Frost Plush

PLUSH from FROST is an Imperial IPA, the stronger, more heavily hopped tier of the IPA family. The name suggests a soft, rounded mouthfeel. That is common in modern double IPAs, but no ABV, IBU or hop list is given here, so treat the following as what the style usually delivers and not as measured specs for this can or bottle. Imperial IPAs typically sit in the 7.5 to 9.5 percent ABV range. Expect a dense wave of citrus, tropical fruit and resin on the nose, with grapefruit, mango, pineapple and pine as the usual reference points. A soft, fuller body with moderate bitterness is the current trend, and a name like Plush points that way. Malt in this style stays in the background, usually a clean pale-malt base with a trace of bread or light caramel. It gives the hop oils something to sit on. Because the alcohol is higher, the finish can carry a gentle warmth, and a well-made example keeps it from turning sweet or syrupy. Hop aroma fades quickly in double IPAs, so drink it fresh and check the packaging for a date. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 7 to 10 °C (45 to 50 °F). Straight from a fridge at 3 or 4 °C, the hop aromatics are muted and the bitterness reads sharper. Letting it sit for ten minutes after you pour fixes both. A tulip or an IPA-specific glass with a tapered rim is the best choice, since it holds the foam and funnels the hop aroma toward you. A standard nonic pint glass works if that's what you have. Pour with some force to build a head, then sip slowly, because the strength rewards patience over speed. For food, the hop bitterness and resin cut through fat, so fried chicken, smash burgers, sharp cheddar and carnitas tacos all suit it. Spicy dishes such as Thai green curry or buffalo wings work if the heat is moderate, since high alcohol amplifies chili. Carrot cake or a cream-cheese frosting dessert can echo the fruitier side of the beer. Delicate fish and light salads will be overwhelmed by it.