Athletic Run Wild

Run Wild is a non-alcoholic IPA from Athletic, brewed in Connecticut, and it's built around the hops. The brewer lists Citra and Mosaic at the front of a Northwest hop blend, and that pairing usually shows up as citrus, tropical fruit and a touch of resin. The listed IBU of 35 is moderate for an IPA. It gives a clear bitter edge without the lingering harshness of a heavily hopped West Coast style. The malt side is described as organic malts from the US and Germany, with a subtle but layered profile. In beers like this, that generally means a light bready or cracker-like backbone that holds the hops up instead of competing with them. The listed ABV is 0.4%, so this sits in the non-alcoholic category. Non-alcoholic IPAs tend to have a slightly lighter body than their full-strength counterparts. The hop character carries most of the flavor, which suits a session-style beer. Expect a crisp, dry-leaning finish rather than a sweet or heavy one. Because the bitterness is only moderate, it stays easy to drink through a full pint. Serve it cold but not frozen, around 38 to 42°F (3 to 6°C). Hop aromatics from Citra and Mosaic are most noticeable at the upper end of that range, while straight-from-the-fridge temperatures mute them. Pour into a standard pint glass or a tulip-shaped IPA glass. The tulip's tapered rim concentrates the citrus and tropical notes, and a gentle pour that leaves a finger of foam helps release them. Skip the frosted mug, which dulls the aroma. For food, the citrus and resin hops work well against spicy and fried dishes. Fish tacos with lime, buffalo cauliflower, chicken wings, and green curry are all good matches. The moderate bitterness cuts through richness in burgers and sharp cheddar. It also works with grilled shrimp and charred vegetables, where the hops echo the smoky, slightly bitter edges. Lighter dishes such as salads with citrus dressing suit it as well, because the beer's body is gentle enough not to overpower them.