O'Fallon 5 Day IPA

'We dry-hop this American Style India Pale Ale with seven grains and four domestic hop varieties by adding dry whole hops to the finishing tank so the beer rests "on top" of the hops for five extra days! Malty sweetness up front with big cascade and glacier hops in the finish -- a wonderfully drinkable IPA!' -Ofallonbrewery.com

Midwestern pride has become a big factor in my beer purchasing, that and buying from the 'little guys', so O'Fallon was a no brainer because with them I get both! Not to mention the great experience I had with their pumpkin ale a few months back. So how is the 5 Day IPA? Well, its good, but I don't see it winning any awards for artistry.

That sounded like a slight, which is unfair. I suppose I have gotten used to breweries showcasing how fancy they can be, especially with the IPA. With this particular brew you get a nice no frills ale with some nice sticky hope to it that really is as 'drinkeable' as the description would lead you to believe. Fancy that, a beer description with some actual truth to it! I liked this beer and plan on drinking some more at a later date, I just wasn't 'wowed' by it.

Good stuff, I hope to enjoy the entire O'Fallon line at some point. Break out the lawn chairs!

O'Fallon Pumpkin Beer

'5.6% ABV Like pumpkin pie in a bottle...we add 120 pounds of real pumpkin to the three-barley mash and then season the finished beer with cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.'

      -OFallonbrewery.com

My friend Steve has been raving about this stuff for awhile, but I was skeptical myself. This may have been because I really don't care for pumpkin products or I just don't trust Steve. Either way- I was wrong to dismiss this beer out of hand.

You can really taste the spices right off the bat with this brew. In fact I find the pumpkin to be very muted until the aftertaste hits you, the spices have a nice healthy kick to them. My palate picks out the cinnamon first and that leads nicely to a blend of the nutmeg and herbs. It really is a well crafted beer, which I was not expecting because the label looks to be designed by someones ten year old kid in Microsoft Paint. Well appearances are more often deceiving than not and this beer is a perfect example of that. 

Now if you excuse me I have to go drink the rest of these puppies with a quickness. More updates tonight, its going to be one of those nights. 

Musical Pairing: Dinosaur Jr- Green Mind (Great fall album, lousy cover!)