Monday, January 7, 2013

Beer: Flat 12 Bierwerks & Sun King (Indies from Indy)


Here are some reviews of some new local (Indianapolis, Indiana) brews, from some rising craft brewers. As ever, the scale runs from 1 (terrible) to 5 (terrific). That said, a 3 or 3.5 are solid and enjoyable brews. Everything here is perfectly good, and I trust both of these brewers to continue making top-tier beer for years to come. If you're near Indy, check in and have some pints! Prost!


Flat 12 Bierwerks are really new to bottling their beers, but they've produced nothing less than excellent so far. Here's a limited Fall seasonal.

Pours all suds! Gradually, as it all subsides, lace is pretty spotty and erratic. Color is cloudy light amber. Nose is spicy, with plenty of nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon. Inviting! When the overcarbonation settles down, the flavor is more of this spice and plenty of hoppy bitterness. The actual pumpkin is subdued and the body is light. 
Gets better as it warms, and more character is brought out. 

Still, as it is, not among my favorite pumpkin brews.


Sun King has garnered serious accolades in recent years, and their pint cans are sort of a trademark. I've had their superb Osiris Pale Ale a few times, but here are their other main-line pints, sampled and reviewed.

Pours a semi-cloudy golden from the pint can, with thick carbonation, but no lace. Nose is pleasantly light, grainy, and malty, with a hint of buttered sweet corn. That's not to say it's bad, though. Actually it's pretty refreshing. Taste is, expectedly, light and creamy. This one is sooo smooth and malty, but very drinkable and, as the can imparts, approachable. Sunlight Cream Ale wouldn't turn away lifetime macro drinkers, but has plenty of easy-going flavor for craft nerds, too. 

A solid and totally session-worthy brew here, not too complex, but smooth and well-crafted to style.


Pours from the pint can a clean, clear amber, with substantial head. Thick 2-finger lace. Lovely! Nose is malty grains, even earthy. Nice. Flavor is malty and sweet up front, with a slowly-developing citrus hops accent toward the finish. 

Totally solid, but I still prefer their Osiris Pale Ale.


This Scottish-style ale pours from the pint can a ruby-amber in color. Virtually no lace here. Aroma is malty sweet. I get a toasty toffee kind of vibe here. Not bad. Taste is mild and sweetly malty, with more toffee tones and some nuttiness. 

Not a very compex flavor profile here, but very drinkable and session-worthy.






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