I had the pleasure of co-hosting "The Art of the Matter" on WFYI 90.1 FM from the Penrod Arts Fair. The four hour show was broadcast live from the grounds of the IMA. Billed as "Indiana's Nicest Day" - it truly was for me. And the 30 thousand others there.

Penrod runs free shuttles from various parking lots on the Butler campus. I parked my car at Clowes and walked across campus. It was breezy, warm and inviting. I stopped by Atherton Center to pay my respects to the late great Butler Blue 2. I had to say goodbye to the last of my 2 doggy boyz this year (Guinness went to doggy heaven in 2006 and Harp joined him this past January) - so I know the pain and sadness that Michael Kaltenmark and his family and the entire Butler community are feeling.

I walked past the Kappa Kappa Gamma house where I spent four fun years during my college stay at Butler. Walking "the row" reminded how much times have changed on campus both during the day and the night. Back in the mid 80's, if you were 21, you were allowed to walk from fraternity party to party with an open cup of beer or punch in hand. I remember turning 21 and starting to try wines like Riunite Lambrusco and Mateus and Canei at some of those parties. I haven't had any of those in years but I can recommend the Lo Duca Lambrusco which tastes like fresh cherries with bubbles. It is gulpably good. Mateus is a Portugese wine and I am a big fan of another label made by the same producer, the Gazella Vinho Verde. Canei is an EZ drinker from Italy. I recently tasted and loved the Castelvero Cortese. Much drier than Canei but just as enjoyable.

We had an eclectic line up of guests for our live broadcast. Plus WFYI's Matthew Socey hosting the outstanding local blues performers on the blues stage. NoExit Performance, the ISO, the IMA, The Phoenix Theater, Indy Fringe Theater, KP Singh, were just a few of the many local supporters of the arts who shared their thoughts with us live on the air.

And I got to interview Sean O'Connor of Flat12 Bierwerks and taste its "official" beer of the festival, "Penrod 22". The Kolsch style lager was named after the 22 men who founded the Penrod Society some 47 years ago. It's an invitation-only membership for men between the ages of 20 and 40. And the 150 members VOLUNTEER to run the yearly Penrod Festival.

Flat12 selects certain festivals to make specialty beers. Sean said brewers meet with festival organizers to find out what the theme, vibe and style of the event will be and then they create a recipe that reflects. Kolsch is a specific style from Cologne, Germany and like Champagne, can only truly be called Kolsch if it comes from that region. The water there is pure and distinctive and thus makes Kolsch a unique beer. But the "style" is also festive, refreshing and has great character. I sampled Penrod 22 and found it delightful.

It had a tropical fruity nose of pear and banana. The mouthfeel was smooth with a bit of zip and subtle tang on the finish. I tasted notes of tropical fruit and almond. The perfect beer for Indiana's Nicest Day.

www.flat12.me www.wfyi.org www.penrod.org