Wormtown Be Berry Blueberry

Be Berry Blueberry from Wormtown in Massachusetts is a 5.0% ABV fruit-forward IPA-category beer with a listed bitterness of just 15 IBU, which puts it far below the 40 to 70 IBU range of a conventional IPA. That low number tells you what to expect: hop bitterness stays in the background, and the blueberry and malt do most of the talking. Beers built this way usually pour with a pale gold to pink-tinged hue, and the nose tends to lead with ripe berry, sometimes with a faint jammy sweetness and a light grassy or floral hop lift underneath. On the palate, expect the tart-sweet split that blueberry brings. The fruit typically reads as juicy and slightly tannic rather than candy-like, and a clean, crisp malt base keeps it from turning syrupy. The finish in beers of this kind is short and fairly dry, with a gentle acidity that makes it easy to drink at a modest 5.0% strength. Anyone expecting the resinous, pine-heavy bite of a West Coast IPA should know this sits much closer to a fruit ale than a hop-driven one. Serve it cold, roughly 38 to 45°F, so the fruit stays bright and the crispness holds. Much warmer and the sweetness tends to dominate; much colder and the berry aroma goes quiet. A tulip or a tall pilsner glass works well, since the narrowing top gathers the fruit aromatics and a pour with a moderate head shows off the color. A standard shaker pint is fine if that's what is on hand. At the table, the berry-and-malt profile suits foods that take a touch of sweetness: grilled chicken or pork with a fruit glaze, a salad with goat cheese and nuts, soft cheeses such as brie or fresh chèvre, and lightly spiced dishes where the low bitterness will not amplify heat. It also works alongside vanilla ice cream or a simple cheesecake, where the tartness acts like a fruit compote on the side.