Bloomington, IN?

[spiderwrangler]

I'm going to a conference in Bloomington, IN at the end of July. Any BNers that'd like to meet up for a couple of beers, or anyone who knows of good places to go in the area? Also, the conference ran out of rooms, so I'm thinking of camping if I can find a campground in the area that will let me get back and forth to the conference (at the university). Let me know if anyone has good recommendations!

[Taboot]

I live a couple hours away, but I have been down there quite a few times. There are 2 breweries in Bloomington

Upland http://uplandbeer.com/
Lennie's/Bloomington Brewing http://www.lenniesgourmetpizza.com/

Upland is known for their Lambics and I think you can still track some down. Bloomington Brewing has some decent beers, but nothing earth shattering. I think the Sahara Mart is pretty much the place to go for carry-out stuff, but I doubt there is much here that you don't get in OH.

As far as camping goes, I have stayed at McCormick's Creek quite a few times as a kid and a couple times within the last couple of years. They have quite a few shaded lots and is probably 20 minutes from Bloomington.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2978.htm

I have never stayed there, but Monroe Lake is closer to Bloomington and looks to be pretty sweet.

http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2954.htm

Let me know if you need any additional info.

[spiderwrangler]

Ideally, I'm looking for somehting I Can either bike or take public transit to the unverstiy fromf. I'l have to cheack out the other thing that you metuioined later. I can't focus rignt now. been woorking at a beer fest, and while not drunky drunk, I'\m buzzwed enough not to care about spelling.

[Taboot]

The McCormicks's Creek park is definitely not within biking distance. I don't know how far away Lake Monroe is from campus, so I am pretty worthless when it comes to accomodations at this point. There are obviously tons of other hotels just off of campus.

Both of the breweries are withing biking distance of campus, so you shouldn't have any problem there.

[spiderwrangler]

Hey thanks for the info, I've looked into Lake Monroe camping some more and I think that's probably what I will go with. It's a 10 mile bike trip to campus, but most of that is on the rail trail, so don't have to worry too much about traffic and the like... need to make sure I get lights and reflectors updated on my bike though. Might be able to get my advisor to drive me down there a couple of nights.

[spiderwrangler]

I'll be there Monday through Saturday of next week... Interested in checking out Upland, unfortunately, looks like their sours they just released are gone. Probably try to hit up Bloomington Brewing as well. You recommend the Sahara Mart for carryout? There are a couple things that are we can't get in OH that I'll have to look into tracking down... 3 Floyds, New Belgium, Schlafly... anything else I should be on the lookout for? Also, the offer to meet up for a pint with anyone in the area still stands... let me know!

[spiderwrangler]

Are there any good beer bars (other than the previously mentioned brewpub locations), or restaurants I need to check out? Not looking for fancy restaurants, I'm not a fancy guy.