427. Blind Owl Brewery (Indianapolis, IN) - Summer Sun

“A Belgian classic, brewed true to style. Citrus notes, Belgian yeast spice, crisp with a dry finish.”

Great day in the morning! I loved the stuff Central State (now, sadly departed) brewed with Brett yeast, but for some reason, the Saison style has never done much for me—despite springing from similar yeast DNA. Looking back at my posts, I apparently never commented on something called Croc Spurs that Philip brewed for Black Circle. That was a lovely Saison with lemon and black pepper notes, as well as a pleasantly crisp finish. This Blind Owl offering was pleasantly boozy for the style (6.8%) and had a very nice Belgian yeast profile that was lively without quite being funky. This is the best thing I’ve had at Blind Owl so far, and I suspect that I will be re-thinking the Saison style from here on out, too.

426. Blind Owl Brewery (Indianapolis, IN) - None-the-Wiser

“This brew features different hops with every batch. Current hops: Mosaic, Citra, and Mandarina Bavaria.”

Drinks lightly for a 6.5% ABV and has a nicely balanced hop profile. Better than the other two Blind Owl beers I tried, but still unremarkable.

425. Indiana City Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Batten the Flashes

“Batten the Flashes is the newest release in our Craft Brew Doodle Crew, Hazy IPA Series. This 7.5% ABV juicy, hazy IPA featuring [sic] Meridian, Strata, Lotus, Sultana hops.”

Strong tropical fruit aroma and a soft, juicy flavor with a bite of alcohol at the end. Starts out crisp and smooth, but then deepens and develops an almost jammy quality that sort of makes me think of a boozy strawberry Pop-Tart. (Pop quiz, hotshot—frosted or unfrosted strawberry Pop-Tarts?) Not the best thing I’ve tried from Indiana City, but one of the more interesting ones. (The correct answer is unfrosted.)

424. Blind Owl Brewery (Indianapolis, IN) - Jumpy Germ

“A wheat ale brewed with white and red wheat. Hop additions of Amarillo and Cashmere. DDH for extra flavor.”

I usually think of hoppy wheats as being bright and crisp, but this one has the rich, piney flavor of an IPA. The tenderloin sandwich was better than either of the beers I tried.

423. Blind Owl Brewery (Indianapolis, IN) - Left Coast

It’s not listed on their website, and I didn’t photograph or compel to memory the description from the menu at the restaurant; but they describe it as their take on a West Coast IPA, and the menu lists two different kinds of hops, though, unfortunately, I don’t recall what they were. I disagree; I’m not sure it tastes like any kind of pale ale at all. It’s got a very light flavor, almost like a honeydew melon is waving at you from across the street. Modestly interesting, if uninspired.

422. Metazoa Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Manga-Roo

“Hopped with Lotus and Citra hops, this fruit-forward IPA, in collaboration with Condado Tacos, is bursting with mango and orange flavors.”

I probably tasted mango because the name of the beer told me that I was supposed to; but it was not a strong mango flavor. There was also a very bitter finish that I found (oddly) off-putting. Not bad, but definitely not the best Metazoa beer I’ve ever tried.

421. DuClaw Brewing Co. (Rosedale, MD) - The PastryArchy Root Beer Float

“Emulating aromas & flavors of the classic, all-American root beer-meets-vanilla ice cream concoction, this imperial brown ale with additions of vanilla bean & lactose will take you back to simpler times, bellying up to the soda fountain or mom’s kitchen table. Enjoy straight up, or poured over a scoop of ice cream for a special treat.”

The flavors are fairly light, but the vanilla and lactose smooth out the finish and take a good amount of the edge off of the high alcohol (8.7%). It’s got a pretty good balance, but I was hoping for a little more root beer flavor.

420. Scarlet Lane Brewing Company (McCordsville, IN) - Cold Brew Pale Ale

“Light pale ale brewed with Tinker Coffee’s Demeka Becha with notes of Orange, Rose and Lavender.”

Yummy. Best Scarlet Lane beer I’ve ever tried, and it ain’t close. Soft coffee flavor up front, and a smooth finish that is almost sweet. If that’s a balance between orange, rose, and lavender, then I’m a believer.

419. Scarlet Lane Brewing Company (McCordsville, IN) - Sammy Terry Citra Kölsch

No description apart from “Citra hopped,” which is pretty much what made me want to try it. I’m not big on the Kölsch style, but if you’re going to pimp some Citra hops, then we might be able to talk. It had a fruity flavor on the back end that almost tasted like strawberries—and a bitter finish, but it’s a Scarlet Lane joint, so what are you going to do? Nothing to write home about.