643. Hardywood Park Craft Brewery (Richmond, VA) - Tangerine Cream Ale

“A most extraordinary dessert-on-a-stick inspired beer, this tangerine cream ale will bring you back to the days of running after the ice cream truck for a citrusy treat. Tangy tangerine and bright, juicy orange notes melt away to reveal layer upon layer of sweet vanilla cream in the finish. Perfect on its own, or paired with your favorite tangerine cream bars.”

I picked this up on a lark as we were heading toward the checkout line at Trader Joe’s the other day…sure that its prominent place at the end of one of the aisles meant that it was from one of those fake breweries that are fronts for Trader Joe’s house brands. But it turns out that Hardywood Park is a real brewery…and it also turns out that I have not logged a beer from Virginia over the course of this odyssey. I know I’ve tried beers from Virginia, but after I looked at my notes, I realized that those were from our trip to Shenandoah National Park in 2016, before I started this whole beer blogging thing. This one gets me to 31 states.

Okay, fine, get on with it, right? How is the beer? There’s more cream flavor than citrus flavor, but it’s still well balanced. Those flavors are sweet up front, but there is just enough of a dry finish to double down on that solid balance. And at 6% ABV, it’s a little bigger than most cream ales. A slightly stronger citrus flavor would not be unwelcome, but that is truly picking at nits; this is the best non-Kismetic beer that I have tried in I can’t remember how long.

642. Prairie Artisan Ales (McAlester, OK) - Rainbow Sherbet

“While our imperial stout, Bomb!, is our brewery’s true flagship beer, we’ve brewed and sold more Rainbow Sherbet over the last few years than any other beer, and it’s not close! Now sold across the world, Rainbow Sherbet is sweet, sour, and is exactly as advertised. A sour ale that tastes like a melted rainbow sherbet ice cream cone. Easy drinking at 5.2% ABV and available pretty much everywhere we sell beer, all year long!”

This is the sort of thing that I want to like…but don’t. The sherbet flavor comes through best in the first couple of sips when it’s good and cold, and then it plays second fiddle to the sour taste. I don’t necessarily think this is bad—it just doesn’t work for me.

641. Bloomington Brewing Co. (Bloomington, IN) - Quarrymen Pale Ale

“A classic, American-style pale ale. Cascade finishing hops contribute to this beer’s well-defined hop flavor and aroma.”

It was so hot and humid in Bloomington this week that I could not be bothered to walk the handful of extra blocks it would have taken to get to Big Woods on Grant Street rather than the big Big Red on College. (To say nothing of the fact that Big Woods would not have had anything for Amy to drink.) So I opted instead for spending too much money on a couple of four-packs of Bloomington/Nashville beers that I don’t come across all that often up here. Is Quarrymen a great pale ale? No. Is it perfectly serviceable? Yes. (It also has really nice “cover art” on the can, which, combined with the “cover art” on Rooftop, should make anyone whose soul is inextricably tied to Bloomington, Indiana, think immediately of Breaking Away.) Does it have any properties I feel compelled to remark upon? Unfortunately, no.

Taproom: Heartwork Brewing (Bloomington, IN)

This was the one thing I really wanted to do while we were in Bloomington for a couple of days to ourselves this week; and oddly enough, it would up probably being the highlight of the trip. (It was, once again, too fucking hot and humid to do much outside—this has been the refrain for far too many of our recent trips to Bloomington, whether just for the day or for a “three-day weekend"—so we went for as much A/C as possible.) Amy got wrapped up in the soccer game on TV, I made notes on the three beers I tried—and we both ogled the pizzas that pretty much everyone else in attendance yesterday partook of but us. They don’t have much to drink for non-beer people, but we both thought the pizzas looked really good, so I’m pretty sure I can squeeze one more trip here out of her.

638. Heartwork Brewing (Bloomington, IN) - ENS Hazy IPA
“Our newest hazy! Featuring Nelson Sauvin and El Dorado hops. Notes of lychee, berry, and pear. Cheers!”
Very bitter up front and all the way through to the back end, for most of the beer. It softens a very small amount as it warms, but I don’t get any berry or pear (and I have no idea what lychee tastes like). I thought of grapefruit pith, but it didn’t have the flavor of grapefruit at all—just the bitterness you’d get from the pith. It’s also very hazy, which I usually associate with East Coast IPAs that tend to be on the sweet side and taste of stone fruit; but other than the haze, it has nothing in common with that style, either. And yet…oddly compelling. Thought about getting this for the crowler I was going to take home, but it wasn’t quite interesting enough (and their crowlers are too expensive). Doesn’t tell you whether I liked it or not, does it? Probably because I’m not sure myself.

639. Heartwork Brewing (Bloomington, IN) - South Hall
“Session IPA, Brewed for the Little 500 Race.”
The menu board above the bar said something about stone fruit, but to whatever degree these cats excel in brewing beer and making pizza, they do not also excel in advertising and using words to make the rest of the world want to try their beers. This one (4.8% ABV) is clearly a session (and not in a good way)—there is almost no body or flavor up front—but there is a hint of a dry (or possibly bitter) finish on the back end. As it warms, though, the stone fruit opens up—more so than whatever the hell is animating the ENS Hazy. Unfortunately, that’s not enough to push this into the ring with the interesting beers. Seems to have been a mistake to cast this one as a session; the flavor profile this one hints at would have worked much better at a higher ABV.

640. Heartwork Brewing (Bloomington, IN) - Czech Pilsner
“This lager is made exclusively with Czech Saaz hops, lending to the distinguishable biscuity malt flavors. These Bohemian styles are higher in gravity and darker in color than their German counterparts. Compared to our own German Pilsner, this Czech is sweeter, maltier, and has a richer, fuller body. Smooth, creamy textures and highly drinkable.”
They tapped this from a LUKR side-pull, which I don’t know…well…anything about. Is it possible that the fancy pour had something to do with why I thought it was the best of the three beers I tried while I was there yesterday? I have no idea. It was sweet up front and dry (but not bitter, like the other two) on the back end. There’s also something floral or herbal (and pleasant) on the nose and up front that I could not quite place; and I thought I got a hint of honey as the beer warmed. This is the one got a crowler of to take home, to I may update this part of the post. Of the three I tried yesterday, this was both the most interesting and the one that I liked the most.

637. Saucy Brew Works (Cleveland, OH) - Juicy ASAP

“Our best-selling IPA boasts a deep gold hue with an opaque sheen. Dripping with ripe mango, vibrant orange peel, and a medley of hops, including Citra, and Sabro, this brew delivers a juicy profile that’s simultaneously crisp and subtly bitter, ensuring a flavorful burst in every sip.”

637 beers into this odyssey, and this is just the second time that the word opaque has appeared—and the first time that that word has appeared in the description offered by the brewery. I picked up a six-pack of these during a refueling stop on the way back from New York on Thursday. The flavor is very light, whatever it is—I get stone fruit, and I guess that could be mango; but I can’t exactly seem to put my finger on it (h/t to “Weird Al” Yankovic). Doesn’t taste remotely like it’s 6.5% ABV, which would be good if the flavor were a little more pronounced—but it isn’t.

630. Kismetic Beer Company (Indianapolis, IN) - My Dog’s From Denver

“Collaboration beer brewed by more than 13 local Indiana breweries. Featuring El Dorado and Chinook hops with a touch of Cascade. 6% of sales are donated to FACE animal clinic.”

UPDATE - 6/14/26
Finally located this beer in cans today, at the new Sahm’s joint called Big Lug Filling Station, which took over the space that used to be Garfield Brewery. The label on the can lists all 13 breweries that were involved in the collaboration, which is a nice touch. Hopefully the verbiage on the label that says, “A Truly Local Collaborative Series” means that these cats will get together again and produce something just as good as this one.

This is a new 7.4% American Pale Ale that they have just tapped, and it’s the first beer I can remember having here that has a name. It’s definitely one of the biggest beers they have ever served. Smooth and caramelly up front, with a slightly bitter finish that holds up through the first several sips. There’s a vaguely fruity flavor that might be cherries or almonds, and the overall flavor might be what is so often bandied about as “dank.” The bitter finish softens a bit as the beer warms, but the fruit stays just out of arm’s length. With 12 other hands in the mix, though, no way to know how much of this is Ryan; but it’s one of the best beers I’ve ever had here, though not my favorite.

636. Kismetic Beer Company (Indianapolis, IN) - Barrel-Aged Coffee Porter

So they haven’t posted this on their website yet, so I can’t give a description. I tried one tonight at the taproom, and it was very good. It’s dusted with something that smells like nutmeg, and there’s a big bite of alcohol up front on the first sip. Some whisky flavor from the barrel, but it’s not overpowering; and it’s very lightly carbonated. Not much coffee flavor, but there is a dry hint on the back end that could be coffee, or chocolate malt. It’s an excellent beer, and I am looking forward to the next one.

635. Gatlinburg Brewing Company (Gatlinburg, TN) - Don’t Feed the Bears

No description other than “American Brown Ale” on their website, and the version I brought four of back in cans is the plain, non-variant version. The one I tried in the taproom—over a month ago—was a peanut butter and jelly variant that I recall being very fine. (And of course I didn’t write down any notes on it.) There is nothing particular to remark about this beer, though it is a fine example of the style—dark and rich, but also smooth and crisp. The 6.7% ABV gives it a little bit of extra heft, and just thinking about it takes me back to our delightful trip to the Smokies last month—so I would probably love it even if it weren’t very good; but it is.

634. Haymarket Beer Co. (Bridgman, MI) - Relief Peacher

They can’t seem to make up their minds about what this beer is, so I’m going to shoot from the hip here. (The label on the can says “India Pale Ale with peaches,” and the website says “American IPA w/ White Peaches.”) Sweet stone fruit up front, and a nice bitter finish.

633. Moontown Brewing Company (Whitestown, IN) - Chain O’ Lakes

“This is our 17th Pints for Parks beer! Chain O’ Lakes is near the Fort Wayne area and loaded with plenty of trails, history, and of course lake activities. Brewed with Pilsner and white wheat. Simcoe and CGX Comet bring citrus, pine, lemongrass, and serious dankness. Crisp, dry, and boldy bitter.”

Yes, and that pine is very evident up front. I would like to say that I can taste the lemongrass, but alas, I cannot. Gets almost biscuity or malty as it warms.

632. Gatlinburg Brewing Company (Gatlinburg, TN) - Breakfast Juice

“Tropical fruit flavors and aromas are complimented [sic] with a pillowy mouthfeel in this interpretation of a New England IPA.”

The beers I tried in the taproom were much better than this one out of a can; I genuinely can’t come up with anything to say about this beer. Yes, there is fruit there; but it tastes more like stone fruit than tropical fruit to me, though whatever that flavor might be is light. That said, I maintain a species of affection for it, because the Gatlinburg outpost of this company is a very lovely place to sit and have a drink. We went twice, sat at the same table both times, and were both dismayed and amused by the fact that there was a Trump Store across the street. I was a tiny bit disappointed with the pizza, but the service was exceptional. If you go, ask for Rachel.

631. Smoky Mountain Brewery (Gatlinburg, TN) - IPA

“A west coast American IPA. Small amounts of honey malt and biscuit malt balance beautifully with loads of late-addition aroma hops.”

I got a six-pack of these to go and was unimpressed with the three I had while we were still in Gatlinburg. However…the one I’m having at home right now, poured into the frosted mug, has a strong bready aroma on the nose, a much smoother finish, and a hint of honey on the back end. It’s so much more interesting than I originally thought that I almost wish I had tried one on tap while we were in Gatlinburg. (But not really. Some of the other Smoky Mountain Brewery beers I tried were just straight up bad. I would say that you shall hear, except that I only had one each of the other four I tried; those were all in the restaurants; and I didn’t make notes about any of them. Journalistic ineptitude strikes again!)

629. Big Lug Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Gatekeeper

The descriptions are all over the place, so instead we’re just going to shoot from the hip on this one. It’s possibly the richest coffee stout I have ever tasted. The coffee flavor hits up front, and then lingers into the dry finish on the back end. The can says 6.66% ABV (which I can totally appreciate), and it sort of feels like it. Everything smooths out as it warms, and it remains one of the best stouts I have ever had—and easily the best Big Lug joint I have ever had.

628. Left Hand Brewing Co. (Longmont, CO) - Peanut Butter Milk Stout

“Rhythm and Blues. Batman and Robin. Peanut Butter and Chocolate. These classic duos never go out of style. Enter Peanut Butter Milk Stout. We took the pure milk chocolate bliss of our classic Milk Stout and added peanut buttery goodness. It’s like an adult peanut butter cup you can drink. It’s rich and decadent on the palate and lusciously lingers into a nutty, dry finish. A perfect pair you’ll want to share.”

Um. Since the writing is fucking terrible, I’m going to ignore the description. The first little taste of the beer, though, was pure magic—possibly the most peanut butter flavor I have ever experienced in a beer. Unfortunately, the peanut butter part gets lost in the other milk stout bits upon subsequent sips and as the beer warms. It’s also a touch too sweet for the ABV (6.2%). Not bad, by any means—but no match for Peanut Butter Busted Knuckle, either.

627. Brewery 33 (Logan, OH) - CCC Coconut Cream Ale

“Smooth cream ale with coconut flavors.”

Tried this in the taproom a couple of days ago, and it was the best first sip of a beer I have had in a long time. There was light coconut flavor up front, and then the back end filled in with the almost-vanilla smoothness of a fine cream ale. The second one in the taproom the next day wasn’t as good as the first, but became more interesting as it warmed. The two out of the crowler (one last night at the cabin and one today after we got home and the bottle had bounced around in the car for four hours), also were not as good as the first—but contained echoes of that excellence. This place has come a long way since the first time we visited, four years ago while the world was still shitting the bed. That time, there wasn’t anything for Amy to drink, so I only had one beer and got some cans to go. This time, Amy tried a flight of mead and really enjoyed it. Just be sure to plan your visit for when it’s nice enough to sit outside, because the inside space is small and the bartenders can be surly.

626. Short’s Brewing Company (Elk Rapids, MI) - Pure Michigan® Fall IPA

“When fall arrives the air changes. You can smell it before you see the leaves start to change. And by the time the rolling glacial hills of our backyard finally explode with color so splendiferous you can see it from space, the harvest of the hops and malts we use in our Products of Passion is well underway. It’s tough to pick a favorite season, but fall is pure magic in Pure Michigan®.”

Um. That’s from the can; what they have on the website is only marginally better. Strong flavor of pine, especially as it warms. There’s also something soft and fruity that I can’t quite pin down. I’m going to go with stone fruit and maybe a tiny sliver of lemon zest. Another excellent Short’s joint.

625. Lakefront Brewery (Milwaukee, WI) - Pumpkin Lager

“Real pumpkin and pie spice join Munich and caramel malts in our brewhouse, then lager for four weeks in our cellar, and come together with all the flavors of a lush pumpkin pie.”

And on the can it says, “Lager brewed with real pumpkin, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, cloves and mace.” I think I can taste the mace. (This is a bad joke, which means it has a good chance of being confirmed as the next Secretary of Defense.) The cinnamon leads the way and sort of buries everything else, but the general effect is solid; and all of that baking spice imparts an unusually dry finish for a lager. The 6.1% ABV is just icing on the cake. I haven’t made a list of the best pumpkin beers I’ve tried, but this would have to be top five.

624. Little Kings (Cincinnati, OH) - Cream Ale

I seem to remember being a young child once, and that my uncle from California did not come around much. When he did, and he came to our house (double down on the “did not come around much”), I seem to recall that he sometimes brought six of these to share with my dad. I might be misremembering that; but there are very few people left alive on Earth who could say for sure that I am. Regardless, my dad and my uncle both enjoyed beer; and I am almost positive that this is one they enjoyed together at some time in the past. I’ve always sort of wanted to try one, so here we are; and it tastes just fine, though with all of the memories kicking around in the background of it, I would probably dote on it even if it tasted like cat piss. (It does not.)

623. Dogfish Head (Milton, DE) - Punkin Ale

“A full-bodied brown ale brewed with real pumpkin, brown sugar, allspice, nutmeg & cinnamon. Enjoy smooth pumpkin & fall spices.”

Oddly light for its 7% ABV, but the flavors work well together. This and the previous two came from the same variety pack and were all just a tad too carbonated. It’s possible I have come to like seasonal pumpkin ales too much, and have therefore ratcheted my expectations up to an unrealistic degree. I’m not sure if this beer is disappointing or if it’s just not quite as good as the previous two. (But again, I have two more cans and will almost certainly revisit.)

622. Dogfish Head (Milton, DE) - Raison D’Etre

“First released in 1995 at our brewpub, Raison D’Etre is a deep mahogany, Belgian-style ale brewed with beet sugar, raisins & a sense of purpose. Enjoy the complex fruits & rich maltiness that make this beer so distinct.”

This is a spectacular combination of flavors that almost tastes like the oatmeal with raisins that my mom used to make for breakfast when I was a kid. It opens up beautifully as it warms, and the high ABV (8%) balances the sweetness from the raisins and the beet sugar very well. Not sure it needs the Belgian yeast with everything else that’s going on; but I’ve got two more cans from the variety pack, so maybe we’ll revisit.