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When we walked into Smoke Brewing Company in Lee's Summit, Missouri, we were immediately struck by the explosion of St. Patrick's Day decorations covering every inch of the place. "There might be a tipping point when you go over the top," Jim observed, and this brewery was definitely testing those limits with its festive atmosphere.

Between the two of us, we sampled ten distinct beers across two carefully curated flights. The journey began with lighter offerings like their Herd of Turtles American Pilsner featuring New Zealand Wakatou hops and their Flyover Wheat with its harmonious blend of lemon peel, orange peel, and coriander. These approachable beers provided a solid foundation before we ventured into more complex territory. The contrast between their two hazy IPAs—Shelter in Haze and Galactic Vineland—highlighted the brewery's willingness to experiment within style guidelines. While the former attempted to balance notes of pineapple, melon, and berries, the latter embraced the full New England IPA experience, for better or worse. Their Celtic Cross Irish Red Ale felt right at home amid the St. Patrick's Day decor, offering classic malty depth that cleansed our palates.

As we progressed through our second flight, two clear standouts emerged. Their Oatmeal Stout, the darkest offering at 7.3% ABV, delivered remarkable complexity with subtle vanilla and caramel notes that belied its strength. "This is pretty good and it doesn't taste like 7.3%," we agreed, awarding it our highest score of the day. Their American Pale Ale followed closely behind with its balanced approach and pleasant pine character.

Throughout our visit, we also sampled their barbecue offerings—an intriguing combination with the Irish-themed atmosphere. The appetizers impressed, and the main dishes looked equally promising. Despite some beers missing the mark, the overall experience proved worthy of recommendation.

Whether you're a craft beer enthusiast passing through Missouri or a local looking for quality brews paired with barbecue, Smoke Brewing Company offers a unique experience that goes beyond just good beer. As we always say, we hope your campfires are warm and your beers are cold!

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