With innovation and experimentation at the forefront, Energy City Brewing in Batavia, Ill. has something new brewing every week. Without an operating taproom and in the middle of a still-surging pandemic, they have still found a way to keep the sophisticated beer drinkers’ attention and stay relevant in times of uncertainty. While their mainstay offerings continue to be popular around the Chicagoland area, their one-off offerings, available only for curbside pick-up at the brewery, are the main attraction, drawing people all the way from Chicago to make the long drive two counties over for a chance to get their hands on this week’s concoction.

Their popular line of fruited Berliner-style Weisse beers come in flavors that change with the seasons. Just in time for the fall, their new release, Pumpkin Cheesecake, is sure to turn heads. Using their base recipe, this version of their Bistro Grande is brewed with pumpkin, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice and graham crackers. The beer pours a deep, dark orange, and the flavors of pumpkin spice and cheesecake are very pronounced on the nose. The flavors mix well together and taste exactly as described but with a bit of a sour cream aftertaste on the tongue. That might sound a bit odd and off-putting, but it balances well with flavors of fall and helps give it that “cheesecake” feel of the tasting experience. What stands out from other beers of this style is the mouthfeel, which is reminiscent of a thick, boozy milkshake. If you’re still working on polishing off the leftover dessert from Thanksgiving, this beer compliments well with just about any fall dessert.

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