The Trixie Table - Upland Brewing Company

The Trixie Lifestyle often includes exquisite dining experiences and brushes with some spectacular alcohol. Our village and outlying Indianapolis neighborhoods are literally overflowing with options to feast on world-class cuisine, and chase it with some of the best-crafted wines, beers and spirits known to man.

I recently left my job as Senior Content Manager for a major consulting company to pursue the Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts Program at The Chefs Academy. I have always possessed a God-gifted palate, and I am so excited to share my extensive knowledge and experience with those of you who may not be so fortunate!

From time to time as my busy social schedule allows, I will review a Village restaurant or drinking establishment from the uniquely BRTS perspective and report my experiences back to you. Additionally, being a wine connoisseur, I will from time to time give you the low-down on the best wines for any occasion.

Bon Apetite & Cheers!
Rory

Latest Reviews:

Upland Brewing Company

I recently ventured down to SoBro for a visit with my best friends Ashley & Amber to Upland Brewing Company at 4842 N. College Avenue. Upland has been receiving a great deal of praise lately from Trixies all over the Village so we thought we would stop in for a tasting and report the results back for the Trixie Table.

The area at 4800 N. College used to be a bit "sketchy" but with Trixie approved retailers and restaurants settling the area in recent years, this formerly risky area has become rather gentrified.

Wheat Ale
This wheat is a Belgian-style Wit Bier and the flagship of their brewery. It is spiced with organic coriander, chamomile and orange peel to be refreshingly light and tart. Amber had six of these right off the bat. Glad she's not driving her Jetta today!

Trixie Stars: I give this Wheat Ale **

Dragonfly IPA
With loads of malt and seven hop additions to make any hop-head happy, it has some serious teeth, but it's one of the most balanced IPAs you'll find anywhere. TrixieMales will be impressed with this IPA, but due to its exceptionally floral nose, Trixies of all levels should find enjoyment here too. Ashley became quite concerned that Upland may be using crushed dragonfly meat in the recipe for this IPA, but management assures us that this is not the case.

This beer is strong. It is like a rare, unstable gas that may ignite at any moment. Drink with caution. No more than five in one sitting are recommended.

Trixie Stars: I give this IPA ****

Helios Pale
Helios is a traditional American Pale with the hop bitterness you expect, but it is well-balanced by the finest Midwestern malts and crisp citrus overtones. My fiancé, Brett prefers pale ales and has been known to put a serious hurt on local supplies with his friends over baskets of greasy chicken fingers at Brother's on game day.

Trixie Stars: I give this Pale Ale **1/2

Bad Elmer's Porter
Many Trixies incorrectly believe that the key ingredient to this fine Porter is Elmer's Glue. After having three of these, I can definitively state that glue is "most likely not" an ingredient. A solid malt base balances this rad brew. This American Amber Ale with a little extra kick, courtesy of 100% American hops from the Pacific Northwest, would pair well with a traditional English roast beef or an Austrian pork shoulder with red cabbage and spätzle.

Trixie Stars: I give this Porter ****

Preservation Pilsner
A draft-only beer with all-German malt and hops, creating a traditional Bohemian-style Lager. This Pilsner will also please most charitably-minded Trixies, as 10% of proceeds go to land preservation efforts in Broad Ripple thus making it possible for more green space devoted to dog parks, picnic areas and jogging trails in the Village!

Trixie Stars: I give this Pilsner ***

Overall our experience was positive. Our server, Gretchen, however was the low point of our visit. She looked disheveled and crazy. Upland forced her to wear a German Bier-Garten costume and it was appalling. Her giant horse teeth were an odd color of citrine yellow and her eyebrows look like they were done by ZaZa Gabor. My advice to Upland would be to consider hiring more Trixie-like women if you desire to attract TrixieMales, like Brett, Chad, Jake or that hot real estate mogul Chaz Walters!

Drink up!
~ Rory


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Trixie Guide to "True Prep"

By Super-Trixie Brooke Fletcher-Eaton

Journalist Mackenzie Carpenter with the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote an article "Preppy, Straight Up or With a Twist" published recently. I spoke with my best friend Mackenzie last week by phone and we had a great conversation on the topic! She was even kind enough to mention our Trixie blog. So today I am putting the question to you: Is preppy making a come back?

In my opinion the term "preppy" has traditionally referred to people of a certain socioeconomic status. In particular, preppies are people who attended elite college preparatory schools. "Preppy has always been part of a certain set .... the people who 'summer' in Nantucket," says Susan Rolontz, executive vice president of the Tobe Report, a fashion industry publication. "For a certain customer, preppy is always there."

Well I don't know about you girls ... but I love Prep! At my college sorority, I was always trying to be the preppiest girl ... and if anyone out-performed me on a particular day, I was sure to smear catsup all over those clothes secretly the next day in her dresser drawers while she was in class.

In the 1980s, the preppy fashion trend was born out of duplicating the uniform of WASPs and New Englanders—khakis, Oxford shirts, ribbon belts and topsiders. But I would argue that the true preppy establishment buy into classics rather than trends, and don't change their lifestyles with fads. That’s not to say anything against preppy clothes as a current trend. I would never call my style preppy nowdays, but I love the big pony polo on my top that I'm wearing in this pic.

So is preppy fashion making a comeback? Of course living in Broad Ripple I don’t see it as a fashion trend. I do however keep up with fashions across the country and I do travel to the East Coast. I was also in Texas just a few months ago and I can’t say that I noticed a huge preppy resurgence. So what do you other Trixies think?

In my opinion, I believe that if you are a true Trixie preppy-prep .... well, then preppy never left us. The fashion industry just re-markets "preppy" every couple of years at J. Crew, Banana Republic, the Gap and of course, Abercrombie ..... and of course everyone then writes about it making a comeback ... which is just silly!

For some people it's just they way they live! Large old houses in Meridian-Kessler, lots of vintage silver, classic volvo wagons, pure-bred Labradors .... very understated, Broad Ripple classic, well-cut and well-made clothes that never lose their style. Not fads, not Labradoodles .... not lexus SUVs ... just Broad Ripple classic. Just Trixie.


Be Well ...
Brooke


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How Do I Endure a Starbucks in an Undesirable Neighborhood?

Dear Ms. Tucker-Stansfield,

I live in an area of Indianapolis that is far from Broad Ripple. I am embarrassed to say where it is, but let's just say it is to the south and west. There are only a few scummy Starbucks to visit in my area and I do so reluctantly.

I had a fantasy this morning that I would roll up the Vogue magazine I was reading and whack the gum-cracking lowlife girl who was sitting next to me across the face, then stand up, walk to the doors and scream, "I can't wait til I live in Broad Ripple and never have to visit this Starbucks with you smelly, rude lowlifes again!" then storm out the door to my Jetta.

I was also carrying two shopping bags full of stuff to donate to a charity we sponsor at work, in addition to my usual work bag, so the stuff was cumbersome. I had the bags setting on the floor at Starbucks in front of me, which kind of blocked anyone from sitting in the seat next to me. A young woman came in to order a skim-soy no-foam Latte and I could see she was pregnant, so I moved my stuff in order for her to sit down. As a reward for that, she popped, cracked and loudly chewed her cud, er, gum, for like 15 minutes!

Geez, that's the last time I do something nice for these ignorant people! I really, really can't stand them.

What should I do next time?

Sincerely,
Jenna


Dear Jenna:

Next time shop in Broad Ripple and visit the Starbucks at 56th & Illinois, where you can park and drive home in the luxury and privacy of your own vehicle.

When I was a younger Trixie In Training (T.I.T.) and lived beyond the boundaries of our Village, I had to visit some less desirable Starbucks. Your experience is not unknown to many Trixies who have pulled themselves up from the gutter and moved to Broad Ripple.

Just remember, Jenna ... a proper Trixie never loses her composure in front of other Trixies or important people. Next time, vent your frustration with a simple nasty glance. Or as you get up from your seat, you can accidentally whack the gum-smacking offender with your cacophony of luxury brand shopping bags. If all else fails, pull out your iPhone and call a friend to make dinner plans. (If you're low on minutes, just pretend to make a call).

As I often like to snarl, "No good deed goes unpunished!" The only good deed in my book is the deed to my Washington Boulevard 1926 Tudor :-)

Ashley

• Back to the "Ask Ashley" Column

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My Name is Too Common - Can You Help?

Dear Ash,

What should I change my name to? The name I have now is far too common. No one remembers me!

Respectfully,
Abbey Jones


Dear Abbey,

I suggest that you choose a name that is befitting your dynamic personality. If you’re a perky Trixie, try something like Abbey Marie O’Brien. If you happen to be a more dull, business-like Trixie, perhaps Abbey Monaghan would be better. Or, simply do like a few Trixies have done in the past, and name yourself after our cherished Executive Director, Abbey Kendrick O'Rourke.

But whatever name you eventually select ... wear it with pride and total Trixie-like aplomb. Remember, success is 70% confidence.

Best of Luck to you,
Ashley Tucker-Stansfield

• Back to the "Ask Ashley" Column

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Audi A4 Dilemma

Hey Ash!

My boyfriend got his MBA last year and bought an Audi A4 after graduation. Now I see that Audi has released a new version, so his car is no longer the newest body style. Should I be embarrassed to ride around with him?

<3
Lissy


Dear Lissy -

Yours is not an uncommon problem among Trixies in the Village, however it is easily solved. Just pretend that you are not aware of the better, newer Audi. Convince yourself that your A4 is the latest A4, and that your boyfriend's car is just as good as the redesigned Audi you see hauling that Trixie and her significant other in the opposite direction down Broad Ripple Avenue. Be sure not to lose your inclination to issue nasty glances, and before you know it, you'll be as confident as you used to be!

-Ashley

• Back to the "Ask Ashley" Column

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Frustration Over Jetta Factory Color Choices

Dear Ashley,

Hi ... my name is Chelsea and I am a new member. I live near 49th and Penn.

I'm interested in purchasing a new Jetta. I am torn between getting the "Burgundy Breeze" or the "Daylight Dream." Both colors speak to me, but the "Daylight Dream" matches most of my wardrobe. Can you help me?

Much Love,
Chels


Dear Chels:

I'm sorry, but VW doesn't offer those colors direct from the factory. Are you sure those are actual factory Jetta colors and not the brand names of your favorite feminine hygiene products?

Most Trixies choose black Jettas, as they match well with our leather jackets, Chanel bags, and iPhones. However, as you walk around the Village, you'll see more Jettas in a hot new color -- Galactic Blue. You may want to try this.

But either way, whatever color you ultimately select ... we suggest that you have your spa do your color to match your Jetta accordingly.

Best of luck!
-Ash

• Back to the "Ask Ashley" Column

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Who Wants to Marry Austin Collie?

Every Trixie in the Village knows that it's the dream of every other Trixie to marry the Colts star receiver, Austin Collie. Austin exhibits all of the traits important to today's Trixie: Prestige, Income, and Handsome Ruggedness. Our exciting feature profiles eight Trixies who would do anything to Marry Austin Collie.

"Who Wants to Marry Austin Collie??"

When we think of the NFL’s elite football team right here in our hometown, we immediately think of new Tight End Austin Collie. If you're like most Trixies, you go to “The Luke” to socialize with your friends and coworkers, to avoid a Sunday afternoon of doing laundry, and to feast your eyes on all the hunky players... forget the game itself. Of course, the one constant known to most twenty-something Trixies is Austin Collie. If you happen to glance at the field at just the right time, your eyes will feast on this blond hunk of a man. His beauty is never-ending; most of us just can't get enough of him. For many of us, a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium is like cyber-cheating on our husbands and boyfriends, since we get to gawk at these hot guys, and fantasize about being married to one of them. Austin is an extremely valuable target to Trixies because he's still single, not to mention he's a hugely talented athlete who Payton Manning thinks about all week long ... an excellent alternative to the staid management consultant or attorney a girl might be dating.
Austin is known to hang out at many of Broad Ripple’s bars and taps. If you're lucky, you'll knock into him someday, and he'll take you home and marry you. If you're already married, perhaps it will be time for a switch!

Check out the 8 lucky Trixies we interviewed recently at Starbucks!

• Chrissy Gilbert
• Erin O'Donnell
• Melinda Thompson
• Anne Roberts
  
• Samantha Bennington
• Kate Martin-Conners
• Erica & Emily Stratton
• Jennifer Block

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