Indiana craft brewers are honoring one of the state's foremost female beer experts with a beer inspired by her work. Rita Kohn is a local playwright, documentarian and NUVO Newsweekly's long time beer columnist.

Elise Lockwood Servies of Scarlett Lane Brewing company worked with Broad Ripple Brewpub brewer Jonathon Mullens to create the recipe for the beer called "Hangin' Tough."

"We thought about all the different parts of Rita, she's very sweet, she's also kind of sassy," says Elise. "She's got a great solid body and backbone and she's always keeping all of us on our toes. We wanted to highlight those flavors in the beer, so that's how we came up with an oatmeal pale ale made with passion fruit and lemon," says Elise.

On Wednesday, March 22nd, the Broad Ripple Brewpub will host a special tasting event featuring the new beer. It will also be available for a limited time on tap at Scarlet Lane Brewing in McCordsville and in 22oz bombers at select Big Red Liquor Stores. Proceeds from Hangin' Tough go to fund Rita's newest project, a play about diversity that takes the stage at the Indy Fringe Theater in May. Proceeds from the play will support a local youth group. Information on the event and the beer at 5