52. Taxman Brewing Co. - Exemption

“Claim an Exemption, our abbey-style tripel. This crisp golden ale unites lemon, orange peel and coriander spices with flavorful Belgian esters. White wheat, oat and artisan malts contribute a balanced body complemented by golden candi sugar.”

I’m not all that experienced when it comes to tripels, and the sugar part worried me a little bit; but they both manage to work to great advantage to at least partially mitigate the 8.5% ABV. I taste more banana bread than fruit, but I bet Shane would tell me that I need to let it warm up a little bit. It’s very smooth, and that 8.5% is a nice little punch on the back end. Taxman is one of my favorite breweries in the area, and this is one of the most interesting of their brews that I have tried.

51. Sun King - SKB IPA

“SKB IPA is an India Pale Ale brewed with American hops for long-lasting aroma and flavor.”

This one lands somewhere north of Osiris and south of GFJ, but is very drinkable for a punchy IPA. Much like GFJ, however, it mostly serves to remind me that the most interesting stuff Sun King is doing these days they are doing in the taprooms. (See how the lacing makes you fail to notice that I forgot to take the picture until it was almost gone?)

50. Metazoa Brewing Co. - Hoppopotamus

“A bright, citrus aroma from Citra and Mosaic hops balanced by a light sweetness from Vienna malt.”

Something I have learned about myself from this recent spate of beer tasting is that I don’t care for much in the way of malt nonsense getting in the way of what the hops and yeast are doing. And that’s the first thing I noticed here—a very noticeable sweetness cutting into the tropical Citra and piney Mosaic notes. (It gets somewhat bitter on the back end, too.) On the plus side, it helps to smooth out the 7.0% ABV, so that about halfway through the beer, I no longer cared about the malt intrusion.

Deep Thoughts #168

Quick, give me a Republican who isn’t a worthless, racist, cracker piece of unevolved shit. To quote George Carlin, “See, nobody can do it.”

Deep Thoughts #167

Lindsey Graham, ladies and gentlemen. As if the Republican party wasn’t enough of a morally bankrupt laughingstock. Die, you fucking monkey.

49. Sun King - GFJ

“GFJ is an American IPA crafted with a unique blend of hops to provide the tropical aromas and flavors of grapefruit, passionfruit, tangerine, and apricot.”

Sort of like a Daredevil Lift Off, but more fun, and not quite as aggressive as they would have you believe. Sun King has jumped the shark a little bit, setting the bar for Indiana craft beer and then becoming so popular that they have to spend a disproportionate amount of time making the house brews for the masses. They’re certainly not resting on their laurels, but if you want something really interesting from Sun King these days, you need to visit one of the taprooms.

48. Indiana City Brewing Co. - Kickoff

“Kickoff is a super juicy, pale ale featuring whirlpool and double dry hop additions of azacca hops and citra lupulin powder.”

I’m not sure about the “super juicy” part, but it's light and breezy and very drinkable. It’s got a little hint of funk to it, as well as a robust crispness that I have noticed in most of the other Indiana City offerings I have tried.

Deep Thoughts #166

Yes, Donald, they are out to get you. You are a lying criminal, and they are the police. That’s the way it works here, you fucking imbecile.

47. SweetWater Brewing Company (Atlanta, GA) - Mosaic Single Hop Hazy IPA

“Watch those fall colors come out with this double dry hopped hazy IPA. Mosaic is packed with delicious hops giving it a citrus herbal fruity build with a crisp clean finish. This seasonal release IPA is a graduate from our Hatchery pilot brewhouse!”

I get a hit of pine whenever I taste the Mosaic hop, and this one is no exception. That’s not a bad thing, just something I get that is different from what they advertise. Super hoppy, nice and crisp, and dangerously deceptive. A really beautiful beer for when you want to talk about the flavors that hops can bring to the mix.

46. Chilly Water - The Wall Berliner Weiss

“A bit tart and sour making it a great summer beer.”

As I have said of all the other Berliner Weisses I have tried, it ain’t no Finn from Urban Artifact. The alcohol is a little high for the style (4.8%), but it’s also somewhat less aggressive in its flavor profile. The bronze winner of the three I tried on my recent trip to Chilly Water, but still a very, very good beer.

45. Chilly Water - Blood on the Tracks Blood Orange IPA

“Our ‘Feel Like a Stranger’ IPA infused with Blood Orange fruit emulsion.”

Surprisingly smooth and drinkable for something so boozy (7.4%). Big, sweet essence of orange without actually being sweet. This was my second stop at Chilly Water, but the first time I tried the beer. The food wasn’t very good the first time and wasn’t any better the second time—but the beer is spectacular. Grab a table outside and watch the people come and go along the Cultural Trail; Indianapolis is still a sleepy little burg in flyover country, but from that vantage point, you could almost believe that it has a chance to make it.

44. Flat 12 - Half Cycle IPA

“It’s a single IPA, light in color but not in flavor, hopped like a double with over 2lbs of dank American hops per barrel providing an over-the-top hop character that’s citrusy and piney.”

Bright and piney up front and then bitter going down. Like most Flat 12 joints, it’s very well crafted—they just don’t do it for me. I have no explanation.

43. Deer Creek - Deerfly American IPA

“An earthy American IPA with notes of tangerine and orange from superb alpha hops. Enhanced by a smooth malt backbone. As satisfying as an afternoon hike.”

Malt and hops are both subtle. Citrus profile is mild, but pronounced. Surprisingly smooth for the relatively high alcohol (6.8%).

42. Central State - Garden

“Garden Gose is our tribute to lightly tart and slightly slightly salty beers of Leipzig, Germany. We updated it a bit with the addition of lemon peel and a touch of cascade hops. Goseanna!”

Yes, and when you have been wandering around the state fairgrounds on a warm and sunny August afternoon, this is just the thing to pour into a frosty mug and quaff lustily when you get home. Fairly laid back for a Central State joint. Eminently drinkable and very low alcohol, even for the gose style.

Deep Thoughts #165b

Yes, all of you. You are ignorant and complicit, and it is time for you to end. Be sure your children get the message before they reproduce.

Deep Thoughts #165a

Sarah Sanders is a liar. Her boss is a liar. The Republicans permitted this sideshow and now they need to move to Guyana and drink Kool-Aid.

Make Way for Other Toys

The boy that you raised goes upside down, upside down, upside down...

41. Rhinegeist - Truth

“Rare are the moments of truth, when you’ve struck the last match, belting out tunes with your friends, staring deep into the campfire—times when you feel infinite. Our Truth is found in the scintillating brilliance of hops. Brewed with a nod to the Pacific, hops sizzle with tropical fruit aroma, grapefruit & mango notes and a dry finish.”

Nice and hoppy up front, and then it settles down into a slightly calmer, almost sweet, malty finish. There’s enough tropical punch in the hop profile to make me think that I probably prefer the hops that throw off citrus and pine.

Sixth Grade

Here is the sixth grade cycle of first day of school snapshots. Jackson starts middle school at a new school this year - the Sidener Academy for gifted students.

2012 - Kindergarten

2013 - First Grade

2014 - Second Grade

2015 - Third Grade

2016 - Fourth Grade

2017 - Fifth Grade

2018 - Sixth Grade

Deep Thoughts #164

So if you want people to know you’re sensitive, you have to tut-tut “transvestite hermaphrodite” if you write about Vonnegut and semicolons?