Little Willow Game Face

Game Face is a double dry hopped New England IPA from Little Willow in Massachusetts, built around two hops: Galaxy and Citra. It runs 7% ABV. No IBU figure is listed, but the hazy New England style generally keeps bitterness low and puts the hop contribution into aroma and flavor, so expect a soft, rounded bitterness rather than a sharp, resinous bite. Galaxy and Citra together typically point toward ripe tropical and citrus fruit: passionfruit, peach and mango from Galaxy, grapefruit, orange and lime from Citra. A double dry hop, meaning hops added twice after fermentation, pushes those aromatics forward. Styles like this usually pour a cloudy, golden-to-orange color with a full, slightly pillowy body and a juicy rather than dry finish. At 7%, there's enough alcohol to give the beer weight without turning it hot or sticky. For food, the fruit-forward hops suit dishes with heat and spice. Thai green curry, chicken tinga tacos, jerk chicken and spicy fried chicken sandwiches all work, as the beer's soft sweetness and low bitterness cool the heat instead of amplifying it. It also goes well with sharp cheddar, fresh goat cheese, carrot-based salads and fish tacos with a lime-heavy slaw. Heavily roasted or smoky dishes tend to overpower the delicate hop aromatics. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F, so the aromatics stay open. Straight from a very cold fridge, the hop character mutes. A tulip, a wide-mouth IPA glass or a stemless wine glass is the best choice, since each concentrates the aroma at the rim. A can-to-glass pour is worth it here, as the hop-driven nose is a large part of what this beer offers. Drink it fresh: hazy IPAs are at their best within weeks of packaging, and the hop aromatics fade as the beer ages.