299. Daredevil Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Hop Pilot

“A New England style IPA that showcases our love of aggressively hopped beers.”

Sweet, fruity, and very smooth, with some bright citrus on the back end as it warms up and lots of stone fruit up front. It has a deceptively light taste to it, and I’m not sure the word aggressive applies here. It’s really good, but I feel oddly indifferent toward it. Beer #300 is going to be Fountain Square’s Hop for Teacher—which seems sort of appropriate, considering what my wife does for a living.

211. Daredevil Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Rip Cord

“An abundance of American hops balanced with a hint of malt to produce an exhilarating experience of intense hop flavors and aromas.”

Nice stone fruit and tropical fruit up front, but not overpowering. The high alcohol sharpens the finish a little, but it still doesn’t taste like a beer that weighs in at 9.0%. If you’re having the kind of day that badly needs to be un-fucked, one of these bad boys will do the trick.

8. Daredevil Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Lift Off

“A bounty of American hops deliver the signature clean and crisp finish of a perfectly balanced West Coast style IPA.”

Aggressively hopped and punchy, like a spicy grapefruit wearing boxing gloves. I’m beginning to realize that it’s probably not a good idea to day drink this one if you still have things to do later. Sixteen ounces at 7.2%…yeah, you do the math. This is an aggressive and lovely West Coast IPA that would go toe to toe with Sun King’s Osiris. On the other hand, it’s exactly what it is, and nothing more. The finish is a little too bitter for my taste, and that bitterness tends to linger; but the citrus and spice up front are pretty good. A very good beer, but one at a time is probably enough. (Which for me is, indeed, damning with faint praise.)

7. Daredevil Brewing Co. (Indianapolis, IN) - Slipstream Pale Ale

“An exotic blend of hops provide a blast of flavor and break away aromas in a golden ale built for maximum momentum.”

Nice balance and strong hops, but more refreshing than aggressive. Feels to me like it might be a bit heavier than the 5.5% they advertise on the can. Approachable and uncomplicated, this is another one that would be good to talk about, if perhaps not quite as much as the One Night in Bangkok at Cannon Ball.