A pirate theme, a cooler of local cans, and a fresh palate in the room—this tasting sails straight into what makes craft beer fun. We crack open seven Skeleton Crew Brew beers from Onalaska, Wisconsin and put them through our no-nonsense scoring: a classic blonde, three fruit-forward cream ales (blueberry, peach, coconut), a salted caramel porter, a malt-friendly amber, and a honey nut brown that surprised us with balance and warmth. Jay, new to the craft scene, joins us to offer a beginner’s take while we weigh the flavors, finishes, and whether these are truly “lawnmower beers” or something you’d order twice.
What stood out most? Accuracy. Each can tastes like its name—blueberry without sour bite, peach with a smooth finish, coconut that lands without sunscreen, and a porter where caramel finally shows up. We talk about why that matters for trust, how subtle styles can still shine, and where these ABV-friendly beers fit in a real-life rotation. Between pours, we dig into 2025 craft beer trends and data: closures edging openings but signaling stabilization, non-alcoholic options gaining ground, the end of the THC loophole, and a return to balanced, “beer-flavored beer” that favors clarity over shock value.
If you’ve ever stared at a crowded cooler wondering what won’t let you down, this session is your map. We share straight scores, quick notes you can use at the taproom, and a few hot takes on niches, hybrids, and what keeps us coming back. Have a Skeleton Crew favorite we missed or a local gem we should try next? Subscribe, share with a beer-loving friend, and drop your must-taste pick in a review—we’ll put it on the list.
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