Stoneface Full Clip

Full Clip is a New England-style IPA from Stoneface in New Hampshire, listed at 6.5% ABV and 60 IBU. That bitterness figure is higher than many hazy IPAs carry, so expect a beer where hop presence goes beyond soft juice and brings a firmer, resinous edge. Styles like this usually lean on late-addition and dry hops for tropical and citrus character, with orange, mango, pineapple, and grapefruit pith being typical reference points, over a soft, lightly sweet malt body and a hazy, golden-to-straw appearance. At 6.5%, it sits in the standard-strength range for the style, so it drinks fuller than a session IPA without the weight of a double. New England IPAs generally have low perceived bitterness thanks to their soft water profile and oat or wheat content, and a 60 IBU number suggests Full Clip will finish with more snap than the average hazy. Aroma tends to be the strongest part of the experience in this style, so it pays to smell the beer before drinking. Serve it cold but not ice-cold, roughly 4 to 7°C (40 to 45°F). Straight from a very cold fridge, the hop aromatics stay muted; a few minutes on the counter lets the fruit come forward. A tulip or a shaped IPA glass is the best choice, since the narrowing top concentrates hop aroma. A standard pint glass works fine, and a wide-mouthed shaker pint is the weakest option for a beer where scent matters this much. Pour with a little vigor to release the volatile hop oils, and decide whether to include the yeast and haze at the bottom based on how full-bodied you like it. For food, the hop bitterness and fruit character suit spicy dishes well: Thai green curry, jerk chicken, and buffalo wings all benefit from the beer's cooling fruitiness and its ability to cut through fat and heat. Carnitas tacos with pineapple salsa echo the tropical notes, and sharp cheddar or a washed-rind cheese stands up to the bitterness. Sweeter desserts tend to clash with hoppy beers, so carrot cake with cream cheese frosting is about as far in that direction as it's worth going.