Montauk Na Ipa

Montauk Na Ipa is a non-alcoholic India pale ale from Esplanda. The "NA" in the name marks it as an alcohol-free take on the IPA style. The listing doesn't give an ABV, IBU figure, hop varieties or a tasting profile, so what follows describes what non-alcoholic IPAs usually taste like. It isn't a measured profile of this bottling. Expect the hop-forward character the style is known for: citrus, pine, resin or tropical fruit on the nose, with a bitterness that is usually softer than in a full-strength IPA. Alcohol-free versions also tend to carry a little more malt sweetness and a lighter body. If you're comparing it to a regular IPA, look for a leaner, crisper finish rather than a heavy, boozy one. Serve it cold, around 4 to 7°C (39 to 45°F). Chilling helps keep a lighter-bodied beer crisp and stops any malt sweetness from reading as syrupy. Pour it into a tulip glass or a standard IPA glass. The tapered rim holds the hop aroma, which does a lot of the work in a beer without alcohol's warmth behind it. A pint glass is fine if that's what you have, though you'll lose some aroma. Pour at an angle, then straighten the glass to build a modest head. For food, IPAs usually suit dishes with some heat or fat. Fish tacos, grilled chicken with a citrus marinade, burgers, spiced curries and sharp cheddar all work with a hoppy, bitter-leaning beer. Salty snacks like fries, roasted nuts and fried calamari work as well, because the bitterness cuts through the richness. Drink it chilled and fresh. Hop aromatics fade with time and warmth, so keep it in the fridge until you pour.