Hey everyone, I’ve consumed my 365th beer! It was… wait, I should probably save that for later, since I have a lot more beers to write about. Instead, I’ll start this off with my five favorite episodes from the new season of Mystery Science Theater 3000, now up on Netflix.

1. Cry Wilderness
2. Yongary
3. Avalanche
4. The Beat of Hollow Mountain
5. Carnival Magic

Beer 306: Confluence Fresh Start

ABV: 4.86%

Notes: A pale ale that has been lagered. It’s easy to drink, but with enough hoppiness to make it not boring. It went well with my dinner at Django.

Beer 307: Singlespeed Belgian IPA

ABV: 7.1%

Notes: Also consumed at Django, this was richer and a little more flavorful thanks to the Belgian yeast. It paired well with my macaroni & cheese, but then everything pairs well with mac & cheese.

Beer 308: Madhouse Galaxy Haze 

ABV: 6.8%

Notes: The hops and the sour were an odd mix. It’s like they were competing for dominance on my tongue. Interesting, but not something I’ll drink again.

Beer 309: Parkside Royal Jelly 

ABV: 5%

Notes: A honey wheat, but the honey was subtle. I know royal jelly is a real term, but I still kind of hope it’s a Futurama reference.

Beer 310: Firetrucker Cat Dragon

ABV: 11.5%

Notes: A ginger beer, which made me think it wouldn’t be too strong. I was wrong. It’s way stronger than you would think while drinking it.

Beer 311: Millstream Is This Heaven

ABV: 5.9%

Notes: I tend to think of Millstream as the most traditional of Iowa’s breweries, but this is a hazy IPA, unfiltered and very hoppy. Is it heaven? Eh, but it’s pretty good.

Beer 312: Iowa Brewing Surf Zombies

ABV: 6.9%

Notes: A combination of Iowa beer and Iowa music, so I had to give it a try. It’s named after the Cedar Rapids instrumental surf band. It’s made with Simcoe, Columbus, Centennial, and Cascade hops, for a flavorful mix that lives up to the band.

Beer 313: Peace Tree Surplus IPA

ABV: 6.5%

Notes: This had recently been added to the roster at Peace Tree’s Des Moines branch when I stopped in to celebrate blowing job interview (at least I assumed at the time, but I was right). I liked it.

Beer 314: Granite City Batch 1000

ABV: 9%

Notes: As this experiment started to wind down, I decided I needed to spend a little more time at the “chain” breweries out in West Des Moines. It’s fine beer, and it is brewed here, so I have no complaints. This one was kind of piney, but didn’t taste as strong as it actually is.

Beer 315: Granite City The Duke

ABV: 5.2%

Notes: A cask-aged IPA, OK, but not super memorable.

Beer 316: Granite City Prairie Vixen

ABV: 4.8%

Notes: A hefeweizen, very tasty. This would probably be my go-to choice for a return visit.