Zero Gravity Levitate Ipa

Levitate is an India pale ale sold here as a four-pack, listed as a United States product from Massachusetts. The listing gives no ABV, IBU, or hop bill, so what follows describes the style and what to expect from a modern IPA, not a measured profile of this particular beer. IPAs in this lane are built around hop aroma more than raw bitterness. Expect citrus and tropical fruit up front, such as grapefruit peel, orange, pineapple, or mango, often with a resinous or piney edge, resting on a light-to-medium malt body that stays out of the way. Most examples land somewhere around 6 to 7 percent ABV with a moderate, lingering bitterness. Check the can for the actual strength and date. Hop-forward IPAs are at their best fresh, so drink the cans soon and keep them cold and upright in the refrigerator until you open them. Serve at roughly 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). Straight from the fridge-cold muffles the aroma, while anything much warmer lets the sweetness turn heavy and the bitterness feel blunt. A tulip or a shaped IPA glass is the best choice because the narrowed rim concentrates the hop aromatics. A standard pint glass works fine, and a wide-mouthed tumbler is acceptable in a pinch. Pour with some vigor to build a short head, then leave the last bit of liquid in the can if it shows any haze or sediment. At the table, the hops and carbonation cut through fat and handle heat well. Good matches include spicy fried chicken, carnitas tacos, a sharp cheddar burger, pad thai, or a curry with some chili behind it. Carrot cake and other spiced desserts also work, since the beer's fruitiness echoes the sweetness while the bitterness resets the palate.