120. Books & Brews (Indianapolis, IN) - Nancy

“Nancy is the perfect brew for the hop-head looking for a ton of tropical flavor - mango, passion fruit, and papaya. We used a little bit of a stronger malt backbone on this brew than you’d normally see in a Pale Ale in order to hold up to the massive dry-hopping additions.”

This is the first time I’ve seen something from Books & Brews out in the wild in something other than a bomber, and I was eager to try it, both because I’ve never had anything from Books & Brews and because I love Citra hops. Alas, that stronger malt backbone takes away some of the Citra joy and delivers a slightly bitter finish. Not bad, but a little disappointing.

119. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Undersea DMV

“This double dry hopped hazy IPA with lactose is the 16th release in the Craft Brew Doodle Crew series and features artwork inked by @invisible_hometown and colored by @ronlewthorn. The beer features whirlpool additions of Australian Summer hops and dry hop charges of both Comet and Amarillo.”

I’ve never heard of Australian Summer hops, but they supposedly deliver a nice “apricot and melon bouquet.” It has a soft fruit feel up front, and a boozy, dry back end. It also has a beautiful haze in the glass, and a sweet lactose mouthfeel. Not the best of the series, but damn. Indiana City. You know?

118. Upland Brewing Co. (Bloomington, IN) - Coastbuster

“Welcome back to the beginning. Coastbuster Imperial IPA launched our Side Trail Series in 2014. Testing the boundaries of space and place, we created a traditional West Coast Style IPA right here in the Midwest. It quickly deveoped a loyal following with its tropical, fruity, and floral notes along with a crisp, bitter (but not too bitter) finish. So, whether it’s for the first time or you’re welcoming back an old friend, kick back, relax, and enjoy our coast busting crew.”

Big notes of pineapple and stone fruit up front, and I think their description of the finish—crisp, bitter (but not too bitter)—is bang on. Becomes even more fragrant as it warms up, and I might be crazy, but I thought I detected a hint of licorice in there.

117. Collective Arts (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada) - Ransack the Universe

“Galaxy hops from Myrtleford, Victoria in Australia and Mosaic hops from Yakima, Washington, USA, deliver aromas and flavours of tropical fruits, mango and citrus. Light malt body lets the hops shine through, and finishes crisp but not bitter. A hemispheric hop mashup.”

Big fruit flavors up front, but I think it is somewhat bitter on the back end—especially after it warms up. I get a little bit of stone fruit to go with the tropical, and maybe a little bit of lemon after it really warms up.

116. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Hazy Tribute

“We kicked our classic Tribute APA up a notch by brewing it in the style of a Hazy Pale Ale—Double Dry Hopped solely with super dank Eureka hops for bright citrus aroma & a smooth finish.”

Very nice lemon and stone fruit notes up front, and just a hint of dank on the back end. More interesting than the original Tribute, but less so than the Craft Brew Doodle Crew offerings.

115. Sun King (Indianapolis, IN) - Brewtron 9000

“Brewtron 9000, the Official Beer of Gen Con® 2019, is an anime-inspired Tart Golden Ale with hibiscus, citrus, and yuzu.”

I’m not big on golden ales, but I love sours. This one is a nice combination of the two—crisp and bubbly, and a little bit tart up front, but smooth and rounded on the back end. The fruit and the flower pair very well. Though not overcarbonated, it bubbled like soda when I poured it into the mug. I’ve never seen beer do that.