THE BEER BEAT: Yuengling Golden Pilsner, or how I mourn the taste of corn in the morn (and afternoon).

I wore the sunglasses for a reason. 

I also chose the Civil War shelf for a reason.

Several of my friends beat me to tasting Pabst Pale Ale (I still haven't), but earlier today by sheer serendipity I walked into Keg Liquors (Clarksville) and became the first customer to buy a six-pack of Yuengling's ballyhooed Golden Pilsner.

The verdict: It's worth $7.99 ... barely, and by the way, the color "golden" can be assumed as the default appearance of any pilsner. An adjective is necessary only when it isn't golden, which never happens -- at least in my sheltered world.

Politics aside, proper stylistic comparisons are important. Lately I've been drinking Firestone Walker's Pivo Pils ("pivo" is the word for "beer" in Slavic languages), and it's absolutely incredible. However, FW Beer Pils must be compared to classic German and Bohemian examples in spite of a few crafty twists.

It sizes up quite well.

Without having done any research, my guess is Yuengling's Golden Pilsner must be included in a group with Coors Banquet, Miller High Life and other "American-style" pilsners. Hence the usual Yuengling house character -- some sulfur and corniness (adjunct) on the nose, no discernible hop presence, watery body.

Another thing: keep mentioning Hallertauer and Saaz hops, and eventually someone will notice there isn't much of a trace of either -- but again, that's what American pilsners ARE, and I'm told noble German hops are cheap these days.

Admittedly, once I knew what corn as an adjunct tastes and smells like, I understood what I never liked about such beers. Not that there can't be good adjunct beers; just that they're not my preference.

Having said this, Yuengling Golden Pilsner tastes fine as measured against the appropriate yardstick, for $7.99 a six-pack, when nothing more classically pilsner-like is available. In other words, like all the other times I've ever consumed a Yuengling, usually while traveling and dining somewhere without useful "craft" options.

Preferable options include Firestone Walker Pivo Pils, which I'm drinking now, because try as I might, it simply didn't seem like a second Yuengling was in the cards. It's good for what it is, and what it is, isn't my usual choice. So be it.

Corn King IPA at Bank Street Brewhouse on Wednesday.

What is Corn King?

Time’s running out to get one of the nation’s most unique beers, by Tristan Schmid (Brewers of Indiana Guild)

Today 3 Floyds bottled a one-of-a-kind IPA that represents one of the most unique ways in the nation to support and enjoy craft beer, and time is running out for you to get it.

This morning, Corn King IPA hit 22 oz. bombers and kegs, destined for the tastebuds of IN Beer Brigade members at release parties around the state in October, the first of which will be held at 18th Street Brewing’s stunning Hammond location on Oct. 3, followed by others to be announced this week.

The only way to get Corn King IPA is by enlisting in the IN Beer Brigade. You can’t buy it at 3 Floyds or anywhere else.

Last month, 3 Floyds and Hoosier breweries from across Northwestern Indiana collaborated on the Corn King IPA brew day, mashing in locally grown corn malted by Sugar Creek Malt Co. of Lebanon, IN to create a highly sippable hoppy beer with crisp citrus notes and a smooth finish.

The 74 IBU, 7.3% ABV beer will pair excellently with a Sunday brunch or a local burger.

Enlist in the base membership level for access to buy pints of the beer at the release parties.

What is the IN Beer Brigade?

Become an IN Beer Brigadier to receive access to one-of-a-kind limited edition collaboration beers brewed by Hoosier brewers at members-only parties as well as specialty glassware, a digital membership card for use in Apple Pay and Google Wallet, and more.

Your membership in this exclusive program directly supports Indiana's fast-growing brewing industry and the mission of the Brewers of Indiana Guild.

When and where is the local Corn King release party?

Happening this Wednesday, October 19 at 6 p.m. on the patio at NABC Bank Street Brewhouse: Corn King IPA - brewed by Three Floyds Brewing in collaboration with Northwestern Indiana breweries - will be EXCLUSIVELY available to Indiana Beer Brigade Brigadiers! (Information on how to become a member) ... memberships may be purchased at the door.

The membership program is something that was minted during my tenure on the board of the Brewers of Indiana Guild, and I'm delighted to see it lifting off. Now that I'm a civilian in terms of brewery ownership, I'll be joining the program myself. This event isn't for everyone, but those for whom it is should stop by on Wednesday.

2014 ThunderFoot Halloween Hangover release day is Saturday, November 1, at both NABC locations

Although I don't pay close attention to the "oracle" beer ratings sites, I'm told that ThunderFoot scores well. We haven't brewed it regularly during past years, but probably will do so again yearly in small batches from now on. The base style is Imperial Stout, which I once described in a Food & Dining magazine column:

Just as exuberantly hoppy India Pale Ale evolved along the shipping lanes from Great Britain to toasty colonial India, robust and jet-black Imperial Stout was adopted by English brewers and traders as the ideal export beverage for cooler northerly markets in Russia and the port cities of the Baltic Sea. Highly alcoholic, displaying intensely roasted and deeply fruity flavors, Imperial Stout is perhaps the only style of beer that can be termed “thick as oil” without a trace of exaggeration.

ThunderFoot is augmented with cherries and oak aging. It is an elegant but strong libation, and any resemblance to the Publican's size 16s is purely intentional.

ThunderFoot's story and stats are here.

ThunderFoot's release day information is here.

In case you're wondering, Gravity Head 2015 draws ever nearer: February 27, 2015.

Approaching fests from cask to indie, and from flea to fringe.

Major craziness begins this weekend, as the events and festivals come fast and furious. Most of the listings below are for the next two weeks, and there are other functions with NABC participation that are not listed here:

Rock the Rocks (Falls of the Ohio fundraiser; September 21)
Howard Steamboat Museum's annual benefit on October 4

Just this morning I booked an art show at the Art Store on Market Street in New Albany (October 5) and Cannelton Heritage Festival (October 12).

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NABC Cask Festival opens Louisville Craft Beer Week 2013

On Friday, Sept, 13, NABC will kick off Louisville Craft Beer Week ...

NABC Tafelbier at Lanesville Heritage Weekend again in 2013

In 2012, NABC was delighted to work with the Lanesville Jaycees to ...

The Fall Flea, this year with NABC

The Fall Flea is a countryside vintage and antique marketplace staged concurrently ...

2nd annual NA1st Indie Fest is Sunday, September 15

We’ll be supporting the second annual Indie Fest, which takes place on ...

NABC at LIBA Louisville Brewfest on Sept. 21

For the 5th Annual Louisville Independent Business Alliance’s Brewfest at Slugger Field, ...

Get ready: Hoosier Daddy to return in October

NABC’s Hoosier Daddy, a cream ‘n’ crimson ale, will kick off seasonal ...

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NABC fall beer release dates: Strassenbrau for Harvest Homecoming's parade day (Sat., Oct. 5; both NABC locations ... both Hoosier Daddy and Wet Knobs during Fringe Fest (Oct. 10 through 13 during Harvest Homecoming both days) ... and noting that the period from Oct. 5 through the end of Fringe Fest likely will be the last hurrah for Tricentennial Ale. As of today, roughly 100 hand-numbered of the limited edition of 300 bottles remain in stock for purchase (both NABC locations) and draft is down to a handful of kegs, which will be released beginning on Oct. 5.

Finally, know that kegs and bottles of Hoosier Daddy will be available to outside accounts beginning the week of Fringe Fest. We're looking forward to much merriment in the coming weeks, and we thank our patrons for making it possible.

Cheers!