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.