Stellwagen Head Full of Zombie

Head Full of Zombie is a New England IPA from Stellwagen, and the style itself tells you most of what to expect. New England IPAs are built around hop aroma and flavor rather than bitterness, so look for a hazy, juicy body with tropical and citrus fruit character, think mango, pineapple, orange and grapefruit, along with a soft, rounded mouthfeel. Bitterness in this style is typically restrained and sits well behind the fruit, which is why NEIPAs read as smooth and easy-drinking despite heavy hopping. Stellwagen has not published specifics in the details provided here, so treat the ABV and IBU as something to confirm on the can. Because the hop character is the main event, freshness matters more with this beer than with most. The aromatics fade first, so drink it young and keep it cold from the day it goes into the fridge until you pour it. Serve it at roughly 4 to 7°C (about 40 to 45°F). Colder than that and the fruit is muted; warmer and the soft body can feel heavy and the hop oils lose definition. For glassware, a tulip or a wide-mouthed IPA glass is the right choice, since the curved shape concentrates the aroma and leaves room for the foam. A standard shaker pint works fine, but a stemmed or tulip shape will show off the nose better. Pour with a little vigor to lift the aroma, and decide whether to leave the last bit of yeast and haze in the can or glass depending on how much texture you want. At the table, the juicy hop profile suits food with some heat, fat or sweetness. Spicy tacos, Thai or Indian curries, fried chicken, burgers and sharp cheddar all work, because the fruit and soft bitterness cool spice and cut through richness. Carrot cake and other lightly spiced desserts are a good match for the same fruit-forward character. Avoid very delicate dishes, which a heavily hopped beer will overwhelm.