Random sips of Iowa beers: Confluence, Exile, Backpocket, SingleSpeed

Left, Double dry hopped DSM IPA from Confluence Brewing. Respectfully luscious with tropical fruit notes, reserved bready malt, and a light citrus aroma. Suited for a Spring palette desirous for smoother quaffing brews, yet fortifying enough for those fleeting cool days yet to endure. 6.70% ABV, zero IBU.

Right, Milk Man milk stout from Confluence. Exceptionally smooth and rich with a dark cacao bitterness, finishes with flavors of malted milk and coffee. 5.9% ABV, 28 IBU.

Left, Dankalope American IPA from Exile Brewing. Hoppy, vegetal (dank, duh) flavor and aroma abounds with a piney finish. 6.8% ABV, 40 IBU.

Right, Exile's Grapefruit Bohemian. Tart and tangy, this latest Bohemian sour ale is luscious with grapefruit. Wakes up the palate with some sugar on the back end. 5.5% ABV, 5 IBU.

Left, Pucker Up Raspberry Sour from Backpocket Brewing is an appropriately bright and lemon/berry forward Berliner Weisse. What aroma there is, barley + floral, is easy to miss if you plough right in which is easy to do. Malt and grain does eke out on the finish. Very refreshing! Bring on Spring! 4.4% ABV, zilch IBU.

Right, SingleSpeed Brewing’s Gable, a crisp, clean, yet malty Munich Helles. Pours gold with a solid foamy head, enough noble hop bitterness to balance the malt's sweetness. A fine beer for all occasions. 5.0% ABV, 22 IBU.