Upland Brewing Co. releases HopRX, its first no-alcohol drink; Village Deli has beer, wine

Carol Kugler, The Herald-Times
Upland Brewing Company has released its first non-alcoholic beverage, HopRX, which features the flavor of hops without adding any calories, sugar or alcohol.
Upland Brewing Company has released its first non-alcoholic beverage, HopRX, which features the flavor of hops without adding any calories, sugar or alcohol.

Upland Brewing Co. recently released its first non-alcoholic beverage — HopRX. The drink features lime and citrus flavors derived from hops and has no alcohol, calories, sugar or carbs.

Samantha Marr, sales and marketing director for Upland, described HopRX more as a sparkling water than a non-alcoholic beer. Marr explained that anyone who wants the flavor profile of a beer won't find that with HopRX, with its floral and citrusy flavor.

"We just wanted to create a product that was derived from the natural properties of hops," she said. "It's like sparkling clear .. it is bubbly."

The RX in the name is a nod to the natural anti-inflammatory properties of the hops used in creating the drink as well as the vitamin C that's been infused. The goal was to create a water that can be enjoyed but also provides a little healthful boost for people who need to drink more water.

While HopRX is the first product of its kind to be released by Upland Brewing, Marr said it may not be the last. "The immunity blend is the first. ... We haven't created the next formula yet."

HopRX is available in 6-packs of cans at Kroger, Meijer and other grocery stores, as well as at Upland locations for carryout. It's also on tap at Upland locations and will be made available for tapping at other restaurants.

In the Upland locations with a three-way liquor license, Marr said HopRX has been mixed with gin and other spirits to create some new cocktails.

Based in Bloomington, Upland Brewing opened in 1998 and is the third largest brewery in Indiana with six locations in south-central Indiana. In addition to the production brewery in Bloomington, Upland's Wood Shop Sour Brewery is next to the Bloomington Brewpub, at 350 W. 11th St.

Village Deli now serving beer, wine

Last week, Village Deli added beer and wine to its offerings. Currently, the restaurant at 409 E. Kirkwood Ave. is offering bottled alcoholic beverages only.

So now, in addition to getting a Paxton's Patty Melt and a soft drink, you can add a glass of wine or bottle of beer to your order.

Winners of Bloomington Vegan Chef Challenge announced

During the month of August, various Bloomington restaurants and food trucks participated in the Bloomington Vegan Chef Challenge. The winners were chosen by patrons who dined at the places and then voted. More than 300 people cast votes.

Winners for the Bloomington challenge were:

The website for Bloomington Vegan Challenge is at veganchefchallenge.org/Bloomington. The challenge was sponsored by Vegan Outreach, an international nonprofit group.

Culver's adds pumpkin, pumpkin spice items to the menu

Culver's has added pumpkin frozen custard as well as salted caramel pumpkin concrete mixers and pumpkin spice shakes to its menu for the fall season.

On Oct. 26, pumpkin pecan frozen custard will be the flavor of the day at all Culver's locations. The custard has pumpkin pie frozen custard mixed with pieces of roasted pecans.

The salted caramel pumpkin concrete mixer starts with vanilla frozen custard and has pureed pumpkin and ribbons of salted caramel added in. The pumpkin spice shake has vanilla frozen custard mixed with pureed pumpkin and topped with cinnamon. The special mixer and shake flavors will be available now through Dec. 1.

Bloomington's Culver's is at 1918 W. Third St.

Apple tasting at Saturday's Bloomington Community Farmers' Market

This Saturday's Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market will host a free tasting of more than a dozen varieties of locally grown and heirloom varieties of apples from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Fernandez Plaza, at 401 N. Morton St.

Apple varieties available for tasting, and for sale at the farmers’ market, include:

  • Arkansas Black

  • Asian Pear

  • Crimson Crisp

  • Enterprise

  • Fugi

  • Golden Delicious

  • Granny Smith

  • Jonathan

  • Mutzu

  • Red Winesap

  • Rhode Island Greening

  • September Wonder

  • Winter Banana

A variety of popular and heirloom apples are available for sale at the market each fall. Bloomington Community Farmers’ Market is open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in September and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturdays in October.

Contact Carol Kugler at ckugler@heraldt.com

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Upland Brewing Co. releases HopRX, its first non-alcoholic drink

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