Bissell Brothers Original Receipe Substance

Original Recipe Substance is a hazy New England-style IPA from Bissell Brothers Brewing in Portland, Maine, and it is a version of the brewery's flagship Substance Ale. The "Original Recipe" name points back to the beer that put the brewery on the map. If you've only had Bissell Brothers' newer releases, this is the place to start. Beers in the New England style usually pour opaque and golden, with a soft, full body and very little perceived bitterness. The hops are added late in the process and in the fermenter, so the flavor comes from hop oils rather than harsh bite. Expect ripe citrus and stone-fruit aromatics, such as orange, grapefruit, peach or tropical notes, over a smooth, rounded finish. The details supplied for this beer don't list a hop bill, ABV or can size, so check the label for those. Serve it cold, around 40 to 45°F. A little warmth as it sits lets the hop aromatics open up, while a fridge-cold pour can mute them. Pour into a tulip, a shaker pint or a wide-mouthed IPA glass, and don't be shy about the pour. The foam and the haze carry much of the aroma, and a glass shows off the color better than drinking from the can. These beers are at their best fresh, so drink it soon after you buy it and keep it refrigerated until you pour. At the table, the juicy, low-bitterness profile suits food with some heat or richness. Fried chicken, tacos al pastor, Thai or Indian curries, burgers and sharp cheddar all work, and the citrus-forward hops cut through fat and spice without competing with them.