ABV: 6.8% | IBU: 70

Blank Slate Brewing Company was my first exposure to the Cincinnati Craft Beer scene when I arrived in 2011, when you could only find its brews on draft. Safe to say, both Blank Slate and I have matured a bit since then. Now, in addition to having a tap room of its own, one of the Blank Slate Brewing stalwarts, Fork in the Road, is available in cans.

Blank Slate describes the brew as sitting “squarely at the fork where darker malts and brighter hops meet,” and from the appearance, to the aroma, and the taste, Fork in the Road stays true to that description. Fork in the Road pours a deep amber color, with a solid white head comprised of smaller bubbles which rims the glass for the duration of the drink.

You get the “India” of the India Amber Ale right away, with the citrusy hop aroma greeting you as you raise your glass. As the hop aroma dissipates, you get a hint of the toasty malt which takes the beer out of what you would expect for a typical IPA, and into this India Amber Ale category of its own. There is certainly more malt sweetness than found in other hop-forward brews, and the toastiness helps balance out a very healthy dosage of musky, citrusy hop flavor.

With a medium body and smooth finish, Fork in the Road is a great beer to sip as you get lost in your own thoughts.

Six-packs of Fork in the Road are available in the Cincinnati market, or to-go from the taproom. A trip to the brewery and taproom, located by Lunken Airport, is worth your time — there are ever rotating seasonals and variations sure to delight any palate. Blank Slate is not afraid to take risks when it comes to trying new styles or flavor combinations outside the “mainstream,” and I look forward to seeing what they come up with next!

Pair with: Important Life Decisions. Or indecision.

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