Afternoon Beer Break: Old Nation M-43 IPA

Well, friends, we made it through another work week, and you know what that means – it?s time for an afternoon beer break. Last week I went with a more local brew, and today, we?re talking about one that?s from the state that I used to call home, Michigan. Let?s have a gander at what the Old Nation M-43 IPA.

The Old Nation M-43 IPA is one that had been on my list to try for some time, as I had seen it popping up on Instagram a good bit. Figured while tastes may vary, if that many people we talking about it on the ?gram, it was worth checking out. Fortunately, as it?s brewed over in Michigan, finding it here in Chicagoland isn?t that difficult to do.

Now, let’s have a quick little sidebar for those curious as to the name. M-43 is a state highway in Michigan that runs from South Haven to Webberville, and it cuts right through the heart of the town Old Nation calls home, Williamston. So, one could imagine how it was an easy name to pick out. Now, back to the beer.

While the label on the Old Nation M-43 IPA doesn?t have the flashiest of artwork, it?s bold and catches the eye. What also caught my eye was the fact that they?ve got a lot of the ingredients right up front. You know what malts are used, and what hops are in the mix (both for the boil and the dry-hopping steps). And, if you?re in to IPAs, you?re thinking about the hops, as they lend a lot of flavor to the brew. In this case, you?ve got Calypso, Simcoe, Citra, and Amarillo hops making an appearance.

That that many types of hops in the mix, you might be expecting the Old Nation M-43 IPA to be rather bitter. While the IBU rating does come through at 65, I did not find it to be overly bitter. The tropical flavors were definitely sharp, but not bitter at all. Along with the fruity nose, and a pleasant (and subtle) aftertaste, this was a very smooth beer.

It?s also very much a hazy IPA. Often the haze is from yeast that was not filtered out, but apparently that?s not the case here. It comes from a reaction between the oats and dry hops used (more on that is down below). It?s definitely noticeable, and the can even has some instructions on one side on how you could deal with some of the sediment that will be present in the can.

Hazy IPAs are definitely the ?in? thing it seems within IPAs, and some of them can be a little overpowering. Not so with the Old Nation M-43 IPA, in my book. At 6.8% ABV, it?s not a bad way to unwind at the end of the week. I can?t speak for your local pricing, but around here, you can find a 4-pack of the 16oz cans for $13.99. oldnationbrewing.com

Tasting Notes

• Fruity nose
• Definitely hazy
• It?s got a sharp tropical taste, but it?s not particularly bitter
• Smooth
• Pleasant – and very subtle – aftertaste

Details from Old Nation

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