A quick detour turned into a full-on craft beer adventure at Crossroads Brewery in O’Fallon, Missouri. We teamed up with Spencer from Maybe An Interview to taste through two flights that covered the spectrum: an easygoing American Pale Ale, a smooth Midwest IPA, a restrained smoked porter, and a surprisingly balanced ESB that proves “bitter” is a misleading name. Then we stepped into the deep end with an oatmeal stout and a trio of barrel-aged Belgians—two quads and a strong dark ale—that showed how dark fruit, candi sugar, and barrel character evolve as the beer warms.

What stood out most was how approachable everything felt. The Midwest IPA delivered hop aroma without the bite. The smoked porter gave us malt depth with a gentle wisp of smoke instead of a campfire blast. One barrel-aged quad popped with cherry-like notes, while another leaned into a richer, bourbon-tinged profile. We talked serving temps, why 50 to 54 degrees can unlock hidden layers, and how to build a simple, repeatable rating scale so your tasting notes stay useful.

The finale arrived off-menu: caramel macchiato and hazelnut praline stouts at 12.1% that were silky, balanced, and dangerously drinkable. For a guest raised on light lagers, it was a revelation—proof that dark beer doesn’t have to be heavy, and high ABV doesn’t have to taste hot. If you’ve ever judged a beer by its color or a style by its name, this tasting will change your mind. Come for the curiosity, stay for the flavor journey, and leave with a shortlist of styles to try next.

If you enjoyed the ride, follow the show, share this episode with a friend who “doesn’t like dark beer,” and leave a quick review—your support helps more people find great beer.

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