567. Cedar Creek Brewing Company (Martinsville, IN) - Peanut Butter Porter

“We took our award-winner base porter and added the sweet and nutty flavors of peanut butter! Smooth in mouthfeel and body - a base of chocolate and malt (with a minimal bit of roast) are blended together with peanut butter to craft a beer like a peanut-butter cup in a can!”

Picked up a four-pack of this in Nashville last weekend, and the first couple I tried tasted very strongly of peanut butter—almost like a liquid Nutter Butter cookie; but this last one has a more balanced combination of chocolate and peanut butter, with a slightly chalky finish that reminds me of unsweetened cocoa powder. The ones that tasted strongly of peanut butter made me think for a second that this was a beer that might give Quaff ON!’s Peanut Butter Busted Knuckle a run for its money; this last one has disabused me of that notion. It’s not bad—it just has really stiff competition.

566. Cedar Creek Brewing Company (Martinsville, IN) - Haze Storm

“Haze Storm is Cedar Creek Brewing Company’s take on a New England IPA (NEIPA). Double dry hopped to the brim, the huge citrus notes carry through both the flavor and aroma and are accented by a soft and smooth mouthfeel. Finishing with a touch of sweetness, a bit of dankness, and a minimal hop bite, Haze Storm is incredibly refreshing and one of our most loved brews at the tap room!”

I didn’t even know this place existed. Found it by accident while we were walking around Nashville last weekend. This beer has all kinds of things going on; some of them are New England IPA-ish, and some are not. And you know what? It doesn’t matter. Regardless of what they call it, they have produced a beer that is delicious, satisfying, and complex; and it seems to get better with—quite literally—every single sip.