Mast Landing Calling Shots

Calling Shots is an imperial IPA from Mast Landing, a Maine brewery, and the style tells you most of what to expect. Imperial IPAs are built on a large malt base, usually with a touch of sweetness for balance, and then loaded with hops at the end of the boil and in the fermenter. Expect big citrus, tropical fruit and resin aromas, a fuller body than a standard IPA, and a bitterness that is firm but rounded by the malt. ABV in this style typically lands between 7.5 and 10 percent, and IBU often runs from the 60s into the 90s. The listing doesn't give exact figures for this beer, so check the can for the stated ABV. Brewers in Maine often favor a softer, hazier, juice-forward approach to hops, so a pillowy texture and low harshness are reasonable things to look for. These are expectations from the category, not a measured profile of this particular beer. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, ideally around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Straight from a very cold refrigerator, the hop aromatics are muted and the alcohol can feel sharper. Letting the can sit out for ten minutes lets the citrus, pine and tropical notes open up as it warms in the glass. A tulip or a shaped IPA glass is the best choice, because the narrowed rim concentrates the aromatics and the bowl leaves room for a foamy head. A wide-mouthed tumbler or a standard shaker pint also works, but it releases the aroma faster. Pour it into the glass instead of drinking from the can, since much of what makes a hop-forward beer enjoyable is smell. For food, the hop resin and strength of an imperial IPA hold up to rich, fatty or spicy dishes. Cheeseburgers, smoked brisket, fried chicken and carnitas tacos all have enough fat and char to match the bitterness. Curries and spicy Thai or Szechuan dishes pair well because the malt sweetness cushions the heat, though very hot food can make the hop bitterness more pronounced. Sharp cheddar, aged Gouda and blue cheese stand up to it on a cheese board, and a carrot cake or a slice of cheesecake can echo the beer's fruit and sweetness without being overwhelmed. Light, delicate fish or salads tend to be lost beside a beer this assertive. Because of its strength and hop load, this style is best sipped slowly and enjoyed fresh. Hop flavor in IPAs fades over weeks and months, so drink it soon after purchase and keep the can refrigerated until you're ready for it.