Bissell Brothers Nothing Gold

Nothing Gold is a New England IPA from Bissell Brothers of Maine, listed at 7.2% ABV and 50 IBU. That bitterness figure is moderate for an IPA of this strength, and it points to the hazy style's usual approach: hops are added late and in the whirlpool or dry-hop stage to push aroma and juicy flavor, while the bittering charge stays restrained. Expect a soft, pillowy body, an opaque golden-to-pale-orange look, and tropical and stone-fruit notes, typically things like mango, pineapple, and peach, over a gentle bread-dough malt base. The finish in this style tends to be smooth and low in sharp bite, with bitterness that lingers briefly rather than scraping. At 7.2%, the beer carries enough alcohol to give the hop oils some weight without turning hot or solvent-like, and the 50 IBU gives the fruit enough structure that it doesn't read as sweet juice. Styles like this are at their best fresh, because the volatile hop aromatics fade with time and warmth, so keeping it cold and drinking it soon after purchase protects the character the brewer built into it. Serve it at about 4 to 8°C (40 to 46°F). Colder than that and the aroma stays muted; much warmer and the soft body can turn heavy and the alcohol more noticeable. A tulip or a wide-bowled IPA glass is the right vessel, since the narrowing top concentrates the hop aroma while the bowl leaves room for a modest head. A standard shaker pint works, but it lets more of the aroma escape. Pour with a gentle swirl near the end if you want the beer's fuller haze and any settled hop material in the glass, or leave the last bit behind if you prefer it brighter. For food, the fruit-forward hops and moderate bitterness suit spicy dishes such as Thai green curry, Nashville hot chicken, or al pastor tacos, where the soft body cools the heat. It also handles fish tacos with citrus slaw, a sharp cheddar burger, and creamy cheeses like young goat cheese or Havarti. Avoid very delicate or sweet desserts, which tend to flatten the hop fruit, though a carrot cake with cream cheese frosting can echo the beer's tropical notes well.