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Better on Draft 370 | Nick from Books & Brews Brownsburg

·1 hr·5 clips

Nick bought Books and Brews in February 2020, then everything shut down by March, making him regret his life decisions.

This episode of Better on Draft features Nick, the owner of Books and Brews Brownsburg, discussing his craft beer taproom and bookstore. Hosts Rob and Wendy share their current beers, including a Mexican-style Vienna lager and an imperial stout with coconut and marshmallow. Nick explains he left a decade-long Taco Bell management career to buy the franchise in February 2020, just before pandemic shutdowns. He originally acquired the Brownsburg location and later purchased a second in Zionsville in June 2020, which closed at the end of 2023. The business combines 20 craft beer taps with a used bookstore selling $3 donated books and a wall of board games. Mug Club members receive benefits like $2 off growler fills, 10% off merchandise including Pokémon cards, and a free book exchange. Events range from karaoke and trivia to painting nights, Dungeons & Dragons, and community outreach like the Hendricks County Pride Festival. Nick details beer selection, noting a local shift from stout preferences towards IPAs and sours, and hosts frequent tap takeovers, like one with Brooklyn Brewing offering eight beers. He recalls a "stout fortnight" event that expanded into a "stout winter" after over-ordering 28 kegs. A memorable beer was Windmill Brewing's Anime Kitties, a mole imperial stout he eagerly awaited for three years. The conversation includes a story about winning a Taxman Brewing sign in a rock-paper-scissors match at a beer festival. Nick describes the logistical challenge of serving flights during busy takeovers, requiring extra staff to manage glassware. He shares a unique partnership with a local movie theater involving a borrowed popcorn bucket. The business model encourages customer-driven events, like a crochet night or a Mario Kart tournament for a child's birthday. A fantasy romance book club, described as "code for smut," sometimes leads to awkward moments when listening to audiobooks while serving families. The tone is casual and conversational, filled with personal anecdotes and lighthearted banter between friends. Listeners interested in small business ownership, craft beer culture, and unique community-focused retail will enjoy this episode. Those seeking highly technical brewing discussions or industry news might find the content too narrative and personal.

As heard by us

A relaxed brewery conversation that mixes local beer talk with lived-in stories and a few good detours.

Better on Draft 370 settles into a beer-first conversation that keeps one foot in the practical work of Books and Brews Brownsburg while letting the talk drift the way a good room often does. Nick fits that cadence well.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

A conversation with the Books and Brews Brownsburg proprietor, with craft-beer talk, event ideas, and a rock-paper-scissors story.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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