Bissell Brothers Good Haul

Good Haul is a New England-style IPA from Bissell Brothers Brewing Co. in Portland, Maine, brewed in the hazy, juicy, hop-forward mold that defines the style. The producer's description points to soft tropical and citrus fruit character with low bitterness, and that is what to expect in the glass: an opaque, pale golden to yellow-orange beer with a full, pillowy mouthfeel and a finish that stays round rather than sharp. Beers in this style get their fruit impression from late-addition and dry hops rather than from kettle bitterness, so the aroma usually leads. Expect notes along the lines of orange, grapefruit pith, mango, and pineapple, with a faint doughy or oat-like softness underneath. Because the bitterness is restrained, the hops read as juice and zest rather than resin or pine. This is the opposite of a West Coast IPA's dry, bracing snap, which is worth knowing if you are choosing between the two. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F. Colder than that mutes the aromatics that make the style worth drinking, and a few minutes out of the refrigerator will open up the citrus and tropical notes. A tulip or a wide-bowled IPA glass is the best match, since the tapered rim funnels the hop aroma toward the nose. A standard shaker pint works fine, but pour with some vigor to release volatiles and leave the last bit of yeast haze in the can or bottle only if you prefer a thicker texture. At the table, the low bitterness and fruit-forward profile suit spicy food well: Thai green curry, fish tacos with a lime slaw, jerk chicken, or buffalo wings, where the beer's softness and fruit tame the heat. It also pairs with sharp cheddar, a charred burger, or carnitas, and its citrus edge holds up against creamy dishes like a fish chowder, a nod to its Maine home. Drink it fresh, as hazy IPAs are at their best within weeks of packaging, when the hop aroma is brightest.