Beer Review: Orange Creamsicle M-43 (Old Nation Brewing Co)

April Fool’s Day is a prime time for breweries across the state and country to spout off some long lost pipe dream, idea from a comment or post on Untappd, or something so off the wall no one would see it coming. Old Nation Brewing Co seized the day and created a beer that has been a little of everything listed above with their Orange Creamsicle M-43 that was released earlier today.

It all started on Easter Sunday 2024 around 3 pm. Old Nation’s Facebook profile picture changed to an extremely zoomed in picture of some cartoonish character that was yet to be determined (see below).

I, honestly, figured it was a long game set up for something outlandish for April 1st and just kind of forgot about it. On April Fool’s Day the brewery posted around 9 am:

“It’s April, and about this time every year we get asked about the Orange Creamsicle M-43 we made once years ago, so we figure it’s time we give everyone an answer. Our answer? We slapped together an amazingly awesome label and decided to do a pub release today beginning at 11 am. This beer is extremely (and we mean extremely) limited, so two 4-packs per person sounds right! Don’t sleep on this one as we’re not sure when, or if it will ever make a return.” This post included the hashtags #aprilfools #fakebeerpostorisit #oldnationbrewingco.

This was the time where a lot of us stopped to think about it. It sounded too good to be true. There were also a few things that tipped me off.

1. The 11 am opening on a Monday because Old Nation opens at 3 pm on Mondays.
2. Old Nation is closed on Tuesdays. Why have a beer release when you’re going to be closed the next day?
3. The hashtags at the end saying #aprilfools & #fakebeerpostorisit.

At 10 am Old Nation’s social media posted again:

“It’s April Fools but we would never play with you especially on this one! We assure you it’s 100% real and is a pub exclusive that is being released today beginning at 11 am at Pub at Old Nation Brewing Company. This beer is extremely (and we mean extremely) limited, so two 4-packs per person.

A few notes on the release:

• The kitchen will not be open until 3pm.
• Draft of Orange Creamsicle M-43 will be available for $6.
• No crowlers or growlers for Orange Creamsicle M-4
• We’re closed Tuesday, but any remaining cans will be available during normal business hours beginning 3pm on Wednesday.

And like we said before, don’t sleep on this one as we’re not sure when, or if it will ever make a return.”

This post included actual cans in the picture and a few of my questions being answered, so I figured it was real. Although, as I drove to Old Nation, I was looking over my shoulder to see if I was being Punk’d.

RELATED: Beer Review: M-43 with Williamston Water

I was not being pranked as I was able to get my allotment and a sticker. After letting it chill in the fridge for a little after I got home, it was time to see if the hype was worth it. I rolled the can per the instructions on the side and cracked the can open. Immediately, my nose was met with orange creamsicle notes that I remembered as a kid breaking open a melted ice cream novelty. The orange creamsicle notes carried into the beer that is already tropical and citrusy as all get out as a NEIPA. This beer exceeded my expectations and my eight cans probably will be gone by the weekend.

Other breweries who just posted a funny “ha ha” on social media need to take notes on what Old Nation Brewing Co did today. Old Nation flawlessly executed an April Fool’s Day beer release. It was a clinic. They created a dope label and made stickers, crafted a top notch variant of their flagship beer, and executed a surprise beer release with the staff on deck to make the check out process flawless. Bravo, Old Nation!

Disclaimer: Ed purchased this beer for review.