Springfield folks, I'm sipping the brandy barrel aged Mothers MILF right now (ITS THE HOLIDAYS!!). Man, it's riding the line between enjoyable and soy sauce. Definitely some unique flavors going on.

Thanks! Not sure if I can find the chewable candy cane sticks in this tiny little town, but I should be able to manage getting this done.

So the No Labels Perpetual Peace is fantastic. Like a less harsh Backwoods Bastard.

Have you ever been up to Conroe to check out the breweries up there?

I was at B-52 Brewing last night, and they were really impressive. They're doing a lot of creative brewing, including a saison with coffee and orange juice/zest. I was skeptical of that particular beer at first, but it was surprisingly tasty.

Among the other winners they had last night were a barrel aged blonde barleywine and a whole line-up of solid IPAs (I know IPAs aren't your thing, but these were really good). Wheeze the Shake was probably their most unique IPA. NE style IPA conditioned on raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, vanilla beans, and milk sugar. It poured out a dark purple and had a slight tartness due to all the fruit, and still had the lactose/milk sugar sweetness that come with the milkshake IPAs. It was a really interesting beer. The Pocket Tots series was bomb as well, one NE Style IPA and one strawberry milkshake IPA.

Even not being a fan of IPAs, I think it's worth your time to check their tap menu and hit them up. Just solid, interesting beer.

I've been to both Southern Star and Copperhead in Conroe as well, but I will not pass through there again without stopping at B-52.

Haven't made it up to Conroe yet. I haven't hit them all in Houston yet either.

If you ever hit 8th Wonder I hope they have Side Business available. It is a tequila barrel aged Gose and it really takes the edge off the Gose if you don't like the sour and salty taste.

Has Busch Light been said?

I have to say I'm coming around on IPA's. I still prefer a good stout but Ive recently tried Two Hearted, Founder's All Day/Centennial, Mother's Snapback and Duvel Triple Hop Citrus. I'm sure these are all mild but still tasty.

The first IPA I ever tried scared me away from them for a couple years, Mother's Lil Helper...it tasted like a Christmas tree in a bottle, absolutely disgusting but glad I decided to give them a chance again.

I am not a fan of the overwhelming hoppy bitterness. I prefer sour, wheat, or malty brews.

Ahh yes, forgot I also have some Lagunitas Little Sumpin'. I didnt care for it as much but its drinkable. Ive been holding off on the Dogfish Head, I know its wildly popular but Ive been told its a lot more hoppy than the ones Ive tried/liked. Im trying to build up my IPA palate more before I take that plunge, its definitely been an acquired taste for me.

There is a really wide range of flavors in IPA and I know a few others who are not fans of super hoppy beers. The strange thing I don't like about IPA's is that most of the bartenders overpour the drafts and then the glass or handle is sticky as shit and the napkin or coaster stick to the bottom of the glass also. IPA's seem to be the most sticky beers I've ever had.

I'm not a fan of flavored or seasonal beers with any citrus, spice, or things like pumpkin flavors. Wheat beers are my least favorite.

Here's multiple rating of IPA's

https://beerconnoisseur.com/articles/top-41-ipas

https://www.beeradvocate.com/lists/style/116/

http://draftmag.com/50-best-ipas-america/

https://www.thrillist.com/drink/nati...f-beer-writers \

https://beerandbrewing.com/cbb-beer-reviews/top/IPA

Not a fan of the style and all of its derivatives at all. If I want something fruity a Berliner Weisee, Sour fruit ale, or Saison is a much better option.

Okay, the blood orange ale is interesting. It tastes like orange juice (not sweet orange juice as blood oranges are less sweet than normal oranges) with a hint of bitter beer aftertaste. I don't know what to think of it. Some sips I like it and others I don't....

Possibly too much citrus if you take too many sips too soon? Just like drinking too much OJ all at once....

When I was back in DC a week ago, the office complex has a giant shared kitchen and common area with a keg for beer. The week I was there that had some cranberry beer. Tasted like complete shit. Poured a small glass, took a brief sip and tossed it out. Just an awful combo of flavors. :Lin:

I was in the same boat as you a month or so ago. Then a friend talked me into trying different ones, and forcing myself to drink them. It was an acquired taste for me, the more and more I drank the more my palate developed for them and I started to appreciate the different flavors the different types of hops brought out.

Im still not a huge fan, the extremely bitter "pine tree" IPA's are still disgusting to me but I definitely have an appreciation for them now.