USA, IN: Ellison Brewing Co. opens new Indianapolis location

Aaron Hanson is a former automotive engineer with a drive to succeed in the craft beer industry, NNY360 reported.

Ellison Brewing Co. opened on November 9 at 501 S. Madison Ave., Indianapolis, serving beer in glasses decorated with images of gears in a nod to Hanson’s years of designing automotive powertrains in his home state of Michigan.

He co-founded Ellison four years ago, and the Indianapolis brewpub is the company’s first site outside Lansing, Michigan.

Ellison is filling a spot previously occupied by Tow Yard Brewing — an Indianapolis company with a car-influenced name that sputtered out after filing for bankruptcy in 2018.

Hanson said he’s confident Ellison can thrive in proximity to Lucas Oil Stadium, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Lilly headquarters and expanding CityWay apartments.

“It’s just a really nice spot,” he said. “It’s not Fountain Square or Mass Ave., but those areas are running out of space pretty quickly.”

The retired U.S. Marine is a pilot who often flies from Lansing to Indianapolis. Ironically, he’s befriended aerospace engineers who work for Rolls-Royce — a company traditionally associated with luxury cars — across the street from the new Ellison brewpub.

Hanson mentioned two Rolls-Royce employees who live in apartments above Ellison: “They said, ‘We’ve been up against the glass, watching you guys work and waiting for you to open.’ ”

An Indianapolis influence is present in the names of two of Ellison's four core beers: Circle City American Lager and Crossroads Hazy Pale Ale. The other two are established favorites in Ellison history: Crescent Fresh IPA and Tiramisu Stout. "There’s a ton of Michigan people down here," Hanson said of connecting with Indianapolis customers who may know Ellison through more than 700 purchase points in the Great Lake State. "Why wouldn’t we want to come here?"

Beer is made in Ellison's 10-barrel brewhouse behind the main bar, and a window provides customers with a view of the production facility. Hanson said no ingredients other than water, malt, hops and yeast are used in Ellison beer. He also pledged an emphasis on beverages. "It's a brewery with food, not a restaurant with beer," he said.

On the topic of food, Hanson hired Ricky Hatfield — formerly of Skyline Club, Peterson's and CharBlue — as Ellison's executive chef. Wood-fired pizza is prepared using hickory firewood and barrel staves of American oak. Menu options include chicken wings, street fries, salads and burgers.

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