Wormtown Rocket Pale Ale

Rocket Pale Ale is an American Pale Ale brewed by Wormtown in Massachusetts, listed at 5% ABV and 55 IBU. That bitterness figure puts it at the firmer end of the pale ale range: well above the gentle, malt-led pales and close to the territory where the style starts shading toward IPA, while the modest alcohol keeps the body light enough to finish cleanly. Expect the profile typical of American pale ales built on American hop varieties: citrus and pine, possibly with some resinous or grapefruit-peel character, resting on a restrained, lightly bready malt backbone. A 55 IBU beer at 5% usually reads as crisp and noticeably bitter through the finish, with the malt there mainly to support the hops rather than to sweeten. The brewery also notes it took the 2014 Grand National Champion title at the US Open Beer Championships. At the table, that bitterness works well against fat, salt, and char. Think burgers, grilled sausages, fried chicken, wings with a vinegar-based or buffalo sauce, and sharp cheddar. The hop bite also stands up to moderately spicy dishes such as tacos or Thai-style curries, though very hot food will amplify the bitterness rather than soften it. Lighter seafood and delicate salads tend to get overwhelmed by a beer at this IBU. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 40 to 45°F (4 to 7°C). Much colder and the hop aromatics go quiet; a few minutes out of the fridge lets the citrus and pine come forward. A standard pint glass or a shaker pint is fine, but a tulip or a nonic with a slight taper does more to hold the foam and funnel the hop aroma toward the nose. Pour with some force to build a head, then drink it fresh, since hop character in pale ales fades with time.