Zero Gravity Jaws

Zero Gravity's JAWS is a pilsner, filed under easy-drinking beer. The style is the point here: a pilsner is built on pale malt and noble-type hops, fermented cold and cleanly, so the beer shows its structure without heavy flavors in the way. No ABV or IBU is listed for this bottling. Styles like this typically land in the mid-4s to mid-5s ABV, with bitterness that is firm but not aggressive. Expect a pale straw to light gold pour with a white head that settles slowly. On the nose, pilsners usually give soft cracker or fresh-bread malt, a little honeyed sweetness, and a gentle herbal, floral or lightly spicy hop note. The palate tends to be crisp and dry, with a clean snap of bitterness in the finish that clears the mouth between sips. That cleanliness is why the style is a go-to for easy drinking. Nothing lingers, so a second glass tastes much like the first. Serve it cold, about 3 to 6°C (38 to 43°F). That range keeps the carbonation lively and the finish crisp without numbing the malt and hop character. If the beer is much colder, the subtle aromatics tend to disappear. A tall pilsner glass or a slender flute shows off the color and clarity and keeps the head in place. A standard pint glass or a stange works well too. Pour down the side of the glass at first, then straighten it to build a finger or two of foam. At the table, a beer like this suits foods that are salty, fried or lightly spiced. Try it with fish and chips, grilled sausages, roast chicken, fish tacos with lime, or a plate of pretzels and mustard. The carbonation and bitterness cut through fat and reset the palate, and the soft malt backbone leaves delicate dishes, such as simple seafood or salads with a vinaigrette, undisturbed. It is less suited to very heavy or sweet dishes, which can flatten the beer's dry finish.