79. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Fruit Brüt

"Bone-dry, effervescent beer brewed with strawberry purée and orange peel."

Crisp and subtle and drinkable, but not quite as special as their original brut IPA. (And truth be told, that original was so good that I probably had my expectations raised to an unrealistic degree for this one.) Really looking forward to our visit to the Indiana City taproom next month.

78. Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL) - Anti-Hero

“Our flagship IPA is supremely aromatic, crisp, and drinkable. This iconic ale features a blend of Citra, Crystal, Centennial, and Chinook to create a crisp clean bitterness and imparts massive floral and citrus aromas. An American hop assault for all the ambivalent warriors who get the girl in the end. ‘Look, I ain’t in this for your revolution, and I’m not in it for you, Princess.’”

Bragging about the bitterness once again, but this one’s not so bad. They’re all kissing cousins, really. This one is possibly slightly more tropical than the other ones. Maybe. It’s definitely more balanced. In order, then…

1. Crystal-Hero
2. Anti-Hero
3. El Dorado-Hero
4. Cashmere-Hero

77. Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL) - Cashmere-Hero

“A mountain of flavors rise above this silky, Cashmere-hopped IPA—lemon, lime, and ripe cantaloupe with a touch of grapefruit.”

Still. Haven’t. Rinsed. Out. The. Mug. Also still sitting upright. Rated the least bitter of the three I have tried, this one actually feels at least as bitter as the one that bragged about its bitterness. The flavors are a little less pronounced in this one—or possibly my taste buds have gone numb—and when I read lemon and lime in the same sentence, I think of Sprite. That sort of kills it for me.

76. Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL) - El Dorado-Hero

“The continuing expedition for perfect hops has uncovered a new wonder-the-gold-veined El Dorado hop and its pear, watermelon, stone fruit and citrus flavor bounty.”

Anarchist, eh, White? Well, how about this? The mug was no longer frosty, but I didn’t rinse it out after I drank the Crystal-Hero. This one is less forthcoming than the Crystal-Hero, but the stone fruit sneaks up on you the same way. This Hero series in general seems to work better once they warm up a little. I got these in a 12-pack, and saved the last four to blog about all at once. I’ll rank them after the fourth, but they’re all moderately drinky, so I suppose that presumes that I am still able to sit upright after the fourth. Onward!

75. Revolution Brewing (Chicago, IL) - Crystal-Hero

“A crisp and refreshing IPA exploding with fresh floral hop character, named for a somewhat forgotten yet amazing hop variety named Crystal. A unique hopping program gives this beer a massive, clean bitterness and fresh hop aroma bursting with hints of citrus and fresh fruit.”

That bitterness is a little bit aggressive at first, but it makes way nicely for the bright lines of lemons and stone fruit. Maybe even a little tropical fruit action in there, after it warms up a little.

Deep Thoughts #178d

Also, if you think Black Panther and BlackKklansman would have been better Best Pictures, you should say why, and not just drop their names.

Deep Thoughts #178c

I know it’s so important to be as woke as possible, but what you meant to say is that more producers should be women and/or people of color.

Deep Thoughts #178b

Of course, with two decades of reporting experience, you know this; but it’s just easier to shit on Green Book by pretending that you don’t.

Deep Thoughts #178a

Brian Truitt’s self-righteous woke-ness would sound less foolish if someone had explained to him that producers get the Best Picture Oscars.

74. Elysian (Seattle, WA) - Dayglow

“A touch of wheat hazes the malt bill, softening this bright and crisp IPA. Dayglow is packed with juicy hops featuring pineapple and tropical fruit flavors and aromas.”

Definitely more balanced than some of the IPAs I have tried recently. Crisp and dry and drinky (7.4%), but still approachable. Sort of a refreshing change of pace.

73. 450 North Brewing Co. (Columbus, IN) - 450 Nugs

“450 Nugs is brewed with a 50/50 blend of Citra and Mosaic.”

The hazy New England IPA is quickly becoming one of my favorite styles, and this is a good one. Sweet and fruity with a nice tropical finish.

72. Black Acre Brewing Company (Indianapolis, IN) - Emodynamics

“Citra and Mosaic hops lend tropical aromas and flavors to this juicy India pale ale.”

Another semi-drinky (6.5%) pale with big fruit and tropical notes, but sweeter and less carbonated than Evil Czech’s Nefarious Harbor.

71. Black Acre Brewing Company (Indianapolis, IN) - TV Wolf

“A generous medley of citrus hops makes for a crisp, clean, and balanced everyday IPA with a smooth, decisive finish.”

Somewhere between everyday and special occasion, tropical and fruity up front, and pleasantly bitter on the back end. Maybe even a bit of lingering pine.

70. 18th Street Brewery (Hammond, IN) - Rise of the Angels

“Helping to resurrect your palette from the doldrums, Rise of the Angels bursts onto your tongue with a blast of grapefruit zest that is quickly followed by a parade of floral, citrus hops.”

And purple prose, but the beer is pretty good. Imperial IPAs sometimes go high on the alcohol just for the sake of going high on the alcohol, but this one is surprisingly moderate (7.7%) for the style. Very similar in flavor profile to the Evil Czech Nefarious Harbor I just tried, but more citrus forward and a little bit smoother.

69. Evil Czech (Mishawaka, IN) - Nefarious Harbor

“Our version of a New England/East Coast IPA. Very hazy with armoas of citrus and pine. Smooth and balanced with a delicate bitterness.”

Almost sweet, which I usually don’t like in a beer—but it works here. Tastes more like stone fruit than citrus to me, with just a hint of dry on the back end. Probably a little bit too drinky (7.2%) to have more than one of at a time, but I’m going to take one for the team and do a little experiment. I do get a little bit of lemon, and maybe a bit of orange, when it warms up a bit, but still mostly peach, and the slight ping from the alcohol. None of that is a bad thing; this is a lovely beer.

68. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Brüt IPA

“Straw-pale, bone dry, low bitterness & effervescent. Dry-hopped with Zythos for tangerine, grapefruit, pineapple aroma.”

Bright and fruity, but not overpowering. Just had one can as a sample from the gettin’ place, and I wish I had a few more. Only moderately boozy (6%), but it sort of sneaks up on you. Absolutely spectacular.

Deep Thoughts #177

Now here’s a shock: These ignorant Trump monkeys were from a segregated Jesus school in Kentucky. Sometimes the jokes just write themselves.

Deep Thoughts #176

Hang on…I’m not sure I can get my head around this. You’re saying that the prices at one of Martha Hoover’s Patachou spin-offs are too…high?

67. Hoosier Brewing Company (Greenwood, IN) - Shake-It! Milkshake IPA Strawberry

“A New England Milkshake Double IPA featuring a double dry hopping of Citra and Mosaic hops and a great touch of fresh strawberries.”

A bitter finish takes a little bit away from the playful pairing of the strawberries with the citrusy hops, and makes it less milkshake-y, too—but neither of those things makes it bad. Not quite as well rendered as its Cosmic Crush cousin, but still pretty good.

66. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Direwolf Diner Double Dry-Hopped IPA

“Whirlpool additions of Cashmere, Hallertau Blanc & Centennial. Double dry-hopped with Citra Lupulin powder.”

Big and fruity, with a little bit of a tropical note. Nice, bright, lemony finish.

65. Hoosier Brewing Company (Greenwood, IN) - Cosmic Crush Hazy IPA

“Loaded with Mosaic, El Dorado, and Amarillo hops for a juicy DIPA with dank overtones and hints of citrus and passion fruit with a piney flavor.”

Collaboration with Brew Link and Riverfront. Hoosier Brewing Company currently has a pop-up stand at Circle Centre* (near the food court), with samples and pints on tap and four-packs of tallboys to travel. The flavor profiles of the hops are really nice—tropical up front, and then citrus and pine coming up behind.

*At least...they had a pop-up at Circle Centre a week ago, when I started writing this. It might be gone now.

64. Central State (Indianapolis, IN) - Moon Machine

“A throwback to when humankind used to set goals just to see if we could do it. The pure pursuit of scientific achievement & glory. We dreamed of an IPA brewed with Indiana malted wheat & barley, loaded up with Citra, then double dry-hopped with Citra & Simcoe Cryo Hops—and we landed it.”

That funky Brett action plays really well with the tropical and fruit flavors from the Citra hops. What started out as a really dry, almost bitter, finish smooths out toward the end. Not as funky as some of the other Central State offerings I have tried.

63. Short's Brewing Company (Elk Rapids, MI) - Slurm Lord Double New England Style India Pale Ale

“Slurm Lord is a double New England style India Pale Ale brewed with oats and a blend of Citra, Azacca, Amarillo, El Dorado, and Mosaic hops.”

And lots more in the description on their website, but let’s just go with this for simplicity. Nice tropical notes up front and nice, but not overwhelming alcohol (at least for a double). The fruit seems to be hidden a little bit, and I probably should have talked it up before the fourth of four. Ah, well. Perhaps we’ll meet again, some day, on the avenue…

62. Triton Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Pale Splitter APA

“A brilliant and well-balanced, unfiltered American Pale Ale brewed with Cascade, Columbus, Galena, and Magnum hops then dry-hopped with Citra! A bright, citrusy 'Split' from the pale and drab.”

The four-pack I got was over-carbonated, but it is nicely balanced. A caramelly sweetness at first and then a bitter finish, but maybe a little too much variety with the hops. Nothing really stands out.

61. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Mythical Apothecary

“Whirlpool additions of Citra, Belma, and Falconer’s Flight, dry hopped with Amarillo, Zythos, & Citra Lupulin powder. This beer boasts massive lemon and tropical fruit flavors.”

Hazy like a milkhake and sharp like a challenging IPA, the flavors are a little bit muted by the alcohol, though this is not necessarily a bad thing. Give the lemon a couple of minutes to come to you. Indiana City is quietly doing some really lovely beer, and this is one of their best.

Deep Thoughts #175d

But without the white sheets and hoods, the only Republicans left on earth would be spineless afterbirths like Susan Collins and Jeff Flake.

Deep Thoughts #175c

Yeah, I know…if they had the intellectual capacity to formulate any good ideas, they wouldn’t be allowed to wear the white sheets and hoods.

Deep Thoughts #175b

The new Republican strategy seems to be to lie to pollsters or not respond at all. What if they used that energy to have good ideas instead?

Deep Thoughts #175a

What if Republicans could think instead of lie, or form their own opinions instead of taking orders from Fox News? The world may never know.

Deep Thoughts #174

Best thing about last night’s election is that Mike Delph now gets to shut his homophobic mouth and go the fuck home. Down with Republicans!

Deep Thoughts #173

People voted for Republicans last night. You are all ignorant. Every single one of you. The party of McConnell and Trump is no longer valid.

Deep Thoughts #172

Indiana is just a terrible state, filled almost all the way to the brim with ignorant bumpkins. I fucking hate that I live in this shithole.

60. Farm Island (Peak Brewing?) - Organic IPA

No description on the can, and no website, either. Scuttlebutt has it that this might be contracted to Trader Joe’s as a sort of once-removed house label. Very smooth and tropical, and since I also just had one of the aforementioned Citra Express ales from 18th Street, I’m on a little bit of a Citra overload. There is nothing at all wrong with that. And we’re going trick or treating soon. Fuck yeah.

59. 18th Street Brewery (Hammond, IN) - Citra Express Session Pale Ale

“All aboard the CITRA express! Like a rush hour train, we’ve packed more tropical, citrusy CITRA hops into this beer than should be allowed by law. Fare’s paid, next stop: Satisfaction.”

Love the Citra notes here, but even though it’s relatively punchy for a session at 5.8%, the flavor profile is very mild.

58. Evil Czech (Mishawaka, IN) - Evil Czechmunk

“Moderatly bitter American IPA with a medium dry body. A floral nose mingles with grape fruit (sic) and meyer lemon. Dry hopped with Centennial, Cascade and Ahtanum.”

I need to try this again when I haven’t been walking around the Irvington Halloween Festival all day, because it’s not even a little bit thirst-quenching. The flavors are spectacular, though. There’s a lot going on in this beer, but it’s pretty well-constructed. The bitterness makes it taste like it’s more potent than the 6.2% they advertise.

Deep Thoughts #171b

If you think it’s fake news because it was on CNN, you should ask your parents how often they dropped you on your head when you were a baby.

Deep Thoughts #171a

Hang on…are you telling me that science was right all along, and we’re to blame for global warming? What fucking dumb shit didn’t know that?

Deep Thoughts #170c

If you’re in charge of the weather, go wait in Harvey Weinstein’s hotel room until he comes out of the bathroom wearing nothing but a smile.

Deep Thoughts #170b

Since the rain fucks the Zombie Bike Ride every year, why don’t we cancel the motherfucker altoghether and think of something indoors to do?

Deep Thoughts #170a

Two years in a row rain has raped the Zombie Bike Ride. Whoever is in charge of the weather should be forced to have drinks with Bill Cosby.

57. Yee-Haw - IPA (Johnson City, TN)

“This IPA is the best of both coasts, with its West Coast style hop flavors and unfiltered New England style look. It packs a bitter punch while still being beautifully balanced. Medium bodied and straw colored, our IPA is true to style, with a strong fragrance of citrus and pine. For those who just can’t get enough hops, just say Yee-Haw!”

Balanced yes, but big and hoppy, not so much—though not in a bad way. The citrus is strong up front, and gets bigger as the beer warms up. I was impressed with almost nothing on our trip to the Smokies, at first (to be detailed in a National Novel Writing Month practice piece I still need to tinker with a bit); but now that we’ve been home a week, everything about the trip, including the beer, is beginning to reveal its charm.

56. Wiseacre Brewing Co. (Memphis, TN) - Ananda India Pale Ale

No description for this one, on their website or on the can. Very tropical flavor up front, with some moderate bitterness. There’s something a little bit round and sweet there, too—but just a little bit. I want to say it’s coconut, but I’m certainly no expert when it comes to sussing out the flavors in beer. Of the three I brought back from our trip to the Smokies, this is easily the most interesting.

55. Highland Brewing - Mandarina IPA

“Real oranges and citrusy hops blossom in this stunningly bright IPA.”

One of three regional beers I tried while we were in the Smokies a few weeks ago, from a brewery in Asheville, North Carolina. The flavors of both fruit and hops are very light, and it feels very refreshing at first, before giving way to a slightly bitter finish, just to make sure you don’t forget that it wants to be a hop-forward IPA.

54. 18th Street Brewery - Here Comes the Reaper

“An IPA coming in at 6.2% brewed with Mosaic and Chinook hops giving it a citrus boost with a spicy edge!”

I get more of a tropical taste than a spicy edge, but the light, lemony citrus is definitely in play. More refreshing and less aggressive than most IPAs.

53. Sun King - Foxy Jam Pants

“Foxy Jam Pants is an IPA brewed with a combination of southern hemisphere hops for balanced tart & juicy bitterness and cascades for a hint of citrus.”

A little bit pedestrian for a Sun King offering—especially a hoppy one—but somewhat made up for by a punchy 7% ABV, and very drinkable.

Deep Thoughts #169d

Every single one of you ignorant, racist peckerwoods needs to be at the zoo the next time a hungry tiger escapes and decides to eat someone.

Deep Thoughts #169c

Republicans who accuse Democrats of playing politics with Kavanaugh, after Mitch McConnell raped Merrick Garland, all need to die in a fire.

Deep Thoughts #169b

I feel bad for Mitch McConnell’s kids, biologically wired to love their dad, even though he is one of the worst human beings who ever lived.

Deep Thoughts #169a

Mitch McConnell is going to die one day, and I hope when he does that it is painful and he suffers and his children cry like fucking babies.

52. Taxman Brewing Co. - Exemption

“Claim an Exemption, our abbey-style tripel. This crisp golden ale unites lemon, orange peel and coriander spices with flavorful Belgian esters. White wheat, oat and artisan malts contribute a balanced body complemented by golden candi sugar.”

I’m not all that experienced when it comes to tripels, and the sugar part worried me a little bit; but they both manage to work to great advantage to at least partially mitigate the 8.5% ABV. I taste more banana bread than fruit, but I bet Shane would tell me that I need to let it warm up a little bit. It’s very smooth, and that 8.5% is a nice little punch on the back end. Taxman is one of my favorite breweries in the area, and this is one of the most interesting of their brews that I have tried.

51. Sun King - SKB IPA

“SKB IPA is an India Pale Ale brewed with American hops for long-lasting aroma and flavor.”

This one lands somewhere north of Osiris and south of GFJ, but is very drinkable for a punchy IPA. Much like GFJ, however, it mostly serves to remind me that the most interesting stuff Sun King is doing these days they are doing in the taprooms. (See how the lacing makes you fail to notice that I forgot to take the picture until it was almost gone?)

50. Metazoa Brewing Co. - Hoppopotamus

“A bright, citrus aroma from Citra and Mosaic hops balanced by a light sweetness from Vienna malt.”

Something I have learned about myself from this recent spate of beer tasting is that I don’t care for much in the way of malt nonsense getting in the way of what the hops and yeast are doing. And that’s the first thing I noticed here—a very noticeable sweetness cutting into the tropical Citra and piney Mosaic notes. (It gets somewhat bitter on the back end, too.) On the plus side, it helps to smooth out the 7.0% ABV, so that about halfway through the beer, I no longer cared about the malt intrusion.

Deep Thoughts #168

Quick, give me a Republican who isn’t a worthless, racist, cracker piece of unevolved shit. To quote George Carlin, “See, nobody can do it.”

Deep Thoughts #167

Lindsey Graham, ladies and gentlemen. As if the Republican party wasn’t enough of a morally bankrupt laughingstock. Die, you fucking monkey.

49. Sun King - GFJ

“GFJ is an American IPA crafted with a unique blend of hops to provide the tropical aromas and flavors of grapefruit, passionfruit, tangerine, and apricot.”

Sort of like a Daredevil Lift Off, but more fun, and not quite as aggressive as they would have you believe. Sun King has jumped the shark a little bit, setting the bar for Indiana craft beer and then becoming so popular that they have to spend a disproportionate amount of time making the house brews for the masses. They’re certainly not resting on their laurels, but if you want something really interesting from Sun King these days, you need to visit one of the taprooms.

48. Indiana City Brewing Co. - Kickoff

“Kickoff is a super juicy, pale ale featuring whirlpool and double dry hop additions of azacca hops and citra lupulin powder.”

I’m not sure about the “super juicy” part, but it's light and breezy and very drinkable. It’s got a little hint of funk to it, as well as a robust crispness that I have noticed in most of the other Indiana City offerings I have tried.

Deep Thoughts #166

Yes, Donald, they are out to get you. You are a lying criminal, and they are the police. That’s the way it works here, you fucking imbecile.

47. SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, GA) - Mosaic Single Hop Hazy IPA

“Watch those fall colors come out with this double dry hopped hazy IPA. Mosaic is packed with delicious hops giving it a citrus herbal fruity build with a crisp clean finish. This seasonal release IPA is a graduate from our Hatchery pilot brewhouse!”

I get a hit of pine whenever I taste the Mosaic hop, and this one is no exception. That’s not a bad thing, just something I get that is different from what they advertise. Super hoppy, nice and crisp, and dangerously deceptive. A really beautiful beer for when you want to talk about the flavors that hops can bring to the mix.

46. Chilly Water - The Wall Berliner Weiss

“A bit tart and sour making it a great summer beer.”

As I have said of all the other Berliner Weisses I have tried, it ain’t no Finn from Urban Artifact. The alcohol is a little high for the style (4.8%), but it’s also somewhat less aggressive in its flavor profile. The bronze winner of the three I tried on my recent trip to Chilly Water, but still a very, very good beer.

45. Chilly Water - Blood on the Tracks Blood Orange IPA

“Our ‘Feel Like a Stranger’ IPA infused with Blood Orange fruit emulsion.”

Surprisingly smooth and drinkable for something so boozy (7.4%). Big, sweet essence of orange without actually being sweet. This was my second stop at Chilly Water, but the first time I tried the beer. The food wasn’t very good the first time and wasn’t any better the second time—but the beer is spectacular. Grab a table outside and watch the people come and go along the Cultural Trail; Indianapolis is still a sleepy little burg in flyover country, but from that vantage point, you could almost believe that it has a chance to make it.

44. Flat 12 - Half Cycle IPA

“It’s a single IPA, light in color but not in flavor, hopped like a double with over 2lbs of dank American hops per barrel providing an over-the-top hop character that’s citrusy and piney.”

Bright and piney up front and then bitter going down. Like most Flat 12 joints, it’s very well crafted—they just don’t do it for me. I have no explanation.

43. Deer Creek - Deerfly American IPA

“An earthy American IPA with notes of tangerine and orange from superb alpha hops. Enhanced by a smooth malt backbone. As satisfying as an afternoon hike.”

Malt and hops are both subtle. Citrus profile is mild, but pronounced. Surprisingly smooth for the relatively high alcohol (6.8%).

42. Central State - Garden

“Garden Gose is our tribute to lightly tart and slightly slightly salty beers of Leipzig, Germany. We updated it a bit with the addition of lemon peel and a touch of cascade hops. Goseanna!”

Yes, and when you have been wandering around the state fairgrounds on a warm and sunny August afternoon, this is just the thing to pour into a frosty mug and quaff lustily when you get home. Fairly laid back for a Central State joint. Eminently drinkable and very low alcohol, even for the gose style.

Deep Thoughts #165b

Yes, all of you. You are ignorant and complicit, and it is time for you to end. Be sure your children get the message before they reproduce.

Deep Thoughts #165a

Sarah Sanders is a liar. Her boss is a liar. The Republicans permitted this sideshow and now they need to move to Guyana and drink Kool-Aid.

Make Way for Other Toys

The boy that you raised goes upside down, upside down, upside down...

41. Rhinegeist - Truth

“Rare are the moments of truth, when you’ve struck the last match, belting out tunes with your friends, staring deep into the campfire—times when you feel infinite. Our Truth is found in the scintillating brilliance of hops. Brewed with a nod to the Pacific, hops sizzle with tropical fruit aroma, grapefruit & mango notes and a dry finish.”

Nice and hoppy up front, and then it settles down into a slightly calmer, almost sweet, malty finish. There’s enough tropical punch in the hop profile to make me think that I probably prefer the hops that throw off citrus and pine.

Sixth Grade

Here is the sixth grade cycle of first day of school snapshots. Jackson starts middle school at a new school this year - the Sidener Academy for gifted students.

2012 - Kindergarten

2013 - First Grade

2014 - Second Grade

2015 - Third Grade

2016 - Fourth Grade

2017 - Fifth Grade

2018 - Sixth Grade

Deep Thoughts #164

So if you want people to know you’re sensitive, you have to tut-tut “transvestite hermaphrodite” if you write about Vonnegut and semicolons?

40. BrewDog - Elvis Juice

“Our naturally flavored India Pale Ale packs more fruit than the state of California. A zest zenith on the nose. Fruity foreplay gives way to a truckload of grapefruit and orange in an inter-state pile up of citrus. A frenzied fruit cocktail of flavor builds to a crescendo and a bitter finale leaves you screaming for more. Elvis Juice - the absolute King in a world of wannabes.”

Very easy drinking and refreshing, with just enough body to encourage moderation. It’s so hip to be aggressive with hops in the IPA category that you rarely get to experience fruit taking center stage. The opposite is true here, and it makes me want to have a go at other beers in this vein. Any recommendations?

39. Black Acre Brewing Company - Hop Pun Double IPA

“With healthy additions of five types of hops, this DIPA is bursting with flavor, offering a bright finish and an intense experience.”

Well, now, this one is drinky. I woke up on a garbage scow wearing wing tips and pasties, and I could still taste the bitter finish. It’s clean and bright up front, and then goes bitter and makes you fully aware of its 8.5%-ness. The five additions of hops must be some kind of swing at cutting down the alcohol and the malt bitterness, but none of the hop flavors really stand out for me. And I’m not about to pour a second one. This must be how Dumbledore felt after Harry made him drink the potion in the sixth book.

38. Grand Junction - One With Nature IPA

“Darker than most IPA’s, as we use caramel malts to help balance the beautiful bouquet of hops. A blast of passion fruit, grapefruit, lemon, berries, and pine aromas greet your nose as you take your first sip. This IPA features the perfect balance of malt and hops, bringing you ever closer to becoming one with nature!”

Nice citrus and tropical fruit up front, but a pretty bitter finish. Maybe not quite as balanced as they had hoped. Then again, I went ahead and opened a second one, so it can’t be that bad.