Kinkaider 4-County Pale Ale

Gotta love them local beers! Of course, to love 'em, they have to be high quality local beers, and Kinkaider consistently turns out high quality brews. Originating in Broken Bow in Custer County, the name 4-County refers to the "4" prefix on Custer County license plates. Pouring a slightly hazy sunset orange with a two-finger snowy-white head. With a 5.5% ABV and 38 IBUs, it's straying into IPA territory. Grapefruit notes are front and center, with some piney hops following along. The hops are quite evident, but not overwhelming. As it warms up I detect some lemon zest and some rye bread. Mild, but not uninteresting. 
 

Crane Brewing's ThunderGong Wheat Ale

I'm tearing myself away from my true love, the quads, stouts and bourbon oak barrel infused ales and segueing into the lighter brews as befits the warmer weather that's surely on the way. I haven't reviewed a lot of wheats, but I'm going to make an effort to sample some this year.

ThunderGong Wheat Ale pours a sparkling topaz hue (thanks to my wife Susie for the description of the color) with a scanty white, lacy head. Not a lot of strong flavors, but there's a mild grassiness tickling the nose, with a tiny bit of citrus. Maybe some coriander. There's technically nothing wrong with this beer, but there also isn't anything memorable about it either. 5.5 on the IGB wheat beer scale.