Ingenious Brewing Co.

They only recently started sending anything to retail stores. I think only one or two stores, and very limited quantity. Otherwise, brewery only. And they're kind of located out of the way for most of the city.
Only been once and the stout I had was 'fine' as I recall.

 

Disclaimer, my own personal opinion, and not trying to insult anybody that likes them, though this is how I see Ingenious:

Personally, I think Ingenious is a joke. Everything is so damn sweet, and I have never tasted just a "beer" from them, if that makes sense. They seem to just look in a pantry with pastries and deserts, and say OH lets do that...I think they would be better severed making ice cream, or doing lectures on food science (ie, how to manipulate some things to taste like other things you are familiar with). While it might be interesting, it is certainly not want I want in a beer.

I have been to the brewery a few times, but quickly got burnt out. Then my friends went and brought back some of their one offs, which seriously were playing off all kids cereal names (I remember making fun of Leinenkugel Sunset Wheat when it was first becoming popular in the early 2000's, saying it was the "Fruit Loops" of beer...these are the same). If 10 year olds could drink alcohol, this is what they would be drinking. Its all surface level without any nuance, and gets incredibly boring after a few ounces. Then I just want something like Holler Czech My Phone or Saint Arnold 5 O'Clock Pils.

Sorry for the mini rant, I just never understood the attraction to anything they make. Including pastry stout, NEIPA, or those god forsaken Milkshake IPA's.

I'll see myself out now

 

Yeah man, like what you like. I won't ever judge anybody for that. Though I have no problem giving my personal opinion as well. My rant was a bit cathartic, as I know a lot of people that feel the same as you, and will recommend them here in the forums when people ask for recommendations. I really don't have a problem with that, and I never want to just interject my opinion when not necessary (well almost never, at least try not to when not specifically asked to in the thread ha) . Finally I get to vent on that as this is just a thread about opinions

And I've had plenty tonight as well

 

And that made no sense (not surprising). I'm just trying to say that while I can be opinionated, I don't always want to shove it down every thread, unless it is specifically a thread to talk about opinions.

But as always like what you like, and don't let me interfere with that, ha.

 

I like Ingenious, but they're a bit hit or miss. I've had some really good beers from them and some really crazy beers that, while interesting, are not all that enjoyable. If they were closer to town, I'd hit them up more. But I will usually take a chance on them if I see them on tap around town (they used to have a tap or two at Finn Hall regularly, not sure if they still do). I respect what they're doing and trying to do. And they occasionally hit one out of the park. But personally I would not put them in the same league as Holler or Urban South locally, let alone the truly standout stuff you can get from top tier breweries around the country...

 

You're gonna start to hear of them more and more. They get traded a fair amount on Facebook and they would have had their 2nd anniversary party yesterday had coronavirus not gotten in the way. I think the Angry Chair comparison for stouts is pretty accurate as that's something they are going after. A lot of their beers tend to be pretty heavy on the sweet side in some form or fashion (they recently did a collab with the Answer for a fruited sour thing, and you can imagine how that turned out).

 

they are not shy on additives and yes flavor profile is usually huge due to sweetness of their beers. That said, they have been able to deliver very solid beers across the board from imperial fruited sours, milkshake ipas, pastries, RIS, NEIPAs etc. Have to tip your hat to them for that alone. glad these guys are making beer even if they arent for everyone

 

I agree on both counts. Ingenious is really hit or miss, kind of like Weathered Souls. It seems like you either get a really great thick pastry stout or infected mess.

 

I don't think Ingenious has ever had an infected beer have they?

 

Yes, their collab with Weathered Souls to name one. Suburban Cowboy.

 

I thought that whole set was just terrible, not that it was infected. At least not that I remember anyone confirming it was.

 

Yup. I think some of those were infected personally. Weathered Souls is like a full-on sour brewery at times lol

They do not dump any beer.

 

Their first anniversary beer was apparently pretty disastrous, resulting in exploding beer cans for a number of customers. But they have a sense of humor about it, at least, if the image on their second anniversary cans is any indication.

 

My opinion about Ingenious is they seem to be homing in on what they do well, the pastry stout and fruit medley what have you. The Neapolitan stout was very sweet but really well done for a pastry stout, those fruit medley are nice the night after a bender and your low on vitamins and minerals. I have yet to enjoy one of their IPA’s, but it could be because I stopped ordering them after 3 strikes and your out.

 

I think that old school comment is a compliment.

 

This rant is entirely on-point.

Well said my fellow Advocate.