Are you familiar with the humorous autumn adage “It’s decorative gourd season, motherf*&%ers”? In Arizona, we have our own version of the saying, in which the “decorative gourd” is simply replaced by “prickly pear.” Fighting past the cactus fruit’s famously nettlesome needles, food-oriented folk love turning the fruit’s viscous pulp into jellies, cocktail additives and – in the case of this collaboration between Simple Machine Brewing Co. and the Tap That AZ podcast – a rich and faintly tart IPA. With its brick-like, grapefruit-cocktail color and lacy foam, the brew is easy on the eyes and tongue alike, the prickly pear’s cucumber-like taste presenting faintly on the finish. F*&%ing perfect for fall. Available at Arcadia Premium and other craft beer shops. simplemachinebrewing.com
