Downtown Muncie: Fickle Peach is Passionately Dedicated to Great Beer

By Asia Jureczko

MUNCIE, IN - Housed in what was once the old Muncie Banking Company, the Fickle Peach has creatively incorporated many of the bank’s features into the bar. The massive vaults, marble floors and intricate interior design concepts have all been put to use to make the Fickle Peach one of Muncie’s most interesting looking taverns.

Chris Piche, one of the owners and founders of the Fickle Peach, had a vision for the bar. Using the colossal vaults as beer coolers; uncovering the gleaming marble from its carpeted layer; keeping the elegantly designed, tin ceilings and implementing an expansive variety of local and specialty beer, has made the Fickle Peach one of Muncie’s favorite hangouts.

Piche, also known as “Peach”, claims he wanted to create a comfortable environment for the, “young professional.” Through his college years, working as a bartender while going to Ball State, he watched women get harassed and tormented at many of the local bar scenes.

“We wanted to make the Fickle Peach a gender neutral zone,” says Piche. “A place for men and women to come by after work and have a drink without making their spouses mad.” Indeed, Muncie being a college town, is certainly brimming with the “young professional” demographic.

This group wants quality beer, an interesting atmosphere and doesn’t want to risk their relationships, scholarships or education to a trouble-maker. “Three strikes and you’re out,” says Piche. The Fickle Peach supports 136 quality, craft beers, with a variety of specialty beers. Ten of the craft beers are locally brewed, right here in Indiana “...keeps money in state,” says Piche.

The Fickle Peach also offers ‘flights’ which are contented 5 ounce pours of any specialty beer to satisfy a curiosity for a never before tasted brew. The bar loves to show off its impressive collection with a variety of philanthropic events including local beer tastings and CICS work with Ball State.

“All Beers Considered” a local beer tasting headed by the Fickle Peach is sure to be an eagerly anticipated, great time this summer. Attendees look forward to this event coming up in September, 22nd this year at 2 p.m.

This event is in its sixth year running and having broken the 500 people attendance mark last year, the Fickle Peach is expecting an even greater turnout this year, in September at Muncie’s local Cornerstone Center for the Arts.

A specialized “Beer Class” will take place at 2 p.m. prior to the actual tasting where attendees can learn from the pros, the proper beer tasting technique. Once the event starts, the crowd will mingle through a collection of 10 different tables with 20 different beers, but choose wisely, as each individual gets 16 pours.

Don’t miss your chance to register for “All Beers Considered” this summer. With the Fickle Peach being a major sponsor, the afternoon is sure to be filled with new experiences alongside old friends.