Mighty Squirrel Double Cloud Candy

Double Cloud Candy is a New England-style double IPA brewed by Mighty Squirrel in Massachusetts, listed at 8.2% ABV and 45 IBU. That bitterness figure is modest for a beer of this strength, and it tells you how the beer is built: the hops are there for aroma and juiciness rather than a sharp, resinous bite. The brewer describes it as double dry-hopped with a smooth mouthfeel and tropical fruit character, which is consistent with the hazy, soft-textured profile of the style. Expect a cloudy, pale golden pour and an aroma led by tropical and stone-fruit notes such as mango, pineapple, and peach, with perhaps a little citrus zest. Beers in this style usually rely on oats or wheat for a plush, rounded body and low perceived bitterness, so the finish tends to be soft and lightly sweet rather than dry. At 8.2% there is some warmth behind the fruit, but at a 45 IBU the alcohol should read as weight on the palate rather than harshness. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, around 4 to 7°C (40 to 45°F). Straight from a very cold fridge the hop aromatics are muted, and a few minutes in the glass lets the fruit come forward. A tulip or a wide-mouthed IPA glass is the best fit, since the bowl concentrates the aroma and the tapered rim holds it near your nose. A standard shaker pint works, though it lets more of the hop character escape. Pour it with a little agitation at the end, so the haze and the aromatics are in the glass, and drink it reasonably fresh, as dry-hopped beers like this lose their brightness with age. For food, the juicy hop profile and the body suit spicy dishes well. Thai green curry, chicken tikka, jerk chicken, and fish tacos with a mango or pineapple salsa all work. It also handles carrot cake and cream cheese frosting, and creamy, tangy cheeses such as a fresh goat's cheese or a young cheddar. At this strength it is a beer to share across a meal or sip slowly, rather than to drink quickly.