Restaurant
Unclaimed profileThe Rathskeller
Indianapolis, IN · $$
Inebrious
Beverage Program Score
The editorial take
The Rathskeller's beverage program leans heavily on a deep beer list—12 imported drafts and over 50 bottled imports—plus an extensive wine list spanning champagne, white, and red. Specialty cocktails are promoted, and banquet packages include house or premium liquors. House-label wines and German classics anchor a solid, traditional selection.
- What should I order?
- Start with a flight of the 'Original Six' draughts, which includes Bell's Rathskeller Amber, to sample the range. For wine, the Gewürztraminer from P.J. Valckenberg offers a German accent at $10.50 a glass. If celebrating, the Moët et Chandon Brut Imperial at $150 a bottle is a splurge worth considering.
- Who will enjoy this place?
- Anyone who appreciates a serious German beer selection will find familiar favorites like Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock and Schneider Weisse. Wine drinkers can explore house-label Napa Chardonnay and Cabernet, while those avoiding alcohol have a dedicated menu with coffee, teas, and juices.
- What should I expect to spend?
- Non-alcoholic drinks run $3.75 to $5.00. House-label wines are $9 per glass or $28-$30 per bottle, with imported selections like the Gewürztraminer at $10.50. For groups, open bar packages with house or premium liquors range from $28 to $35 per person.
- What makes the beverage program distinctive?
- The Kellerbar's 12 imported drafts and 50-plus imported bottles create a rare German beer focus. The house-label Rathskeller wines, bottled for the venue, add a proprietary touch. Specialty cocktails are explicitly promoted, rounding out a beverage program with genuine range.
Beverage categories
We only score what a venue sets out to do. Categories a venue doesn't attempt are left unscored rather than penalized.
Cocktails
Specialty cocktails are a stated focus, and banquet options include mixed drinks and cocktails. House liquors appear in open bar packages, but no individual cocktails are named on the public menu.
Menu strengths
- — Homepage explicitly promotes specialty cocktails, indicating a dedicated cocktail effort.
- — Banquet cash bar options include mixed drinks and cocktails, extending cocktail availability to events.
Standout selections
- — Banquet beverage information references 'mixed drinks' and 'cocktails' in cash bar options.
Pricing: Open bar packages $28-$35 per person
Wine
The wine list covers champagne, white, and red by glass and bottle. House-label Chardonnay and Cabernet from Napa offer value, while a Moët et Chandon Brut Imperial tops the list at $150.
Menu strengths
- — Extensive wine list with multiple varietals and regions, from Napa to Germany.
- — Rathskeller label wines provide a proprietary option at $28-$30 per bottle.
- — Glass and bottle pricing for many selections allows flexible ordering.
Standout selections
- — Moët et Chandon Brut Imperial – $150/bottle – Champagne from Epernay, France.
- — Gewürztraminer, P.J. Valckenberg – $10.50/glass, $37.50/bottle – Pfalz, Germany.
- — Rathskeller House Select Chardonnay – $9/glass, $28/bottle – Napa Valley.
Pricing: Glasses from $9.00; bottles from $28.00 to $150.00
Beer
A German-heavy beer list features classics like Ayinger Celebrator and Schneider Weisse, alongside American craft IPAs. The Kellerbar stocks 12 imported drafts and over 50 imported bottles, making this a serious beer destination.
Menu strengths
- — Kellerbar offers 12 imported draft beers and over 50 imported bottled beers, a substantial selection.
- — Beer menu spans German, European, UK, and American craft styles, providing breadth.
- — 'Original Six' draught sampling includes Bell's Rathskeller Amber, a venue-specific option.
Standout selections
- — Ayinger Celebrator Doppelbock – a very strong, rich, profoundly dark beer.
- — Schneider Weisse – the world's oldest wheat beer from Bavaria.
- — Bell's Rathskeller Amber – part of the 'Original Six' draught sampling.
Pricing: Not listed for individual pours; imported draft kegs from $500
Nonalcoholic
A dedicated non-alcoholic menu includes soft drinks, coffee, iced tea, hot tea, Sprecher's, milk, juices, lemonade, and hot chocolate. Prices are modest, and the variety rivals the alcoholic options.
Menu strengths
- — Dedicated menu with a wide range: sodas, coffee, teas, Sprecher's, juices, and more.
- — Hot tea comes in a wide variety of regular, flavored, and herbal options.
- — Clear individual pricing makes it easy to order without surprises.
Standout selections
- — Hot Tea – $5.00 – wide variety of regular, flavored, and herbal teas.
- — Coffee – $3.75 – regular, decaf, and hazelnut.
- — Juice – $5.00 – orange, grapefruit, cranberry, pineapple, tomato.
Pricing: $3.75-$5.00 per item
Spirits
Spirits are offered through banquet packages, with choices between house and premium liquors.; Banquet open bar packages include house or premium liquors, offering choice.
Menu strengths
- — Banquet open bar packages include house or premium liquors, offering choice.
- — Pricing from $28 to $35 per person reflects a range of spirit quality levels.
Standout selections
- — Banquet beverage information mentions 'house liquors' and 'premium liquors' in open bar packages.
Pricing: Open bar packages $28-$35 per person
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