Castle Island Keeper

Castle Island Keeper comes as a four-pack of cans from Massachusetts, and the listing doesn't give an ABV, IBU or style, so the character below is what to expect rather than a measured profile. Keeper is generally known as an unfiltered, hop-forward American IPA, and the New England-leaning examples of that style usually pour a hazy gold. Expect citrus and tropical fruit aroma such as grapefruit, orange peel, and stone fruit. Bitterness tends to be restrained, with a soft, rounded body and a gentle resinous finish rather than a sharp, dry snap. Cans suit this kind of beer because they keep out light and oxygen, the two things that dull hop aroma fastest. Drink it fresh and keep it cold until you pour. Serve it at roughly 40 to 45°F, a little warmer than a standard lager. Straight from a very cold fridge, the fruit character in a hop-driven beer stays muted. Let the can sit out for a few minutes if it has been in the back of the fridge. A tulip or a shaker pint works well. A tulip or a stemmed IPA glass gathers the aroma at the rim. If the beer is unfiltered, pour it with a bit of vigor and leave the last half-inch of sediment if you prefer a cleaner glass, or swirl it in for a fuller, juicier body. At the table, beers like this suit foods that can stand up to hop intensity. Spicy fried chicken, fish tacos with lime and cilantro, carnitas, and burgers with sharp cheddar are good matches, because the carbonation cuts richness and the citrus notes echo the fresh toppings. Thai green curry and other chile-forward dishes also work, since the beer's softer bitterness doesn't amplify the heat the way a very bitter West Coast IPA can. For a lighter pairing, try fresh goat cheese or a creamy brie.