King’s Reserve Release: Free-Range Farmhouse
Discover our award-winning Free-Range Farmhouse Ale, a tart, fruit-forward barrel-aged beauty, releasing this Friday as part of our King’s Reserve Series.
It’s that time of the month for a King’s Reserve beer release! And what’s up for release -> Free-Range Farmhouse.
This unique ale starts as a golden ale, primary-fermented in wine barrels with Brettanomyces, then aged for 12 months before being dry-hopped with Citra and Chinook. The result? A tart, fruit-forward profile without any fruit in the recipe. Truly wild.
Free-Range Farmhouse recently earned Gold in the Brett Beer category at the 2025 U.S. Open Beer Championship, helping Sun King secure Second Place Overall and Brewery of the Year honors.
As part of our King’s Reserve lineup, this small-batch release is available only while supplies last at Sun King Taprooms beginning Friday.
Brewing Connections: Sun KIng Joins Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew Day
The ladies of Sun King joined fellow Indiana brewers in Bloomington for a Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew Day. Hosted by Heartwork Brewing, the day was filled with brewing, education, and connection, capped with a visit to Upland’s Wood Shop. Together, we celebrated the Pink Boots mission to inspire and empower women in the craft beer industry.
This week, several of the ladies of Sun King Brewing packed into a van (with our driver Elvis at the wheel!) and headed south to Bloomington for a Pink Boots Society Collaboration Brew Day hosted at Heartwork Brewing.
The day was all about education, connection and creation alongside our fellow Pink Boots Society members from Heartwork Brewing, Upland Brewing Co., Big Lug Brewing Co., Towaki Brewing Company, Kismetic Beer Company, and Guggman Haus Brewing Co., and the Indiana Brewer’s Guild.
A Day of Learning & Collaboration
Our morning started at Heartwork Brewing, where we joined forces on Heartwork’s first-ever collaboration beer. It was a project that brought together women from across Indiana’s brewing community. Aubrey Williams, Heartwork’s co-founder, summed up the day perfectly:
“It was an absolute honor to have such an amazing group visit Heartwork Brewing to create our first collab beer with another brewery… or in this case multiple breweries! I’m happy to share my carb-loaded love for local spots Gables Bagels and Mother Bear’s Pizza. I’m also thankful for the Upland team welcoming us down the road into the Wood Shop for some sour love!”
After the brew session, the group traveled to Upland Brewing’s Wood Shop, where we explored their barrel-aging program and sampled a wide array of sours. Before we knew it, it was time to load up the bus and head back to Indy. The ride gave us time to sample each other’s beers and maybe sing along to a pretty amazing playlist. The conversations carried on with final stops and sips at Sun King Brewery and Kismetic.
Why It Matters
The Pink Boots Society’s mission is to assist, inspire and encourage women and non-binary individuals in the fermented and alcoholic beverage industry to advance their careers through education.
For our Sun King crew, it was a chance to not only collaborate on a beer but also to share experiences, learn from others and build stronger networks within the Indiana brewing industry.
For one of our team members, who has only been in the industry for three months, the day was especially impactful:
“It was amazing to be able to get together with other women in the industry and share experiences. I appreciated being able to also get to know my own co-workers more. The conversations and connections were invaluable as I continue to learn more about the craft beer world.”
A Stronger Brewing Community
The Indiana chapter of the Pink Boots Society showed up in full force, making the event a success. We’re grateful for the opportunity to connect with peers, strengthen our craft and keep moving the industry forward. (Special shout-out to Nicole from Heartwork and Aubrey from Kismetic for organizing and hosting.)
Here’s to more collaboration, education and great beer ahead!
Three Epic Beer Releases This Week: Core Strategy, Cotton Candy & Oktoberfest
We're closing out July with a triple release you won't want to miss. The official beers of Gen Con and the Indiana State Fair, plus the return of Oktoberfest are here this week.
We’re wrapping up July and diving into August with three brand-new beer releases (OK two that are brand new and one that’s a seasonal), each one crafted to mark a special occasion like gearing up for the con, hitting the fairgrounds or just dreaming of fall.
Core Strategy – The Official Beer of Gen Con 2025
Available Now! | Apple Cyzer
With more than 2,500 fan votes, Core Strategy has been named the official beer of Gen Con 2025. It’s ready to fuel your most legendary adventures.
Forged for heroes and brewed for legends, this crisp and sessionable Apple Cyzer is ideal for your longest campaigns and mightiest quests.
Join us at the Gen Con Block Party.
Keep an eye out for limited-edition collector cans. There are four designs to catch!
State Fair Cotton Candy Ale – The Official Beer of the Indiana State Fair
Available Friday, August 1 | Ale with Cotton Candy Flavor
A taste of the fair midway in a can! Our Cotton Candy Ale is brewed to celebrate the Indiana State Fair and all its tasty traditions.
From Lobster Mac & Cheese to Cheesy Hot Honey Chicken Fries and Cinnamon Toast Cookie Butter Pretzel Bites (yes, those are all real and all amazing), Sun King Cotton Candy is sweet, nostalgic and pairs perfectly with your favorite fair food.
Just in time for the Fair’s opening day Friday, August 1!
Oktoberfest – Our Seasonal Classic Returns
Available Friday, August 1 | German-Style Märzen Lager
Yes, we know it’s still July (technically), but trust us, Oktoberfest season starts now.
Crafted with choice malts and Noble hops, this traditional Märzen-style lager features a toasty malt complexity and a crisp, dry finish that’ll have you dreaming of cooler weather and stein clinks.
Prost to early fall vibes. It’s officially Oktoberfest time at Sun King.
Where to Find These Beers
Availability may vary by location, so check with your local Sun King Taproom for release day tapping details and packaged beer.
Rolling the Dice on Flavor: Celebrating Over a Decade of Sun King x Gen Con Beers
Sun King’s epic collaboration with Gen Con continues in 2025 with Core Strategy — a sessionable Apple Cyzer forged for heroes and brewed for legends. Learn more about our partnership, fan-favorite brews, and how gaming and beer have made the perfect team.
Let the games begin! It’s Gen Con week, the biggest tabletop gaming convention in North America. Sun King is proud to once again raise a glass (or flagon) as the Official Beer of Gen Con. What is this year’s legendary release? It’s a sessionable Apple Cyzer named Core Strategy. Chosen by a landslide vote, this apple ale is forged for heroes and brewed for legends.
Since 2012, Sun King has partnered with Gen Con to create unique, limited-edition beers that capture the magic of the gaming world. But the roots of this partnership go even deeper. Back in the earliest days of Gen Con in Indy (before the beer was officially official), we were crafting themed brews and decorating with leftover props from Gen Con displays. We were fans first because we knew there was something special about the energy of the con and its community.
That passion led us to approach Gen Con in 2011 with an idea to make the beer collaboration official. The following year, Ale of Destiny was born along with a tradition that’s become a cornerstone of our summer.
“We enjoy doing fun stuff with cool people,” says Sun King co-founder Dave Colt. “Gen Con leadership has always been warm, welcoming and collaborative. They are a true partner in every sense.” With the support of Visit Indy, and a mutual commitment to community and creativity, the Sun King x Gen Con relationship has grown stronger each year.
Fan Favorites Through the Years:
For more than 10 years, we've brewed up some unforgettable Gen Con beers. There are a few that fans still ask for today and every year:
Twenty-Sided Rye (2016)
Dragon’s Delight (2017, brought back by vote in 2022)
Genevieve (2021, extended during Covid)
Hive Mind (2023)
Others, like Flagon Slayer (2013) and Froth of Kahn (2014), continue to be legendary in their own right and are frequently requested by fans hoping for a revival.
Every new year brings a new brew and a new adventure.
Join the Quest:
Core Strategy launches this Wednesday at the Gen Con Block Party. Come claim all four collector’s cans before they vanish into myth.
Check with your local Sun King taproom for availability. Not all locations carry the same brews, and Core Strategy is limited!
The Return of a Legend: Cherry Busey Hits Taprooms Friday
Cherry Busey is back this Friday!
Our award-winning Flanders-style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels and finished with tart Montmorency cherries is one of our most anticipated King’s Reserve releases. With a flavor nearly two years in the making, Cherry Busey delivers bold tartness, oaky depth, and a legacy of Belgian-inspired craftsmanship. Don’t miss this limited release—available while it lasts!
Cherry Busey is back!
This beloved King’s Reserve release has built a cult-like following over the years. A Flanders-style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels and finished with a massive dose of Montmorency cherries, Cherry Busey is as complex as it is crave-worthy.
We caught up withWood Cellar Manager Andrew Hood to get the inside scoop on what makes this annual release so special:
“Cherry Busey is one of our most time-intensive beers. We’ve been making it for 11 years now. Both Dave [Colt] and I are huge fans of Rodenbach Brewery in Belgium, and one of their beers inspired this project. We were even lucky enough to host one of their former Brewmasters at Sun King years ago.
The process begins with a Flanders-style Red Ale, which we age in red wine barrels for at least a year, sometimes up to 18 months. From there, the beer is racked onto tart cherries for another five months. All in, each batch can take nearly two years to make.”
That patience pays off in every pour.
Aromas of dark fruit, oak and wild yeast greet your nose, followed by layers of tangy cherry, red wine tannins and a smooth, oaky finish. The wild yeast contributes to its tart, funky backbone, giving it the edge that barrel-aged beer fans live for.
A Legacy of Flavor
Cherry Busey has earned more than just fanfare. This King’s Reserve release has medaled three times at the prestigious Great American Beer Festival®:
🥈 2016 Silver – Belgian-Style Fruit Beer
🥉 2015 & 2017 Bronze – Belgian-Style Fruit Beer
It’s the kind of beer that rewards your patience, and maybe your cellaring skills, too.
When & Where
Cherry Busey releases this Friday and will be available at Sun King taprooms while supplies last. As always, selection may vary, so check with your local taproom for availability.
King’s Reserve: The King’s Reserve series is home to our most unique, barrel-aged creations. Every beer in the series has spent time in oak, developing flavor, depth and character you won’t find anywhere else.
Whether you're a longtime fan or tasting Cherry Busey for the first time, this release is worth savoring.
Sun King Wins top honors at 2025 Indiana brewer’s cup
Sun King Brewing swept the 2025 Indiana Brewers Cup for the second year in a row, winning Brewery of the Year and Grand Champion Brewery of the Year—plus 11 individual beer medals across multiple styles. See the full list of award-winning brews and highlights from this epic event.
Raise a pint in celebration with us!
Sun King Brewing has once again claimed top honors at the 2025 Indiana Brewers Cup, taking home both Brewery of the Year and Grand Champion Brewery of the Year for the second year in a row! We also took home top honors in 2013 and 2022.
Held Saturday, July 12 at the Corteva Coliseum at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, this year’s event featured more than 1,300 professional and homebrew entries. Brewers from across Indiana and beyond came together to showcase their craft. Our team had a blast sampling brews, catching up with industry friends, and cheering on all the talented entrants.
Sun King brought home a total of 11 medals, spanning a wide range of styles from traditional European lagers to experimental specialties. We’re especially proud that Pachanga, our German Leichtbier, earned 1st place in its category and 2nd Best of Show overall!
Check out the breakdown of our winning brews below:
🏅 Pale European Beer
1st Place – Pachanga (German Leichtbier) Indianapolis
🏅 Amber European Beer
3rd Place – Howl & Hide (International Amber Lager) Fishers
🏅 Belgian Strong Ale
1st Place – Triptonic (Belgian Golden Strong Ale) Fishers
🏅 European Sour Ale
2nd Place – Stupid Sexy Flanders (Flanders Red Ale) Indianapolis
🏅 Wood-Aged Beer
1st Place – Diddy Muckle (Specialty Wood-Aged Beer) Indianapolis
3rd Place – Cognac Muckle (Specialty Wood-Aged Beer) Fishers
🏅 American Wild Ale
2nd Place – Razzleblaster Busey (Wild Specialty Beer) Fishers
3rd Place – Free Range Farmhouse (Brett Beer) Indianapolis
🏅 Specialty Beer
1st Place – Soul Shakedown Party (Experimental Beer) Indianapolis
2nd Place – Amalfi (Experimental Beer) Indianapolis
🏅 Best of Show
2nd Place – Pachanga (German Leichtbier)
This incredible showing wouldn’t be possible without the passion, creativity and tireless work of our brewing team. Thank you for continuing to push boundaries and brew beer that people love.
And thank you to the organizers, judges and fellow brewers who make the Indiana Brewers Cup one of the premier competitions in the Midwest.
Here’s to another year of brewing excellence. Cheers from all of us at Sun King!
Cool beers for a hot summer
Sun King is bringing the chill this summer with refreshing seasonal beers, award-winning classics, and fun new taproom cocktails. From the variety-packed Pool Party 12-Pack to limited releases like Pachanga Sunrise and Pineapple Whip, there’s a perfect pour waiting for every kind of summer moment.
Stay refreshed with Sun King’s summer-ready sips
There’s nothing like an ice-cold beer on a hot summer day, and Sun King has just the lineup to keep you cool, whether you're lounging poolside, firing up the grill, or kicking back in one of our taprooms. From citrusy wheat beers to tart summer sippers (and even a few cocktails worth bragging about), we’ve got your summer thirst covered.
Dive Into the Pool Party Pack
Meet your new go-to for beach days, backyard hangouts and spontaneous weekend escapes: the Pool Party Pack. The Sun King Summer Vibes 12-pack is a flavor cannonball of our newest warm-weather releases, including:
Deck Diver Cucumber Kölsch – crisp, cool and cucumber-fresh
Summer Glow Wheat Ale – smooth, mellow and sunshine-friendly
Cooler Companion American Lager – light, classic and effortlessly crushable
Cabana Breeze Tart Ale with Strawberry & Kiwi – juicy, bright and slightly sour
It’s variety built for summer fun and it’s only here for the season.
Glowing with Summer Flavor
Summer Glow is your new summer anthem in beer form. It’s so good, we pulled it as a standalone from the Summer Vibes pack. This American wheat beer has a lightly sweet character balanced by zesty citrus notes from Centennial and Cascade hops. It’s the kind of easygoing brew that pairs perfectly with sunsets, bonfires and good friends.
Sunlight: The Cream Ale Classic
Our flagship Sunlight Cream Ale is a year-round favorite, but it shines especially bright in summer. With smooth malt complexity and a crisp, clean finish, it’s won Gold, Silver and Bronze medals around the globe. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new sipper, Sunlight always delivers.
Looking for all the flavor without the ABV? Sunlight Non-Alcoholic Cream Ale brings the same award-winning character, minus the alcohol, so you can soak in the moment without missing a beat.
Limited Releases Worth the Hype and Sure to Cool You Off
If you’re chasing bold flavors and small-batch brilliance, don’t miss these limited releases while they last:
Pachanga Sunrise
Brewed to celebrate our 16th Anniversary, Pachanga Sunrise takes our award-winning Mexican-Style Lager and layers it with bright pomegranate and juicy orange character. It’s crisp, citrusy and ultra-refreshing. It’s like summer in a can with a celebratory twist.Pineapple Whip
Released just last week, Pineapple Whip is smooth, creamy and bursting with tropical pineapple flavor. This sunshine-sweet brew is basically vacation in a pint. I wouldn’t sleep on this one. It’s generating buzz and it’ll be gone before you know it.
Cool Cocktails, Taproom Style
Our taproom mixologists have been busy crafting new summer cocktails that hit just right when the temperature rises. Here are a few stars of the season:
MONKEY MARG-TINI
Cimmarron Blanco Tequila, Licor 43, banana, agave simple syrup, a touch of dairy and a fun toy monkey. It’s tropical, quirky and part of our limited-time Summeritas menu.RHUBARB RUNNER
18th Street Barrel-Aged Rum and Cane Run Rum join forces with rhubarb simple syrup, lime and pomegranate juice, fresh ginger, and a rhubarb stalk garnish. Bold, tangy and totally crushable.BASIL-GIN COCKTAIL
Sun King American Gin meets pineapple juice, fresh basil, house-made peppercorn syrup, and tonic for a garden-fresh take on summer sipping. Spicy, herbaceous and delightfully refreshing.
Wherever summer takes you, let Sun King be your chill companion. Find our beers in stores across Indiana and visit our taprooms to try these new cocktails before they’re gone.
Drink fresh. Drink local. Stay cool.
Celebrate the 4th with Pineapple Whip
Launching today: Pineapple Whip, the newest release in our King’s Reserve barrel-aged beer series. Pineapple Whip is a Belgian-style Tripel aged in Jamaican rum barrels with pineapple, coconut, vanilla and lime. Inspired by a famous soft serve, Pineapple Whip is smooth, creamy and packed with sunny flavor.
Happy 4th of July! Whether you're celebrating with fireworks, cookouts or just kicking back with friends and family, we’ve got the perfect beer to add a tropical twist to your holiday:
Launching today: Pineapple Whip, the newest release in our King’s Reserve barrel-aged beer series.
🍍 Pineapple Whip
Belgian-style Tripel aged in Jamaican rum barrels with pineapple, coconut, vanilla, and lime
Inspired by a certain famous soft serve from a very large theme park in Florida, Pineapple Whip is smooth, creamy and packed with sunny flavor. We took a Belgian-style Tripel and gave it time to soak up the complex character of Jamaican rum barrels, then added a swirl of pineapple, coconut, vanilla and lime. The result? A vacation in a glass. It’s boozy, bright and unforgettable. Definitely a drink to help you savor the flavor of summer.
What’s King’s Reserve?
Some of you are very familiar with King’s Reserve while others may not be. So here’s a short and brief refresher. King’s Reserve is our most exclusive series of small-batch, barrel-aged beers. Every KR release has spent time aging in oak, pulling in rich, bold flavors that make each beer one-of-a-kind. They’re brewed for those who want something rare, refined and full of character.
Coming Soon: Cherry Busey Returns
Later this month, Cherry Busey is back! Our Flanders-style red ale aged in red wine barrels with tart cherries is funky, fruity and a fan favorite you won’t want to miss. So stay tuned for release date details.
Hope you have a happy and safe Independence Day!