Little Fawn Irish Ipa

Little Fawn Irish IPA is a four-pack of India pale ale brewed in Massachusetts by Esplanda. The "Irish" in the name points to a style that sits between a classic American IPA and an Irish red ale. Beers in this lane usually pair a firmer malt backbone with the hop bitterness of an IPA, so expect toasted bread or light caramel malt underneath citrus, pine or resin hop character, rather than the juicy, hazy profile of a New England-style IPA. Treat that as the category's typical shape, since no specific tasting notes or ABV are published for this beer. Serve it cold but not ice-cold. Around 45 to 50°F lets the malt come forward and keeps the hop aroma from being muted. Straight from a very cold fridge, a malt-forward IPA tends to taste thinner and more bitter than it should. Pour it into a tulip glass or a standard pint glass rather than drinking from the can. The pour releases the hop aromatics and shows off the color, which in this style typically runs from deep gold to amber. The caramel-leaning malt makes it a good match for food with some char or fat. Burgers, grilled sausages, roasted root vegetables, sharp cheddar and pub-style fish and chips all work, because the bitterness cuts through richness while the malt echoes browned flavors. Spicy dishes such as wings or tacos also hold up well, though very hot heat will exaggerate the bitterness. A four-pack suits a small gathering or a few weeknight dinners. It also makes a useful side-by-side comparison: pour one next to a standard American IPA and the difference in malt weight is easy to notice.