439. Rochester Mills Beer Co. (Rochester, MI) - Chocolate Cheesecake Milkshake Stout

“Ale with milk sugars & cocoa nibs.”

Description is from the label on the can, rather than the purple prose on the Untappd page. There is a strong chocolate aroma and flavor up front that reveals a light, soft hint of cheesecake before a slightly cocoa-chalky finish. The cheesecake flavor doesn’t linger, though; and I sort of wish it would. Doesn’t change much as it warms up, and the flavors fade sharply from the first beer to the second. Starts out promising, but winds up disappointing.

Deep Thoughts #278

Know what else? Not everything you find offensive means to hurt you. Spare us some fucking time and grow a fucking spine, would you, please?

Deep Thoughts #277

You know what, stop this fucking cancel culture shit. Also, stop going to Spider-Man movies. Who the fuck are these mental furballs, anyway?

438. Black Acre Brewing Company (Indianapolis, IN) - Edelweiss

Okay, all the taproom menu says is “Czech Pilsner,” but I believe I saw on their page-that-shall-not-be-named that this beer is the result of a special crop of malt that was grown in Austria and sold to a handful of lucky breweries by some sort of lottery system, or first-come first-serve request. I don’t recall what the specifics of the malt were, but it’s supposed to be fancy and rare. The beer has a light, crisp floral note up front that drifts smoothly into an upright dry finish that takes on a sort of creamy citrus (or possibly honey) note as it warms up. I was intrigued by the 6.8% ABV notation on the taproom menu, because pilsners don’t typically get that boozy—but the cans advertise a more modest 4.8%. It’s not the best beer I’ve ever had, but it sounds like one of those deals that only comes around once, so I was very happy to be able to try it while it was available.

437. Prairie Artisan Ales (McAlester, OK) - Watermelon Girlfriend

“Sour ale with watermelon, sea salt, orange, lemon, lime, and natural flavor.”

I haven’t actually gone back over the list of all the beers I have tried, but I’m almost positive that this is the worst beer I have ever tasted. It has a moderate watermelon flavor, but it’s aggressively sweet. There are sour and salty tastes, but they don’t come close to balancing that burst of sweetness up front. Not pleasant in any way. The only reason I am dignifying its existence with any kind of comment is because it’s my first Oklahoma beer.

436. Scarlet Lane Brewing Company (McCordsville, IN) - Admire Amanda Wishin

“A Grapefruit, Lime, Honey, Ginger & Sea Salt Pale Ale. Scarlet Lane Brewing would like to share our Admiration for Amanda Wishin. As National President of Girls Pint Out & Indianapolis, Indiana’s Chapter Lead, she has brought thousands of women together in friendship, service & educational endevaors through that one great beverage, BEER. Cheers to Amanda Wishin for her dedication to Girls Pint Out & bringing so many women together.”

I don’t get much of the lime or honey, but the ginger rises nicely as it warms up; and the grapefruit adds some character to the bitter finish. The description made me think there would be too much going on here, but it works. Not the best Scarlet Lane beer I’ve ever had, but maybe the most interesting.