Samuel Adams Our City Our Beer

Our City Our Beer is a Samuel Adams IPA brewed in Massachusetts, listed at 5.0% ABV and 30 IBU. Both numbers put it at the restrained end of the IPA category. At 30 IBU the bitterness sits closer to a pale ale than to a West Coast-style IPA, and at 5.0% it is light enough to drink in a full pint without the weight of a stronger double. Because the brewery's own description points to a balance of hops and malt, expect a structure where neither side dominates. Beers in this range usually show a modest grain or light bread-crust backbone under hop character that reads as citrus peel, pine or a little floral lift, finishing with a clean, moderate bitterness rather than a lingering one. The brewery hasn't published specific hop varieties or aroma notes for this release, so treat those descriptors as what the style and numbers suggest, not a measured profile. That moderate bitterness makes it flexible at the table. It handles the foods IPAs are usually matched with: burgers, barbecue chicken, sausages and grilled vegetables, where the hops cut through fat and char and the malt keeps pace with caramelized flavors. It also suits fried fish, tacos and pizza, and its restraint means it won't overpower milder dishes such as roast chicken or a sharp cheddar sandwich. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). Straight from a very cold refrigerator the hop aromatics stay muted, so give the bottle or can a few minutes on the counter if you want the citrus and pine notes to open up. A standard pint glass works well, and a tulip or shaker-style IPA glass will concentrate the aroma if you prefer. Pour with a gentle angle to build a modest head, and drink it within a few weeks of purchase for the freshest hop character.