Deciduous Lollipop Forest

Lollipop Forest is a 6.0% ABV beer from Deciduous in New Hampshire, and its numbers say a lot about how it drinks. An IBU of 10 is very low by IPA standards, where 40 to 70 is common, so expect almost no hop bite. The distributor description frames it as a fruited, tart beer, which fits that profile: acidity and fruit take the lead where bitterness would normally sit. Beers in this lane usually show juicy, candy-like fruit character with a bright, puckering finish, though the specific fruit isn't stated in the product details, so treat the flavor description as typical of the style rather than a measured profile. At 6.0% the beer carries enough body to hold its fruit without tasting thin, but it isn't heavy, and the low bitterness means the tartness stays clean instead of clashing with hop resin. That makes it a good partner for foods that benefit from acidity: grilled chicken with a citrus marinade, fish tacos, goat cheese, fresh cheeses and salads with vinaigrette. Spicy dishes such as Thai curries or buffalo wings also work, since the tartness cuts through fat and heat. Rich, sweet desserts are better avoided, because a sweeter dish can flatten the beer's fruit. Serve it cold, around 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). Colder than that and the fruit aromatics go quiet, while warmer serving tends to make tart beers taste flabby. A tulip or stemmed teku-style glass concentrates the aromas and shows off the color, and a standard pint glass works fine for casual drinking. Pour gently, since fruited beers can foam readily, and leave any sediment behind if the can or bottle has settled.