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Here is a look at this week's menu. 

If you are going to write a column like this in Midland, you should start with a brewery that represents the spirit of the area.

I went to a place where chemistry, creativity and craft all work together to produce the kind of beer we should all be grateful for.

Let’s begin this week’s toast, explorers, with a fantastic offering from one of the coolest and quirkiest breweries around – Mi Element Grains and Grounds.

“Eat Your Beer” is the catch-phrase and mission statement of those glorious mad scientists, Suzanne and Tony Sutorik, Center City’s craft beer catalysts. They weren’t satisfied with starting just one new business – they started three: brewery, bakery and coffeeshop.

I love all those things.

I love Suzanne and Tony, too. They are friendly and gracious hosts.

I don’t love India Pale Ale.

IPA is the style that seems to have overwhelmed the craft beer industry – some brands have every conceivable take on the IPA. In many ways, the IPA has become the vehicle for “stunt brewing." Triple hopped. Dry as a bone. Intensely bitter.

With great hosts like Suzanne and Tony filling up a howler for me, I’m feeling optimistic and curious about their Pint of Gratitude IPA.

After starting a new (old) job, moving to a new house, selling an old house to some very happy new homeowners, “graduating” from CMU for a second (and final) time and creating some very fine journalism with my new besties – a spirited band of troublemakers – I think I have earned a drink.

I stared into this orange-amber concoction and reflected on kismet, gratitude… and beer. 

Look at that beauty! Mi Element Grains and Grounds smooth "Pint of Gratitude IPA" looks great and tastes even better.

What are we looking for in an IPA? Bitter. A whole lot of bitter. Like “your date standing you up and going to prom with your best friend” level of bitter. Anyway, this is a tantalizing bitter that gooses your taste buds and gets your tongue tingling a bit. It’s a refreshing, but mature, bitterness, though, with enough of a hops bite to provide a jolt of energy. Make sure you get a nice foamy head on this one and let it warm up a bit to help release those pine-meets-grapefruit flavors.

If we are doing a DNA test, Lizzo-style, turns out this is 100 percent East Coast IPA - malty sweetness, with a mild case of the hops. It probably isn’t going to appeal to all the hopheads out there. It's very drinkable, or as Tony might say: "It's not overly strenuous." It's not an in-your-face IPA, but it does have that grapefruit/citrus vibe you love in a good IPA. 

All that is to say, it's good stuff.

This pint from Mi Element will certainly satisfy you until we can explore some more next week ... Sköll!

Brew: Pint of Gratitude IPA

Brewer: Mi Element Grains & Grounds (mielementgrainsgrounds.com)

Style: East Coast India Pale Ale

Appearance: A rich orange-yellow color with some haziness. Pours with a slight, foamy head and leaves an ever-so-light lacing in your pint glass.

Aroma: Light grapefruit and pine tones – slightly malty.

Mouthfeel: Dry, with just a little bit of hops buzz. Not heavily carbonated. Travels to the back of your throat and stays there while encouraging you to take another drink.

Price: $20 for a growler, $10 for a howler + $5 deposit. Or $5 a pint. Mug club members receive discounts.

Summary: This could be a summer staple. It’s straightforward and satisfying.

Pairs With: After filling up my growler with this tangy treasure, I might head over to Basil Thai and pick up some medium+ spicy golden noodles with beef or shrimp. I also wouldn’t turn down a fried perch dinner with a generous squeeze of lemon over the fish and heavily seasoned fries. Then it’s off to the backyard to watch the sun set and enjoy my dessert of carrot cake or maybe one of those turmeric date muffins made in the Mi Element bakery. Throw on the “Spreading Rumors” album by Grouplove and you have all the elements for a fantastic mid-Michigan beer experience.