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.