The Indiana craft beer community was tending a small flame for a few decades before Sun King Brewing Co. came along in 2009 and dumped gasoline on it. With a focus on seasonal and specialty beers, hyperlocal distribution, and a commitment to canning its three year-round beers, Sun King drew attention from the national beer community even as it limited its sales to Indiana. In the last six years, Sun King has become one of the largest craft brewers in the state, collaborating with internationally renowned breweries such as Oskar Blues and Three Floyds, and taking home a raft of medals from international competitions like the World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival. Sun King’s commitment to central Indiana is also expressed in its community partnerships, bringing new audiences to established organizations and investing in small events (like the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange) that fill the Circle City’s increasingly busy and diverse cultural calendar.

Tia Agnew and Brett Canaday have been finding their own way since 2006. The couple started slinging bottles of mead, or honey wine, that year out of a converted commercial garage in Elwood, Ind., a small town northeast of Indianapolis. New Day grew, moved its retail operation, and then its production, to Indianapolis. It expanded into hard ciders, refining its product mix into a selection of year-round ciders (Gold Rush, South Cider, and Johnny Chapman) and meads (ReThinker hopped blueberry, Washington’s Folly cherry, Shelby Blue Ribbon strawberry & rhubarb, and Live Currant) as well as seasonals and specialties. New Day Craft beverages can be found at a growing number of bars, restaurants, and package liquor stores, as well as at the company’s tasting room at 1102 Prospect St. Find Your Way.