347. Black Circle Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Spruce and Juice

This is a seasonal pale ale with spruce tips and grapefruit zest, and the first time I tried it, two or three years ago, I thought it was one of the strangest things I had ever tasted. Each year thereafter, though, it grew on me—to the point that it is now one of my favorite Black Circle beers. This year’s batch has a moderately strong flavor and a very smooth, almost sweet, mouthfeel. It’s not quite as aggressive as it’s been in the past, but it’s still awfully good.