourbon at a few of the locations, so that’s a big plus.

So here is my list of the top 6 bars in Muncie, Indiana. The bars are in no particular order, but I encourage you to explore each of the places on the list.

Here we go!

1 – Best Overall Beer Selection – Heorot Pub and Draught House

This should be no surprise to any of you who have read by blog post about the my journey to 100 beers, but the Heorot is one of the best bars in the Muncie area.

It doesn’t look like much from the outside. And once you walk in, you will be met with dim lighting, a nice wooden bar, and a feeling like you went to a mix between a british and viking pub (not sure that’s a thing, but you’ll understand). You will then see all of the tap handles and the coolers with beer. You will take a look at the menu and be overwhelmed with options. And then you’ll ask Buff (or the bartender working) for a suggestion and they will give you the perfect beer.

You might even see me in there on a Friday enjoying their pizza special and drinking a wonderful craft beer.

This is the craft beer mecca and it’s where almost all of the other craft beer bars got their start. If you look at Savage’s, the owner Joel loved going to the Heorot before opening his own place. The guys that now own the Heorot started as customers, opened their own brewery, and then bought the Heorot. These are just a few of the great stories of how the Heorot has changed the face of the craft beer industry in Muncie.

Plus they have a nice little bourbon selection. So even if you aren’t a beer fan, you can still find a nice pour. And you never know when the guy will hop on the piano and play a few songs.

1.5 – Best Large Brewery – The Guardian Brewing Company

And since I highlighted the Heorot, I won’t put The Guardian Brewing Company on the list (even though they rock) because the guys who own the Heorot also own The Guardian Brewing Company. I want to spread the love. Hands down the best brewery in the area, but they only serve beer. wine, cider, and pizza. That being said, the pizzas are dang good and so are the cheese sticks. Stop in a pour of Charlie or Haze Stupid the next time you are in town.

2 – Best Bourbon Selection – Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse

Again – This one shouldn’t come as a surprise as either. I did a full write-up on Trust Your Butcher here, but I wanted to put down a few highlights.

Once you walk into Trust Your Butcher Steakhouse, you’ll see that you have landed at a great place to get a pour of bourbon. The list has a ton of different selections and they aren’t priced as high as you would find in Indianapolis (still high for the Muncie area though). If you set the price aside, you’ll find that you are in the best bourbon bar in Muncie. I don’t think there is a lot of competition, but it still makes Muncie no longer a bourbon desert.

Bourbon Master Blog Post

I still stand by my statement that this is the best bourbon bar in the Muncie area. The only one that was even close to this was The Neely House, but it’s no longer in business (and I miss their brunch so much).

3 – Best Ball State Bar – The Chug

Before I give my rundown of The Chug, I want to share an actual review from someone I found online. This is an actual review.

Ohhh how I love and miss The Chug! Two things are certain if you attend my Alma Mater, Ball State University in Muncie, IN;
1. You probably went to school with my brother, he was there for 9 years and
B. You will get plastered at the dive of all dives, known simply as the Chug.
You will not find a plethora of half naked sorority girls, fancy pants martinis, or any food (unless the popcorn machines working, which I don’t think it worked once in my 4 years at BSU). Ney, you will find cheap drink specials, SERIOUS drinkers, a glory hole up by the beer pong table, a sticky floor covered in who-knows-what, and a trough for peeing…if you make it to the bathroom (I had more than a few friends that didn’t make it). They have ski-ball, air hockey, pool, and above all else foosball and beer pong. No one is better than or above the Chug, but you will have a hard time getting your girlfriend there…if she does go, and she loves it as much as  you do, then marry that woman for she is a keeper. It’s a tradition, a right of passage, you might get shot…it’s the CHUG!

Ben From Yelp

I don’t think I could have summed it up better. I think I might actually try to hire Ben for a job writing real reviews of bars.

The Chug makes this list because it is the last standing original bar in the Ball State Village. Brothers moved in and killed all that was good and holy about the Village (RIP Locker Room, Dill Street, Cleo’s, and everything that came before those places).

Is it a dirty dive bar where the floors are sticky? Yes. Is it an institution? Yes.

And that’s why it makes my list of the top bars in Muncie, Indiana.

4 – Best Food and Drinks – Savage’s Ale House

If I have to pick my one favorite out of this entire list, Savage’s Ale House would be my pick. As much as I love the Heorot, the Chug, the Guardian, etc, I will always be a Savage loyal.

I’ve celebrated here. I’ve started a business here. I have probably gained 10 pounds here. I’ve spent more money than I would like to admit here.

Savages is the perfect mix of a dive bar, a craft beer bar, and a great restaurant. They have a killer beer list (half rotating and half everyday beers). Their food is out of this world good. I recommend grabbing the Shedtown, the Muncie Burger, the loaded fries, or the Beer Battered Tenderloin (when it comes back on as a special).

I personally recommend the Shed Town (Chicken sandwich with bacon, jalapeños, and ranch) or the grilled cheese (sounds dumb, but it’s a ton of cheese with mozzarella sticks in the middle). If you are looking for a drink, great rotating taps, but the house favorite is the $1.50 PBRs and the Chuckberry. (21 and over).

5 – Best Small Brewery – Northern Tropics Brewery

As I mentioned, I am not putting The Guardian Brewing Company on the list because I highlighted the Heorot earlier. So that’s why this category is listed as the best small brewery. And the award goes to Ted and Northern Tropics!

If you head down to the south side of Muncie (past the Walmart and almost to the bypass), you will find this greenhouse called Northern Tropics. And at this greenhouse, there is a brewery. And it’s awesome!

It’s small, but it has some killer beer! The last time I went, there were over 15 beers on tap and I liked almost all of them. All brewed in house (literally on the other side of the room) and all packed with flavor. Ted (the brewer/owner) knows what he is doing and does it well.

If you haven’t stopped by yet, make sure to stop and grab a pint. You won’t be mad. And then grab some plants to take home.

6 – Best Spot For Local Craft Beer Lovers – The Fickle Peach

I was going to make this a list of the top 5 bars in Muncie, Indiana, but I couldn’t leave out a really awesome local establishment. The Fickle Peach is a great local bar in the downtown Muncie area and it is a great local hangout. They have a lot of different beers on tap and I have heard they are one of the top locations for Bell’s in the state (can’t verify, but it wouldn’t surprise me).

They have a massive menu of beers on the wall to the left when you walk in and then around the corner you will find pool tables, old school Golden Tee golf, and even a Skee Ball machine. They host a few different types of trivia each week (if I could get my wife to join, I would love to attend a few) and they are usually open for most major sporting events. I would suggest following them on Facebook for their most up-to-date offerings.

I call this a local establishment because that’s what you see there. A lot of locals. And that’s a great thing.

Final Thoughts

Even though I highlighted my top six bars in Muncie, I know there are a few that I left off the list. It’s not because they aren’t awesome, but I had to narrow down my list just a bit. So you might also want to stop by:

Vera Mae’s – For a great cocktail
Elm Street Brewing – For some crazy beers (they are awesome in sours)
Clubhouse @ Accutech – They just opened a brand new bar and it looks awesome – Plus the golf simulators
Brothers – If you want to be swarmed with college students
Tonne Winery – If you love wine, you will love this
1925 Pubhouse – Good beer and decent bourbon selection
Mark III Taproom – I’ve never been, but I have heard it’s a great place

I’ll be honest, I am a huge fan of small dive bars or neighborhood bars, but I haven’t been to many on the south side of Muncie. And I think my opinions or recommendations for the Muncie area are skewed towards the downtown area. This is due to my college years and my love for craft beer. I cannot discount the bars on the south side of town (Buttonhole, Ro-Jacs, Lil Triangle, Red Dog, etc) because I really haven’t been to those bars. I have a feeling most of them have some great drink prices, amazing people, and a good time waiting for me, but I just need to make the stop.

If you find yourself in the Muncie, Indiana region and you are looking for a drink, make sure to check out one of the amazing establishments listed above. You won’t be mad and you will most likely be coming back after you realize there is more to Muncie than trains, Ball State, and David Letterman.

Cheers!

If you have been in any Bourbon Facebook groups or even a few of my posts, you have seen that people always have questions about shipping bourbon in the mail. I’ve even wondered about this a few times myself and I figured I would put together a quick post about the topic.

Important note: This is not legal advice and should not be taken as such. This information is from my research online and my own personal experiences. I’m not a lawyer, but I do enjoy a good glass of bourbon from time to time.

Can You Ship Bourbon In The Mail?

The real answer is it is NOT legal to ship bourbon in the mail unless you have a license to ship alcohol. And almost every consumer out there does not have a license to ship alcohol. Now businesses out there can legally ship alcohol as long as they follow state and carrier rules.

But we all know that you didn’t come to this blog post to hear the word no. You came to see if you “could” ship bourbon in the mail. And that is an entirely different question with a different answer.

The short answer to that question is:

It depends (as a former economics student, I had to slip this in here – It depends is the answer to almost every economics question out there).

It depends on a few different things:

1. Your shipping carrier
2. Your tolerance for risk

We’ll go into a little more detail about each of these, but those are the three main areas that determine if you can or cannot ship booze in the mail.

Shipping Carriers

United Postal Service

The United States Postal Service (USPS) prohibits the shipment of alcohol, including bourbon, through its services. This means that you cannot use USPS to ship bourbon to another person or to yourself. If you’re caught shipping alcohol through USPS, your package may be seized and you may face legal consequences.

So if you are going to ship bourbon, I would not ship it through USPS. There is no reason to test your fate with a federally backed shipping service. That’s just not bright.

FedEx and UPS

Private carriers such as FedEx and UPS do allow the shipment of alcohol, but there are some important rules and restrictions to keep in mind. And they aren’t friendly to individuals looking to ship bourbon.

For example, you must be at least 21 years old to ship or receive alcohol. Additionally, you must have a license to ship alcohol, and you must comply with all state and federal laws regarding the sale and shipment of alcohol.

So when you look at this, you can see that most people are not going to have the license to ship alcohol, but they do allow it. It’s limited to businesses.

Regardless of the shipping service, it’s not a great idea to be shipping bourbon. That’s where the next part comes in: Risk tolerance.

Risk Tolerance

If you have made it this far, you have probably decided that you might still want to give it a try.

And that means you have a different risk tolerance than other people.

But when it comes to doing something like shipping bourbon, here would be some things to think about:

1. Are you willing to deal with the consequences if you are caught?
2. Are you willing to lose the bourbon if the box is confiscated?
3. Can you be sure the package will make it from A to B without damage?
4. What happens if you never see that box again?

As you think through those questions, you are going to start to see your risk tolerance. And you’ll have your answer if you “can” ship bourbon or not.

You will find that most people who ship bourbon are shipping samples and they are using UPS or FedEx to make those shipments. It’s not legal, but it happens.

Side Note – States Also Have Rules

It’s also important to note that some states have their own laws and regulations regarding the shipment of alcohol. For example, some states prohibit the shipment of alcohol altogether, while others have restrictions on the amount of alcohol that can be shipped. If you’re unsure about the laws in your state, it’s a good idea to check with your state’s alcohol control board or regulatory agency.

But again – most of these laws and regulations are directly related to the business side. So you might be able to receive bourbon from a distillery in one state or a liquor store in another, but who knows about another state.

Conclusion

As much as I wanted to say it is legal to ship bourbon to other people, I can’t say that. It’s not legal to ship without the proper license.

I can’t stop you from shipping bourbon, but if you do, I would recommend using FedEx or UPS and shipping small amounts. If the package gets confiscated, you won’t be out a full bottle of bourbon and you won’t be messing with the federal shipping service USPS.

Again – This is not legal advice. Do your own research and make your own choices.

Cheers!

If you have ever taken a look at a bottle of bourbon, you might be slightly confused with some of the terminology that you see on the bottle. Phrases like single barrel, barrel proof, bottled-in-bond, and straight bourbon might seem like some fancy marketing jargon, but there is actually some meaning behind some of the terms that can give you a better understanding of the bourbon inside the bottle.

Take Straight Bourbon for instance. This isn’t just a clever marketing ploy. It’s actually terminology dictated by law to describe a bourbon that hits certain standards.

What Does Straight Bourbon Mean?

By law, it has some very specific attributes that set that bourbon apart from other bourbons or whiskeys on the shelf.

If you see a bottle with this phrase on it, you know a few things immediately:

The word bourbon means that we are talking about a liquor that is over 51% corn based that is made in the United States (note I didn’t say just Kentucky).

We know that the spirit had to also be aged in new charred oak barrels. The use of new barrels is a key requirement for bourbon whiskey, as it gives the spirit its distinct flavor and aroma.

But what makes a bourbon whiskey “straight”? To be considered straight bourbon whiskey, the spirit must meet four additional requirements.

1 – It needs to be distilled at no more than 80% ABV or 160 proof from the still. Distillers have the ability to determine this level and control it during the distillation process.

2 – It needs to rest in those lovely new charred oak barrels for a minimum of 2 years. There isn’t a limit on the length, but it has to be AT LEAST 2 years.

3 – It needs to bottled at no less than 40% ABV or 80 proof.

4 – It cannot contain any added colors, flavors, or other spirits

As long as a bourbon hits those three criteria, it can legally be named straight bourbon on its label.

Why Does This Matter?

Essentially, straight bourbon is a more specific category of bourbon that has stricter aging and bottling requirements. While all straight bourbon is bourbon, not all bourbon is straight bourbon.

This matters for a few different reasons:

1 – If you see “straight bourbon” you know that you are getting a product that has aged at least 2 years. Sometimes you don’t see an age labeled on a bottle, so this naming system can give you a little bit of a clue on the age.

2 – You know you aren’t going to get a bourbon that has “something” else in it. It’s just like the name says – It’s straight bourbon.

3 – You have an idea about the ABV range for the bourbon. If you take a bourbon much higher than 160 proof before entering the barrel, you are going to lose some of the taste that comes from the corn, rye, barley, or wheat. It’s going to end up tasting more like rubbing alcohol than the bourbon we know and love. You also know that it isn’t going to be a watered down bourbon once you pour it to drink. It’s going to be at least 40% ABV and it’s going to have that standard bourbon flavor.

Conclusion

If you see the words “straight bourbon” on a bottle at the liquor store, you are seeing a standard of quality on the bottle. Much like some of the other terms you see and hear in the bourbon world, it has a special meaning that gives a set of parameters the bourbon hits. To be considered straight bourbon, the spirit must also be distilled at no more than 80% ABV, aged in new barrels for at least 2 years, and bottled at no less than 40% ABV, and have no additional colors, booze, or additives. Whether enjoyed on its own or in a cocktail, straight bourbon whiskey is a beloved American tradition that continues to capture the hearts and palates of whiskey lovers around the world.

Cheers!

You have been invited to a party and you are going to take a bottle of bourbon for the host, but you have no idea what bottle of bourbon to take. Instead of just randomly walking into a liquor store and grabbing a bottle, use this guide to help you figure out what bottle to take. It’s nothing crazy in-depth, but it should get you on the right path pretty quickly.

Pick 1 – The Host’s Favorite

This should be a no-brainer, but if you know your host has a favorite bourbon, go grab a bottle of that. It shows that you put some thought into the selection and you know it’s going to be consumed. If you don’t know the host’s favorite, ask their family and friends. They might be able to give you a few ideas based upon their experiences.

Pick 2 – Your Favorite

When it doubt, take something you know you can drink and enjoy. Odds are, the host will open the bottle and share it with the people at the party. So if you know you like it, you know there is a chance others will like it as well.

If the host doesn’t open the bottle, then you know they’ll try it at a later date. Taking your favorite will leave them with a memory of you and you’ll get a call/text once the bottle is opened.

Pick 3 – A Solid Standby

If you don’t know what your host will like or if you aren’t a bourbon drinker yourself, you might not know what bottle to grab. That’s ok! Let’s go with a few old standbys:

1. Woodford Double Oaked
2. Old Forester 1910 or 1920
3. Maker’s 46
4. New Riff
5. Four Roses Single Barrel or Small Batch
6. Elijah Craig
7. Larceney

This list isn’t all inclusive, but it should get you a decent bottle at a decent price point. It all depends on what you want to spend and what’s available in your local area.

Pick 4 – Something Special

If you are looking for to really wow your host, then you might want to consider picking up something special. I like to define special in a few different ways:

1. Something that is hard to get – This would be a bottle of an allocated bourbon such as Eagle Rare, EH Taylor, Blantons, Bookers, etc. These are hard to find and usually sought after by bourbon drinkers.
2. Something that is unique – You’ve heard me say this again and again. I’m a huge fan of store picks. When you are looking for a cool bottle to take to a party, stop by your local liquor store and grab a store pick.
3. Something that means something to you – There will be some bottles in your life that you have a special connection to. It might be from an experience you shared with a friend, it might be from a distillery you loved when you visited Kentucky, or it might be something else that holds a special place in your heart. This is a great opportunity to share that experience with someone new.

Pick 5 – A Bottle From Your Collection That Isn’t Your Favorite

Have you ever gone into a liquor store and purchased a bottle of bourbon, get home, open it, and realize that you made a mistake.

Let your mistake be someone else’s opportunity to try a new bottle.

This might be a jerk move, but it’s a great way to get rid of a bottle of bourbon that isn’t your favorite. And who knows, they might 100% love the bottle. Each person has a different palate and what you dislike might be right up their alley.

Conclusion

I hope this guide gives you a few ideas on what bottle of bourbon to take to a party. I hope you have a great time and I hope your host enjoys the bottle you have selected. Remember, this guide is just a starting point and you can make your own choice when it comes to a bourbon to take.

Cheers!