Tilted Barn Tate the Great

Tate the Great is an American IPA from Tilted Barn in Rhode Island. The listing doesn't give an ABV or IBU, so check the can for those numbers. American IPAs usually fall between about 6 and 7.5 percent ABV. The style is built on American hop varieties, which tend to bring citrus peel, grapefruit, pine and resin, and often stone fruit or tropical notes such as mango and passionfruit. Expect a restrained malt backbone that supports the hops without sweetening the beer, and a bitterness that is noticeable but meant to be balanced rather than harsh. Beers from New England breweries are often made in a softer, juicier, less abrasive style. The label and the brewery's own notes will tell you whether this one leans that way or toward a drier, clearer West Coast profile. Serve it cold but not frozen, ideally 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). Straight from the back of the fridge, the chill mutes hop aroma and can make the bitterness taste sharper. Letting the can sit for five to ten minutes brings out more of the fruit and resin. Hop character fades quickly in IPAs, so drink it fresh and check the packaging date if one is printed. Keep it refrigerated until you pour. For glassware, a tulip, a shaped IPA glass or a standard shaker pint all work. A tulip or similar glass with a slight inward curve at the rim concentrates the hop aroma, which is much of the pleasure in this style. Pour with some vigor to build a head, then leave any sediment in the can if the beer is unfiltered. The bitterness and aromatics of an American IPA suit rich, fatty or spiced food. Cheeseburgers, fried chicken, wood-fired pizza and barbecue ribs all hold up to it, and the carbonation and bitterness cut through grease. Spicy dishes such as Thai curries, buffalo wings and carnitas tacos pair well with the citrus and tropical notes. For cheese, try sharp cheddar, aged gouda or a washed-rind cheese. Very delicate dishes and most desserts will be overwhelmed, though a carrot cake or a slice of cheddar-topped apple pie can work.