Drink it all in, Vindys fans

The Vindicator really packs a wallop.

I’m talking about The Vindicator Double IPA, which is a high-hop, high-alcohol craft beer that Birdfish Brewing of Columbiana will be pouring a week from today.

The brewpub is brewing up just one barrel – that’s 31 gallons – of the beer to serve at The Vindys vinyl record release listening party that night (next Thursday).

The Vindys, of course, are the excellent Youngstown rock band that features vocalist Jackie Popovec.

Birdfish Brewing is known for cranking out new beers at a rapid clip, and has produced dozens of recipes since it opened a couple of years ago. However, it rarely brews up a batch of The Vindicator Double IPA, so you know this is a special occasion.

The Vindys recently pressed their “Keep Going” album, which was released in April, onto vinyl. The band will be present at the next Thursday’s event at Birdfish (it starts at 8 p.m.), but will not perform.

The vinyl version of the Vindys album will be sold.

So will The Vindicator Double IPA.

Josh Dunn, co-owner of Birdfish Brewing, said his establishment likes to give a push to local bands.

As for The Vindicator Double IPA – that was named in honor of the newspaper you are reading right now.

“It’s also a cool name for a beer,” said Dunn.

I couldn’t agree more.

The only other time Birdfish brewed and sold The Vindicator was last year (they came up with the recipe about six years ago, when Dunn and his business partners were still just passionate home brewers).

“This will be only the second time you can buy it,” said Dunn, noting that the 31 gallons will probably only last a weekend or two.

Birdfish, by the way, is about to expand its production and raise its aim regarding distribution.

It has a new seven-barrel system that will go online in mid-December at its new production facility on Park Avenue, just down the street from the brewpub, which is on the town circle.

A seven-barrel system is a healthy size for a small regional brewer, said Dunn.

Birdfish will begin canning its products at its new facility and expand the number of bars where it is sold.