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When it's time to explore a brewery's full range, sometimes you discover surprising variance in quality – and Central Waters certainly delivered that experience. While renowned for their stellar barrel-aging program, what happens when these expert bourbon-barrel wizards venture into lighter, everyday beer styles?

Mike and Jim bravely sampled seven distinct Central Waters offerings – from ultra-light rice and corn lagers to hoppy pale ales, dessert-inspired stouts, a fruited sour, and ultimately, their signature bourbon barrel-aged creation. The contrast couldn't have been more dramatic.

The journey begins with barely-there flavors in their rice and corn lagers – beers that might serve as gateways for mass-market drinkers but left our hosts searching for descriptors beyond "minimal" and "light." Their pale ales followed with surprisingly aggressive hop profiles, while an ambitious Neapolitan stout promised strawberry, chocolate and vanilla but delivered primarily on tart, almost bitter strawberry notes. A peach cobbler-inspired sour similarly missed the mark with its promised flavor complexity.

Just when all seemed lost, Cassian Sunset arrived – an 11.7% bourbon barrel-aged imperial stout with coffee, vanilla and cinnamon that instantly demonstrated why Central Waters commands respect in the barrel-aging realm. This stunning contrast raised fascinating questions about brewery specialization and consistency across styles.

Between tastings, Jim quizzes Mike on brewing fundamentals, creating a fun, educational element that allows listeners to test their own craft beer knowledge. Whether you're curious about Central Waters' range, contemplating your next brewery visit, or simply enjoy authentic reactions to unexpected beer experiences, this episode offers honest insights from two passionate craft beer enthusiasts who aren't afraid to call it like they taste it.

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