A beercation at Infusion Brewing in Benson. Summertime visits to Omaha, Part 10; August 9, 2014

After a morning in Benson, buoyed by breakfast at Leo's Diner [see blog post], caffeine from both Aromas + Bliss and Omaha Bicycle, and a snack from the Farmers' Market [see blog post], I was ready for a beer.

From left: Exterior; a vintage 1960s Hamm's tapper mini keg repurposed into a mail box; and a handsome flight of beers.

In advance I had scheduled a brewery tour at Infusion Brewing, and with a glass of their Radial IPA I toured the small facility, with but only a young couple as part of our tour. The brewery tour is a must do, IMHO. Informative, close-up, and even intimate at times. You get to taste what's brewing at the moment, malt at varying stages of roasting, and raw hop pellets if you dare… they are quite bitter. As for the Radial, it is an excellent West Coast-style IPA, with a hoppy bitterness that lends to its notes of grapefruit, a clean maltiness on the palate, and a dry finish.

From left: The Radial IPA is bright, clean and hoppy; the Joel Porter; the accidental selfie while taking a pic of the tap handles.

Returning to the bar, I settled into a flight of beers served on a handsome, industrial, sheet metal serving apparatus. Curiosity compelled me to try Infusion's warmly spiced Butcher Block Bier Likör, a 16% ABV liqueur made with the house Butcher Block Brown ale. Served in a aperitif shot glass with a dollop of whipped cream, its like a taste of the holiday season but available all year long. It was so delicious I had to buy a Boston round to go.

Infusion Brewing's Butcher Block Bier Likör.