Drowned Lands Deep Terra

Deep Terra is an Imperial IPA from Drowned Lands, brewed in New York. The imperial tier of the style usually means a higher ABV than a standard IPA, often 8 to 10 percent, and a heavier hop load. The label details here don't give an exact ABV or IBU, so check the can for those figures. Expect a full-bodied beer with a sturdy malt base that supports the hops. Resinous pine and citrus rind are common in the style, as are tropical notes like mango and pineapple, depending on the hop varieties used. Bitterness in imperial IPAs is firm, but good examples balance it with a touch of residual sweetness so the finish doesn't turn harsh. Because strength and hop intensity both build over a glass, pour this one in smaller measures rather than treating it as a session beer. A tulip or a snifter-style IPA glass is the best choice. The curved bowl concentrates the hop aromatics, and the flared lip holds a good head of foam. A standard shaker pint works, but it lets the aroma escape faster. Pour with a steady stream down the middle of the glass to build a couple of fingers of head, and leave any yeast or hop sediment in the bottom of the can or bottle if you prefer a cleaner pour. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 45 to 50°F (7 to 10°C). Straight from a very cold fridge, the hop oils and malt sweetness stay muted. Leave it out for ten minutes or so and the citrus and resin come forward. Hop-forward beers are at their best fresh, so if there is a canned-on or packaged date, drink it within a few weeks of that date. The bitterness and weight of an imperial IPA stand up well to rich, fatty, or spicy food. Try it with a bacon cheeseburger, carnitas tacos, jerk chicken, or buffalo wings, where the hops cut through grease and the bitterness plays against heat. Sharp aged cheddar and blue cheese work for the same reason. For dessert, carrot cake is a classic match, since its sweetness and spice echo the beer's malt and hop character. Delicate dishes such as white fish or light salads would be overpowered.