Clear Lake IPA
Lake Time Brewery

Big Buddy Holly fan here.

Ended up seeing the Surf Ballroom on my last trip out west a few months back, so it was only natural (no pun intended) to pick this beer up when I came across it at Shade Tree Liquors in Northwood, Iowa since it embraced the place and the water from it. While this wasn't particularly memorable or outstanding, this was a sufficient American IPA that was accessible, fun to drink, and stylistically true to form.

Murky and marmalade in appearance, this was plenty dark with a hint of light seeping through it and the sediment that was floating around. Enough head was here but it settled quick enough and left a ring of lacing near the middle of my pint glass, A fair amount of caramel, pine, and earthy hops were in the nose as the taste was equally full, sticky, and bitter. Some citrus, marmalade, and stone fruit rind were in the taste as the booze was present, but not enough to overcome the mild range of flavors.

A bit of peat moss and cantaloupe were in the aftertaste as this was as unassuming a beer could be, for this particular style. No date was to be found anywhere on the can or label as I wish I was able to get a fresh version of this. Loved how this embraced Clear Lake and utilized it in the recipe, as the clarity of the water allowed the notes to shine as best as possible. For those in the Hawkeye State, this would be a nice go-to beer that wouldn't offend anyone who enjoyed the art of the craft.

Aroma is citrus/slightly funky hops and a hint of sweetness. The flavor is citrus/fruit, earthy/grainy malts and a mildly sweet/tropical/slightly funky hop finish.