My Rookie Beer of the Year

The summer beer season is over, after going almost a week into overtime. But now it's time for the post season awards. And my Rookie Beer of the Year is...M-43 from Old Nation Brewing in Williamston, Michigan.

Dave Benson/TSM

This beer, this summer, was a revelation. Golden, cloudy greatness. Kathy and I discovered M-43 at North 11 and then had more of it at Ribfest at our Craft Beer tent. It's been available at Shakespeare's, and some other places, and I bought a four pack of cans at Meijer.

This is what BeerAdvocate.com had to say about M-43:

The First release in Old Nation's "New Orthodox" IPA series, M-43 is designed to accentuate the deep and complex character from the combination of Calypso, Simcoe, Citra and Amarillo hops. Citrus and Tropical notes of Pineapple, Mango and Grapefruit come through in the huge, yet surprisingly delicate aroma.... This beer is a perfect interplay between top grade malt and hops, MI water and brewing technique which cannot be faked.

I'm not so eloquent as to say anything like that, but I do know this beer was my favorite discovery this summer.

Honorable mention: Bell's Le Contrabassist. I'm not a sour guy, but this beer went down so good this summer at Bell's.

Coming up, I'll tell you my MVB (Most Valuable Beer) for 2017. Stay tuned.